full moon
Today was the official first day of the IS help desk for our organization. On my way to work I saw the moon shine through the clouds. I noticed it was a full moon, but I didn’t put it all together. Saturday was downtime for the main system for maintenance, and usually, the Monday following downtime is hell. It started out surprisingly quiet. Problems that we would normally deal with after downtime didn’t really exist. Then the main corporate computer center pulled a fast one on us. The organization’s internet access was taken down with no notice at all. And everyone’s username and password (which is entered and saved by IS for security purposes) was erased. All hell broke loose. I probably handled on average 1 problem every 2 minutes for the last 2 hours of my shift (as did my partner). I was able to take care of everyone I spoke to right through 15 minutes past my clock-out time. What I wasn’t able to do was open every ticket and close them. I got my work cut out for me tomorrow morning.
Cardinals. The defending National League champions. Led the league with 100 wins. MVP candidate Albert Pujols. Cy Young candidate Chris Carpenter. And they’re on the brink of elimination as they face Andy Pettite and the Astros in Houston tonight. St Louis lost the last 3 games to Houston on great pitching from Oswalt, Clemens, and Backe (not to mention closer Lidge). And the Cards lost their cool Sunday. Tonight, Carpenter will play the game of his career, and I hope (along with the rest of St Louis) he can handle the pressure. Or last Thursday’s game was the last to be played at Busch Stadium.
D has a PSP (aka PlayStation Portable for all you non-geeks). Combined with b-day gifts and his own cash, we bought it on Saturday. The kid is in heaven. It’s a nice gadget. Great for portable gaming (almost like having a portable PS2 with a widescreen tv). My computer will have to wait a little while longer, but I’m ok with that.
overwhelmed
My second day with the techs was no better than the first. The tickets we received just added to the frustration we had been dealing with. I thought I could help them get caught up, but all I could really do was observe and learn from them as they fought with the problems that were given to them. A lot of these problems are time consuming, and more tickets get pushed back. And they don’t seem to get the support they need from up above. Sounds all too familiar.
On a lighter note, the Cards took game 1 against Houston 5-3. Reggie Sanders hit a 2-run homer in the first inning to get things started, and Chris Carpenter pitched 8 great innings.
update 1012
How’s it going?
Work is good. It’s very busy. My partner and I are starting to learn some of the other functions that will keep us busy when the phone calls don’t. This week I’m rounding with the other techs to see them handle the actual tickets we give them. Yesterday was pretty crazy. People want to know why their ticket hasn’t been worked on yet; it’s because there are too many open tickets. More people and more resources are needed for this department to function well and get caught up.
It’s October, and Christmas is roughly 2 months away. Ugh. Gifts will be less this year. And what do I want? A computer. Well, cash to go towards one. Oh, and polo shirts for work. The computer may have to wait until next spring since it seems a PSP may be looming in the next few days for me and D. More on that later.
It’s playoff time in the Major Leagues. Angels stole one in Chicago last night, beating the White Sox 3-2. Tonight Carpenter takes on Andy Pettitte and the Astros at Busch Stadium to open the NLCS. The bats need to be swinging and our bullpen needs to hold up in order for the Cards to return to the World Series.
Til the next time …
Cards sweep the Padres
St. Louis 7, San Diego 4
Cards return to the NLCS with a sweep; Sanders sets an NLDS record with 10 RBI’s for the series.
Audio Blog 1007
Shownotes:
1st audio blog in 2 weeks
First week in IT complete
blog/databases
busy Friday
$2.94 a gallon
Friday night plans
night out at Cutters
Salem’s nighttime adventures
weekend plans
Cards up 2 games to none
other stuff
what else is going on?
Monday I start a new chapter in my life with the IT department. I’m nervous, excited, anxious, and happy. Everything changes now.
We went to the Chili Cook-off in Belleville last night. D hung out with his buddy Dil while CL and I sampled just about all of them (we missed the last 3 or 4). We were both chili’d out by that point. Good stuff tho!
Cards are 99 and 62 with 1 last game against Cincinnati. It will be the last regular season game @ Busch Stadium. They start the playoffs against San Diego on Tuesday.
Yankees clinched the AL East division today by beating the Red Sox. Red Sox can still make the playoffs if they defeat the Yanks on Sunday or if Cleveland loses to the White Sox.
I’m now using a new theme for my blog. I just want a simpler look. I will try tweaking it this week as time allows. If you prefer one of the older themes, click on Pages, and choose Switch Themes.
With this new job, I’ll need more computer time. I’m saving for my own computer. Not sure if I’ll get a Dell, a Shuttle, or a simple machine from the local Best Buy. Need to start thinking about what I’ll need versus what I want.
long time no blog
Been a while since I put up a regular post. Here’s what’s going on:
Work is crazy. Friday, we received news that our manager gave her 2 weeks notice. And I was training her to be my backup after I leave this week! She was in the same situation I was and had an offer she couldn’t refuse. We wish her well, but it causes quite a problem for the department. I’m trying to train people left and right plus get the job done. And next week, coverage is going to be a mess. I offered to stick around a little longer, but I was told that I would start the new job next Monday.
Recorded an audio blog on the way home today, but I forgot to press the record button.
$2.69 a gallon. Good news is it didn’t go up. Well, not yet anyway.
We’re going to the Cards-Astros game tomorrow night. It’ll be our last visit to Busch Stadium; the current one will be destroyed after the post season to make room for the new one. As soon as we arrive, I will roam to get pictures of this great ballpark. I do hope to catch the game between shots.
I’m thinking of changing my blog’s theme (yes, I know: “again?”). I like the Journalized themes, but I’m noticing the page is crowded with information. Now I think “simple” is better. There are a bunch of new themes out there I’m playing with. I will probably eliminate the “theme switcher” too. Some readers are viewing with the setting @ 1024 x 768, while most are still @ 800 x 600. You can change the theme via the “Themes” pulldown in the right column. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.
Don’t forget – I’ll be at Cutters Wednesday, October 5th around 5 PM. Hope to see you there!
Audio Blog 0922
Shownotes:
transition period
haircut
stress relief @ Cutters 10-5-05
Hurricane Rita
Red Cross
brave new world
blogging/pictures
goodbye to Busch Stadium
walk the dog?
hot fall day
Audio Blog 0914
Shownotes:
- 2nd interview
- relatives in town
- work: feedback cancelled
- bug bites
- sports update
happy friday
what’s going on …
- Kids are back in school. I think I speak for all parents in saying, “Thank God!”
- Interviewed for the tech support position yesterday. Went very well; it sounds as if the IT department is excited that I’ve applied. The pay is better, and the work is right up my alley. However, there are other top candidates; I’ll find out next week regarding a 2nd interview. It won’t be til after Labor Day when a decision will be made. I will say that I do like my chances.
- Tony La Russa is third on the all-time managerial win list; St Louis 6, Pittsburgh 3
- $2.45 a gallon; I see it dropping some more this weekend before it goes way up on Monday.
- Want to see where the sun is shining? Check out the World Sunlight Map.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Cards update
Both good news …
- Both Molina and Walker return from the disabled list
- St Louis 5, San Francisco 4; Edmonds hits walk-off double to cap 9th-inning comeback
- St Louis 4, San Francisco 2; Morris hits century mark
and bad …
pujols sets record with 30th homer
ESPN.com – Pujols makes history with 30 HRs in first five seasons
can you digg it?
Hey gang – how’s it going?
- Fixed the computer. Did a restore; now instead of 10 GB of free space, I have nearly 60.
- Finally uploaded our pics to my gallery and all albums are available to view. Phase 2: replace certain files with better quality pics.
- Haven’t been to the movies much this summer. CL, D, and I saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith a few weeks ago (pretty good). Last night CL and I watched Meet the Fockers (funny stuff).
- Cards are hot. At 62-35, they have the best record in the NL. However, key players are hurt, and they lost to the Cubs yesterday.
- Speaking of hot. 100 degree temps and heat index above 110 is ridiculous. Grass is growing without rain because it’s so tropical outside. Geez, it’s hot. It’s too hot.
- Digg.com – check it out. Top news in tech thanks to the users of Digg. See what news I digg in the right hand column, then digg some news yourself.
Stay cool if you can.
tidbits
news that interests me:
Edmonds scratched with rib contusion
Toronto 4, St Louis 1
CNN.com – Jackson jurors: Evidence ‘just wasn’t there’ – Jun 14, 2005 – This doesn’t really interest me; I’m just thankful this circus is over now.
NBA Finals: Defending champs are in a 2-game hole as they head back to Detroit for Game 3 – I was hoping for this series to go 7, but it looks like it may only go 4
Batman Begins opens Wednesday – D is going to see this with Grandpa; I’ll have to wait til after vacation
busy saturday
I finally had a pretty productive Saturday. Took CL to work so I could clean out her car. Walked the dog, then took him to the groomer’s for a haircut and bath. Did a whole bunch of laundry, including our sheets and blankets (smelled like Stinky). Vacuumed and washed the car (even as it rained a few times). Didn’t bother drying it since I knew the rain was coming, and it came in buckets just after I finished (at least it’s clean now for our big road trip). Finally got a haircut, showered, then picked up CL followed by the pup. Poor Salem spent the whole day there, and his paws hurt – she clipped his nails too close (one bled).
Now that I have a summer cut, my head feels so much better now! It was very long and thick, all over my ears and in my eyes. My ballcaps wouldn’t fit anymore. Bill asked me “How tight you want it?”. I told him, “Real tight! I want almost all of it gone!” Bill gives great haircuts, and as busy as they were, I was glad to get him.
Watched the Big Unit shut down the Cards 5-0, grilled some hot dogs, then CL and I watched After The Sunset. Good movie with plot twists and humor. Sorry D – it may be PG-13 but it’s not for you! Maybe in 2 or 3 years. 
my first yankees game
Had a great time at the ballgame! Arrived late due to downtown traffic; did get to hear Niko Smith (of American Idol fame) sing the National Anthem while we were walking to the stadium. We sat in the bleachers, row 4, just to the left of the Cardinal bullpen.
The Cards were dominant while the Yanks were sloppy; lopsided and kind of boring. But fun nonetheless! It was hot and sticky, and it drizzled for a little bit in the early innings. It was cool to see Jeter, Godzilla, A-Rod, and Sheffield (among others) play at Busch. A handful of Yankee fans in the stadium. The St Louis fans were pretty loud and rowdy; chants of “Jeter sucks!” and boos for both Giambi and Martinez were uncharacteristic of this baseball town. But when anyone plays New York, the Yankees seem to bring out the ugly in everything.
Thanks again to Jim and Stacey 
