Lucky stars
I got to leave work early today. It's not that busy this time of year, probably because most people are out of vacation hours and sick time which leaves us slightly over-staffed. Personally, I had 3 hours of vacation left for the year and they were offering same-day time off to anyone who wanted it and had the hours available.
I decided to take off the last 3 hours of my day, which also means I didn't have to take lunch, so essentially I worked just over half a day.
I might regret it later this year, who knows, but it was just too tempting. Especially given that I had some strong margaritas last night at fayemoon's place, playing Trivial Pursuit and Mario Party on the Wii with her and bjjlife.
Tequila on a work night. Tsk, tsk. ;-)
This morning I wasn't so much hungover as I was just really tired. I did have a headache but it went away with ibuprofen and an energy shot. I felt a little bit 'off' but was handling work ok. Nonetheless, relaxing at home of course sounded more preferable.
However, I did do something very, very stupid at work today and I'm still not sure if it was due to my compromised mental state or if it was just a dumbass mistake. I left my netbook in the breakroom, in its carrying case, when I left break to return to work. I didn't even notice it was missing until two hours later when I was gathering my things to leave early.
I panicked. My workplace, unfortunately, has its share of random thefts as it is. And here I left a whole computer unattended for a rather long period of time. There's no ID tag or really any way to connect it to me other than the serial number of the modem (which is linked to my Verizon Wireless employee account). I was already mentally preparing myself for the idea that it was just gone.
I hurried to the breakroom, and as I approached I saw the computer bag sitting on top of one of the tables. This immediately registered with me as evidence that the bag had been at least moved (as I knew I had left it on the chair). I wasn't sure whether to be more hopeful or more pessimistic by that fact, so I guess I was neither. I arrived to where the bag was, and to my absolute amazement the netbook was still inside.
I didn't examine it too thoroughly there, wanting to just get it out of that location. Upon returning to my desk I confirmed the computer was in fact still inside, along with my headphones and charger.
Unbelievable.
I almost did this one other time (left it in the breakroom), the first day I took it to work. I'm just not yet used to carrying two bags, so nothing feels like it's missing if I don't have it with me. Additionally, the bag is mostly black and just seems to blend well into certain environments, making it less noticeable to me.
Perhaps I should've found something neon-colored in which to carry it.
I am certainly going to get an ID tag for it this weekend, as well make other modifications to improve its security and visibility. I've had it for just over a week and I almost lost it already.
My dad made a joke to me when I got it saying I'd probably lose it. I used to have a habit of losing things, but have had a rather long run over the past few years of generally not misplacing items. My dad remarked that it seems I stopped losing things once it was the case that I was the one paying for them. Heh.
Perhaps that's true, or perhaps I've just become less careless as I get older. Regardless, what happened today was typical of something I might've done several years ago.
I need to be more mindful of my surrounds and what I'm doing. It was just a mistake, but one I can't believe I made (and furthermore didn't even notice for nearly two hours). If I hadn't been leaving at that time who knows how long it would've been before I realized what I'd done?
I got lucky today. That may not happen again.
Duly noted dear Universe; I promise to be more careful.
I decided to take off the last 3 hours of my day, which also means I didn't have to take lunch, so essentially I worked just over half a day.
I might regret it later this year, who knows, but it was just too tempting. Especially given that I had some strong margaritas last night at fayemoon's place, playing Trivial Pursuit and Mario Party on the Wii with her and bjjlife.
Tequila on a work night. Tsk, tsk. ;-)
This morning I wasn't so much hungover as I was just really tired. I did have a headache but it went away with ibuprofen and an energy shot. I felt a little bit 'off' but was handling work ok. Nonetheless, relaxing at home of course sounded more preferable.
However, I did do something very, very stupid at work today and I'm still not sure if it was due to my compromised mental state or if it was just a dumbass mistake. I left my netbook in the breakroom, in its carrying case, when I left break to return to work. I didn't even notice it was missing until two hours later when I was gathering my things to leave early.
I panicked. My workplace, unfortunately, has its share of random thefts as it is. And here I left a whole computer unattended for a rather long period of time. There's no ID tag or really any way to connect it to me other than the serial number of the modem (which is linked to my Verizon Wireless employee account). I was already mentally preparing myself for the idea that it was just gone.
I hurried to the breakroom, and as I approached I saw the computer bag sitting on top of one of the tables. This immediately registered with me as evidence that the bag had been at least moved (as I knew I had left it on the chair). I wasn't sure whether to be more hopeful or more pessimistic by that fact, so I guess I was neither. I arrived to where the bag was, and to my absolute amazement the netbook was still inside.
I didn't examine it too thoroughly there, wanting to just get it out of that location. Upon returning to my desk I confirmed the computer was in fact still inside, along with my headphones and charger.
Unbelievable.
I almost did this one other time (left it in the breakroom), the first day I took it to work. I'm just not yet used to carrying two bags, so nothing feels like it's missing if I don't have it with me. Additionally, the bag is mostly black and just seems to blend well into certain environments, making it less noticeable to me.
Perhaps I should've found something neon-colored in which to carry it.
I am certainly going to get an ID tag for it this weekend, as well make other modifications to improve its security and visibility. I've had it for just over a week and I almost lost it already.
My dad made a joke to me when I got it saying I'd probably lose it. I used to have a habit of losing things, but have had a rather long run over the past few years of generally not misplacing items. My dad remarked that it seems I stopped losing things once it was the case that I was the one paying for them. Heh.
Perhaps that's true, or perhaps I've just become less careless as I get older. Regardless, what happened today was typical of something I might've done several years ago.
I need to be more mindful of my surrounds and what I'm doing. It was just a mistake, but one I can't believe I made (and furthermore didn't even notice for nearly two hours). If I hadn't been leaving at that time who knows how long it would've been before I realized what I'd done?
I got lucky today. That may not happen again.
Duly noted dear Universe; I promise to be more careful.