She Posts!
So I'm in the big town of Norfolk, VA! The trip itself was pretty uneventful. In fact, we made it about 20 min earlier than expected. No delays in the planes or issues changing flights in Atlanta.
I checked in to the Sheraton hotel and got my room. I first walked in and thought, wow, it's hot in here! But I was hot from traveling and figured it was just me. I cranked the A/C down and went back downstairs.
Called huntersglenn and we met up for lunch! She's such a sweetheart. :) We had a lovely talk about all kinds of stuff. We went to the mall and looked around and she told me about a lot of places in the area. By 4 or so, I was sadly worn out! Between the heat and humidity and traveling all day I had to call it a night.
I went back to my room and OMG! It was HOTTER than it was before I left. Ack! So I go back to the desk and tell them. They got someone to check the A/C and tell me I can wait down there if I want. I go to the bar and order a beer, kill some time.... well hell. I get hit on by this drunk guy! Apparently my wedding ring meant nothing.
Anyway, they "fixed" my A/C. It was still so humid and sticky that it made for a miserable night. But no matter, I had to check out the next morning and check in to the Marriott hotel. Long story, but they didn't have rooms for every night and that's where the conference was.
So, I get there and they hold my bags until I can check in. And the big conference begins. Woohoo! I'm all excited, right? So much for that....
No, really it's been a good conference so far in terms of meeting people. Getting to see all these people who I've spoken with or heard the names of for a few years. Of course no one looks the way I imagined, lol! Only one guy looked anything like I imagined. Otherwise, not even close.
I've been walking around looking at everyone's nametags like a big dork, but I want to know, lol. I have just walked up to a few people and started talking to them, which is scary as hell. I can't believe I've actually done it! But I figure I need to make the most of this networking opportunity. And besides, I probably won't ever see most of them again anyway. I've schmoozed with some HP bigwigs too! Not to mentions, some top Navy brass. Now I really feel special. ;)
The actual conference info has been sketchy and frustrating at best. They just signed the new contract, literally, like 2 weeks ago. So there's been a bunch of, "We don't know yet." and "That's a good question, we'll have to look into that". I think I have more questions leaving here than I had when I arrived.
We still have one more day of breakout sessions tomorrow morning, so I'll see what we learn from that. Only thing I really know is that my workload is about to increase dramatically (despite the fact that they kept assuring us in the beginning that it wouldn't) and that funding is being cut, and oh, by the way, don't expect any additional manpower. *headdesk*
But, in some really masochistic way, I'm looking forward to it. No seriously, I am. I kind of feel like I will be in on the beginning of the new IT system and the new way the Navy will handle IT business. I'll also have the opportunity to express ideas and valuable feedback and prove myself capable of changing and growing.
And tomorrow evening I get to see huntersglenn again! A great way to end my trip! She is going to take me out and about some to see the ocean (if the weather is agreeable) and whatever else we can get into!
So that's about it..... what's new here?
I checked in to the Sheraton hotel and got my room. I first walked in and thought, wow, it's hot in here! But I was hot from traveling and figured it was just me. I cranked the A/C down and went back downstairs.
Called huntersglenn and we met up for lunch! She's such a sweetheart. :) We had a lovely talk about all kinds of stuff. We went to the mall and looked around and she told me about a lot of places in the area. By 4 or so, I was sadly worn out! Between the heat and humidity and traveling all day I had to call it a night.
I went back to my room and OMG! It was HOTTER than it was before I left. Ack! So I go back to the desk and tell them. They got someone to check the A/C and tell me I can wait down there if I want. I go to the bar and order a beer, kill some time.... well hell. I get hit on by this drunk guy! Apparently my wedding ring meant nothing.
Anyway, they "fixed" my A/C. It was still so humid and sticky that it made for a miserable night. But no matter, I had to check out the next morning and check in to the Marriott hotel. Long story, but they didn't have rooms for every night and that's where the conference was.
So, I get there and they hold my bags until I can check in. And the big conference begins. Woohoo! I'm all excited, right? So much for that....
No, really it's been a good conference so far in terms of meeting people. Getting to see all these people who I've spoken with or heard the names of for a few years. Of course no one looks the way I imagined, lol! Only one guy looked anything like I imagined. Otherwise, not even close.
I've been walking around looking at everyone's nametags like a big dork, but I want to know, lol. I have just walked up to a few people and started talking to them, which is scary as hell. I can't believe I've actually done it! But I figure I need to make the most of this networking opportunity. And besides, I probably won't ever see most of them again anyway. I've schmoozed with some HP bigwigs too! Not to mentions, some top Navy brass. Now I really feel special. ;)
The actual conference info has been sketchy and frustrating at best. They just signed the new contract, literally, like 2 weeks ago. So there's been a bunch of, "We don't know yet." and "That's a good question, we'll have to look into that". I think I have more questions leaving here than I had when I arrived.
We still have one more day of breakout sessions tomorrow morning, so I'll see what we learn from that. Only thing I really know is that my workload is about to increase dramatically (despite the fact that they kept assuring us in the beginning that it wouldn't) and that funding is being cut, and oh, by the way, don't expect any additional manpower. *headdesk*
But, in some really masochistic way, I'm looking forward to it. No seriously, I am. I kind of feel like I will be in on the beginning of the new IT system and the new way the Navy will handle IT business. I'll also have the opportunity to express ideas and valuable feedback and prove myself capable of changing and growing.
And tomorrow evening I get to see huntersglenn again! A great way to end my trip! She is going to take me out and about some to see the ocean (if the weather is agreeable) and whatever else we can get into!
So that's about it..... what's new here?