Hypothetically and Dreamily

How do you decide when to call someone on their bullshit? Especially when you know calling them on it won’t really make a difference in the bullshit?

Also, one of our AC units fried itself yesterday (repaired in the same day!) but it brings up the issue we’ve been putting off for months–entirely new units. We’ve been saving money for new units because as long as we’ve owned our house (4 1/2 years?) we’ve known we’d have to buy a new system because the first one is old and craptastic. A sales guy is coming next Tuesday afternoon to talk to us and his name is Steve Thomas. Oh how I wish it was THE Steve Thomas.

Posted in Generic Thoughts, House Proud | 2 Comments

Job Hunting Advice

A good idea occurred to me as I was overwhelmed, yet again, by our stanky bathroom. The next time I interview at another organization I’m going to walk into the bathroom to take a whiff.

The rest areas we used to and from vacation (including the truck stop/convenience store) weren’t as nasty as our office bathroom.

Posted in General Spleen Venting | Comments Off

I sat down on the banks of a river and began to wonder

With apologies to Virginia Woolf, perhaps a shed of one’s own is nearly as good as a room.

It just needs some ramps and then I will rock the garden shed!

Posted in Gardening, House Proud, Thinking | 2 Comments

From Net to Plate

While standing in the surf watching the better-half and The Niece swim, I had a brilliant idea.

We purchased these from a fisherman:

I made a boil out of some of the supplies we’d brought with us. They were the most amazing shrimp–big, juicy, a little sweet and so very fresh. I told The Niece if I passed out and hit my head she’d know it was because of how good they were. She declined to eat any—I need to work on that kid.

(new pic).

Posted in Eating | 1 Comment

Something’s Up

Hi folks, it’s me Simon.

The people have left the building and all I got was a few treats in my bowl. I think I will repay them by sleeping under the bed for a week. That’ll show them.

Posted in Generic Thoughts | 1 Comment

I want to fly like an eagle, to the sea

These last two hours at work are going to be the death of me. I’ve gotten up out of my chair at least 5 times in the last 15 minutes–to stop my head from hitting the keyboard. I hate the sound it makes when a key gets stuck.

I grabbed lunch from Jimmy Johns today (do you have those–cheap and tasty, if a little salty) and as a co-worker and I were getting into my car we were accosted by a woman looking for $8. I could honestly tell her I spent my last $7 because as much as I want a Coke right now, I don’t have enough change to buy one out of the machine. I think that woman has asked me for money before, but at a totally different location. She’s rather distinctive looking. It seems strange to be panhandled in the West End of Richmond. I thought the locals had clamped down on that…you know, by running panhandlers over with their BMWs, Volvo SUVs and Mercedes. Although there is that guy on the off-ramp from I-64 at Glenside. I can’t believe he hasn’t been chased away by the cops…not a safe place to work the street.

Because it amuses me:

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Please, go all the way

This makes me proud:

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Bitchin’

Know what’s missing from my work-life? The ability to bitch about my boss. We’re such a small unit that we can’t talk about anyone else in the unit without it biting us in the ass so we don’t. Sounds like a good and high-minded idea doesn’t it? Go ahead and hold your tongue for four years and tell me how that works out for you.

Vacation starts in 2 days. Think I need one?

Updated: Mood increased dramatically after boss suggested we grab a buffalo chicken wrap for lunch.

Posted in General Spleen Venting | Comments Off

Working from Home

Today is an official state telework day and so I took the Governor up on his offer and have been working from home today. It’s funny how productive I can be when I work from home. I’m sure I would have been able to be productive at work today but I don’t know that I would have finished a massive task I’d set out for myself if I’d been at work. There are way too many sit around and BS periods at my office. We call it consensus building or mini-unit meetings, but really it’s BS.

I’m not sure how I’d feel about working from home every day but sometimes it’s the best for cranking out tasks. I know on days where I don’t have enough to do and sometimes that problem stretches for weeks at a time, I’d be hard pressed to ignore that I’d like to vacuum or wash the kitty blanket on the guest bed. Or write something on the blog (wink).

Yesterday was oddly productive as well as we made tomato sauce and salsa, canning both. We also froze a gazillion squash and zucchini and made three servings of pesto that went right into the freezer. All of that was completed before 2:30. The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying a cheese, salami and cracker lunch, naps and reading. Dinner was stuffed zucchini and was followed with more reading. A lovely day, indeed.

Posted in Eating, Gardening | 2 Comments

Just Call Me Maxine

About a week ago we were stuffing our faces at the local Mexican restaurant when a tableful of teens got up to leave. We were near the cash register and so had to watch each one pay for their meals. I declared to my co-workers that I had become an old lady on the spot because I just wanted to lean over and tell everyone to pull up their pants, get a haircut and quit slouching. The advice was for both sexes.

This afternoon I have a meeting with representatives from our client who have read course content and sent us a review copy of their suggested changes. These are people who are under 30 and have been given a great deal of responsibility but little guidance. I’ve become that person who says things like, I’ll be snacking on children this afternoon. Perhaps I’ll spit out their bones when I’m done, but maybe not.

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