Category: Office/Day Job

Ruminations on Travel

March 19, 2018 / / 0 Comments

Work sent me to a conference in Las Vegas last week. A few tidbits:

  1. I still hate flying commercial.
  2. I hate flying American slightly less than flying United.
  3. The Vegas TSA set up was a bit more efficient than Tampa.
  4. I still think TSA’s a fucking joke.
  5. Why can’t a hotel have a pillow with a firmness above politician spine?
  6. My best taxi ride was worse than my worst Lyft ride. All of that quality for twice the price of ride
    sharing.
  7. When your hotel isn’t exactly in the best part of town, UberEats is very useful.
  8. Travel is hell on a diet.
  9. It’s amazing how much writing I can get done in the fifteen minutes before a presentation starts.
  10. It’s also amazing how only the vendors I’m not interested in are the ones that pay attention to me.
  11. No, I didn’t gamble. I know math. More importantly, I know statistics and I’m too frugal with my per
    diem.
  12. Going from Eastern Standard to Pacific Standard back to Eastern Standard and then to Eastern Daylight will totally confuse your body clock.
  13. It also fucks with remembering to hit my Star Wars game to get bonus energy.
  14. Oh, look at all the emails! From just missing five days. And how many are actually critical. Less than a dozen.
  15. Friends that come over everyday to watch your cats for you are golden. Friends who also clean your back porch better than it’s been since you owned the house are platinum.

What Can I Bring on a Plane, Again?

September 15, 2017 / / 0 Comments

My boss has decided to take another position, and today is her last day. That’s a shame, because I just got her trained on how to deal with me. Oh well, change happens – and more frequently than I’d like.

Her departure means I get to go to a conference in Vegas this spring. That’s a bit too far for me to drive without taking leave, which means I have to fly. That’s something I haven’t done in eight years or so. This will require a close examination of my EDC.

Time to go look up rules again.

Using Real Genius

February 12, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Had to give a presentation for a leadership development class at the day job. For the first time, my segment is after lunch. So I this is how I decided to “wake them up.”

Everyone stand up next to your desk.

Now, take a step back.

No, I’m sorry take a step forward.

Sorry, take a step back.

A step forward, a step back, and now we’re cha-cha’ing.

It went moderately well, but no one got the reference.

Things Posted Over On the Book of Face

October 21, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Sometimes I post some material over there that I don’t here. These are a couple of items:

1)

Fun: Taking my nephew shooting.

More fun: Getting my nephew to tell his mother “There has been a good killing.”

2)

Coworker comes into my office to discuss a joint assignment. Before he leaves, he turns and asks me if I can smell the faint odor. The question isn’t as rude as it sounds, because we’ve had issues with the building.

Me: Yes, it’s leather dye.

CW: From what?

Me: My new belt.

CW: I don’t remember that smell from any of my belts.

Me: That’s because you buy your belts where you get your clothes from. I buy my belts where I get my holsters from.

Lightbulb goes off and my coworker wanders off.

Reputation defended for the day.

The SWEAT Pledge

July 9, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Mike Rowe, former star of “Dirty Jobs” and outspoken of getting Americans back to work, put out this pledge.

This is going to be so fun to go over with my niece and nephew.

“THE S.W.E.A.T. PLEDGE”
(Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo)

1. I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.

2. I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that “happiness” and the “pursuit of happiness” are not the same thing.

3. I believe there is no such thing as a “bad job.” I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it’s up to me to make the best of them.

4. I do not “follow my passion.” I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.

5. I deplore debt, and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can’t afford.

6. I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in “compliance” does not necessarily mean I’m out of danger.

7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.

8. I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job, or find a way to be happy.

9. I believe that my education is my responsibility, and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning, and understand that library cards are free.

10. I believe that I am a product of my choices – not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn’t do.

11. I understand the world is not fair, and I’m OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.

12. I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.

Trying Very Hard Not to Scream

September 10, 2013 / / 0 Comments

One of my quirks is that I must be on time to the point I would rather be a half-hour early than be even five minutes late. I can feel my spine squiggle if I’m running late.

My brother, in contrast, does make an effort to get someplace on time, but it’s not really a big deal to him if he’s late.

Now, imagine my stress when dealing with my brother and his two coworkers when we’re running late from lunch.

I want to scream at them to hurry up, but I know it’s just me being an ass. That doesn’t stop my spine from doing the jiggly dance of stress.

Florida Ironies

June 21, 2013 / / 0 Comments

Florida summer has returned with its normal blazing heat combined with enough humidity to make you think you’re breathing through a wet towel. Okay, I’ve lived here since I was four. I’m kind of used to it.

Here’s the fun part. Apparently, this summer wave has made someone in the office think the remedy is to turn up the A/C to extreme levels. Outside, furnace. Inside, it’s cold enough I need to turn on my heater just to make my office comfortable.

Where’s my pack of feral chihuahuas when I need them?

Just Because PowerPoint Will Let You, Doesn’t Mean You Should

April 2, 2013 / / 1 Comment

If you want to make a bad presentation that you’re going to give, then fine. It’s your professional reputation. That said, if you’re going to give me a bad PowerPoint and tell me that’s what I have to use, please expect a verbal broadside.

For the record:

1. Bright red letters on a blue background is not pretty, it’s painful.
2. Never, never use Comic Sans font. I don’t care how “cutesy” you think it is. It is not a font that should be used in a professional PowerPoint.

If I wasn’t constrained by personal morals and workplace violence rules, I would counsel the perpetrator with a pack of feral chihuahuas.