Hello!! I hope everyone is well. I am well. Just insanely busy. Still.
Term 1 is completed. I managed 2 A's and 1 B. That World Politics class was TOUGH. I am really lucky I got a B, I think.
Into the 2nd week of Term 2. Working my butt off. I keep thinking I am going to have a stroke or something, but I keep getting up and going to work and going home, cooking dinner, studying and sleeping. Wow.
This weekend, I have 3 papers due on Sunday for ONE class (assignments in the other class are completed and turned in) and DSD and I are leaving in the morning for Starkville, MS to watch UF play @ Mississippi St. I figure I can write the papers (2 are started) on the way and type them on his laptop on the way home. I hope.
Keeping a close eye on the President. I want the rest of the TARP money to go toward healthcare. I don't think bailing out anyone else is a good idea, but I do like the idea of capping salaries for those businesses who have not paid the taxpayers back. Is that legal?
Why is Glenn Beck still allowed on the air? I have emailed and called sponsors. I have complained. How does anyone with a brain believe the lies on put out by the hate mongers? Sad state our country is in.
Trying to eat healthier, less processed food. It is more work to PLAN the meals, but not really to cook them. I spend a lot of time on FoodNetwork.com.
That isn't all, that isn't even CLOSE, but I have to shut down the computer and get out of here for a doctor's appointment. Maybe I will have a minute before the end of the month?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I Asked you NOT to say anything
I need some advice from anyone stopping by here.
In this morning's stupid, "let's all get along" meeting the boss (who was on speaker phone) began to give her opinion on the current President and his administration. I (loudly) asked her NOT to give her opinion, explained that I leaned left and that I had voted for this President. She then went on to say she didn't like this administration, she felt it was not doing a good job and she didn't like democrats. She got off the phone shortly after that and I left the meeting.
WTF?
I have just gone several rounds with an employee who steals time and who does not do her job and lost. I do not know that I have the energy to go several more and I will probably lose again.
But her comments were completely inappropriate and unprofessional for the setting. Obviously she is entitled to her opinion, but it was not the time or place to express them.
Any ideas on what I should do from here?
In this morning's stupid, "let's all get along" meeting the boss (who was on speaker phone) began to give her opinion on the current President and his administration. I (loudly) asked her NOT to give her opinion, explained that I leaned left and that I had voted for this President. She then went on to say she didn't like this administration, she felt it was not doing a good job and she didn't like democrats. She got off the phone shortly after that and I left the meeting.
WTF?
I have just gone several rounds with an employee who steals time and who does not do her job and lost. I do not know that I have the energy to go several more and I will probably lose again.
But her comments were completely inappropriate and unprofessional for the setting. Obviously she is entitled to her opinion, but it was not the time or place to express them.
Any ideas on what I should do from here?
I Should Be Working on My Final Exam
I have completed 2. I got an A in the 1 credit Orientation class and an A in Western Civ II. I had an A after the mid-term in World Politics, but I am not holding my breath on that one. This is a very difficult class. The Final exam is a scenario that must be answered by a no more than 5 page paper. I think I have a page. Maybe. But my brain hurts.
DSD is out of town, playing golf. I know, I know, he is unemployed, but this has been paid for quite some time and he does go most years. I am actually enjoying the peace and quiet and the remote. I am experimenting with new foods and foods that DSD does not enjoy or (most likely) will not try. Saturday I made an avocado dip. Not bad. Sunday was broiled burgers smothered in Emeril's Creole Seasoning. Monday was homemade pizza. The sauce is the homemade part, I can't imagine ever making my own pizza dough. Today there is a pot roast in the slow cooker. My husband, bless him, does not like pot roast. Ok, he always loves it when I cook it, but he doesn't like the IDEA of it. Ever.
BabyBoy and I are going to see "Zombieland" tonight. Over the weekend I am going to take him to see "Capitalism - A Love Story."
Soon, I am going to HAVE to finish that paper. But not today.
DSD is out of town, playing golf. I know, I know, he is unemployed, but this has been paid for quite some time and he does go most years. I am actually enjoying the peace and quiet and the remote. I am experimenting with new foods and foods that DSD does not enjoy or (most likely) will not try. Saturday I made an avocado dip. Not bad. Sunday was broiled burgers smothered in Emeril's Creole Seasoning. Monday was homemade pizza. The sauce is the homemade part, I can't imagine ever making my own pizza dough. Today there is a pot roast in the slow cooker. My husband, bless him, does not like pot roast. Ok, he always loves it when I cook it, but he doesn't like the IDEA of it. Ever.
BabyBoy and I are going to see "Zombieland" tonight. Over the weekend I am going to take him to see "Capitalism - A Love Story."
Soon, I am going to HAVE to finish that paper. But not today.
Friday, September 25, 2009
'Pain fades. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.'
I do not know why that quote has been stuck in my mind for weeks, but I figured if I shared it with you (anyone who still actually stops by here) it would go away.
The quote is by Keanu Reeves playing scab quarterback Shane Falco (not to be confused by real life quarterback Flacco) in "The Replacements." I love that movie.
Boy, am I tired. Right this minute I should be actually working (oh, didn't we tell you we were going to need a letter on each of those projects? AND another 3 page form?) or finishing my paper on the industrial revolution that is due Sunday or reading the 17 page lecture on... something. But I figured 10 minutes to say Hi wasn't going to put me anymore behind than the fact that I am not going to do anything at all tonight.
I do have an A in each of my classes at this point. That could be a thing of the past after this weekend. I was doing wonderfully until I went to the Troy @ Florida game on 12 Sep. Then I started getting behind and I seem to be scrambling to catch up. Only a couple more weeks in this term... then it starts all over again. Did I mention I was tired?
On top of all of that, I am not doing really well physically, some aches and pains that are not normal for someone my age. So far they are only affecting me in minor ways (I am sleeping more, I have to wear shoes in the house) but none of it bodes really well for the future. I'm 42. I'm on Celebrex and it isn't working all that well. What next?
Then I talked to my mom last night & one of my aunts (my mom's sister) is going downhill very quickly. The sad thing is her will to live seems to be gone. Is there anyway to make someone want to live? Can we make her see a counselor? Can we make her divorce that bastard she is married to? I am afraid my mother is going to kill him if something happens to my aunt.
So I am making it. Barely. And things are not going to slow down for another 11 weeks.
I hope you are all doing wonderfully. I do have some pictures to post.. as soon as I get them off my camera.
The quote is by Keanu Reeves playing scab quarterback Shane Falco (not to be confused by real life quarterback Flacco) in "The Replacements." I love that movie.
Boy, am I tired. Right this minute I should be actually working (oh, didn't we tell you we were going to need a letter on each of those projects? AND another 3 page form?) or finishing my paper on the industrial revolution that is due Sunday or reading the 17 page lecture on... something. But I figured 10 minutes to say Hi wasn't going to put me anymore behind than the fact that I am not going to do anything at all tonight.
I do have an A in each of my classes at this point. That could be a thing of the past after this weekend. I was doing wonderfully until I went to the Troy @ Florida game on 12 Sep. Then I started getting behind and I seem to be scrambling to catch up. Only a couple more weeks in this term... then it starts all over again. Did I mention I was tired?
On top of all of that, I am not doing really well physically, some aches and pains that are not normal for someone my age. So far they are only affecting me in minor ways (I am sleeping more, I have to wear shoes in the house) but none of it bodes really well for the future. I'm 42. I'm on Celebrex and it isn't working all that well. What next?
Then I talked to my mom last night & one of my aunts (my mom's sister) is going downhill very quickly. The sad thing is her will to live seems to be gone. Is there anyway to make someone want to live? Can we make her see a counselor? Can we make her divorce that bastard she is married to? I am afraid my mother is going to kill him if something happens to my aunt.
So I am making it. Barely. And things are not going to slow down for another 11 weeks.
I hope you are all doing wonderfully. I do have some pictures to post.. as soon as I get them off my camera.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Discrimination or Just Stupid?
Just stupid, I guess.
Once or twice I have alluded to the fact that one of the people I work with is not really great about doing her job. She likes to throw her weight around and tell the rest of us what to do and she likes to play the injured party and blame everyone else when things go wrong. My work life is complicated and I am not comfortable going into a lot of details here, but we work pretty autonomously with little to no supervision. She has come and gone as she pleases for more than a year, very seldom putting in 40 hours a week. She attempts to change policies and procedures which are in place for a reason (and she seems to be getting away with it, the world bows to her).
I am not one for a public fight. This blog is my attempt to fight the injustice of the world and I prefer to do it with the written word, instead of verbally, because I communicate better this way. So I tracked her. From the week after 4th of July 2008. I kept very detailed notes about her attitude (completely unprofessional) about the fact that NO ONE has that much leave time, about the fact that she is fairly stupid and has 0 communication or leadership skills.
One of the other ladies who works here received a promotion and a very large award at the end of last year, so the focus of the first person's rage (let's call her Bitch, so we are all on the same page) was redirected away from me. But life still wasn't great, walking on egg shells, never really sure what was going on or who was responsible for it.
Then Bitch was in a car accident and things went from bad to worse. She doesn't have health care (her choice, because we are offered really great stuff here for pretty cheap if you aren't covering anyone else!) and she apparently isn't getting any better. It has been over 7 months and she still can't turn her head and the stairs are painful and... and... and... whine, whine, whine.
Still I sat here, did my job, kept my head down and kept my notes. Day after day.
About 2 months ago I had to contact the higher ups for something (don't even remember) and was asked how things were here. I gave the standard, "busier than a 1 armed paper hanger speech" and was PUSHED for the truth. PUSHED. I realized that, eventually, something was going to have to be done and I told B2 (the higher up) that things weren't great. She came down, I (and the other girl who received a promotion) spilled our guts about how difficult bitch is to work with. We weren't the only ones. Others, who don't have anything to do with us, have said she is difficult, said it aloud.
And the other girl (understand not Bitch) was almost fired yesterday. Thisclose is what she was told.
There is more to this story, of course. But I can't give half the details and the other half are boring. The bottom line is that I (with help) attempted to make everyone's life better. I tried to save the company money. I tried to make the environment better and improve morale.
I thought that, just this once, life would be fair and the good guys would win.
Now I am polishing up my resume' and searching Craig's List. I am an excellant administrative assistant/office manager. I know the Office Suite and I can fix my own broken PC AND trouble shoot network and printer problems.
I love this job and the people in my building. But I am now on anti-anxiety medication; I can't sleep and my joints are achy & swollen, working with her is starting to affect my health.
Time to move on.
Right.
Once or twice I have alluded to the fact that one of the people I work with is not really great about doing her job. She likes to throw her weight around and tell the rest of us what to do and she likes to play the injured party and blame everyone else when things go wrong. My work life is complicated and I am not comfortable going into a lot of details here, but we work pretty autonomously with little to no supervision. She has come and gone as she pleases for more than a year, very seldom putting in 40 hours a week. She attempts to change policies and procedures which are in place for a reason (and she seems to be getting away with it, the world bows to her).
I am not one for a public fight. This blog is my attempt to fight the injustice of the world and I prefer to do it with the written word, instead of verbally, because I communicate better this way. So I tracked her. From the week after 4th of July 2008. I kept very detailed notes about her attitude (completely unprofessional) about the fact that NO ONE has that much leave time, about the fact that she is fairly stupid and has 0 communication or leadership skills.
One of the other ladies who works here received a promotion and a very large award at the end of last year, so the focus of the first person's rage (let's call her Bitch, so we are all on the same page) was redirected away from me. But life still wasn't great, walking on egg shells, never really sure what was going on or who was responsible for it.
Then Bitch was in a car accident and things went from bad to worse. She doesn't have health care (her choice, because we are offered really great stuff here for pretty cheap if you aren't covering anyone else!) and she apparently isn't getting any better. It has been over 7 months and she still can't turn her head and the stairs are painful and... and... and... whine, whine, whine.
Still I sat here, did my job, kept my head down and kept my notes. Day after day.
About 2 months ago I had to contact the higher ups for something (don't even remember) and was asked how things were here. I gave the standard, "busier than a 1 armed paper hanger speech" and was PUSHED for the truth. PUSHED. I realized that, eventually, something was going to have to be done and I told B2 (the higher up) that things weren't great. She came down, I (and the other girl who received a promotion) spilled our guts about how difficult bitch is to work with. We weren't the only ones. Others, who don't have anything to do with us, have said she is difficult, said it aloud.
And the other girl (understand not Bitch) was almost fired yesterday. Thisclose is what she was told.
There is more to this story, of course. But I can't give half the details and the other half are boring. The bottom line is that I (with help) attempted to make everyone's life better. I tried to save the company money. I tried to make the environment better and improve morale.
I thought that, just this once, life would be fair and the good guys would win.
Now I am polishing up my resume' and searching Craig's List. I am an excellant administrative assistant/office manager. I know the Office Suite and I can fix my own broken PC AND trouble shoot network and printer problems.
I love this job and the people in my building. But I am now on anti-anxiety medication; I can't sleep and my joints are achy & swollen, working with her is starting to affect my health.
Time to move on.
Right.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Football and Facebook and Schoolwork and Crazy
I have started at least 2 possibly more posts on the health care bull hockey floating around. I am not even certain NPR is giving it a fair wrap. I am, personally, sick of the fighting, but then I realize most of the people doing the fighting are those with jobs who provide decently priced benefits. Or those who are older and on Medicare who shudder at the thought of "socialized" medicine. Damn hypocrites.
Today was the first day of UF Gator football. Ok, it was actually a scrimmage game against Charleston Southern University, who drove to Gainesville for the $450,000 they were being paid to get their behinds kicked. 62-3 is a pretty nice behind kicking for that kind of money. DSD and I were in the Swamp last year when the Gators did a beatdown of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Final score 63-5 and they didn't make any money from the game.
I will be in the Swamp next weekend for the Gator beat down of the Troy University Trojans. Yes, I am, technically, attending Troy University. Yes, I am cheering for the Gators. I have been a fan for at least 25 years that isn't going to change. Ever.
I should be working on my book report. Ok, it isn't technically a book report, but that is what I call it. I have to do assignment, 1 other and 2 mid terms before I leave town next Saturday morning. I should do that now. Any of it. But it is late and I am tired. I will work on it tomorrow, I swear. Maybe.
I have been spending too much time on Facebook. I have mentioned the fact that some of my family is slightly insane. It isn't just me, I have confirmation from others that they are crazy. On Thursday I posted the following on my 'status'
"Daddy Bush spoke to school children across American and no one thought anything about it. Maybe, those of you who have a problem with the duly elected President of the US speaking to your child(ren), you should search your hearts and ask yourself "Why?" I am pretty sure I KNOW why. And none of those reasons are very Christian. Yes, I went there."
In case you have not heard, the President is supposed to speak to the nation's school children on Tuesday. He is supposed to speak on the greatness of education. I am not certain how that is going to hypnotize our children into murdering Jewish people (there was a Hitler reference in the comments to the above status), but I guess it can be done in less than half an hour.*
On top of everything else my life at work has been... uncomfortable. Two of us have blown the whistle on a third and the investigation is moving slooooooooowly. So person #3 is still there until it is over. I am constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am also job hunting, because I will not be comfortable continuing in my current position if that person stays.
So, all in all, a fairly busy week in front of me. Probably a busy month. I am trying to make sure I stop by all of your blogs as often as possible, although it isn't often enough. I will try to do better.
I am working on getting a guest blogger, so that someone else can talk about the political stuff that I am missing, because I know I am missing a lot.
Thank you all for your patience.
*I hope I have done a better job of raising my child than that. If his mind can be swayed in less than 30 minutes, maybe I should let the crazies have him?
Today was the first day of UF Gator football. Ok, it was actually a scrimmage game against Charleston Southern University, who drove to Gainesville for the $450,000 they were being paid to get their behinds kicked. 62-3 is a pretty nice behind kicking for that kind of money. DSD and I were in the Swamp last year when the Gators did a beatdown of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Final score 63-5 and they didn't make any money from the game.
I will be in the Swamp next weekend for the Gator beat down of the Troy University Trojans. Yes, I am, technically, attending Troy University. Yes, I am cheering for the Gators. I have been a fan for at least 25 years that isn't going to change. Ever.
I should be working on my book report. Ok, it isn't technically a book report, but that is what I call it. I have to do assignment, 1 other and 2 mid terms before I leave town next Saturday morning. I should do that now. Any of it. But it is late and I am tired. I will work on it tomorrow, I swear. Maybe.
I have been spending too much time on Facebook. I have mentioned the fact that some of my family is slightly insane. It isn't just me, I have confirmation from others that they are crazy. On Thursday I posted the following on my 'status'
"Daddy Bush spoke to school children across American and no one thought anything about it. Maybe, those of you who have a problem with the duly elected President of the US speaking to your child(ren), you should search your hearts and ask yourself "Why?" I am pretty sure I KNOW why. And none of those reasons are very Christian. Yes, I went there."
In case you have not heard, the President is supposed to speak to the nation's school children on Tuesday. He is supposed to speak on the greatness of education. I am not certain how that is going to hypnotize our children into murdering Jewish people (there was a Hitler reference in the comments to the above status), but I guess it can be done in less than half an hour.*
On top of everything else my life at work has been... uncomfortable. Two of us have blown the whistle on a third and the investigation is moving slooooooooowly. So person #3 is still there until it is over. I am constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am also job hunting, because I will not be comfortable continuing in my current position if that person stays.
So, all in all, a fairly busy week in front of me. Probably a busy month. I am trying to make sure I stop by all of your blogs as often as possible, although it isn't often enough. I will try to do better.
I am working on getting a guest blogger, so that someone else can talk about the political stuff that I am missing, because I know I am missing a lot.
Thank you all for your patience.
*I hope I have done a better job of raising my child than that. If his mind can be swayed in less than 30 minutes, maybe I should let the crazies have him?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Sad Day for Us All
We all knew this day was coming, most people do not live for over a year with brain cancer and he had made it for several months past that. But I was not ready to hear about it this morning on the radio. I would never have been ready to hear about it and I can only imagine how heart breaking it is for his family, friends and co-workers.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate and haunted bearer of the Camelot torch after two of his brothers fell to assassins' bullets, has died at his home in Hyannis Port after battling a brain tumor. He was 77.
He owed this country nothing. He had money, he didn't need to work, but he spent almost 50 years toiling for a better, brighter America.
He wasn't perfect and there will be many stories about his failings over the next days, weeks and months, but it is my belief that we, as a nation, should appreciate the things he worked so hard to provide. Today is a sad day as we remember him and there will come a time when the health care bill is signed into law and the day will be bittersweet because he is not with us to celebrate.
My thoughts are with his family.
RIP, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, D - Mass. Thank you for your service.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion of the Senate and haunted bearer of the Camelot torch after two of his brothers fell to assassins' bullets, has died at his home in Hyannis Port after battling a brain tumor. He was 77.
He owed this country nothing. He had money, he didn't need to work, but he spent almost 50 years toiling for a better, brighter America.
He wasn't perfect and there will be many stories about his failings over the next days, weeks and months, but it is my belief that we, as a nation, should appreciate the things he worked so hard to provide. Today is a sad day as we remember him and there will come a time when the health care bill is signed into law and the day will be bittersweet because he is not with us to celebrate.
My thoughts are with his family.
RIP, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, D - Mass. Thank you for your service.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Too Much To Do!
What a week! What a month!
I don't know about you, but I am tired. And I am not sure I am ever going to get caught up.
Henry and the LittleMan are GONE. Safe and sound in California. LittleMan may be back for Christmas (who knows, his mother changes her story from minute to minute) but Henry should never, ever be back in the state of Florida. I am eternally grateful for that and Lola does not seem to be lonely as DSD said she would.
Claudette was a big fat nothing. I guess there were those who panicked over the impending doom that she was bringing, but, honestly, she cooled things off nicely and filled up the pool. I didn't notice a lot of thunder or lightning or even much more than a brisk breeze. I had to work yesterday, the storm was a bust.
I am back in school. On line classes at Troy University where I will eventually receive my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. I am taking 7 credit hours, which didn't sound like much until it hit me that these classes are given in terms, not semesters. I will not be taking these 7 hours for 16 weeks, but for 9. NINE. Which pretty much means if I have a free minute, it is spent reading or writing something for class.
I am not abandoning this blog. I am not even really taking a break, at least not one I have control over. I will be around. I will post when I can. I will do my best to pop in on your blogs as often as possible. But it won't be as often as it has been. :-(
Until Christmas break, then I will have some free time.
I don't know about you, but I am tired. And I am not sure I am ever going to get caught up.
Henry and the LittleMan are GONE. Safe and sound in California. LittleMan may be back for Christmas (who knows, his mother changes her story from minute to minute) but Henry should never, ever be back in the state of Florida. I am eternally grateful for that and Lola does not seem to be lonely as DSD said she would.
Claudette was a big fat nothing. I guess there were those who panicked over the impending doom that she was bringing, but, honestly, she cooled things off nicely and filled up the pool. I didn't notice a lot of thunder or lightning or even much more than a brisk breeze. I had to work yesterday, the storm was a bust.
I am back in school. On line classes at Troy University where I will eventually receive my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. I am taking 7 credit hours, which didn't sound like much until it hit me that these classes are given in terms, not semesters. I will not be taking these 7 hours for 16 weeks, but for 9. NINE. Which pretty much means if I have a free minute, it is spent reading or writing something for class.
I am not abandoning this blog. I am not even really taking a break, at least not one I have control over. I will be around. I will post when I can. I will do my best to pop in on your blogs as often as possible. But it won't be as often as it has been. :-(
Until Christmas break, then I will have some free time.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I'm Out of Here
Because the LittleMan is in the process of moving to California, we are headed to Central Florida for the weekend to celebrate his birthday and spend time with his grandparents. I love them all, but thinking about this makes me want a nap.
I will be back on Monday. Maybe Sunday. Have a great weekend and don't let the WingNuts get you down!
I will be back on Monday. Maybe Sunday. Have a great weekend and don't let the WingNuts get you down!
A Brain, and an Athlete, and a Basket Case...
A princess and a criminal.
So ends my absolutely favorite John Hughes movie.
I came of age in a John Hughes era of teen coming of age movies. They, and the Brat Pack, defined who I was, what I wore and what I wanted to be when I grew up. And my speech is still peppered with John Hughes movie references to this day.
John passed away today of a heart attack at age 59. His movies were amazing and I will never forget him or the charactars he brought to my life. I have even introduced many of his movies to my 20 year old son and we watch them together.
Thank you, John, for the fun, for the charactars, for the quotes ("Smoke up Johnny") for the laughter and even for the tears.
RIP John Hughes, director extraordinaire.
So ends my absolutely favorite John Hughes movie.
I came of age in a John Hughes era of teen coming of age movies. They, and the Brat Pack, defined who I was, what I wore and what I wanted to be when I grew up. And my speech is still peppered with John Hughes movie references to this day.
John passed away today of a heart attack at age 59. His movies were amazing and I will never forget him or the charactars he brought to my life. I have even introduced many of his movies to my 20 year old son and we watch them together.
Thank you, John, for the fun, for the charactars, for the quotes ("Smoke up Johnny") for the laughter and even for the tears.
RIP John Hughes, director extraordinaire.
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