Nearly half way...

Office life just stinks... and I don't think it really matters where you are or what you do, it stinks. Unless you're one of those lucky people that has a true calling for a certain field... then it might not... but I'm sure their co-workers suck just as much as anyone else's.

Things here started to shift some time back. As certain people left and new ones started it became more pronounced... and the way some of the newer people are treated is just shocking.

Don't even get me started on how the company has shifted in the way they treat exempt vs. non-exempt. Just horrible.

A given in my area of the industry is that Division Orders, a purely administrative department, will be treated like garbage by what used to be known as Operations.

A couple years ago the guys in Operations, and yes there are always men, started to complain that they wanted to be on a different pay scale than us lowly Division Order people. The only way that could happen in office politics was to change there title and create some thing totally new and separate that has no possible tie to us. They became Negotiators.

Their jobs didn't change, but the pay scale certainly did. Most people are fine with that because we don't want to do their jobs... the problem came in with the parts of their jobs they don't think they have to do anymore.

So a couple of weeks ago I stood up for myself. I was livid that a certain Negotiator actually thought it was my responsibility to do his refiling. I made sure with my supervisor that this was not one of my few found duties to appease that department and after being assured my supervisor sent an email to straigten things out.

To date, this particular supposed grown up has not contacted me directly either by email or phone for anything. This WAS a supposed grown up who used to contact me daily for information.

Someone obviously got his wittle feewings huwrt...

I.don't.care.

I'm responding to the inquires of his team with all due speed and cheerfulness. He can suck it. I am not his assistant and if he has a problem with me well than just try and request someone else.

No one is gonna do all that extra crap he feels entitled too.

Buddies...

Shockingly, I was sent home early. The boss didn't want to drive in going home traffic so I got to leave at 3pm.

I've been home since around 3:30 so i've already done my work out, made and ate black bean soup, and sorta straightened up for the cleaner.

I'm goofing around on the lap top and I found this picture of Miss Keiko and JP doing what they do best on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Miss Keiko has always had a thing about feet and JP is more than happy to indulge her. While he loves both cats... well there is a reason Miss Keiko is the wallpaper on his blackberry.

Shortly I do believe I'm going to head upstairs. I have fallen behind on my Netflixs with visitors and whatnot. I've got three out all very different so I'm sure I'll find some thing I'm in the mood for.

I think since I got home so early I'm rather out of sorts. My brain tells me it should be later and I should be getting ready for bed... while in fact it's just way too early.

On a fun note. Olga and I our having sushi happy hour tomorrow at Miyako. Theresa may join us depending on how she's feeling. So we'll figure out a plan for the 290 outlet. Olga's been wanting to go. I want to check out the kitchen shops and see if I can find a deal on some items I'd like if I can get a good price.

The one dangerous shop: Kate Spade. Oh how I love her purses. Seriously... to splurge on one of those. I'm not one to spend on a designer bag... most I don't like at all... but I just love the clean lines and the colors she uses. Might want to leave the plastic at home on Saturday.

I could go for a nap...

I believe the worst of the rain for the area I work in has passed. Not a bad storm, just lots of rain.

Should make heading home interesting as I'm sure everyone will be "leaving a bit early" in attempt to avoid each other.

Boss is still going on about the people who didn't come in. Let.it.go. Geez!

Heard from JP. He arrived in Norway no problems. Boy can't complain as the first leg of the flight had only 8 people total. They each got their own row in first class. Then his hotel room got upgraded to a suite with free breakfast and movies. What a stinker.

Tonight I've decided to make my black bean soup. I'll be able to bring it in for lunch the next couple of days which will help in the last ditch effort for beach preparedness. Can I just say, it's not easy to tone up when your over 30. Not.fair.

My shoulders and arms are looking good though... that's about it.

a well... a couple more hours before I'm heading home. It should just be the usual bad driving in wet weather.

Before I get back to my thrilling work I will brew one last batch of red tea. It's friggin' cold in here!

Here I be...

The Manager is very angry that some people aren't coming in today. Ummmm... they live in the costal counties... and probably would rather stay at home than come in and get stuck later in the day due to street flooding. Silly silly boss lady.

Her problem is she doesn't get it. If it doesn't effect her directly she can't understand someone else's concern. She's rather like a man in that regard.

I'm here but if the rain gets too heavy I'm outta here. None of that two t0 three hours stuck on the freeway to get home for me. Try and find me.

It was rather freaky coming in. I was one of 5 cars leaving my neighborhood and I was late... everyone else was staying home. I didn't start to see more people until I was inside the beltway and even then 59 was empty.

Part of why I was late had to do with food. I figured the good places to eat would be closed as they wouldn't want to get stuck here and have smarter bosses. So I quickly made a lunch. Then on my way out of the neighborhood I thought, hey 2/3rd of a tank was fine if you were staying in Katy... but now I don't think so. So I stopped and got gas and was the only person there with the poor little guy in the booth.

So yeah I'm here with a handful of people... more might be trickling in... I wonder if the bagel place is open... probably not... mmmmmmmm, bagel.

Work is a go...

The office will be open tomorrow... boooooo hisssssss

Seems the storm won't hit until later in the day so of course we can and should all go in. I was hoping for a free day off. Bummer.

Well, since there's no telling how much wind this thing is going to kick up in my area I went ahead and moved all the lounge chairs into the garage. They get scooted around with lesser storms so it seemed wise.

I also took in the wheeled cooler and some other plastic chairs etc. If the storm does end up producing a great deal of rain I'll be stuck at the office with no time to drag anything in.

Oh stupid storm why couldn't you have stayed on time and arrive in the morning hours like you were supposed to! *grrrr*

JP is off to Norway. His flight is totally empty but they couldn't cancel the flight as the plane is needed in Amsterdam in the morning. Lucky for him.

Well... I'm finished for the night soon to retire upstairs. Smudge is hiding already. A small storm has popped up and she is NOT happy. Storm plus she's missing her furry human... she is most displeased and sulking upstairs.

There's a storm a'comin'

Had no idea that a tropical storm had formed until this morning. Driving in I saw the road sign flashing:

"Tropical Storm in Gulf. Fill Your Gas Tank."


Nice, cheerful way to start the week. And cause the locals to freak and run for the stations. At least the prices have dropped somewhat.

JP leaves this afternoon for a week and a half in Norway. When I get home I'll move the pool furniture to the garage just incase. Last time we had a very gusty storm that blew the deck chairs across the yard it would be a good thing to put them all away.

Would all that lifting count as my workout? That would be nice...

Weekend was rather quiet... well for us. Saturday was the Harris BBQ. Food was excellent as always. There was a smallish group of people. Got to really talk to Rosaline which is always good.

We were home by 10:30 which surprised me but I guess JP was still tired from his guy's night out.

Sunday we just stayed close to home and finished chores around the house. Laundry is finally caught up. I did run out of dry cleaning sheets so I haven't cleaned the duvet covers yet.

We went to see Step Brothers as we wanted a total brain out movie. Not as funny as the NASCAR movie but it was pretty funny in that over the top sort of way. Crazy foul language too.

So today I need to find out what the boss thinks about coming in tomorrow. The parking garage here in Greenway is below ground and I'm actually two levels below... when a really heavy rain comes through it floods and with this sort of storm flooding is going to happen.

The boss never comes down firm so I'll have to get with the supervisor and take my lead from him.

Fun times!

Are you sure it's Saturday?

Lucky again, my Friday off fell on the last day my sister was in town. Even as I type now she and the rest of her clan are heading north, and have been for two hours, back to Wisconsin.

She came over late morning with the kids and we all went to Katy Mills. My sister was looking for a few specific items of which she only found one. I'll keep an eye out for the rest.

It is always so cool to watch her handle the kids. Aidan doesn't need much expect when you see him setting up his sister. Ainsley is more than a handful, but she's three and the sib doesn't let her get away with anything.

Good to see especially when so often I run into people who never straighten out their kids and they run rampant... like what I'll probably see tonight.

We same yesterday afternoon and then eventually met up with everyone for a last dinner of cajun food. JP made it for dinner and then moved on afterwards for a night with the boys. They all met up at Frank's new apartment and spent the night.

This typically means a night of bad poker, beer, and PS3 Guitar Hero.

Today I've been doing laundry and around four we have a BBQ at the Harris'. I adore wife but the husband is a bit much. He's just very into designer in a scary way. So I will wear all my TJ Maxx gear and just smile.

Tomorrow is our last day together as JP is back to Norway for a week and a half. He's meeting with two diffrent companies and is forced to stay over the weekend. He's going to hop over to Oslo and visit some old friends who've settled there.

Speak of the devil, I think he's pulling in now... heh. He'll have such a hang over I'm sure.