This past week - mostly work

So I was having a productive week though lots to do particularly since Monday was a holiday. (Which helped me start the week right). Was making progress, getting to some key stuff and planning for next week (part of my write shit down efforts). Then late Thursday, a request for help from COO, which seemed small at first, so I pitched in (like I’d say no anyway).

As I started working on it, found a complete mess, an excel spreadsheet where the person (Idiot #1) created a format they liked first then tried to update it. No consistency, some items grouped together, some not, a complete mess. Also found some mistakes which started me having to review line by line each item (about 352 lines). This data is the basis for some analysis that the head of the business had to provide to the HEAD OF THE FIRM early next week. (If you know my employer – that’s a big fucking deal especially considering the economy right now) It was so bad, couldn’t believe the person who created it even would send it to COO. Shows the lack of professionalism in middle management in our group, Idiot #1’s excuse would probably be lack of excel experience, almost brags about it. Also found a later that when this request first came in, a colleague suggested they ask for my help (on Tuesday!). He was told by 2 of the managers involved (future co-authors of the excel mess – Idiot #1 and his partner in incompentence Idiot #2) that it would take too long and I was probably busy. These managers aren’t always my favorites, they’re old school and I know I’ve irritated them in the past. (I used to let that bother me, now who gives a shit) When my job responsibility involved reporting like this, they didn’t always appreciate my methods. Which have turned out to be logical and consistent in comparison to the crap they attempted to create! I also tended to control the data and limited their access and abilities to edit it in the past. (Cause I’m such a controlling bitch!)

So stayed at office until 7:30pm completing the matching exercise and realized I needed to make a version the way I would have done it since the COO and Controller still needed to work on it before the analysis could be sent out. Went home, took a break, ate some dinner. Broke my rules about eating later (totally relapsed on my coca cola addiction recently). Started working again and was up until 2am completing the thing, as well as updating in the old format so those managers could follow it. Found it hard to unwind afterwards and didn’t really get to sleep until 3am. (Lots of thoughts about work environment and confirmed why I will leave it eventually) Also made sure I was up before 7am so I could email it in. Not sure why I hid how late I was up, however wanted Controller and COO to have it first thing in the morning. (Controller was already logged online when I sent it.)

My plan was go to work, getting done what I could on projects I had ignored then leave after my 2:30pm conference call which was mostly being a therapist for a PM in New York as we plan for a future joint project. Talked to a senior manager (who wasn’t involved with this mess) about it when I came in and make sure he was ok with me leaving early. (He doesn’t care; frankly I do what I want, however like to keep up the appearance that I respect authority) Updated this manager on the situation since he knew what I was working on, he agreed it was a cluster. Also we had some sales organization changes announced so knew it was going to be lousy day, some long time people being laid off (way we live now unfortunately). Then @ 2pm received request from COO asking for help updating spreadsheet (my format) with updates from Idiot #2. He tried to pass off the mess as the fault of Idiot #1, yet found a few missing items from his update. I was civil, that was it. Finished the update, checked in with COO who was wiped out also. It was a tough week. Then spent some time cleaning up office, so past tired it didn’t matter and was there until 6pm. Finally went home to crash with the help of some Grey Goose.

Did get to sleep in on Saturday and went to hang out with my pal Wendy (Smokey’s mom) and her four year old daughter, Madi. Earlier in the week I had offered to visit since Wendy’s husband had to work this weekend plus she’s almost a week away from having another baby. When I called after waking up, Madi insisted on talking to me and asked “when you coming down?” It was relaxing though, she loves to watch Food TV, though we did watch an Elmo video (thankfully short) and some Backyardigans (what the heck is Uniqua?). I was able to vent about work (Wendy’s on leave until June –post baby) and she could vent about being very pregnant. Of course we both were entertained with Madi, who proudly showed me the new room for her baby sister.

So now I need to get back on track.

Catching Up

I’ve wanted to post for a while now and just haven’t taken the time. Plus so much in my head and enjoy this forum to get it out. Wish I heard more from my peeps, cause periodically some make comments that they keep up with the blog. (you know who you are!) I’ll admit I’m not providing consistent or entertaining content lately, probably spending too much time with Facebook.

Started a journal and some good routine habits. Had a bad cold that lasted over a week. Afterwards, though had sort of burst of energy and clarity. Wanted to get more done and not slog through the day. I want to make some changes in life and work, realized I need to clean up and deal with some things right now. Get myself together. Literally started writing stuff down to do to help (take out trash, dishes, email). I have a great memory however realized I was adding more stress by trying to remember it all. Also I’ve been lecturing my project team lately to “write shit down”, (after the fourth interruption telling me – “I still haven’t heard from so & so…” “what about when…”) and needed to follow my own advice.

So have some topics for you – coming soon:

• This week
• Wanting a home
• Clearing up stuff
• journal entry from my early 20s - which really resonated still
• Travel plans/ wishes
• What to do for birthday this year - it must be celebrated

Spoof time - you've probably seen this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PqI12R8YNU

I'll stop on the politics soon.

This is my America

Been pondering on the the question posed by the NPR's series "This I Believe". (really recommend it). Sure of some things, though not sure of how I would articulate them.

I do know that the last eight years have been trying and conflicted with my personal beliefs. Especially the ideas of torture, detention, preventive war, and absolute dogmatic belief in a certain value system that was more about words than deeds. The actions and stated beliefs of the past administration were in direct contrast to what I had learned were the ideals of this country. I thought, this is not my country, not what I knew and believed.

Sometimes coming out of difficulties and struggle is only when we can truly succeed. Obviously I am enjoying today very much and particularly what our new president articulated so well. I am unapologetically a believer in the ideals of internationalism and diplomacy.

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

Barack Hussein Obama, January 20, 2009

Quotable Magnet

Picked this up for a friend and realized maybe it applies more to me right now than it does them. From a very good read:

"i beg you... to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. and the point is, to live everything. live the questions now. perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer...."

Back to winter

Returned from Florida today. Had a real relaxing time with Sister, she was such a great host. The weather was Florida - little cool in the 70's and eventually the 80's. Actually saw sun when flying back into Cbus. Shocking! Not bad trip though people are stupid in baggage claim (I'll probably rant later).

Back to office tomorrow - not ready to go, but oh well. Off for new years, though no real plans for tomorrow night - very lame. Least it will be short days at the office.

Will post more later!

Heading South

Getting ready to leave for Florida tomorrow to see my sister! Ready to leave gray gloomy skies of Columbus for 70-80 degree weather. Luckily had no meetings today so didn't go to the office. Had a nice time running a few errands, excellent lunch @ Brio with Mrs. A, had to have a little glass of Chianti.

So nice not to be in a rush to get out of town. Still have to pay some bills and finish laundry, flight isn't til 2:45 tomorrow so plenty of town. Will post when I can - ready to relax! Be back in Cbus on 12/30 and rush back to work on 12/31. Need to find something to do that night.

Anyhoo - more later and Happy Holidays!