February 28, 2006
Giving Good Phone
I placed my first support call to a publisher today. She left a message saying she wasn't able to log in. So I referenced the account number she gave and noticed that her name didn't match the listed contact. I figured she was using the wrong number, so I called her back and tried to get to the bottom of it. Turns out, she did have the wrong number.
The wrong phone number that is. She was trying to reach some other company with a Web site name similar to ours. By sheer serendipity, she happened to be in the market for advertising (both on the site she's launching later this month and for it) so I was able to tell her a little bit about what we do. It all made for an interesting first call, and I'm proud to say that I think I handled it fairly well.
Posted by criminal at 03:51 PM | Comments (1)
February 27, 2006
A New Brew
I grew up and enjoyed a coffee on Friday. That's right, real coffee. What's more, I enjoyed it. Now that I've realized that most adults drink it with cream and sugar, I don't feel so bad doing it myself. Fridays are free coffee days around here, so I popped a k-cup of Van Houtte chocolate almond into our Keurig and let her rip. Maybe it was the Splenda and milk talking, but it wasn't nearly as bitter as the coffee I remember from my youth. I might even have to do it again.
Posted by criminal at 04:40 PM | Comments (4)
Endocrinology
I went to the endocrinologist's today and met with a nurse practitioner She has decided that a thyroid scan should be my next step, given my history. Now we just have to schedule one, preferably not at the Worcester Medical center since it's not just a one-shot deal. Once I'm injected with radioactive stuff I have to come back at different intervals to be scanned. And that would just be a pain in the butt, driving back and forth from Worcester to Burlington a couple times a day for two days. Luckily the Leahy Clinic dominates the view out my window, so I'm hoping to have it done there.
Posted by criminal at 02:16 PM | Comments (2)
February 24, 2006
Five on Friday for February 24, 2006
- 1. What do you wear to bed?
- Usually a tank top and pajama bottoms of some sort
- 2. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
- Always to the left (when looking at the bed)
- 3. Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
- Up until my surgery a few years ago I slept on my stomach, but I retrained myself to sleep on my side so I wouldn't damage my boob job. And as hard as it was to change, it seems to be even harder to try to go back now that things are healed.
- 4. Describe the bedding on your bed right now. How does it change with the seasons? Are you particular about your pillows or linens?
- I think the bed is wearing red flannel sheets right now. I usually love flannel, but something happened to this set from L.L. Bean in the wash, making them pilly and rough. I would use smooth flannel sheets all year round if I could, but I've started warming up to high thread-count percale sheets. Now that I live in a home that is sufficiently heated and sleep next to a very large, warm man, I find all I want is a sheet and my microfleece blanket. Jon has to have his down comforter, and since it's far too warm for me, we have our own blankets. So I guess that makes me particular. Requiring a firm non-down pillow is also pretty picky.
- 5. Do you hog the bed, steal covers, or snore?
- Jon would say I do all three, but I'll only admit to the last one. It's been pretty bad since I started my meds last fall, but Breate-Right strips seem to help. As does making sure Jon's asleep before me.
Posted by criminal at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2006
In a Handbasket
The WPI homepage has successfully decended into the first circle of Hell. To the average viewer, it probably doesn't look too bad, but to people like me, it's an obvious sign that things aren't quite as hunky dory as the administration keeps telling us they are.
Is that burning wicker I smell?
Posted by criminal at 10:49 PM | Comments (3)
Pain in the Neck
I finally got my ultrasound yesterday morning. It was quiet and painless - I didn't even notice that the probe was touching me for the first few moments. My doctor called today to talk to me about the results: the left node is indeed enlarged. Like I hadn't noticed. The part I didn't know is that it isn't just a cystic growth. There's a solid mass in there. And she wants me to have a thyroid scan, although she's going to let the endocrinologist I'm seeing on Monday decide whether to use that or a biopsy. I'm hoping for the scan, because who wouldn't want to be radioactive?
Posted by criminal at 10:34 PM | Comments (2)
February 21, 2006
The Peacemaker
You chose BX - your Enneagram type is NINE.
"I am at peace"
Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.
How to Get Along with Me
- If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
- I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advatage of this.
- Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
- Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally.
- Ask me questions to help me get clear.
- Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
- Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
- I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
- Let me know you like what I've done or said.
- Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.
What I Like About Being a Nine
- being nonjudgmental and accepting
- caring for and being concerned about others
- being able to relax and have a good time
- knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
- my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
- my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
- being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe
What's Hard About Being a Nine
- being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
- being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
- being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
- being confused about what I really want
- caring too much about what others will think of me
- not being listened to or taken seriously
Nines as Children Often
- feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
- tune out a lot, especially when others argue
- are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves
Nines as Parents
- are supportive, kind, and warm
- are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective
The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on Ok Cupid
Posted by criminal at 02:29 PM | Comments (0)
Life on the Beach
Jon and I started doing the South Beach Diet right around the start of the new year. The first couple weeks were hard because of the restrictions in Phase 1. And I'll admit, I cheated. It started with the birthday cake at Jami's party... But even with all the little flubs, I've drastically cut back on my carb intake and increased the amount of vegetable and lean meat I eat. I'm finally eating my super fiber cereals and fruit for breakfast instead of eggs, so I'm a happy camper. A happy camper that has lost 15 pounds since her last weigh-in before the holidays (and probably more). It's not nearly as impressive as the 30+ pounds Jon has lost, eating mostly Phase 1 foods and going to the gym three or four times a week, but it is progress.
Posted by criminal at 01:45 PM | Comments (6)
Early Riser
I'm not a big fan of early mornings, so it was nice to see that I can sleep until 7 a.m. and still be at work by 8:30. Although it doesn't give me a lot of time to dawdle, I do have time to eat breakfast, check e-mail, read LiveJournal, or knit a few rows all while watching NECN's morning newscast. Most people around here start at 9 a.m. and work 'til 6 p.m., but I'm sick of getting home late, so I've decided to try an 8:30-5:30 schedule. I'm not used to being at work this early yet, but I'm hoping it will grow on me. If this works out, I might even be able to throw in some Tae Bo time.
Posted by criminal at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2006
Five on Friday for February 17, 2006
- 1. Did you do anything special for Valentine's Day this year? On Tuesday or some other day?
- Actually, other than cooking a nice dinner at home, we didn't do anything. I got the feeling Jon was disappointed, but I was happy to just spend a little time with him.
- 2. What is your favorite Valentine's Day memory?
- Probably eating lobster and green beans with Jon while sitting in the car overlooking the Cape Neddick Lighthouse because it was too cold and windy to enjoy the picnic he planned outside.
- 3. Flowers or chocolate?
- Oooh. That's tough, but I think I would have to say flowers, simply because I can enjoy chocolate any time of year.
- 4. Do you send Valentines? What kind? To who?
- I try to send Valentines to my family, although I don't always remember every year. I was good this year and got just about everyone. They're usually funny greeting cards I find at different stores, but if I have time, I'll make them myself.
- 5. Valentine's Day puts jewelry stores in the black. What are your thoughts on the tradition of giving jewelry and the marketing that surrounds it?
- I don't think there's anything wrong with giving jewelry as a gift, but I'm not as fond of the expectation we've developed as a society. Diamonds may be nice, but how personal is the gift if every man (at least those in relationships) in America is running out to the jewelry store to get that "unique" gift? Maybe it's just because I'm not a big jewelry girl, but those marketing messages touting the magic of jewelry make me a little ill.
Posted by criminal at 12:58 PM | Comments (1)
Will Wonders Never Cease?
The latest memo from WPI's President, sent just this morning (lucky me, I'm still on the staff mailing list):
To Members of the Faculty and Staff:
At yesterday's University Council meeting I announced, and I share this information with you here, that I have asked Chris Hardwick, VP for Marketing and Communication, to serve as the administration's chief internal spokesman and source of information for faculty and staff. While I will continue to encourage the vice presidents to share information fully with the respective faculty governance committees on which they sit, and while this designation is not intended to frustrate other communication channels in any way, it has become clear to me that the administration needs to take a more pro-active approach to making information available to the community, responding to reported rumors, and generally promoting ease of access to information and to senior personnel. Please do not hesitate to contact Chris directly with any concerns or questions. I am sure that he will do an excellent job keeping you informed of both high achievements and cases in which the administration fails to shoot straight.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Dennis
This is just... wow. Are they trying to head off a disaster or create one? I'm not sure which, just that the plan will probably do more harm than good. And even stranger is the fact that I can't seem to give up on WPI politics. I'm addicted now, thanks to Amy and William.
Posted by criminal at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2006
Live From Burlington
Today is the first day I actually get to sit at my desk and login, so this post is coming to you live from my new workstation in Burlington, Massachusetts. I've already read through my back-logged mail, customized my Windows setup, and installed FireFox. I've started adding my most frequently used bookmarks, like LiveJournal, my criminalgrace.com mail, and traffic. As nice as it has been to take it easy and just learn about the company the last few days, I'm itching to get my feet wet and start working with actual publishers (or at least publisher applications and data).
Posted by criminal at 11:09 AM | Comments (1)
February 13, 2006
Olympic Update #1
I'll be honest, I didn't make much progress on my socks this weekend. I managed to cast on Friday, but by the time I got to pick them back up on Sunday I realized that I wasn't going to be able to knit two socks on one circular without some major sock knowledge. So I ripped back and cast on for just one. Then a few rows in I dropped a few stitches that I couldn't salvage. And since they were coming out larger than expected, I went down a size and cast on once again. I was able to eke out a few rows before bed and another few this morning before taking the photo you see here. I was able to do a few more during some breaks in my training this afternoon, so I feel a little better about it. So far, knitting on two circulars is definately easier than knitting on DPNs. I'll see how well it goes once I get to the heel flap.
Posted by criminal at 07:41 PM | Comments (1)
Through the Window
Share your insight on my personality here...
And once you're done you can take a look though my window.
Posted by criminal at 05:59 PM | Comments (1)
Day One
My first day at Burst! started at 9:30 a.m. And although it's not much different from my starting time at WPI, I didn't have to leave the house until 9. I was able to take my time eating breakfast, watching the storm wrap-up on the news, and knitting a few rows on my socks (more about that later this evening). Route 3 was clean and moving at a pretty good clip too.
I'm in training sessions all week, with a little extra time to shadow the folks in my department. So far we've been getting an overview of the business and it's jargon. Starting this aftnoon and continuing through tomorrow afternoon we're meeting each department in the company. I also get to go to the big annual awards dinner on Thursday, which everyone in the company will be in town for. No pressure or anything... Lunch with Gillian and the rest of publisher services was nice. Everyone seems relaxed and easy to talk to, which just makes it easier for me to feel at home, even if we're not making a Monday Moe's run.
It's all still a bit surreal. I keep thinking that tomorrow I'll wake up and drive in to WPI. Somehow I'm going to have to juggle those doctor's appointments I scheduled more than six weeks ago. I really need to get the ultrasound and see the endocrinologist, but I don't want to miss too much work to do it. I really want to make the right impression here.
Posted by criminal at 01:58 PM | Comments (1)
February 10, 2006
Signing Off
My files are transferring to my memory card as I type. My PC has been cleaned off, the Mac is empty, and all of my stuff has been packed. My inbox, contacts, and calendar have been exported. I ate cake and said my goodbyes. And now I just have to sign off and cary my stuff out the door, down the stairs, into my car, and off campus.
I'm leaving.
After nearly 8 years at WPI I'm leaving the campus community for good. I've vowed to visit and see everyone at alumni events. I've even lingered over some of the more scenic views on campus. For the most part it will be like any other drive home, but on Monday I'm not coming back. I don't have to. Unless of course I want to. And that's a good feeling, because I do want to come back someday. Maybe when I'm not so close to the administration and can see just the surface of things. Because on the outside, this is a beautiful campus.
Posted by criminal at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
Match Made in Heaven
A heart-warming article on Ben and Elaine's upcoming wedding...
Posted by criminal at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)
Would You Change?
How bad, how good does it need to get?
How many losses? How much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around,
Makes you try to explain,
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change?
Makes you change?
[Tracy Chapman, Change]
Posted by criminal at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
In Which I Lose All Hope
An excerpt from President Berkey's e-mail to faculty and staff:
Such reorganizations and appointments of new officers naturally bring uncertainty, however, and I am not unaware of concern among faculty and staff about financial and job security in the face of significant change. Newly appointed Vice Presidents and managers are expected to take the steps necessary to strengthen their units; managers affected by the reorganizations must adapt to new responsibilities and reporting relationships. Most affected individuals are accepting new roles and responsibilities with enthusiasm, and this is much appreciated. Some, however, inevitably decide that they do not agree with, or wish to participate in, the changes and decide to leave WPI. That is not unexpected, and we accept these decisions with appreciation for what these individuals will have contributed in their time here. Unfortunately, there will be a small number of cases where individuals either will not or cannot adapt to changing expectations, and even actively oppose what is happening. In these cases we will respond with as much compassion and generosity as possible, but the most important determinant of the resolution will be the strengthening of WPI.
I don't know that I can fully express my feelings about this e-mail. I'm enraged, confused, hurt, and growing more bitter by the moment.
This man is fostering an environment of suspicion and back-biting. Although there have been numerous pledges to communicate and "explain our strategies" to the community it's not happening. Sure, there are town hall meetings where the President shares news about the big initiatives, but rumors are flying faster than ever and very little is being done to quell them. I can't blame the President for trying to cover himself with this e-mail, but I think it only makes people more suspicious.
And as for the implication that voicing opposition to new strategies is weakening the university, I can only say that debate is essential to the spirit of academia. I made my misgivings about the new Web strategy clear at my first meeting with the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications and I feel it was my duty to do so. But it is becoming clear that any scrutiny, dissent, or questioning of authority is unwelcome in this administration. I hope that our "most valuable resources" see this for what it is and put a stop to it. Otherwise, budget problems are going to be the least of WPI's worries.
Posted by criminal at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)
You Are The Wheel of Fortune
You represent the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. You embrace change, the the ups and downs of life. Fate is something you accept, even when you could possibly change things. Big things tend to happen to you more than other people.
Your fortune:
Something huge is about to happen in your life, and you have little control over it.You must accept your destiny, but luckily it is good fortune that has come your way. Big things and big changes are about to come your way. And while things will be intense for a while, they will be followed by a period of rest.
Posted by criminal at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
It's Out
And now, my thoughts on the announcement...
- The facts are wrong. Amy hasn't announced any new opportunities. But if they said that she was leaving without a new position in place somewhere else everyone would start asking questions only to realize just how bad a situation we've been in. So it's easier to say she's moving on to bigger and better things.
- It is correct in stating that I'm leaving on the tenth. The problem is that the message is dated the eighth. That's right. Just two days before I leave the community. It makes the message less of an acknowledgement of my contributions and more of a slap in the face.
- I haven't heard word one about a contractor coming in to take over maintenance. I don't even know what's going to happen to my students. Nothing has been communicated to me or Amy, so we can't even begin to coach our clients through this transition.
- Tara is getting more props in the message than us. How does that work? I'm beginning to regret saving so many of her projects...
- "...by eliminating technical constraints and delays in updating and maintaining our web presence." What technical constraints? Currently all you have to do to change your Web page is write an e-mail or send a fax to us and we do it for you. And really, I can't call two business days a significant delay for the amount of time and energy it saves departments. But once Amy leaves on February 17, the delay is going to grow exponentially and have a severe impact on the business of the university.
- Back to that contractor... Let's assume that any contractor worth their salt will charge WPI $75 an hour. On a slow week we spend 40 man-hours performing maintenance on a site we know inside and out. Assuming the maintenance load falls, the contractor is quick, and the CMS project takes the projected three months to come online, we'll be spending more than my salary for a year to make piddly little updates to the site for a meager three months. What a wise way to spend money at a university that's still trying to pull out of a budget crisis. And why on earth am I not in this contracting business?
- As William was quick to point out, the announcement doesn't conform to our style guide and identity policies. The word Web isn't capitalized and Web site is smooshed together into website. Very poor form, especially for a message that took almost three weeks to craft.
- I'm exasperated. I knew this was going to be ugly, but I never thought it would be this bungled. Part of me feels bad for the community and the stress our departure is going to put on it, but the rest of me is squealing with glee because I'm getting out of this wreck. It's an unusual confluence of emotions.
Posted by criminal at 10:40 AM | Comments (1)
TO: Faculty and Staff
FROM: Vice President, Marketing & Communications
I wanted to provide an update for the community about several developments in the web area, including our plans for enhancing web services and improving ease of use for the departments and offices.
First, I want to acknowledge the significant contributions of two members of the original Web Development Office - Amy Marr and Sarah (Themm) Jay -- who have announced plans to pursue new opportunities.
- Amy Marr will be leaving WPI on February 17. Please join us in celebrating her accomplishments and thanking her for her contributions to WPI at a reception on Wednesday, February 15 from 2:30- 4 pm in Higgins House Sun Porch. As an alumna, she began as Coordinator of Networked Resources, working with the web committee under Helen Shuster's direction. Later, as part of the Web Development Office (WDO), she was closely involved in the initial and ongoing development and design of the website, the electronic dissertations program and the electronics pilot project.
- Sarah (Themm) Jay will be leaving WPI on February 10. Sarah joined the WPI community as a student in 1998 and began working in the Web Development Office in 2003. Sarah has an exciting opportunity to start in a new position as Publisher Support at Burst! Media in Burlington, Mass.
Second, I would like to announce plans to further enhance the university’s web presence through a number of key initiatives.
- We will form a new web team with strong interactive marketing experience under the direction of Tara Myers, who has already been instrumental in developing new on-line marketing capabilities for the university.
- We will implement a Content Management System in order to make the website easier for faculty and departments to update material and to more effectively provide a common look and feel across our site. This system will greatly benefit all departments of WPI by eliminating technical constraints and delays in updating and maintaining our web presence. As this system is implemented over the next few months, we will port over our existing site to the new system and begin basic training so that individual departments and offices will able to manage content more easily.
- We will build a new external website ("extranet") that will enable us to communicate and interact more effectively with our external constituents – including prospective students/parents, corporations, alumni, funding agencies, prospective donors and news media. At the same time, we will begin to establish an "intranet" as a central resource for the internal WPI community.
- As we implement these new initiatives, we will contract with a web developer to continue to provide basic updating and maintenance of the website during this interim period. Please continue to provide inquiries to webmaster@wpi.edu.
This is an exciting time in the development of WPI's website. We recognize and appreciate the significant accomplishments of those who worked on establishing the original site and we now look forward to building on that success in the future.
Thank you
Posted by criminal at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2006
The Family Wreath Branches Out
My cousin Ben will be ending his stint as a bachelor on Valentine's Day by marrying a wonderful woman named Elaine. Of course I offered to help him with that when I was just three or four years old. He had to explain to a very embarassed me that Michigan laws prohibit first cousins from marrying each other. But that's OK because I think he's found a real keeper. Their original plans called for an October wedding but just last week they won a local radio contest that will pay for just about everything they need, provided they get married in the Meridian Mall on Valentine's Day. While I won't be able to make it, I couldn't be happier for them (and their newlywed pocketbooks).
Posted by criminal at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
Five on Friday for February 3, 2006
Growing Up. These thought-provoking questions were used in the Friday Five LiveJournal community in December 2005. They were so good that I couldn't bring myself to change them or not offer them to you.
- 1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
- When I was really little I thought I wanted to be a singer but I soon decided that law and politics were my calling, specifically the presidency.
- 2. Did you follow through? If not, what happened?
- Oh no. Once I started researching going into law and politics back in 7th grade, I quickly realized just how much of a burden it would be. So I set my sights of science.
- 3. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?
- Not exactly. I always figured I would be married (or about to be married) to a wonderful man and starting a family around age 25, so that part is right on track. While we don't have the house I always dreamed of, we're working on it, and that's good enough for me. My professional life isn't quite as good as I had hoped it would be, but back then I had no idea just how much motivation and ambition it would take to make things happen.
- 4. Paradoxes aside, if you could time-travel back to when you were 10 years old, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?
- Don't be afraid to put yourself out there -- you'll look no more foolish than anyone else. And while you're at it, stay active.
- 5. Do you think the child you were would like the adult you've become?
- For the most part:
- As someone who read voraciously, she would probably be dismayed with how little I read these days, but I think she would approve of my selections.
- I tend to think she would find my clothes a bit conservative, but then again, not much more than any other adult's.
- I might not be smart enough for her. When I was young I fancied myself an intellectual and tried to know everything about everything. I've relaxed quite a bit on that front, possibly making me intelectually inferior to my young self.
Posted by criminal at 10:21 AM | Comments (2)
February 02, 2006
Bloggers' (Silent) Poetry Reading
An excellent idea to celebrate the feast of St. Bridgid and the coming spring.
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
- the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other; then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
e.e. cummings
Posted by criminal at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)
Lost!
One sense of patience.
Reservior-sized virtue last seen sometime Thursday morning during a barrage of "urgent" e-mail requests. Numerous sources reported an unusual quacking sound around the time of its disappearance. Responds to old people, administrative assistants, and others lacking computer skills. If you have any information regarding this sudden lack of patience, please contact the authorities immediately.
Reward available.
Posted by criminal at 10:23 AM | Comments (4)