spring rain

I walked out from work. I breathed in deeply, and thought, "It smells like spring." And, no, I'm not talking about my BO after a hard day's work. I'm talking about that other spring--that wonderful season that is bursting outside.

The ground was wet from and everything had that hyper-color that only seems to happen after a spring rain. The world around me is getting a fresh start, renewing life.

It happens every year. It's new, yet it's all the same. And that's life.

I take that back. Instead, it's all the same, yet it's new. Yeah, I like it that way better.

worker bee buzz

I have homework to do, but I'm drained of creativity.
I have a trip to ready myself for, but my mind is too restless.
I have a life to live, and it's being derailed by frustration.

This was going to be a post about how amazing KU performed.
This was going to be a post that reflected on KU after Roy Williams.
Roy listening to the Rock Chalk Jayhawk that was not for him.
Roy at the championship game with a Jayhawk sticker on his chest.
I hope that fans have drank their last out of the hater-aide well.
And I hope Bill stays at KU. I love his balanced attitude toward the game.

I was going to be lively and witty in my post. But not now. Now I'm on to a new worry--well an old worry magnified.

See, it's no secret that I dislike working for corporate America.
It's no secret that I'm frustrated by how my industry is being managed by the guys in the suits.
Basically, they're looking to squeeze water out of a sponge before they even dunk it in the water bucket. Then they blame the sponge. There is nothing wrong with the sponge.

I'm underpaid and overworked. Tomorrow I get my annual review, and my boss knew the top item on my agenda was a long overdue promotion. And then today the top dog of the company passed down a degree--a hiring and pay freeze. I still get my annual review (gee, thanks) but no pay raise, and talk of a promotion is definitely off the table. But, oh yeah, I still get to work my ass off at this trade show next week.

It's so frustrating. A freeze like this means your good workers will either leave or be come poor workers due to burnout. That may save you money in the short term, but it must really be costly long term.

But according to my boss, it could be worse. They aren't laying anyone off, yet, at least. "At least we have our jobs," I was told. Comforting thought.

So, I'm looking for a new job. I wish I could just write on cover letters "I'm fabulous. Hire me and see for yourself." And I'm looking to take on more freelance work. One day I'm going to toss the suits and work solely for myself.

food fight

Came across an interesting video. It's the history of war since WWII told with food.

Mr. Hassig and Mr. Smith, I really did pay attention in my History classes, but I think I need a refresher course. And maybe a few meals at less American-centric restaurants.



In case I fumbled up embedding the video link, here's the website: http://tv.boingboing.net.

tummy troubles, again

So I'm up when I should be sleeping. Darn this stomach of mine. Acid reflux, intestinal gas, food poisoning, diarrhea, whatever, I just want whatever this is to go away. Leave me along. Stop messing up my sleep at nights. Stop costing me an arm and a leg at the pharmacy. Please, stop, now. I'm tired.

don't drop the soap!

So last night Kathleen Sebelius gave a good speech--though sadly lacked any sort of emotion--in response to Pres. Bush's State of the Union address. I read in the Star that some were considering her as a possible presidential running mate because of her bipartisan skills.

The more interesting story, though, involves her 23-year-old son, who's turned a school project into a product to sell. It's a board game called "Don't Drop the Soap." Familiar with that sage advise for prison inmates? Well prison is setting for this board game. You can even use a bag of coke as your game piece to move around the board.

Here's the description from the site:

Fight your way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole. Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss' lasagna in the Cafeteria, steal painkillers from the nurse's desk in the Infirmary, avoid being cornered by the Aryans in the Shower Room, fight off Latin Kings in Gang War, and try not to smoke your entire stash in The Hole.

Read the article in the KC Star here.

See the kid's website here.

in the tickle booth

TickleBooth has rounded up the Oscar-nominated animated shorts for our viewing pleasure: http://ticklebooth.com/2008/01/watch-the-oscar-nominated-animated-shorts-online-2/#comment-61797.

I haven't had time to watch any of them yet, but they look cool.

i don't do sales

I'm looking for a new job. If it involves me trying to coerce someone else to buy something, I don't want it. But what else is out there?

For those wondering, I don't hate my job. I just need a job with the potenial for more pay and better benefits. My roomie is leaving for wifehood in eight months, and then the apartment and all the bills will be 100 percent mine.

cold work

Day after Christmas.
Work is quiet.
Work is boring.
Work is freaking cold.
I guess the minion in charge of the thermostat has the day off...

i've been poisoned

Turns out what I thought was the return of my acid reflux is food poisoning. The probable culprit as determined by my doctor: Something I ate or drank while in Japan. I like to blame the chicken I ate the day after I came home.

Either way, I've been food poisoned for over a month now.

Started new meds yesterday. Keep your fingers crossed...

a little schadenfreude

A long time ago at a place far, far away, the woman I worked for determined I wasn't a good fit for her team, and she said things that made me think I was horrible at my job, and worse, that I was an all-around failure as a person.

As time passed, I realized that the real issue had nothing to do with my abilities--which are pretty darn good--or with me as a person. I didn't fit her mold. She couldn't control me. I wouldn't be her drone. So she pushed me out. It was as simple as that. Still, the period was a painful one in my life.

Then today I heard a story of this woman trying similar tactics on a good friend of mine. I was surprised. Why try to push out someone who is so talented?

Then the little bit of schadenfreude kicked in. I feel bad my friend went through this, but it gave me a twinge of happiness, too. While I don't doubt that others believed me that the situation was bad, I doubt that they fully believed me that what was said to me was really as bad as I reported. So having another person report being dragged through a similar experience provides me with a bit of vindication.

A job is a job. A life is a life. I may not love my job, but can I still love my life?