ahhhh DOS

So half way thru the day yesterday I discovered by accident that really all I need to do for my new responsibility is:


123456
F1
Control-u
p
Control-o
cmg
F1
F1

New Number
Repeat



It goes a lot faster now!

New Responsibility

1234567

F1

Control-U

P

Control-O

CMG

Hit return Twice

Down arrow 1-3 times

08292007

hit F1 twice

1234568

F1

control-U

p

control-O

cmg

Hit return twice

down arrow 1-3 times

08292007

F1 twice

repeat

PB&J

I am the queen of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!! Since I have started working here I have pretty much had a sandwich for every lunch. I LOVE THEM! Every Thursday is "extra jelly" day. I was feeling bad for Thursday... so forgotten. Monday is well... Monday and Tuesday is recover from Monday. Wednesday is the neutral day, loved because it is not Monday and hated because it is not Friday. Friday is well... Friday. But poor Thursday. All that it usually gets is a groaning, "Why are you not Friday?". So I have decided to honor the next to best day of the work week by giving it extra jelly. My mouth is happier on Thursdays and I think that is the way it should be!

Examination

Watching students take an exam is like watching snails race.
At first you are excited. This could be an amazing race. I could win some money.
Then after 15 minutes your cheers lessen and you stop watching.
You lay down with your foot at the finish line thinking, "I will take a nap and the first one will wake me up."
You are suprised by first place primarily because you feel so well rested. However you bet on last place and so now you watch to see who will be last.
So you quietly cheer them on, hoping that they will actually finish and that you won't die here of old age.

New Friends

In the last week there has been quite a bit of movement in the cubicles. The training department said good-bye to one of the women who sits in our isle and hello to three others who moved into our isle. At first I was a little sad because our group is a bit secluded where we are and it gives a sense of privacy. But I am over that now. The man who used to sit on the other side of the wall now sits at the end of my isle, which means I walk past him at least 30 times every day. The new man across the wall is Jerry. I met him today and I confess that I have been wanting too... primarily because he is more my age and he is bald. Yes it is true I like bald guys. He is very nice and was eager to talk to me :)
I also met Bill today. Bill is a little slow but very friendly and my heart hurt for him a bit the moment I met him. This is not an easy place to work... kindness and common decency are often in short supply. He was over where the sharks are today and I am not sure anyone other than me was kind to him. I will be fiercely protective if teasing begins near my cubicle!

Updates: Life in the slow cubicle

Well I haven't written for a while because there has been a bit of drama here! On Friday the 10th, the big boss was dismissed. The VP who was directly over the trainers that I work with came in that morning, left that noon and hasn't been seen since. I swear that day someone darkened the lights a little, the white noise fans were dulled and a hush fell across the office. Not because many would miss the man but because many wondered who would be next. That was the first Friday that work seriously happened. There was not much laughing that day. Also I did something that was possibly illegal.

On Wednesday the 15th I worked a half day so that I could hang with Dallas and Kristin and be loved by their beautiful daughters.

On Thursday the 16th, an angel appeared. As we sat in a small room catching our interim boss up on the last year of poor management, wrong direction, and too much responsibility AND suddenly light shown out from all around her and she began to speak words that brought hope and life. We walked out of that meeting a little bit in love with the new boss lady!

Today as we start a second week under this new leadership there are smiles and joy and many balloons!!!

Life in the Rain

I contemplated my life this morning as I stood in the thunderstorm. I was at the edge of an empty lot with a 8 foot tall metal post behind me that read, "BUS STOP" at the top. The lightening was close and I wondered if it made any difference how far I stood from the lightening rod were it to be struck suddenly. Probably not... either way I would get hurt. What a crazy way to go! Standing in the rain at a bus stop.

I lived to get on the bus and off it again.

As I walked to 1400 Penn Ave, I carefully stepped over puddles. I felt the least humid that I have all week. I heard it coming from behind me. A car. Driving close to the side of the road where a small river was rushing madly downhill. I was already 6 feet from the road. I heard the acceleration and knew that I was made. I took two quick steps toward the building just as the car flew past. The wall of water just barely touched me... getting my right shoulder as I turned my hips away so that it missed my legs and feet.

Yes. I still like riding the bus.

Crushed Flower

If you have ever seen Joe vs. the Volcano you may already know the scene that I am talking about. The first time I saw the movie the only scene I remembered was when that foot came crushing down on the beautiful, courageous flower. I was traumatized! For as long as I can remember back into my childhood I have had a deep appreciation for flowers growing auspiciously in harsh conditions.

Yesterday and today I have had glimpses of how this place is like that place where Joe worked. A tiny bit of fear has worked it's way into my excitement as I see the bottom of the foot hovering over me.

Will I be crushed or will I continue to bring a small piece of light in this dark place?

Reassuring Words

Today I stopped by to chat with Margie about a growing problem concerning room reservations and the Facilities people. I was a little concerned because I thought maybe I had sparked the conversation. I wasn't and she told me to not feel guilty by association! As we were problem solving and trying to figure out how we could herd the cats, someone else stepped up to ask Margie a question.

"She did a pretty good job of filling in for you, Margie."

"Yes she did. We are going to keep her. If she thinks she can get away from here she is wrong. The good ones are few and she is good. So she is stuck with us!"

It's not a salary or benefits but Margie does bend the ear of the man who could hire me.

The Man in Cubicle # 104

The man in 104 is a nice guy but I have no idea who he is. He sits right on the corner where I either turn right to go to the printer or left to the copier, training cabinets, training rooms and restrooms. Once in a while I say hello but to say it everytime I went by would be overkill for certain. It is about 27 paces from my cube to his.

Carrots

Carrots are the perfect office snack food. They are not messy. You can munch on them and not worry about getting crumbs in your keyoard. Unless of course you have the ability to projectile spit your food while chewing. They take a long time to chew so you don't eat as much. Although I think I have eaten over a pound of carrots this past week. Carrots are crunchy so you can drown out other office noises by eating them.

The only downside I can see is that they might attract bunnies... and that is scary.

Things I Learn at Work

Stress Management

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals.

The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile.

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.
3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
4. No one knows your secret place.
5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.
6. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

See? It really does work . You're smiling already.