My co-worker "Gumball" was at it again late this afternoon (smacking her gum loudly and relentlessly). I kept turning my music up... and up... and up. Sheesh. Didn't her mother ever teach her to close her mouth when chewing? Finally, when I couldn't stand it anymore, I plugged in my Bose headphones. They did a pretty good job of blocking out excess ( Read more... )

Irritated at myself because I ran out of the house this morning without my headphones, after searching high and low for them and digging up an extension cable. At work now, can't drown out gum-smacking-popping coworker in next cubicle (hereafter known affectionately as "GUMBALL.") Most annoying sound ever, drives me up a wall. An adult should know ( Read more... )

Well, I've circumvented the hiring freeze by transferring to another department in the organization I work for. Not something I'm real interested in doing, but it's not rocket science and it's a paycheck. Someone at work asked what I was really interested in, and I said "photography," and she of course commented that "it's not something they're ( Read more... )

Words of wisdom from the boss. It's beginning to dawn on me that she's probably a micro-manager. Telling the blog instead of her.

"Don't send me email. If it's something important, tell me in person. I don't have time to read email."

Interpretation:

• Even though I said I want everything in writing for clarification, I didn't really mean it.
• I don't feel ( Read more... )

Tonight I learned the hard way that it was a bad idea to watch TV, run my HeatSurge (electric fireplace) heater, and try to print on my new Brother laserprinter at the same time. *ZAP* - off went the circuitbreaker. After resetting it 3 times with no result, I realized that there were two circuitbreakers that needed resetting.

A contractor was here ( Read more... )

Sitting here with a cold and my own version of a hot toddy, since I don't drink whiskey: a glass of wine. (It does help a scratchy throat!). So far it's nowhere near as bad as the last time I had a cold--over New Year's 2008, and felt like my head was in a box for a week. In spite of the stuffiness, runny nose, no sense of smell and little ( Read more... )

I'm contemplating my job, in a large, often bureaucratic institution that shall remain nameless. The main advantages of working here are: paycheck, benefits, close to home, nice bosses and co-workers. The disadvantages of working here are: I'm not doing what I want to do; I sometimes feel constrained or bored, and quietly ask myself "what am I ( Read more... )

Starting from the small to the large:

• Why would a fancy hotel renovate its showers and NOT include a soap dish? I didn’t ask the clerk what I was supposed to do with the soap because I was afraid of the answer I would get. And, hey, for the price you charge, you should damn sure offer room service.
• So many Judeo-Christian sects. Only one pantheon. ( Read more... )

Today was one of those days. The kind of day when Murphy's Law prevails and anything that can go wrong will.
One of those days actually began Sunday evening. I was on my way to pick up a friend when I noticed that the heat didn't come on right away and the temperature gauge in my car seemed to be slightly above normal. A little while later, the ( Read more... )

Years ago some friends and I speculated that another colleague probably spent much of her spare time watching TV and eating bon-bons. Having just scarfed down a "whoopee pie" in a moment of sugary weakness, I can see how, for some people, this might not be far from the truth--especially since I am currently between jobs (the politically correct ( Read more... )