So, I've been informed by some of my vast readership (yes, all three of you) that I've been neglecting you and not updating things.
I'd love to go back over the past two weeks, but the majority of it is summed up in my previous post about heart attacks. My visit to MA was fun, and I almost missed being up there until it decided to start getting cold. It was great seeing friends and family, but I'm totally glad to be back in Atlanta.
I started the new job on Monday. Henceforth, "The Company" will now reference as this new job. I haven't decided if I'm going to like it or not yet. The first couple weeks are always the worst. You're out there learning the stuff you're going to be doing because every company is different. The basic skills are always there, but each company has its own intricacies that cause the learning curve. Thursday was bad because I accidentally deleted some data. I clicked "OK" a little too fast, but in almost fairness, I was following the direction of what my manager was wanting to do. But he misstated something as we were determining what to clear in the system. Before he had a chance to re-look at the selection, I clicked OK. I'm definitely not used to having Production access yet, but I will get in the proper mindset soon.
Right now, I'm fearful of trying to blog from work since I don't know what's being watched. Until I get more comfortable there, you may have to live with spurts of blogs instead of a more constant flow.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
How to piss off a GPS
So, yeah, I'm in MA as we all know right now. I leave Saturday.
Now, my experience with Boston proper has always been as a pedestrian, with the exception of my last trip where I flew in and got lost trying to get out of airsport to get to Western Mass. Since I knew I was going to travel inside Boston and knew that I would want to drive around Western Mass with the option of getting lost and needing to find my way home, I bought a GPS prior to my trip. It's worked mostly well, with the exception of Boston having several roads intersect and the GPS getting confused as to whether to turn left or right. Later I found out that 3D mode is better for that so you can really see what's going on where you need to go, but I digress.
I was in the South End visiting a former professor of mine. We talked for a few hours, went out to dinner, talked a little more, then I had to leave to head back to NH to stay with friends.
My GPS told me to go one way (after it took about 2 minutes to calculate the route) and he told me to go another. I decided to take his directions since it kept me off Storrow Drive. As soon as I started on his route, I hear "Recalculating route. Recalculating route. Recalculating route." All while I was on the same road and not crossing over anything.
Now, I've heard GPSs get mad when you don't follow their directions. I've even heard one tell you to make "the next legal U-turn". But NEVER have I heard one have to do three different recalculations in a row without crossing over or missing any turns.
I guess that's one of the cool things about the midst of Boston!
Now, my experience with Boston proper has always been as a pedestrian, with the exception of my last trip where I flew in and got lost trying to get out of airsport to get to Western Mass. Since I knew I was going to travel inside Boston and knew that I would want to drive around Western Mass with the option of getting lost and needing to find my way home, I bought a GPS prior to my trip. It's worked mostly well, with the exception of Boston having several roads intersect and the GPS getting confused as to whether to turn left or right. Later I found out that 3D mode is better for that so you can really see what's going on where you need to go, but I digress.
I was in the South End visiting a former professor of mine. We talked for a few hours, went out to dinner, talked a little more, then I had to leave to head back to NH to stay with friends.
My GPS told me to go one way (after it took about 2 minutes to calculate the route) and he told me to go another. I decided to take his directions since it kept me off Storrow Drive. As soon as I started on his route, I hear "Recalculating route. Recalculating route. Recalculating route." All while I was on the same road and not crossing over anything.
Now, I've heard GPSs get mad when you don't follow their directions. I've even heard one tell you to make "the next legal U-turn". But NEVER have I heard one have to do three different recalculations in a row without crossing over or missing any turns.
I guess that's one of the cool things about the midst of Boston!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Heart Attacks Times Three!
I know I've been bad and haven't posted in a while. But I have a valid reason! I didn't want to accidentally give a huge clue out on the ginormous surprise I started planning the middle of last week.
Anywho, the surprise was I decided to go up north and visit my family... and NOT tell them I'm coming! But, I dropped subtle hints now and then.
I flew in Thursday. After spending the evening in NH with a friend of mine, I took the drive to Western Mass. When I arrived, I txt'd sis saying, "May I call on you? And, if so, is boss person there?" -- she responded "Sure, but lady boss is here."
Then I opened the door, and she said she thought "Oh crap, man boss is here" -- except the door didn't slam, so she thought it was a customer and thought I would be phoning her any second now.
I get to the top of the stairs and say "My name is Herbie...." -- she's staring in disbelief and somehow manages to jump through her desk, while screaming "oh my god!" the entire time and gives me a huge hug. Then she informs me she was having a bit of a heart attack.
After she started calming down, I decided to go visit Nan. At 84 years old, I knew I had to be a little careful on how I approached that one. I tried calling her to kinda hint I was on my way, but she was on the phone with my uncle and no call waiting. So I walked upstairs and knocked on her door. She stared at me and blinked a few times and I had to nod my head to let her know it really was me. I totally made her day.
Then we hunted down where Mother was (local bar rom). Nan made some pretense as to why she was calling, and after she got off the phone, I drove up to the local bar room and when I walked in the door, Mother looked right at me and continued what she was doing. I stood next to her and put my arm on her shoulder. She looks at me again and goes into total shock. She couldn't say anything for like a minute. She had a mini heart attack and we almost had to call the ambulance on her. It was great!
Sis decided she didn't want to stay 'til 2:30, so we went out to lunch and went grocery shopping for Nan. I bought Nan's groceries for her. We then went to pick up her kids. The little one stared at me and really didn't recognize me. The bigger one came out of the back room and stopped in her tracks and looked at me and was like "Uncle Simply?" -- I nodded. It was cute and funny at the same time.
Went to dinner at "The Forbidden Place" because we don't have them in Georgia. It was as good as I remember. I want to go back again.
Not sure what I'm doing the next few days. Friends want to hang out. Nan wants to monopolize my time. So, I'm going to end up pissing someone off. Oh well. I've seen Nan in the past 4 years a number of times. Haven't seen a few of these other friends. I think they may get priority.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Anywho, the surprise was I decided to go up north and visit my family... and NOT tell them I'm coming! But, I dropped subtle hints now and then.
I flew in Thursday. After spending the evening in NH with a friend of mine, I took the drive to Western Mass. When I arrived, I txt'd sis saying, "May I call on you? And, if so, is boss person there?" -- she responded "Sure, but lady boss is here."
Then I opened the door, and she said she thought "Oh crap, man boss is here" -- except the door didn't slam, so she thought it was a customer and thought I would be phoning her any second now.
I get to the top of the stairs and say "My name is Herbie...." -- she's staring in disbelief and somehow manages to jump through her desk, while screaming "oh my god!" the entire time and gives me a huge hug. Then she informs me she was having a bit of a heart attack.
After she started calming down, I decided to go visit Nan. At 84 years old, I knew I had to be a little careful on how I approached that one. I tried calling her to kinda hint I was on my way, but she was on the phone with my uncle and no call waiting. So I walked upstairs and knocked on her door. She stared at me and blinked a few times and I had to nod my head to let her know it really was me. I totally made her day.
Then we hunted down where Mother was (local bar rom). Nan made some pretense as to why she was calling, and after she got off the phone, I drove up to the local bar room and when I walked in the door, Mother looked right at me and continued what she was doing. I stood next to her and put my arm on her shoulder. She looks at me again and goes into total shock. She couldn't say anything for like a minute. She had a mini heart attack and we almost had to call the ambulance on her. It was great!
Sis decided she didn't want to stay 'til 2:30, so we went out to lunch and went grocery shopping for Nan. I bought Nan's groceries for her. We then went to pick up her kids. The little one stared at me and really didn't recognize me. The bigger one came out of the back room and stopped in her tracks and looked at me and was like "Uncle Simply?" -- I nodded. It was cute and funny at the same time.
Went to dinner at "The Forbidden Place" because we don't have them in Georgia. It was as good as I remember. I want to go back again.
Not sure what I'm doing the next few days. Friends want to hang out. Nan wants to monopolize my time. So, I'm going to end up pissing someone off. Oh well. I've seen Nan in the past 4 years a number of times. Haven't seen a few of these other friends. I think they may get priority.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Friday, October 31, 2008
I survived it... barely!
"You're the only person I know who can make an exit interview run long."
That was the guy who hired me -- and his exit interview was after mine.
I managed to not cry today -- mostly because all my really awesome friends will be at my "laid off" party tomorrow. After they begin to leave, on the other hand, I may lose it. I'll try not to, though.
The position I'm REALLY hoping for still hasn't called me back. It's driving me a little batty, but I digress. I'm hoping I have a new place to call The Company soon.
That was the guy who hired me -- and his exit interview was after mine.
I managed to not cry today -- mostly because all my really awesome friends will be at my "laid off" party tomorrow. After they begin to leave, on the other hand, I may lose it. I'll try not to, though.
The position I'm REALLY hoping for still hasn't called me back. It's driving me a little batty, but I digress. I'm hoping I have a new place to call The Company soon.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
<insert witty farewell subject line here>
So, instead of some super-witty post about what's going on, I figured I'd post my teary-eyed farewell email I sent out to all my coworkers (some I like, some I don't). I really did get teary-eyed with this.
As you may or may not know, Halloween is my final day here at The Company. It's been great working with everyone for the past 3.75 years, and I'm truly going to miss everyone here. I've been trying to think of something great and witty to say for farewell, but I'm having to revert to a portion of a song in WICKED:
My GMail Address
404.555.1212 (Cell)
I still won't give out my personal blog unless people REALLY want it. It's probably rated PG-13, and (according to HR), nothing over rated G can be shown in the office. I'm also on Facebook and Myspace if you want to hunt for me (outside of work hours, of course). I'll give you a clue -- you won't find me under the above email address.
And, as always, support Pause for Fun!
As you may or may not know, Halloween is my final day here at The Company. It's been great working with everyone for the past 3.75 years, and I'm truly going to miss everyone here. I've been trying to think of something great and witty to say for farewell, but I'm having to revert to a portion of a song in WICKED:
I've heard it saidI demand everyone to keep in touch! Of course, in order to do that, you need some sort of contact information, so here it is (Just don't call me at 2am as if I'm on call).
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good.
My GMail Address
404.555.1212 (Cell)
I still won't give out my personal blog unless people REALLY want it. It's probably rated PG-13, and (according to HR), nothing over rated G can be shown in the office. I'm also on Facebook and Myspace if you want to hunt for me (outside of work hours, of course). I'll give you a clue -- you won't find me under the above email address.
And, as always, support Pause for Fun!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Eighteen Again
Dang, I'm exhausted from this past weekend!
Friday, The Company brought us out on some "team building outing". We went toWhirlyball and DDR a local brewery for drinks. I had a couple glasses of wine then came home and went to sleep on the couch. Not a particularly exciting Friday night, but I suppose I needed it. I also determiend I wasn't exactly that into Dancing With the Stars, so it's gone from my DVR.
Saturday, I got up early because Beanie wanted to mow my lawn. It was wet, but it still worked. I also pruned the hollys in my front yard. I HATE hollys. But they look so much better. No, I will not give before and after pics. You should have asked before.
After the lawn was done, I introduced Beanie to DDR. I can't find my copy of DDRMax (which has the songs and interface I started with), so we played some DDRMax2. He started to get the hang of it. Then he wanted to play Guitar Hero, where he totally pwned me. Boy can rock! Finally, we ended it with some Mario Kart Wii where we decided Baby Mario cheats. But, I tell ya, I felt like I was eighteen again!
I brought him back to his house and we geeked out while Princess Sparklepants yelled at the Georgia / LSU game. Then I came home and fell asleep on the couch again.
Sunday, I completed the one task that was on my to-do list for Saturday. I bought a tie. I also did my laundry so I do not have to go to work naked. I even caught up on some of my DVR! Oh, and fell asleep on the couch.
Maybe I've got SAD like Princess Sparklepants does. I had it big time in Boston, but that was mainly because the sun was SET in the winter before I even left the office. But, I'm in the ATL. The sun has to travel to the opposite end of the timezone here to give us a little bit more evening light.
Friday, The Company brought us out on some "team building outing". We went to
Saturday, I got up early because Beanie wanted to mow my lawn. It was wet, but it still worked. I also pruned the hollys in my front yard. I HATE hollys. But they look so much better. No, I will not give before and after pics. You should have asked before.
After the lawn was done, I introduced Beanie to DDR. I can't find my copy of DDRMax (which has the songs and interface I started with), so we played some DDRMax2. He started to get the hang of it. Then he wanted to play Guitar Hero, where he totally pwned me. Boy can rock! Finally, we ended it with some Mario Kart Wii where we decided Baby Mario cheats. But, I tell ya, I felt like I was eighteen again!
I brought him back to his house and we geeked out while Princess Sparklepants yelled at the Georgia / LSU game. Then I came home and fell asleep on the couch again.
Sunday, I completed the one task that was on my to-do list for Saturday. I bought a tie. I also did my laundry so I do not have to go to work naked. I even caught up on some of my DVR! Oh, and fell asleep on the couch.
Maybe I've got SAD like Princess Sparklepants does. I had it big time in Boston, but that was mainly because the sun was SET in the winter before I even left the office. But, I'm in the ATL. The sun has to travel to the opposite end of the timezone here to give us a little bit more evening light.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I need to buy a new tie
I have a second interview on Monday with the company I interviewed with yesterday. It'll be my first lunch interview, but I should be fine. I'm excited. I hate interviewing, but I like working, and the company I'm interviewing with is an awesome company to work for. (That explains the tags of hate and like, for those of you keeping track)
Other than that, things have been pseudo-quiet on the job front. Trying to get out there.
Other than that, things have been pseudo-quiet on the job front. Trying to get out there.
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