Thanks to Twitter, I see that the following headline is posted on a well done BBC mirror site today:
EU quarantines London in flu panic
The body of the article states:
There has been a small outbreak of “zombism” in London due to mutation of the H1N1 virus into new strain: H1Z1.
Similar to a scare originally found in Cambodia back in 2005, victims of a new strain of the swine flu virus H1N1 have been reported in London.
After death, this virus is able to restart the heart of it’s victim for up to two hours after the initial demise of the person where the individual behaves in extremely violent ways from what is believe to be a combination of brain damage and a chemical released into blood during “resurrection.”
If you feel compelled to continue reading, here you go: (link)
It's amazing to me that schools are being shut down for the still relatively small number of US cases of this virus (I'm talking about the bug with the now porcine-senitive designation of "Influenza A", not the zombie-swine flu in the above link) when it is being reported that thousands of people die from regular flu-related complications every year. Seriously. I don't know why I'm even talking about it and now I feel like I'm contributing to all this coverage overkill. Dammit!
Apr 30, 2009
Apr 29, 2009
I've got your "sensitivity" right here!
There's been some crazy, kooky crap going on around the office park lately. We've had people suspected of sleeping on the job, mismanaged and mangled accounts, and a case of accused sexual harassment. The situation is this:
We have a mailroom employee who recently filed accusations against two coworkers. The employee claims that the other two were looking at...lets just say "inappropriate web content", and leave it at that - in front of her. Originally, her supervisors were a little dismissive, which everyone admits is problematic, but then again, no evidence of this "web content" was ever found on the computer that the employee claims was used for this activity. So the complaint, which without evidence of inappropriate behavior is essentially a he-said she-said situation, was forwarded to the new HR rep for investigation. This obviously would consist of a great deal of meetings with the principal individuals involved, as well as witnesses for or against either party. Now, please bear in mind that I do not work for HR. I was put in this suite because finding available office space around here is like finding water in the desert. I have been as sensitive as I could be to the confidentiality aspect of that department, but they seem to forget that I'm not "one of them". There are too many open-door meetings and conversations regarding sensitive, need-to-know topics. And there are just certain things I would prefer that I not be put in the position of knowing. Especially when you take into consideration the fact that my spouse works in the same department as the individuals involved in these harassment allegations.
And when the individual with the harassment claims leaves the HR reps office more or less accusing every male staff member of that entire department she works for of leering at the "scantily clad" women we are apparently overrun by, and insinuating that that is also a contributing factor to her continued "discomfort" and need for "counseling" because she's a "Good Christian woman". Not only that, but she's been going around accusing people of trying to intimidate her by tampering with her vehicle. Now it looks like they're going to arrange mandatory sexual harassment and workplace sensitivity training for everyone. Again.
Yeah...You know what? I have never had a problem with any of those guys in her department. If anything, many of them probably censor themselves when I'm down there visiting, or when they stop to chat with me when I'm on my breaks walking around the grounds. And when that woman used to walk into my old department and would go out of her way to loudly discuss her religious beliefs with another person who worked in that office to the point that it was both distracting and disruptive, did I make an issue of it? No. Not even after she got called into HR and reminded of the fact that not everyone appreciated or shared her beliefs. I understand the gravity of the accusations and the seriousness of the charges. But some of the things that have been said by this person to and around others have indicated that she either may not be all there, if you get my meaning, or may be trying to pull a little something...like a harassment lawsuit against either the company for "hostile workplace" (good luck!), or the individuals she is accusing. It frustrates me, because the company has to humor it, and it denegrates the case of every person who actually has a legitimate issue.
We just had company over. It was really kind of nice to hang out at home with new people. I wish we did that more often...it makes me feel like more of a grown-up.
We have a mailroom employee who recently filed accusations against two coworkers. The employee claims that the other two were looking at...lets just say "inappropriate web content", and leave it at that - in front of her. Originally, her supervisors were a little dismissive, which everyone admits is problematic, but then again, no evidence of this "web content" was ever found on the computer that the employee claims was used for this activity. So the complaint, which without evidence of inappropriate behavior is essentially a he-said she-said situation, was forwarded to the new HR rep for investigation. This obviously would consist of a great deal of meetings with the principal individuals involved, as well as witnesses for or against either party. Now, please bear in mind that I do not work for HR. I was put in this suite because finding available office space around here is like finding water in the desert. I have been as sensitive as I could be to the confidentiality aspect of that department, but they seem to forget that I'm not "one of them". There are too many open-door meetings and conversations regarding sensitive, need-to-know topics. And there are just certain things I would prefer that I not be put in the position of knowing. Especially when you take into consideration the fact that my spouse works in the same department as the individuals involved in these harassment allegations.
And when the individual with the harassment claims leaves the HR reps office more or less accusing every male staff member of that entire department she works for of leering at the "scantily clad" women we are apparently overrun by, and insinuating that that is also a contributing factor to her continued "discomfort" and need for "counseling" because she's a "Good Christian woman". Not only that, but she's been going around accusing people of trying to intimidate her by tampering with her vehicle. Now it looks like they're going to arrange mandatory sexual harassment and workplace sensitivity training for everyone. Again.
Yeah...You know what? I have never had a problem with any of those guys in her department. If anything, many of them probably censor themselves when I'm down there visiting, or when they stop to chat with me when I'm on my breaks walking around the grounds. And when that woman used to walk into my old department and would go out of her way to loudly discuss her religious beliefs with another person who worked in that office to the point that it was both distracting and disruptive, did I make an issue of it? No. Not even after she got called into HR and reminded of the fact that not everyone appreciated or shared her beliefs. I understand the gravity of the accusations and the seriousness of the charges. But some of the things that have been said by this person to and around others have indicated that she either may not be all there, if you get my meaning, or may be trying to pull a little something...like a harassment lawsuit against either the company for "hostile workplace" (good luck!), or the individuals she is accusing. It frustrates me, because the company has to humor it, and it denegrates the case of every person who actually has a legitimate issue.
We just had company over. It was really kind of nice to hang out at home with new people. I wish we did that more often...it makes me feel like more of a grown-up.
Apr 27, 2009
Pandemic watch - the mood is tense
Variations on "flu" and "swine flu" are the highest rated trending topics on Twitter. I'm sure you're all as over the flu coverage as I am, so I'll try to give you something more interesting to read. Don't expect too much though...
I had a busy weekend, which is good, but kind of tiring. I had to get up early and get my son registered for summer camp. This year, instead of doing YMCA camp, we opted to sign him up for city play camp at the park up the street. Not only is it closer (half a block), but it is also saving us over a hundred dollars a month. Hooray for saving some coin. After standing in line for registration, and plunking down a good deal of money - the one downside is that payment is up front, instead of in weekly installments - we ran to the grocery store, came home to put the food away, and then ran out the door to try and meet up with one of my coworkers at the Fish and Wildlife open house event. We kept missing each other in the crowd, so we never met up, and my son and I left after an hour. We had plans to go to dinner with that same coworker that evening, so we dropped our son off at his grandparent's house for the night, and headed out to dinner. After dinner we went to the liquor super store. I bought Kahlua, and my husband picked up some more gin and some olive brine for making dirty martinis. Then we headed back to my coworker's house for drinks and some gossip. We didn't leave her house until after one in the morning. Slept in on Sunday, then went out to breakfast. After my in-laws delivered the kid back to us after church, we ran around to a couple of local nurserys looking at plants. I really wanted to go swimming yesterday, since it was a perfect day for it, but we were running around too much. I had to go to the park and fix the summer camp registration this morning - somehow it got charged incorrectly on Saturday. So I was late, and of course today would be the day when my boss wanted to talk to me about something first thing in the morning.
By the way, according to the people in charge of keeping track of statistics that only get utilized in times of mass hysteria: "...every year this decade...between 30,000 and 50,000 American deaths were recorded from complications related to the seasonal (common) flu. Another 40,000 people died in automobile accidents. And each year, gunshot wounds account for 30,000 deaths, around 4,000 people drown while swimming or boating and 60 people die from lightning strikes."
By the way, according to the people in charge of keeping track of statistics that only get utilized in times of mass hysteria: "...every year this decade...between 30,000 and 50,000 American deaths were recorded from complications related to the seasonal (common) flu. Another 40,000 people died in automobile accidents. And each year, gunshot wounds account for 30,000 deaths, around 4,000 people drown while swimming or boating and 60 people die from lightning strikes."
So go eat some bacon and chill the f*&k out, folks.
Apr 23, 2009
The waiting is the hardest part
I don't know what's wrong with me lately, but I don't feel quite like myself. Not that I could define for you what "feeling like myself" might have ever felt like, but I'm pretty out of sorts these days. I'm bored and listless...and tired and grouchy and a little lightheaded sometimes. Some of this can probably be attributed not getting enough sleep. The boredom is probably bacause my job doesn't interest or challenge me right now. A change would do some good, probably. The space behind my eyeballs is throbbing and the pounding up on the roof has resumed. Its time to spare my brain while I try and hunt down some coffee - I'll start the search in whatever building they're not doing construction in.
Apr 21, 2009
I'd just like to point out that you were given every opportunity to succeed
I had a flash drive malfunction on me last week, and managed to lose all of the personal documents I'd been transporting back and forth on that device since Christmas. This is the second or third flash drive that has crapped out on me in a year. Either I'm doing something wrong, or they're just really unreliable for data storage. Either way, I lost a bunch of images (nothing personal - just lolcats and demotivators for the most part) and the most up to date version of my resume. So I spent part of yesterday and today trying to recreate my resume. I revised some things, and added some projects that I'd been working on lately. I had to scrap the template I used yesterday, because the formatting was botched. I reverted back to my old template, and I think it looks better - I just need to proofread and edit. I'm applying for a job at the main branch. It would bring a substantial increase, a change of scenery, some new challenges, and a much longer work commute. I have to weigh my personal comfort level against any potential gains and the best interests of my family, and it boils down to the fact that in the face of our long term plans (including a potential move by or around 2012) we could really use the money. So there you have it. All the motivation I could ever need. But I'm sure more motivation will come my way soon enough. Oh look - there comes some now!
Mid-week update of doom: This morning we got an email from the management that our budget cuts are expected to range anywhere from 5% to 19% - on top of the 19% that's already been cut over the last two years. How can an organization survive an almost 40% reduction in resources? Or is the question really can an organization survive that? The bizarre thing is, our business itself is seeing an upswing, but so much of our funding comes from the state that we're just eviscerating departments and programs to appease this legislative baying for blood, even as the need to provide services increases. So what you've got is a core group of staff "doing more with less", because no one knows how to effectively manage much of anything, especially money. They just spent $12K renovating the CEO's office so that the very disgruntled assistant would get her own office space again. So now she can stop being a spiteful and petty **** and get back to work, right? Because I'm doing work that supposedly I'm not "qualified" to do, which is why they had to hire an accountant at double my salary, but somehow I'm doing work that people who make twice what I do have in their job descriptions.
Mid-week update of doom: This morning we got an email from the management that our budget cuts are expected to range anywhere from 5% to 19% - on top of the 19% that's already been cut over the last two years. How can an organization survive an almost 40% reduction in resources? Or is the question really can an organization survive that? The bizarre thing is, our business itself is seeing an upswing, but so much of our funding comes from the state that we're just eviscerating departments and programs to appease this legislative baying for blood, even as the need to provide services increases. So what you've got is a core group of staff "doing more with less", because no one knows how to effectively manage much of anything, especially money. They just spent $12K renovating the CEO's office so that the very disgruntled assistant would get her own office space again. So now she can stop being a spiteful and petty **** and get back to work, right? Because I'm doing work that supposedly I'm not "qualified" to do, which is why they had to hire an accountant at double my salary, but somehow I'm doing work that people who make twice what I do have in their job descriptions.
Apr 16, 2009
Ah! A triumph! I shall make a note of it.
The week thus far has been comprised of more or less slowly killing myself with projects while trying to keep up on my regular day-to-day work.
I got nominated for one of the employee service awards this year, and I received the trophy and monetary benefit earlier in the week. We've already spent most of the money on clothes for my husband and my son. The remainder was supposed to go toward savings, but I haven't spent any of it on myself, so I say screw savings - I have plans for that money. Plans that involve animatronic pirates and my favorite game called "dodge the tourist". So excited!
Yesterday I managed to spill an entire travel mug full of hot coffee all over myself (and my desk), which resulted in a ruined shirt, some coffe stained paperwork, and a lot of embarassment on my part. I had to get my husband to drive me home so I could change.
The new HR lady who has her office across from me is singing along to the music that she is playing rather loudly. I can hear her very clearly, even over the roof construction cacophany.
I got nominated for one of the employee service awards this year, and I received the trophy and monetary benefit earlier in the week. We've already spent most of the money on clothes for my husband and my son. The remainder was supposed to go toward savings, but I haven't spent any of it on myself, so I say screw savings - I have plans for that money. Plans that involve animatronic pirates and my favorite game called "dodge the tourist". So excited!
Yesterday I managed to spill an entire travel mug full of hot coffee all over myself (and my desk), which resulted in a ruined shirt, some coffe stained paperwork, and a lot of embarassment on my part. I had to get my husband to drive me home so I could change.
The new HR lady who has her office across from me is singing along to the music that she is playing rather loudly. I can hear her very clearly, even over the roof construction cacophany.
Apr 14, 2009
Apr 10, 2009
Fan-girl euphoria buoyed by a massive sugar high
This has been a more awesome day than I expected. First, I browsed the CDP's latest installment of Lost Friday captions (I look forward to these posts every Friday and will be left with an empty void once the show and/or Lost captions come to their eventual end), then I found out I got one of the employee of the year awards (SSSHHHH it's a a big fat secret - I'm not supposed to know until they actually give them out next week), then there were cupcakes at the reception desk (I've only had one I swear) and THEN MST3K's Mike Nelson actually RT'd me to respond to a reply I made to one of his Twitter posts*. The squeals coming from my office were so high pitched, all the dogs within a three block radius broke out in a chorus of frantic barking and the glass in the administrative office doors shattered.
Best. Day. Ever!
*(Only some of these things are true...I had two cupcakes because I'm a pathetic glutton with a crippling frosting addiction)
Best. Day. Ever!
*(Only some of these things are true...I had two cupcakes because I'm a pathetic glutton with a crippling frosting addiction)
Princess castles and twirling teacups
Special long-distance dedication to M:
Disney World Birthdayfest 2009 is a GO. Please tell me you're going to be able to get that day off?
Disney World Birthdayfest 2009 is a GO. Please tell me you're going to be able to get that day off?
In honor of today being Good Friday:
Apr 9, 2009
Resistance is voltage divided by current*
Since the last time I had the energy to post here, there have been trips to the aquarium, two children's birthday celebrations, and more exhausting fun than you can shake a pixie stick at.
At the beginning of the week I was ambushed with the "Employee of the Month" award. The award came with a gift card for a local grocery store chain (the B&N would have been more in line with my interests, but I can see the logic behind the choice of a grocery card) and a parking voucher. I offered the parking voucher to one of my co-workers, since I carpool every day and don't expect to use it. She made the mistake of asking her boss if it's okay (because the other departments have allowed voucher sharing), and he said no and then promptly had her tear it up. When she told me about what happened I was pretty annoyed, and planned to express my disappointment in not being able to share a benefit that I thought was mine to do with as I chose - and to bitterly complain about the destruction of my parking voucher. But they got me a new one before I could say anything, so now I just don't care.
I have a new "suite mate" (as the HR manager referred to her as). It took several days of being in the office directly across from her before I was even introduced. On her first day, someone was directed to inform me that if anyone asked, I was to say that this new employee was "on loan" from corporate. I was told that this was due to management being "sensitive" to the culture around the office currently relating to our supposed hiring and wage freezes, and they didn't want to upset anyone. I basically said that if it was true that the new employee was being "borrowed" from corporate (for a position that previously may not have existed since it was written in as part of the justification for the HR manager's last pay raise and probably wasn't advertised, anyway), then there was no reason for management to feel that it was a "sensitive" issue, and they could (and should) be honest and upfront about it. Unless it was a lie. In which case, I unequivocally refused to be a party to a lie to protect management. I won't be in collusion with anything that is in direct opposition with my personal ethics. Oh, and on her first day this new HR employee who is in charge of "employee relations" went around telling people that she got a pay increase as part of being transferred to our branch. Annnnd we have a winnah!
In addition to those events, I was told by my supervisor this week that something I've been doing - or rather not been doing, because it involves me not having access to software that is actually a redundant program for something that we already pay to utilize - is "unacceptable". Some bluff was called. It may have been a misguided choice on my part to not be that concerned with the functionality of that program, but stating to me that it is "unacceptable" for me to not request that IT fix a script error in software that is irrelelvant to my particular responsibilities is taking it a little far. I'll get it fixed, but I don't use that program for anything - I was under the impression that the department was responsible for providing the reports and data from that program to me. Otherwise, I'm doing part of their jobs. Which means - shouldn't I get part of their salary? I know - dream on, Sunshine.
There's work being done on the roof of my building this week. It sounds like they only employ obese yetis wearing lead loafers. I expect one of them to come falling through the ceiling any moment.
Meanwhile, the semi-suburban middle-class ennui continues unabated. Stay tuned for our next installment, coming soon...ish!
*It is also futile...
At the beginning of the week I was ambushed with the "Employee of the Month" award. The award came with a gift card for a local grocery store chain (the B&N would have been more in line with my interests, but I can see the logic behind the choice of a grocery card) and a parking voucher. I offered the parking voucher to one of my co-workers, since I carpool every day and don't expect to use it. She made the mistake of asking her boss if it's okay (because the other departments have allowed voucher sharing), and he said no and then promptly had her tear it up. When she told me about what happened I was pretty annoyed, and planned to express my disappointment in not being able to share a benefit that I thought was mine to do with as I chose - and to bitterly complain about the destruction of my parking voucher. But they got me a new one before I could say anything, so now I just don't care.
I have a new "suite mate" (as the HR manager referred to her as). It took several days of being in the office directly across from her before I was even introduced. On her first day, someone was directed to inform me that if anyone asked, I was to say that this new employee was "on loan" from corporate. I was told that this was due to management being "sensitive" to the culture around the office currently relating to our supposed hiring and wage freezes, and they didn't want to upset anyone. I basically said that if it was true that the new employee was being "borrowed" from corporate (for a position that previously may not have existed since it was written in as part of the justification for the HR manager's last pay raise and probably wasn't advertised, anyway), then there was no reason for management to feel that it was a "sensitive" issue, and they could (and should) be honest and upfront about it. Unless it was a lie. In which case, I unequivocally refused to be a party to a lie to protect management. I won't be in collusion with anything that is in direct opposition with my personal ethics. Oh, and on her first day this new HR employee who is in charge of "employee relations" went around telling people that she got a pay increase as part of being transferred to our branch. Annnnd we have a winnah!
In addition to those events, I was told by my supervisor this week that something I've been doing - or rather not been doing, because it involves me not having access to software that is actually a redundant program for something that we already pay to utilize - is "unacceptable". Some bluff was called. It may have been a misguided choice on my part to not be that concerned with the functionality of that program, but stating to me that it is "unacceptable" for me to not request that IT fix a script error in software that is irrelelvant to my particular responsibilities is taking it a little far. I'll get it fixed, but I don't use that program for anything - I was under the impression that the department was responsible for providing the reports and data from that program to me. Otherwise, I'm doing part of their jobs. Which means - shouldn't I get part of their salary? I know - dream on, Sunshine.
There's work being done on the roof of my building this week. It sounds like they only employ obese yetis wearing lead loafers. I expect one of them to come falling through the ceiling any moment.
Meanwhile, the semi-suburban middle-class ennui continues unabated. Stay tuned for our next installment, coming soon...ish!
*It is also futile...
Apr 2, 2009
Elementary burgernomics
As a special treat I decided to get McDonalds for my son, since he's been fairly well behaved during his Spring Break. He orders the usual kid meal, and I figured that I only had enough money to get a double cheeseburger for myself. Which is okay, because I try to avoid eating McDonalds except for for those times when I basically only really need to eat something that just fits the mimimum requirements to be classified as "food". Apparently the lady at the drive through apparatus didn't hear me say "double cheeseburger", so it's a good thing I usually run through my order before I give them my money. And that's how I discovered the difference between a "McDouble" and a double cheeseburger: one piece of (processed) cheese (product)...and about $0.17.
While putzing around again today, I discovered what might be the genuine Twitter profiles of every principle castmember of the Harry Potter films. They are, of course, locked. If they weren't I'd figure they were fakes - like the Christopher Walken and Alysson Hannigan profiles that were recently outed. I think Gerard Butler and Kevin Spacey might be the real thing, but I am trying to not *follow* celebrities just because they're there. Oh - I can now post to Twitter via text message, thereby cementing my status as a complete dork who has no life.
(Dorkiness also evidenced by the fact that I found the above image HIlarious...)
Now, I have spreadsheets to work on. It's okay to envy my glamorous life. Really. I'm fine with it.
While putzing around again today, I discovered what might be the genuine Twitter profiles of every principle castmember of the Harry Potter films. They are, of course, locked. If they weren't I'd figure they were fakes - like the Christopher Walken and Alysson Hannigan profiles that were recently outed. I think Gerard Butler and Kevin Spacey might be the real thing, but I am trying to not *follow* celebrities just because they're there. Oh - I can now post to Twitter via text message, thereby cementing my status as a complete dork who has no life.
(Dorkiness also evidenced by the fact that I found the above image HIlarious...)Now, I have spreadsheets to work on. It's okay to envy my glamorous life. Really. I'm fine with it.
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