busy weekend
Been busy this weekend. Friday we saw Harry Potter at the Lincoln. Sold out show; people cheering at every opportunity. Honestly, I hadn’t experienced that in a theater since the original Star Wars trilogy. The movie was great, but the book is so much better.
Saturday we did a little Christmas shopping. In fact, we went back out at 9 PM last night to buy some gifts (late sale). Today, I spent a good 3 hours picking up leaves in the front yard. My back and legs hurt, but I’m happy that I got it done.
Thanksgiving is this week, and it’s only a 3 day work week for me. I was hoping to go Christmas shopping during the 4 day weekend, but the wallet is a little thin right now. I’d really like to spend a little more time on the PC next weekend to backup data and work on my sites.
hello again
Hey gang, it’s been a long time since I last blogged …
The Cardinals were defeated in Game 6 at Busch Stadium by Roy Oswalt and the Houston Astros. St Louis fans were happy to see the Chicago White Sox sweep the Astros in the World Series (despite the NL link).
Work is crazy. The biggest problem we’ve had is our email server. It’s crashed twice in the last week and a half. We’re lucky to have it back, but the server’s a mess and all the data needs to be migrated to a new one. I’m also learning about the power struggles that goes on in this dept. Politics and control play a huge role, and I’m doing my best to stay out of it. For the first time in my career, I love the work but the teamwork sucks.
CL’s parents were in town last week; it’s always good to see them. We also hooked up with her brother and his family. Will post pics when I find the time.
I’ve been dealing with pain in my right ear. It’s similar to pain I feel when I’m sick and on a plane. The problem is I’m not sick and I’m not on a plane. If it continues this week, I may need to seek medical attention; super.
D celebrated his 13th b-day with friends last night at our house. We all ate pizza, then I took the boys to see The Legend of Zorro. Very entertaining; I liked it (as did the boys). They in turn stayed up all night, so they’re lacking in the energy dept.
Christmas is just around the corner. To my family – we need wishlists! I’ll probably post mine here. I’d really like cash towards a new PC. But I’ll have a list nonetheless.
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 …
new beginning – update
I’m starting to enjoy the job a little bit more. I still don’t do a whole lot aside from open tickets and answer the phone. Tuesday was busy due to a problem off-site; I opened 15 tickets within an hour (27 total for the day). Wednesday was not as bad, but the rounds techs had over 50 open tickets and they were swamped. At times I felt helpless. Someone said I was “helpless at the help desk”.
I haven’t tried listening to music. I will note the other day when the Cards played the Padres, one of the analysts gave me score updates. I’ll have to find out how she was tracking the game.
The crappy desk is temporary. Not only will I get my own at some point, the dept is looking for “real estate” to centralize the group.
I found that we do have a fridge and a microwave. I’ve started eating cereal at my desk, although it’s quiet in my area (you can probably hear me crunch).
Camaraderie is growing. I’m learning more about the people I work with, and that will continue in the next 3 weeks. I sat with my new partner yesterday, and she’s very friendly and personable.
The analyst training me this week is off Friday, so I’m kind of on my own. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but I’m anxious to see how I do.
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!
9-11-01
I remember …
- telling my coworkers about the house Christine and I looked at 2 days prior and were planning to buy.
- listening to a coworker say she heard on the radio a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center.
- listening to the radio all day as the events unfolded in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
- emailing my mother and father and fearing the worst since they both work at a military base.
- sighing relief and thanking God when they both responded that they were ok.
- waiting impatiently for CNN.com, USAToday.com, or any news site to load up with up-to-date headlines.
- thinking to myself, “Can this be happening to us? Why??”
- wondering if anyone was safe at all.
- coming home and watching the TV news replay everything over and over and over again.
- discussing with Christine on whether we should tell Daniel about what had happened.
- waiting in line for nearly an hour at the gas station.
- crying and praying for those we had lost and for our country.
recap/update
What a day. What a week. It’s all a blur. And I still have another day (damn).
- My partner’s off, so I have extra duties on my to-do list at work. My boss asked – no, I should say – begged for my help this afternoon. Offered me overtime. I said, “Sure!”
- Opportunity awaits: I put a bid in on a position (tech support) within the organization. Only 2 fellow co-workers know I’m contemplating this change. If they offer it to me, a few factors ($) will decide it for me.
- D’s been lacking some thought to the consequences of his actions (and his words). Hopefully, his mother and I have gotten through to him after two rough nights this week. Plain and simple – don’t make me angry. If it makes me mad, then don’t go there.
- I’ve tried twice in the last week to record my own podcast/audioblog via the MD recorder, but the results have been … eh. I may try again this weekend.
- Pretty soon, the current photoblog with My-Expressions.com will be gone since my free trial will be ending. Been working on a new one using WordPress. Don’t know why I didn’t think about using WP before. No sense in paying if I can do it myself. It’s going well, but I’m gonna need some help on some issues with archiving and EXIF details (camera data). When it’s ready to go, I’ll throw it out there for viewing.
- $2.58 a gallon. I don’t let my tank empty anymore. I just top it off every week when I think the price is low enough before it jumps again. This way, I only pay 5 or 6 bucks instead of 30 to 40. Last time I did was a week ago; it was “cheap” at $2.43. This is nothing if this expert is right about 2006.
- It’s hot outside. Again. If it’s not hot, it’s raining. If it’s not raining, it’s hot. This must be what it’s like in the Philippines. Can’t do anything really, unless you enjoy being sweaty or wet. Forecast says heat index of 110 for Friday. Poor Salem – his daily walk has become a weekends-only ritual.
TGIF tomorrow. Make the most of it, and the weekend will reward you.
update
It’s been awhile; here’s what’s happening …
Our computer lost most of its hard drive space; after freeing up 10 GB worth on Saturday, I lost nearly all of it by Sunday night.
Daniel, his buddy Adam, Christine and I went to Six Flags on Christine’s birthday (courtesy of Y98). It was super hot; we tried to spend the majority of it at the water park. Hurt our tailbones on the Tornado while the Boss shook us up (almost lost my glasses). Had a lot of fun regardless, and only spent $30.
Got sick to my stomach on Monday. 2nd time in a month; watching what I eat now.
Vacation pics are uploaded to the server. I still need to organize the 2nd week, but my host server has been down.
I hope to be blogging again on a regular basis – c ya real soon!
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. 
