Wednesday, June 28, 2006

I Suck

I really suck these days... playing guitar that is. As I mentioned a while back I joined this band that people here at work started. They bugged me until I decided to try it. I thought it would be fun and all that, and it is fun, but the truth is that I suck!

It has been at least a decade since I played anything seriously. I dink around at home from time to time but I haven't played regularly for a long time. I can play but my hand hurts a lot. Plus I am slow. It has been a bit of a struggle so far. Fun but annoying.

I am sure I will get back up to speed eventually. It shouldn't take too long, assuming I get into better practice habits. (That's a big assumption.) But the first time playing for people is in September. Yikes!

Now I need to figure out how to tell them about the song list. That is something I need to change. Hopefully we can get a 3rd guitar so I don't have to play songs I don't like. OK, some of them I hate. Like that song that goes "Keep Your Hands To Yourself". I didn't like that one when it was popular.

I like the cool songs like "Day Tripper" and "Blitzkrieg Bop". I have also introduced a Green Day song or 2. Gotta get rid of the crap. :)

Opinions are everywhere when it comes to music, no?

So we'll see how it goes the next few weeks. Maybe next time I mention the band I won't suck.

Monday, June 26, 2006

I Just Walked Into A Wall

I did. I walked into the restroom and ran into a wall, of stink!

The restroom is one of those double door jobs. So I get through the first door and open the second and the odor hits me like I walked into a wall. It really was that bad!

As I gasp for air and will my legs to move into a full retreat, the perpetrator of the foul deed ripped a gigantor sized cheesy blaster. That was enough to get my feet headed in the right direction. I'm surprised the mirrors didn't shatter.

Later I noticed who it was. It was this old guy (already retired from another job and working here) who peeled the paint. At least I'll know not to travel in his wake from now on.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Keeping It In The Family

I was in the grocery store a short while ago and while I was in line I noticed a woman walking through the parking lot with her husband. I looked at her and watched her walk toward the store thinking "Hmmm, she's kinda hot looking". They disappeared from view and I didn't think about it again.

As I rounded the corner to walk out the door there she was, she and her husband, standing there talking with someone. I looked, stopped dead and did a double take. She smiled and said hi. It was my cousin.

I was checking out my cousin. First cousin. The one who was my sister's best friend forever. My Uncle's daughter. Nice YB.

She started laughing and said "You didn't recognize me did you?" I choked and told her she didn't know the half of it.

Sheesh.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Sit Here Please

I was sitting in another training thing yesterday when I noticed this. A guy came in late and started looking around for a place to sit. We had been assigned seats and name tags were in front of them but you know how it is when you are late, you just try to find the easiest available seat so you don't disrupt and/or draw attention to yourself. Well, the only open seat was next to me. But that wasn't his assigned seat.

He looked around, saw that seat, looked right at me and headed toward it. No real emotion showing on his face. But when the HR lady saw where he was headed she stopped him and pointed to where his seat actually was. When he looked over and saw that he was seated beside an attractive woman he was all smiles. He looked at me again and gave me an almost imperceptable shrug and headed ove to his spot, big grin on his face.

I found that hilarious! One reason is that he thought he wasn't being obvious but we noticed. Another reason I found it funny was that I have reacted that way before too. Yes, guilty as charged. I like to think I am way less obvious about it though. There are times when one seat is preferable to another. If I had to choose between the two and the situation was the same (he is new and knows no one) I would have headed right to the empty spot beside her. But that's just me. I am way more comfortable befriending women.

The best part was that he was seated next to my newest friend, the one I've been getting to know since the first day. So later she told me how he was all schmoozy and trying to be a Don Juan (her words). He even asked her to have lunch with him. But lunch was provided so that didn't work out. Poor guy.

I'm curious to hear whether anyone else has seen a reaction like this one. Or who else has reacted that way. I think it's a common thing. I also think people are funny. Being back at a place with lots of people again has provided me with lots of blog material. :)

Friday, June 23, 2006

It's Funny To Me

Is it bad to be happy about someone getting screwed? I know it's supposed to be a bad thing and I try not to be all excited when someone I dislike gets busted doing something. I try hard but sometimes I fail.

Like recently when I was cruising home and this big, obnoxious dude in a big, loud obnoxious truck was behind me. We were on this short road that the speed limit had been made just 25 mph. (I hate those.) He kept running up on my bumper like he was trying to hitch a ride. There was no one around and the road is 2 lanes so I was getting a little pissed.

Finally he whips around me and speeds off. I smile because the only reason I do the speed limit there (or close to it anyway) is that the cops love to hang around to catch people. Inside I was hoping....

As I crested the last hill I saw Mr. Supertrucker headed down the road and to the left the cop I was expecting whipped out of the parking lot and pulled him over. As I went by and the cop was walking toward his window I had this really smug feeling like I had accomplished something. I hadn't but for some reason I was so happy about the whole deal. I smiled and drove on.

We aren't supposed to feel like that right? I can't help it though. Let's face it, there are jerks in the world and some of us like to see them get it. Sometimes I'm a jerk too and when I get mine I just have to laugh about it in the end.

I just hope he got a really big speeding ticket. ;)

Thursday, June 22, 2006

I Think I Did OK

Yesterday was a weird day. I had training all day long. 8 different topics. Talk about fighting sleep all day! If not for my newest friend being in the same training with me I would have been in big trouble.

When I started back here I was worried. I had left under good terms about 5 years ago. No real problems. I wasn't disgruntled or anything. Mostly I left because I was bored. But I did notice back then, just like everyone else had, that the company had become employee un-friendly. The atmosphere was quite depressed. Things here sure have changed.

The new management team, that started shortly after I left, has totally changed the place. Yesterday's training is just one example of it. Way back when the training basically consisted of "Here, read this and sign off. Now get to work." It's not anywhere close to that now. They put you through all kinds of stuff and give you the tools you need to acclimate easily.

There are a lot of employee friendly things going on too. Quality day and the picnic, rewards programs, a lot of things. The atmosphere here is now very positive and so laid back. It makes people want to do a good job and feel proud of what they do. The place is headed in a good direction I think.

I am impressed.

My concerns about coming back are all gone save one; now I want to make sure I am great at my job. I want to do everything plus a little extra so I can succeed which helps the company succeed which works for all of us. I am no 'corporate guy' by any means but I sure am trying to do well here. The motivation is back and the need to be great at my job is back. I lost all that at the last job I had.

I made the right decision coming back here.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Engineers Are In A League Of Their Own

Here's something I have noticed about Engineers since I started this new job. First, let me qualify this; I mean Mechanical Engineers not Chemical Engineers. Chemical Engineers are also in their own league but that story will wait for now.

OK, the 2 main Engineers here are older so they have the established engineered belly. This is the big round belly that they get from just hanging out at meetings and telling everyone else they are wrong about stuff. Judging from the size of these 2 bellies, these guys are really, really good at their jobs.

I know first hand about one of them since he supports the equipment in my area. He always has a better approach than anyone else. You don't even have to ask him for it. He just has it and gives his opinions freely. Freely and in great detail. Detailed enough that I have now had to resort to finding ways to excuse myself from his long ass speeches. Nice guy but very long winded.

Now this is a unique attribute to the older Mechanical Engineers. When you have a younger one, say recently out of college, they are the opposite. They have themselves a good old time soaking up all the info they can and being the 'go-getter' type of person. They tend to act like they are trying to prove themselves every day. They are always into something and full of wind, piss & excitement. That's mostly what I've seen anyway. I guess they haven't learned that they know everything yet. It takes a while. But the older they get the more they slow down. They also learn to grow the big Engineered belly. Then they get more opinionated. Like these 2 guys I see every day.

Strange phenomena.

I walked by them yesterday and they were talking very animatedly about some project and how someone hadn't handled it the way they thought it should have been handled. They almost had their big bellies touching as they stood face to face. There was almost no room to get around them in the hallway but it didn't matter. When I saw those big guts almost rubbing and the way they were jiggling as those 2 guys got into their speeches, I turned around and took a different route. Laughing all the way.

I'm a bad person sometimes eh? But I do like people. They amuse me to no end. I think people were put here just for my amusement sometimes. :)

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

The Truth About Management

This one really cracks me up!


Weekend Update

Weekend Update

No, I'm sorry. This isn't the Saturday Night Live Version. Just me finally getting time to check in.

This past week has been a whirlwind. It's almost like it never happened except I remember stuff. The highlights are that I got to have lunch with Peachy on Friday, my cousin got really sick and they amputated half of one leg, a dear friend got married (she is also the Mom of my Godson) Father's Day came and went and no one gave me something stupid and today we got news that the pregnant co-worker is no longer pregnant.

Lunch with Peachy was the best! I sure miss you sweetie. It was great sitting and being our goofy selves like usual. Pigging out on good food that's supposed to be bad for you. (We don't care.) Reminiscing about the old job. Laughing mostly. When you are around Peachy you always laugh. Funny thing, we both knew we had developed some bad habits at that old job. Now we have to shake them off and act like real people again. It hasn’t been that hard to do for me so far.

My cousin has diabetes and got really sick recently. He pretty much lost his sight and his right leg in what seems like about a 2 week span. One week he was OK, soon after he's on death's door. Needless to say his life and that of my Aunt & Uncle are never going to be the same. Bummer.

My friend's wedding this past weekend was so much fun. It was held in this amazing place up in the mountains. You literally had to leave the main roads and drive dirt roads to get there. I was kinda worried about it but once we arrived we were surprised. The place was like a huge private compound set up for parties. The owner has a catering business and must be into some money. There was a big house, a pool, a stage with a dance floor, a building used for serving food complete with a bar, quite a few places built for kids to play and even a real teepee. It was super.

The ceremony was nice and just like my friend promised, short and sweet. Her words were this, "We'll say I do and then get to the party." She was honest. It was a fun time. Plus I hooked myself up with tickets to Fenway Park this summer. There was an old friend (who I only knew from the partying days way back when) who was there with her husband. Once we started talking we hit it off pretty well, mostly because he was as big of a Baseball fan as I am. They live in Boston and he's a huge Sux fan. He also has season tickets and his are right behind 1st base about 3 rows back. I am invited. Even when the Yanks are in town. Can you imaging! I sure can. In exchange I am hooking him up with a golf outing next month when they are back for another visit. I've wanted to visit Fenway just to say I did it. I remember Karen visited and survived. I am looking forward to it.

Today our coworker who was pregnant let everyone know that she had a little boy. This department is almost all women and they all are Moms. You should have heard the squealing and carrying-on. You would think it was the greatest event in history, the baby being born. I just waited patiently and smiled and after 10 minutes of details about weight and length (and other gory stuff) I did manage to discern that Mom and baby are healthy. That's all I really care about with these things anyway. Healthy and happy. Good deal.

Now today I have a million things to do and for some reason I can't wake up yet. I think it's because I was out late. Oh, I forgot to mention that I joined a band. The first rehearsal was yesterday for me. It is a band formed by people who work here. Just for fun. I played even though I went in knowing no songs at all. Plus I was super rusty but I did hold my own.

So that'smy recent update. Time now to get ready for my first meeting of the day. Whoopie!

Weekend Update

No, I’m sorry. This isn’t the Saturday Night Live Version. Just me finally getting time to check in.

This past week has been a whirlwind. It’s almost like tit never happened except I remember stuff. The highlights are that I got to have lunch with Peachy on Friday, my cousin got really sick and they amputated half of one leg, a dear friend got married (she is also the Mom of my Godson) Father’s Day came and went and no one gave me something stupid and today we got news that the pregnant co-worker is no longer pregnant.

Lunch with Peachy was the best! I sure miss you sweetie. It was great sitting and being our goofy selves like usual. Pigging out on good food that’s supposed to be bad for you. (We don’t care.) Reminiscing about the old job. Laughing mostly. When you are around Peachy you always laugh. Funny thing, we both knew we had developed some bad habits at that old job. Now we have to shake them off and act like real people again. It hasn’t been that hard to do for me so far.

My cousin has diabetes and got really sick recently. He pretty much lost his sight and his right leg in what sees like about a 2 week span. One week he was OK, soon after he’s on death’s door. Needless to say his life and that of my Aunt & Uncle are never going to be the same. Bummer.

My friend’s wedding this past weekend was so much fun. It was held in this amazing place up in the mountains. You literally had to leave the main roads and drive dirt roads to get there. I was kinda worried about it but once we arrived we were surprised. The place was like a huge private compound set up for parties. The owner has a catering business and must be into some money. There was a big house, a pool, a stage with a dance floor, a building used for serving food complete with a bar, quite a few places built for kids to play and even a real teepee. It was super.

The ceremony was nice and just like my friend promised, short and sweet. Her words were this, “We’ll say I do and then get to the party.” She was honest. It was a fun time. Plus I hooked myself up with tickets to Fenway Park this summer. There was an old friend (who I only knew from the partying days way back when) who was there with her husband. Once we started talking we hit it off pretty well, mostly because he was as big of a Baseball fan as I am. They live in Boston and he’s a huge Sux fan. He also has season tickets and his are right behind 1st base about 3 rows back. I am invited. Even when the Yanks are in town. Can you imaging! I sure can. In exchange I am hooking him up with a golf outing next month when they are back for another visit. I’ve wanted to visit Fenway just to say I did it. I remember Karen visited and survived. I am looking forward to it.

Today our coworker who was pregnant let everyone know that she had a little boy. This department is almost all women and they all are Moms. You should have heard the squealing and carrying-on. You would think it was the greatest event in history, the baby being born. I just waited patiently and smiled and after 10 minutes of details about weight and length (and other gory stuff) I did manage to discern that Mom and baby are healthy. That’s all I really care about with these things anyway. Healthy and happy. Good deal.

Now today I have a million things to do and for some reason I can’t wake up yet. I think it’s because I was out late. Oh, I forgot to mention that I joined a band. The first rehearsal was yesterday for me. It is a band formed by people who work here. Just for fun. I played even thought I went in knowing no songs at all. Plus I was super rusty but I did hold my own.

So that’s my recent update. Time now to get ready for my first meeting of the day. Whoopie!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

My Favorite Person

Have you ever known that you have a favorite person? I mean the one person who makes you happy just to see them or just to think that they are your friend. I don't even mean your significant other either. I mean someone you know and it just makes you happy that they are on the face of the Earth. It makes you smile knowing they are somewhere. Anywhere.

I have a favorite person. I've known for a long time she was my favorite person too. Now I get to see her every day and my whole demeanor has brightened. Life is much better than it was last month.

I feel lucky these days. Counting blessings and all that crap. Mostly enjoying my favorite person being closer. :)

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Beach Pics

I am a little late checking in. Thanks for the reminder Meritt and Cindy Lou. :) Sorry!

Here are a few beach pictures. I haven't gone through all of them yet but these I like so far. I love digital cameras. I took over a hundred pics and probably won't keep half but of course, I didn't waste film. There wasn't any to waste.

The trip was great. The first day was too cold to be out on the beach too long. It was only 68 degrees with a 30 mph wind. On the beach, that's chilly. We stayed out as long as we could. Then we shopped and had some fun inside. ;) The next day was absolutely perfect. 75 and sunny. Just a slight breeze. Sweet!


Here is sunset the first night. Beautiful.




Here is sunset the second night. Beautiful again, but different. Neat eh?




Here is a little friend we made on one of the nature trails. She was kinda standoffish.




Some proud parents and their little babies.




Another new friend on a different trail. This one wanted to come with us. You can actually hug and pet these guys/gals. The Rangers get mad if they see you doing it but I do it anyway.



This dude had just swallowed a fish he caught. I didn't get the camera out in time to catch him eating but here he is looking for more.




I'll try to post more later. The new job is a bit hectic right now but I will get into a better groove eventually.

Friday, June 09, 2006

Hasta La Vista Baby!

Yep, it's about that time. Headed to the beach for some "west and wewaxation" as Elmer would say. Hopefully the "cwazy duck" won't show up.

Until Monday then my friends...........

He Really Does Not Like Coffee/Tea

Some guy in Starbuck's this morning ordered this: A decaf Chai Tea with 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla, one pump of sugar free peppermint, no water, no foam, 180 degree temp., 2 Splenda and a dash of nutmeg.

I don't think he really likes the stuff.

The person taking the order kept starting to walk away after each detail the guy gave him. He obviously thought there couldn't be another one coming. Then the guy behind me started laughing and said "Sheesh!" The guy ordering just looked around and smiled. It was funny.



I kept trying to post this last night but Blogger wouldn't let me. So here it is:

Today at work we had a big old safety thing in the conference area. There were many things to do and see there. When I was near the front table the woman sitting there asked me to draw 2 names for door prizes. I drew one guy who I don't know and then I drew the second name. It was my ex-wife.

I laughed and said "What are the odds of that?" Then the woman got up laughing, grabbed the door prize and walked to the very next table and handed it to my ex. I hadn't even seen her sitting there. She was all excited that she won something and then door-prize girl pointed to me and told her I had picked her name.

She looked at me and her face turned bright red. Then she said "What are the odds of that?" (Notice a similarity in reactions?) I told her she was welcome.

It's a small world after all.



I'll be back!

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Some Things Change, Some Stay The Same...

... and some change a lot!

It's been fun so far being back at the old workplace. There are still a lot of old friends here even though I left 5 years ago. There are some surprises and some things that make me chuckle.

Like the front door to one of the main buildings. It always had this quirky way of sticking when you keyed in. You had to push it in pretty hard and then pull it to open. It's still that way. It wouldn't open the first time I tried to get in so I thought my card wouldn't open it but when I was walking to another entrance I remembered the sticking. So I went back and tried again. I thought for sure by now that it would have been fixed but nope, it's still the same. Actually it sticks worse. Funny that it has never been fixed.

Mostly the place is the same. Not much physical change. Lots of memories here. When I walked into the locker room the first time I had flashbacks of old practical jokes we played on each other way back when. One time a coworker filled my locker with tiny little bottles and when I opened it they went everywhere. Then I remembered the time he wrote a creepy Halloween message on the inside of the locker door with silicone RTV. I checked the door. It's still in there. :)

Then I went into the shower area and when I looked over at the shower I remembered the many times I pulled all-nighters and had to use the shower here. There were times when we worked round the clock with little to no sleep back in the old days and that shower would come in handy. I learned to power nap across a couple of office chairs back then. I know Spacebrain remembers those days.

Then there are the strange things. My first boss is still here. She stopped by on Tuesday. She came into my office and said hello and I did not know her. For real, I had no idea who she was. She had a weight problem that she fought constantly and a few years ago she had that gastro-operation thing. She does not look like the woman I knew. She looks so good! Thin and pretty. New hairdo and hair color. I seriously had to ask her "Do I know you?" That made her day.

Then there is the old friend who has been sick lately. He is about my age but the illness has really cost him. I swear he looks 80 years old. It is a shock.

And then there is the woman who always was the 'barbie doll' person. The cutesie, superior acting one that every place seems to have. She is now a huge person. She always thought she was more than anyone else she worked with. She would even talk that way. I don't know anyone who was spared her stuck-up ranting back then. (Back then she was very attractive too.) But now she has had her wish granted; she is much bigger than the rest of us. Actually she is many times the size of people she works with. :)

The politics here are basically the same. But that never bothered me much. There are ways to get things done without bitching and moaning. You just gotta go by the system. Mostly coming back has been a good experience so far. Lots to do and a definite direction and focus. I haven't had that for a while.

I obviously can blog from here. I haven't vbeen able to do so from home this week. I can't do it as much but I can do updates and then catch up on everyone else in the evenings. Hopefully I'll be able to post some more interesting stuff soon. Today, I'm just glad I managed to get in and say "Hey!"

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Baseball Just Isn't The Same

Did everyone enjoy that ass-whipping the Yanks put on the Sux last night as much as I did? I'm sure you all did. If you didn't then there has to be something wrong with you. :)

It was a great game. I love the fact that the Yanks are so beat up with way too many injuries and they are still doing well. Plus, kicking the crap out of the A.L. East is the best.

There is one thing bugging me though. I did notice once again that 'The Rivalry' just doesn't feel the same. I thought maybe I was just imagining it but now I see that every time I watch the boys play the Sux I just don't feel the heat of it like I used to. I still get upset when they do badly. I still get excited when they do well. But it just isn't the same for me anymore.

I think the worst thing to ever happen to Baseball is when the Sux won the series. Not just because that particular team was an embarrassment to the game (which it was) but because the great rivalry between them and us was diminished. It's like we don't really have some sup[er important mission anymore. That is to keep them from inning a championship. We do have to try and keep them out of the postseason but we failed that one time and it's a permanent feeling. We failed the Babe.

Oh well. It's still fun to play against them as the greatest enemy we will ever know. It just doesn't have the heat it once did. Not for me anyway. I wonder if other Yankees feel the same about it? As long as we keep whipping them I guess it's OK then. :)

Monday, June 05, 2006

First Day

The first day back at the old stomping grounds was pretty fun. The morning... well the morning into the early afternoon was almost all paperwork. Orientation at these places can take a lot of time.

The time after was fun. I got the detailed tour (as if I could totally forget the building) and got to see a lot of old friends. Then I ended up in my first meeting. That made me laugh. My new boss came to rescue me from the HR monsters and escort me to a planning meeting. Funny.

Then during that meeting the QA Manager and the VP came in and told us that a major utility was broken and down for the rest of the week. Nice. Talk about jumping right in with both feet.

So then I get to my new office and talk with the staff and the boss for an hour or so. I start up the PC to see if my logon is up and ready yet and find out it is. I had 27 emails. 27 emails? 10 were appointments for training but the other 17 were from people asking for something. I hadn't even been into the office yet and people want stuff from me. Obviously they will have to wait until I figure out just what it is I can do for them after I figure out exactly what I am truely responsible for.

I think some of them are anxious for help which may translate into a big "Uh oh!" for me.

No matter. It was fun to be there. It is a fun thing to feel like I am part of something that is progressing into the future. After the last job, which is stagnation city, I think things should be pretty cool.

Of course, this was just the first day. :)

The New Job Starts Today

So today is the first day of the new job. I am a little excited to be heading back to the old place. I am also a little sad at leaving friends behind at the previous job. I'll miss some of the good stuff. But I am sure there will be plenty to keep me busy today so I won't worry too much about it.

One of the stinky parts of changing jobs is getting used to a new routine. Both before work and during work. The transition period is always a little unnerving. Learning new stuff, handling new responsibilities. It can be hard. The morning routine will be hard to adjust to also. But I'm sure it won't take too long to get into it.

The blogging schedule will be screwey. I think so at least. I'm just here right now because I don't have to go in right away this morning. Gotta wait for the HR people to get ready for me. I get to do one of those long, drawn out orientation things this morning.

So wish me luck on the new job. (Most of my blog friends already have, thanks.) I'll be back as soon as I can with updates. Good day to all. :)

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Question Of The Day

Did someone invent 'All You Can Eat Buffets' for fat people? You know, to take advantage of the obvious markey.

Or did fat people invent them so they would get their moneys worth?



(Look around you next time when you are at a place that has 'all you can eat'. I was shocked yesterday when we went to one.)

Friday, June 02, 2006

Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

Last night Nicci and I went to the Olive Garden. I love that place! It was my last day at the old job and we decided to have a little celebration of sorts. Plus it had been a long time since we went there. I had a few moments of fun along the way.

Anyway, when we had ordered I noticed a little girl sitting at the table next to us. She looked to be about 8 or so and was with her Grandparents. She also seemed a little sad. So naturally YB couldn't have that.

When I finally caught her eyes I did the famous 'YB's make any kid smile eye trick'. (I've mentioned it before.) It worked too. She smiled and then looked away. Then every time she would look my way I would look up at her and cross my eyes or tilt my head sideways and hang my tongue out like a dope. After a couple times she leaned over and said something to her Grandfather. He looked at me and I just shrugged. But she still kept looking over. She just couldn't resist. Then it happened; she saw me do something stupid and she laughed out loud. Then the next time she looked over I had food in my mouth and I opened up and squished it out between my teeth. She wrinkled her nose and started laughing again. Kids! What they won't think is funny.

When they got up to leave I noticed she had a really bad limp. There wasn't anything obviously wrong with her but her limp was pretty bad. I don't know what was wrong with her but it made me a little more happy to have made her smile. When she walked past she stopped and whispered "You're funny!" and kept on going. That was neat.

There was this older couple next to us. The guy acted like a Dead Head. You know the kind; they are cool with anything. Everything is groovy. When they waitress asked him something he would say "That sounds kinda nice" or "If you say it's OK then I'm OK." I thought that was funny. What really caught my attention was the woman with him. No matter what the waitress said, even if she asked a question, she would make a sound like "Ah!" or "Uh-huh!" She alternated between those two sounds. She made noises when the girl was still talking to them about the order. I thought "Why doesn't she wait until the girl finishes a sentence before grunting?" The waitress had to repeat things to her several times and I think it was because the woman made too much noise when she needed to be listening.

Something new at Olive Garden is the way they allow you to taste their wines at the table. I was barely seated when our waitress brought me a sample of wine and offered me another kind. She was so friendly too. She gave us 3 different wines to try before we even ordered. It was so cool. Their house zinfandel is great! I should say their signature zinfandel.The waitress kept correcting herself about that too.

Then she came by and was singing along with the overhead music. So I started singing too. She stopped and laughed and said" You know the words to this song?" (It was "That's Amore".) I said "Who doesn't know Dean Martin?" (Which a lot of people don't know I'm sure.) So she sat right down next to me and we started singing along with the music and rocking sideways, back and forth in time with the tune. Nicci was laughing so hard! Luckily for everyone there the song was almost over when we started. But it was fun. (Maybe it was the wine?)

The coup de grace was the dessert. We tried two. Tiramisu and a new chocolate chip Gelato. Both were awesome! So the evening was pretty fun. I had a good time at least. Plus it got rid of that Italian craving I had going. I have been all about killing cravings lately.

Now let me see... what am I craving today???

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Words Aren't Necessary

Happy Birthday Marilyn





















This Is The End.....

... like the Doors song? Ok, maybe you don't remember that one.

Today is the real end of the line for me here at this job. I wasn't really 100% into leaving at first but the way things have transpired this past 2 weeks.... well, let's just say today can't end soon enough. Who wants to bet I can't make it a full day?

I like the place. I like a bunch of people here. I will truely miss only 3 of them. Spacebrain, Gabby and our PLC Guru. The rest I don't mind not seeing again. Since Peachy isn't here anymore I don't have that tugging at me. That whole scenario was such a screw job too. Another example of the sorry management here.

Funny how things work out. I wanted to be sure about leaving and the whole scenario of my boss acting like a big baby, cutting off negotiations and (still) completely ignoring my existence made me look around more honestly. I see where there is way too much work to do to get this company into a position of being a good company. It hasn't been profitable since I arrived 5 years ago. I don't know that it ever will be. It will take more than the resources that are here. That includes and especially means the current management.

So after today I will be ready for the new adventure. I'm sure it will take me a little time to get used to the higher pace again. I am looking forward to that. My blogging schedule may be way different. We'll have to play that one by ear. I hope I have less time for it. Then I'll appreciate it more.

So my blogger buddies, I choose to think about it this way; from now on everything is different. Everything has possibilities and there will be lots of new adventures to share with (maybe) someone I haven't even met yet. That whole thought process excites me.

Now, if I can just make that darn clock tick a little bit faster for just a half a day.......