October 31, 2005
Hic
I have the hiccups in the worst way. It's only been about 10 minutes, but they're starting to hurt. And did I mention that they're ridiculously loud? I'm squeaking with every one of the damned things.
Posted by criminal at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2005
First Flakes
It's snowing! And it's only October. I can't wait for more.
Posted by criminal at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2005
Five on Friday for October 28, 2005
- 1. What brand of shampoo and/or conditioner do you use?
- Right now I'm using Dove's Intense Moisture shampoo and conditioner. I use Neutragena T/Gel and Dove's Intense Moisture Deep Conditioning Treatment every week or two as well. I was a big fan of Pantene's Full & Thick 2-in-1 and L'Oreal Kids for a while.
- 2. How about laundry detergent and fabric softener?
- I like Tide, especially the "Clean Breeze" scent. I don't use fabric softener as often as I used to, but every once in a while I'll toss in a little Downy to make the sheets or blankets smell nice (but never towels).
- 3. Toilet paper?
- I'm picky about my toilet paper. Although the soft stuff like Charmin is nice, I find it leaves too much lint. So I've turned to Scott. They have a new variety called Extra Soft that works pretty well for me. For wipes I'm all about Playtex's Personal Cleansing Cloths because they're moist but not wet.
- 4. Soda?
- Not too picky about it, as long as it's carbonated and sugar-free. Because Jon is devoted to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi I end up drinking a lot of it.
- 5. Any other brands you swear by?
- Jif. I would never buy any other brand of peanut butter because I'm a choosy mother. Or something like that. Also Dove deoderant, Oil of Olay moisturizer, Stayfree maxi pads, and Playtex tampons.
- The conference was awesome. I know so much more about creating, planning, and testing Web sites with users in mind than I did before. I also have a better idea of just how much more there is to learn.
- I'm not sure how I feel about the commute to Boston. On one hand, I had plenty of time to myself on the train - time that I spent knitting and reading conference materials. I didn't have to worry about fighting traffic or getting gas. On the other hand, the tickets weren't exactly cheap, the subway was crowded, and the whole ordeal took the better part of two hours each way.
- Qdoba is good, but still not as good as Moe's.
- Riding the subway uses more muscles than I thought. My shoulders are a bit stiff from holding myself upright on the rough green line.
- My husband is wonderful. At least twice this week he had dinner ready for me when I got home from the conference. He even slept on the sofa the other night when I was feeling sick and exhausted. Did I mention that he vacuumed and did the dishes too?
- I drank one of those Starbucks frappaccinos this week and liked it.
- Ann Taylor LOFT is totally my style. The colors, textures, and prints this season are right up my alley. Why did I not discover them three years ago when I actually had a chance to fit into their clothes?
- 1. What was your last earworm?
- Feist - Mushaboom
- 2. Is there a particular song or genre that is more sticky than another for you?
- Phish tends to stick in my head because of their bubbly, twangy, hypnotic melodies. It's all about the melody for me when it comes to earworms, which is why Feist is stuck in my head so hard this morning.
- 3. How long do yours usually last?
- Usually just a few hours, but they've been known to last for days. A few of them have been measured in weeks, which gets to be really annoying.
- 4. How do you get rid of them?
- I exorcise them by finding a sound clip online or buying the song. The little annoying ditties are taken care of by clips, but a lot of earworms stick because I like them so much. Those are the ones I invest in.
- 5. Do you feel any guilty pleasure in passing the earworm to someone else?
- Not really. Since most of mine are usually "I need to find out what this song is and have it for my own" type things, I don't often share them.
- 1. Bullies, preps, stoners, geeks, jocks, drama queens, and more roamed the halls. Where did you fit in? Did your clique have a name?
- I was such a band geek, although we had no special name for it. I was also what you might call an academic: similar to a nerd because of the academic achievement but socially adept and moderately popular.
- 2. Hot lunch or cold lunch?
- I did both, depending on the year. For a while I brought a lunch of yogurt, apples, and crackers every day. Then I mostly stuck with hot soup and the salad bar (which had loads of government cheese).
- 3. What did you wear to school? (Go ahead, date yourself here)
- Jeans (wide leg or bell-bottom), chunky shoes or purple Pumas, and dozens of my father's flannel and/or plaid shirts.
- 4. What extra-curricular activities did you participate in?
- At school I was in the band, marching band, pep band, winter drumline, science olympiad, nhs, newspaper, and track. Outside of school I was in the local Youth Wind Ensemble and the Youth Orchestra.
- 5. Who were your best friends? Do you still talk to any of them?
- Kim was my best friend until she graduated. We spent a ridiculous amount of time together, to the point that it seemed like we had two sets of parents and siblings. Even though we don't talk much, our families are still close, so we see each other every year or so. She (and the rest of the family: Ray, Barb, Ken, Kari, and Katie) were able to come to my wedding reception.
- 1. Have you been apple picking yet this year?
- Sadly, no. Even though the weather has been beautiful for the last few weekends, we have had other things to do.
- 2. Where do you go to buy or pick your apples?
- For the last few years I've gone to Tougas Family Farm in Northborough. I've been looking for farms in the Lowell area, but obviously haven't gotten very far.
- 3. What is your favorite variety of apple?
- I think Gala is probably my favorite to eat fresh. Empires are my favorite for baking.
- 4. How do you like to eat your apples (fresh, dipped in caramel, baked into a pie, etc)?
- I love them fresh, sometimes dipped in peanut butter, but I'll take them any way I can get them. I'm a big fan of apple crisp and dutch apple pies though.
- 5. They say an apple-a-day keeps the doctor away. When was the last time you saw your doctor?
- A little over two weeks ago.
Posted by criminal at 04:23 PM | Comments (2)
Back to Business
Posted by criminal at 03:07 PM | Comments (1)
October 24, 2005
Knitting Guru
Amy called me during her morning coffee break at the User Experience conference in Boston to check in with the office and to make sure we knew she didn't have her laptop or usual cell phone. She called me again during her afternoon coffee break for knitting advice. You heard me, knitting advice. I feel like a knitting guru or something. Now, if I could just finish up a few of my own projects...
Posted by criminal at 03:01 PM | Comments (1)
It's Working
I'm refilling my prescription for Lexapro today and I have to say, I really think it's working now. I had a plethora of side-effects the first couple weeks, but they have faded away for the most part. In their place a feeling of calm. Take the following situation for example:
The Thursday before last, I got home earlier than usual because of a late doctor appointment and tried to go to the post office to pick up a package. When I got there, just after 5:30 they turned me away, saying I had to go to the post office in downtown Lowell which had already closed. I felt a sudden wave of irritation and disappointment. But instead of breaking into tears, I just shrugged my shoulders and went back home, my pleasant mood preserved.
Under "normal circumstances" (ie: normal for me during depression) I probably would have spent the next five minutes sobbing in frustration and cursing the U.S. Postal Service, because... well, small set-backs seem to get under my skin. But this time, it didn't. I had a perfectly normal response to an everyday set-back and it was wonderful.
Posted by criminal at 01:48 PM | Comments (2)
October 21, 2005
The Death of Politeness
I need a drink.
And a very stiff one at that. Maybe some chocolate cake. Or a nap. Anything to recover from what has to be my worst work experience ever. I think that's saying a lot, considering I worked in the meat-packing industry for a summer. In any case, a woman called us irrate that she couldn't find our phone number on the Web site. After quite a bit of digging I discovered she had actually found the contact information, which is at the bottom of every single page, but couldn't read it because it was itty bitty. She swore everyone had to be seeing like this, we obviously didn't know what we were doing, and that we should have our phone number at the very top of every page like everyone else.
I responded politely, trying to let her know that we were very concerned about her problem and wanted to fix it. To which she just complained more and refused to give me any information about her computer set-up because her husband did it. And that she didn't have time, she just wanted to call to let us know about this "very obvious problem" even after I had told her it was the first complaint of it's kind. When I asked if she might be able to do us a favor and have her husband send us an e-mail with the basic information (making yet another attempt to get to the bottom of the problem) she became even more belligerent, claiming that he was too busy and that it was really our job to do that. I wanted to scream in frustration and dismay.
But I didn't. At that point, I thanked her for informing us of the problem and told her that we would do our best to find out what was causing it. And she kept yelling, tried to argue with me, threatened to call the president's office back to lodge a complaint because she thought I wasn't going to pass it on. I thanked her again and assured her that I would pass everything on but that I couldn't do anything more without information from her. She continued, insisting that it was our job to fix it and that we had to look into it and that we should have our contact information more visible, like letterhead and that the registrar's office should be at the top of the homepage and blah blah blah. I remained polite and when I tried to thank her a final time to end the call, she hung up on me.
*sigh*
I screamed and threw my fists around, desperately wanting to break something that would make a lot of satisfying noise. I put every ounce of my patience and politeness into that 15 minute phone conversation. Did I mention that she said she had no time to give me more information but continued to rant at me for another 7 minutes? That was what made me most upset. If she wanted to waste her time, that's fine. But she was wasting my time and making me feel impotent at the same time.
I now realize that she's probably just one of those people who likes to blow off steam at complete strangers to make themselves feel better. The same people that give tech support staff hives. Me? I yell and write in a public journal. Whatever blows your dress up, I guess. I feel much better about it now, knowing that, but the whole thing was still emotionally draining. What a demoralizing finish to an already demoralizing week.
Posted by criminal at 04:34 PM | Comments (2)
Silence of the Lambs
I've been pretty quiet here this week, but it's not really because I want to be. There's a lot going on at work right now and it's not easy to talk about it publicly. I think most of us have learned our lesson from Dooce about keeping workplace politics to a minimum in public journals. I think it's safe to confirm that we are indeed moving to Marketing and Communications, even if that announcement hasn't been made public. It sounds like the entire IT division already knows, and the rest of the campus suspects it. Hell, some of them thought we were secretly moved over months ago. As with most reorganizations, things are going to change. A lot. I'm not exactly thrilled with the decisions made on our behalf, but I'm going to try to make the best of it.
Posted by criminal at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)
Five on Friday for October 21, 2005
Earworms: (noun) a song or tune that gets stuck in one's mind and repeats as if on a tape; also written ear-worm, ear worm; also called cognitive itch, sticky tune
Posted by criminal at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
Working in a Vacuum
Not a reference to my meeting, but to my office. Because one of the boilers broke a few days ago we haven't had heat. When this happens, they often shut the fans off so we don't have cool air blowing on us. The last time it happened, they somehow reversed the fans instead of just turning them off, creating a vacuum of sorts.
It sucks.
No, really. The building is literally sucking again as the air being pulled out the top by the fans is trying to be sucked in here in the basement. The windows are howling and the doors are difficult to open. Luckily I decided to give our independent heaters another chance yesterday. Today they're throwing out lovely warm air and apparently prevented the office from cooling too much during last night's frost.
Posted by criminal at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2005
The Big Meeting
Tomorrow morning I have my first meeting with the new VP for Marketing and Communications. Amy met with him on Monday and Troy met with him just a few hours ago. Alex will be meeting with him sometime in the next week or two. And the reason for all these meetings? I'm guessing we're finally being moved out of IT. It's only been rumored for a few years now. Now the only question is how that's going to happen. Amy has already assured me that I'll be staying with WPI, so I don't have to worry about that. Just about what I'll be doing and who I'll be doing it for.
Posted by criminal at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2005
What typso?
Typos are very important to all written form. It gives the reader something to look for so they aren't distracted by the total lack of content in your writing.
[Randy K. Milholland]
Posted by criminal at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2005
Five on Friday for October 14, 2005
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October 13, 2005
The Dance
Remember that little dance you did as a kid when there were no bathrooms around and you had to hold it? Well, I'm going to be doing that dance all day. In preparation for the ultrasound I'm having late this afternoon, I'm required to drink at least 60 ounces of water... without emptying my bladder. I'm not even a quarter of the way to my goal and I'm already starting to feel the strain.
Posted by criminal at 11:56 AM | Comments (0)
Errand Boy
William just picked up my keys (and money) so he can take my car in for an oil change. In exchange for buying him lunch at Bollywood on Tuesday, he's running an errand for me. Oil changes and other car maintenance are always a pain to negotiate during work hours, so it actually works out quite well. I probably would've bought him lunch anyway, but at least this way I'm getting something for it and he has something to do other than play World of War Craft. I still feel guilty, like I'm abusing his eagerness to work, but I'm dealing with it.
Posted by criminal at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2005
No More Tears
I think I need to use conditioner on a daily basis.
Lately my hair has been frizzy beyond belief. I'm used to a few curls sneaking free, but it seems to grow wilder every day no matter the humidity level. Maybe it's the change in the water from the move, but my Pantene 2-in-1 just isn't taming my tresses the way it used to. Once every week or so I use T/Gel to head-off any pesky flakes then indulge in a deep-conditioning treatment from Dove. I did that this morning and have noticed that there is absolutely no frizz. Huzzah! Perhaps I need to start using a daily conditioner to keep things under control.
Posted by criminal at 11:46 AM | Comments (2)
October 10, 2005
Parking
Despite some student epithets to the contrary, parking at WPI has been surprisingly good for the last few months. Now that everyone knows about the auxilliary parking lot, it seems to be much easier to find a spot. Lord knows you would've heard if I'd driven more than 40 miles from Lowell and had to park somewhere outside the WPI neighborhood. I snagged one of the last places in the new lot, and I felt lucky to find it, coming in just after 9 on the day of an open house. I'm not sure what the situation is like later in the day when students are coming and going for classes, but there's been a marked improvement in the number of spaces available in the mornings.
Posted by criminal at 02:34 PM | Comments (0)
October 07, 2005
Five on Friday for October 7, 2005
Posted by criminal at 11:20 AM | Comments (2)
October 04, 2005
You Want Fries With That?
My friend and former work-study, William, is still unemployed four months after graduation. We were able to bring him on for the summer, but once his status as a student went *poof* we couldn't really have him on payroll. So now he does a bit of work for us in exchange for computer time and occasional lunches. It's quite sad really, the way he ambles about campus, chatting up administrators and looking for job openings. Although he has interviewed with numerous construction and civil engineering firms he has yet to receive a job offer. I suspect they're not quite sure what to make of his degree in Management Engineering and concentration in civil. He has also applied to most of the openings at WPI, many of which he is qualified or over-qualified for.
He's at the point where a job at Moe's or even Target would do. And it's scary really, that a graduate with such a well-rounded resume can't find a real job. It makes me feel a little guilty, holding a job that he'd like to have, that he's plenty qualified for and enthusiastic about. But quitting my job in hopes that he'll get it probably won't get either of anywhere.
In short, he needs a job. Any job. And soon, so he can keep eating. (We'll ignore that he's still paying for dry-cleaning, a luxury most of us forego). Anyone know of an entry-level civil engineering, human resources, or project managment position? The kid can do it all, so I'd really hate to see him flipping burgers or screaming "Welcome to Moe's!".
Posted by criminal at 04:13 PM | Comments (2)
Boobie-Thon!
Boobies and Breast Cancer Awareness. Two of my favorite things, rolled into one super fund-raiser: the Fourth Annual Blogger Boobie-Thon! Do your part to help save boobies everywhere by clicking on the banner above and donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. And if you give more than $50, you'll get more than an eye full.
Posted by criminal at 03:41 PM | Comments (1)
October 03, 2005
Home Cooking
Since Jon was at the game yesterday afternoon, dinner responsibilities fell to me. And since I'm getting tired of nuking things (Jon does all the real cooking while I'm always too tired to make an effort) I decided to try something new. Enter Rachel Ray and one of her 30-Minute Meals: Oregon Style Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Cranberries, Oregon Hash. There were a lot of ingredients, but it didn't take much work and it came out so rich and earthy that it was totally worth the effort. The chops were cooked in sauteed leeks and cranberries in pinot noir and the hash was a mixture of shallots, toasted hazelnuts, baby bella and shiitake mushrooms, and wilted kale. I prepped everything ahead of time (well, almost everything) so things went smoothly. I didn't even notice that I'd forgotten to add beets to the hash and put blue cheese on the chops. There were enough flavors going on that I didn't really need them. I also baked an acorn squash and banana bread. I can't wait until next weekend when I have time to cook again. I think I need a big chocolate cake.
Posted by criminal at 05:39 PM | Comments (1)
Poor Kitty
The trip to the vet on Saturday went well. Tia behaved herself (although she did open a drawer in the exam room) and didn't cause a scene the way I expected her to. She did however refuse to pee in or in front of the empty litter box on Friday night. So I put a little litter in it, hoping it would make her more comfortable, and she prompty peed right in it. Luckily the vet was able to force a urine sample out of her on Saturday morning. It turns out she has an infection so she was prescribed a week-long course of antibiotics. For those vet students who are interested in the details: there were some white blood cells indicating an inflammation, no red blood cells, an acidic pH level, but no crystals in her urine. The liquid antibiotic is banana-flavored and apparently not very tasty to cats. Tia doesn't particularly like it, but she still willingly gets into my lap and keeps the squirming to a minimum. (If only grooming her were this painless...) She started the meds on Saturday and hasn't peed outside the box since Saturday night. I hope this means that it's clearing up, but I know it will take another couple days to know for sure.
I almost forgot, all the extra feedings to keep Silly quiet are really starting to make Tia plump up. She weighed 12.6 pounds! Come to think of it, Silly is finally starting to show some belly too. We may have to rethink their feeding schedule and amounts to keep their weight under control.
Posted by criminal at 04:45 PM | Comments (4)