disclaimer (ok, afterthought)....

Just a disclaimer/afterthought/whatever you want to callit for my earlier post (below)....

I am fully aware of the increased liklihood of mistakes and such in understaffed situations or 'new to the job' situations (heck... I'm new to my job and came from one where we were understaffed for the amount of work and deadlines involved).

The irritation expressed was not so much because this guy fouled up. It was his shrug-worthy, apathetic response when called on it. The shrug of "oh well" was practially audible over the phone when I spoke with him. THAT is just not cool... at all... in a business that's theoretically client-focused to be told you fouled up and as a result had a potentially significant negative impact on the client experience and to respond with a shrug? Nope... not cool.

and THAT, ladies and gents, is the real source of my irritation. The fact that this came at the end of a very long day when I really just wanted to come back from my meeting, make 4 clicks, send an email and get home 20 minutes later than normal, and instead had to do a mad scramble and end up over an hour later than normal getting home to fix something that should have been fixed well in advance of my end-of-day meeting had I but known when it was actually done was a secondary irritant.

And if you haven't read my other post... you're now possibly confused... go read it *laugh*

Do the work, send an email... is that so hard?

Alrighty... yet another rant today, i think... but I have to vent a bit about how my day ended yesterday.

Ok... so some of you know I work in online marketing... and part of that is the Client Experience (ensuring that people who hit our sites have a good experience free of annoyance).

So, I got an assignement... seemed pretty straightforward. Person A will tell you when target Q is live. When you get that notice, have our coding wizards change this page to activate these links (currently hidden), then ask webmaster to launch them.

Got the notice from Person A... target Q will be live at 1:00 p.m. Do what you need anytime after then and before the end of the day. Got our coding guys to do their magic. Sent the request at 1:30 to launch. Now, sometimes it takes our webmaster folks a while to launch things. I can understand that... they're busy folks. The longest I've ever had to wait was about an hour and a quarter.

3:00 meeting... didn't have a notification before I left... figured it'd be there when I got back. Nope. 4:00 got back... still no notification. Frantic email marked urgent in as many ways as I could think of requesting and update because this is something that absolutely HAD to launch on Wednesday. Email back saying it's done. Go to check the page... the links which worked in development don't work in the real world. Problem. About to pick up the phone to call our coding guys for ideas when my phone rings. Webmaster of the moment calling... "yeah... it was launched at 1:36, I guess I forgot to send the email". WTF!?!?!?!?!? So there's been broken links on a fairly high-traffic page directing to something that's likely to be high demand for 3 hours?!?!?!?!!!!!! Not cool! So I point out to him that had I known at 1:36, I could have been testing by 1:38... found the broken links, been on the phone to my coding guys by 1:40 to fix the damn thing... rather than trying to contact them at the end of the day (after 4:00) and throwing my plans for my real life (outside this place) into disarray because I'd already missed my train (a fact I didn't mention)... and then I asked how long someone would be there to help fix this. "umm... I can probably help you 'til about 5:00". Damn skippy you can help me 'til 5:00... it's your fault this mad scramble is happening, buddy.

Anyway... turned out that the problem had a very simple fix, and had I known about it at 1:36, could have had it resolved by 2:00 easily. So I call buddy... ok, bud, I need you to launch these other two files (one English, one French 'cuz we're in Canada and we do things in both languages)... he tells me they're done... English works fine, French still doesn't work. "oh, really? Let me try uploading that again". Right. "Done". Nope, still doesn't work. "oh, we might have to wait a couple of seconds because the next resynch is at 4:30, which is in 3 minutes". Hey, guy? You know what? 3 minutes isn't a couple of seconds. It's 180 seconds. (at this point he was just pissing me off). 4:31... tested again... finally! Quick note to the people involved to let them know it's up... quick shut-down and grab my stuff... out the door at 4:45 (only an hour later than usual *grumble*), hit play on the 'pod... and sailed on to Union Station to the strains of Rammstein (such perfect music when one's in a foul mood ;) nothing like German Industrial music to make your troubles seem smaller *laugh*)

And so ended my work day yesterday. Fun!

On other topics... made it to the mailbox before the 5 p.m. pick-up, so my secret pal (I shower her with cards and gifts... she has no idea who they're coming from) should be getting her next surprise today or tomorrow... got "found" by two old high-school friends on facebook... and was saddened to read of the passing of William Hutt yesterday (yes... he was 87... yes he'd had a good long run at life... yes, he had lukemia... but the man was an outstanding actor with a tremendous command of the stage, and it's sad to know that one more actor of that calibre, a rare breed these days, has passed from the theatre world). And apparently Liz Claibourne died, too... although I must admit that means very little to me *shrug* I'm about as far from a fashionista as it's possible to get *laugh*

And so begins another day... Have a great one!

Stupid people shouldn't be allowed to drive....

So... last night I got off the GO train after a lovely evening of fun, food, bevvies, and a massive amount of laughter at the Tuesday Night Distraction Club (bless you, Diva dear, for putting that together!)... walk across the parking lot to my car... only to discover....

I can't open the damn driver's door because some asshole with a Dodge Ram has parked so damn close they must have got out their passenger door... 'cuz honestly, Nicole Ritchie would have had a hard time fitting between the two vehicles. And Nicole Ritchie, I ain't... I've got curves, baby!

Yup... a less than happy note was left on the windshield before I crawled in through my passenger door and performed feats of contortionism to manouver my 6' (plus heels) over the centre console and under the steering wheel. (oooh... bendy girl! ;) )

Did I mention ours were the only two vehicles in the row? 'cuz they were and that just makes it so much more irritating. *sigh*

But... to end this entry on a happier note, I've just discovered that my 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. meeting today has been bumped out to 3 - 4 next Tuesday, so I'll be able to get out of here close to my regular time and not have to catch a train an hour and a half later :)

Wow... i really suck at this journalling thing...

...not that you weren't all warned about that long ago.

So, I was going to update yesterday, but my post about the past 2 weeks just got too long. Suffice it to say, much stress was endured, much fun was had, and I've reconnected with some people from the past who I hope will grow to be friends.

But what prompted this entry is actually another blast from the past. Today I got a message on facebook from a guy I haven't seen since mid-summer 1991. Who, indeed, I met in summer of 1990. We worked at Wonderland together. I'm a little surprised that he remembered me, really... although I suppose shared trauma leads to longer memories. He and I worked with a crew that included 3 people who died in a bad car crash at the end of the 1990 season... it was an ugly wreck, and it happened because someone decided they were sober enough to drive. Parts of that summer and fall are etched in my memory as sharply today as if they had happened last month and not nearly 17 years ago. Of course, hearing from him has also brought them into sharper focus *laugh* Wow. Weird. Not bad weird. Just weird. I'm curious to find out what he's been up to ;)

Anyhoo... Boss Man is on vacation this week and next... and I've got work to do, so I'll leave this for now. Looking forward to seeing Diva and friends tonight... not looking forward to dealing with the heat, humidity, and smog (all of which are bad enough to have warranted alerts and warnings) to get there... but such is life in the big city.

Have a great one!

Rant alert! Take cover!

I’ve had enough of people.

Well, ok, perhaps that’s overstating things a bit.

I’ve had enough of people who want things done by a deadline, but won’t provide the things needed to make it happen. I’ve had enough of people who change their requirements umpteen times before deadline, but still expect everything to be perfect.

I’ve had enough of people who go through the motions of being team players, but aren’t really.

I’ve had enough of people who won’t let the past be the past and move on. I’ve had enough of people who will quote phrases about the importance of being as nice as possible to as many people as possible whenever possible, but make a point of being pointlessly cruel. I’ve had enough of people maligning me and attributing statements and characteristics to me that are neither flattering nor true.

I’ve also had enough of people who think I’m the only person on the planet who denotes actions in text with the use of asterisks (e.g. *rolls eyes*). Heaven forbid I should adopt a trend popular in other parts of the online world than their own little universe. I’m sorry if you find it annoying, but wake up to reality… it’s not just me, and frankly, it’s a hell of a lot less annoying than 17 little happy faces doing whatever is applicable (laughing, winking, rolling eyes, spitting water, puking, whatever). One, people. One is usually enough.

I’ve had enough of hypocrites, slackers, and people with their heads up their asses.

And now I feel better ;) <-- see? Just one. Gets the point across just fine *laugh*

Secondary post... 'cuz I can't NOT mention this...

Today is my cat Grimm's 11th birtday. Born on 1996-6-6. My crotchety old man :)

Must think of a good special treat to give him tonight to celebrate the day and thank him for nearly 11 years of wonderful friendship...

he really looks impressed, doesn't he? *laugh*

The Tuesday Night Distraction Club

Before I begin, please bear with me while I let off a little steam. This dang survey that’s been plaguing me… the same one that changed direction 2 weeks back while Boss Man was on vacation… it’s driving me up the freakin’ wall! So far… it’s gone from being just a survey, to being a survey with a sweepstakes. It’s gone from being generic and un-named to having a definite name (after my designer was already done with the ads and masthead *sigh*). I STILL don’t have copy (did I mention it’s supposed to launch on Friday?) or feedback on the mock-up. It’s 11:20 on Wednesday. Launch is Friday (never ideal). Tomorrow is a write-off, so basically, it has to be pretty much done by the end of today, or I have to bail on a team-building exercise (and much needed break) to try to pull it together at the last minute. Gah!!!

Anyhoo… on to happier topics….

Today is Wednesday. No, really… it is! (sorry, odd mood… I blame this marketing exec destroying what was left of my sanity *laugh*) Last night was the inaugural meeting of Shannon’s Tuesday Night Distraction group. The poor dear has organized a weekly outing, not merely for the diva-esqueness of a weekly trip to some fabulous venue with friends (and strangers ;) ), but because her darling husband has made some new social connections (awesome) that have her home overrun with players of Dungeons & Dragons every Tuesday night (not nearly as awesome). Last night was the first of, I hope anyway, many outings with “the girls”. Turned out to be a small group… Shannon, two girls she works with, myself (who up ‘til last night only knew her through WB and her blog), and her hubby’s niece (I think?). Truly wonderful gals… great conversation… much laughter. Basically the essential ingredients of an entertaining evening… plus vodka! Martinis all ‘round (and, might I add, as someone who doesn’t really like vodka, the “Perestroika” martini I had was yummy! Vodka, cassis (mmm, black currant), and white cranberry juice *drool*). Some muchies. Incomprehensible Russian films that look like they’re from the 60s. A washroom that was incredibly badly lit, remarkably clean, and had a hand dryer that seemed determined to knock users to the floor. The sticker on the dryer inviting you to “feel the power” wasn’t kidding!

The perfect capper to the evening… I didn’t have to take the train home alone! Shannon’s living in Whitby, so we hit McPuke’s for a quick dinner (because dinner at 9:00 p.m. is not generally a good idea) and hopped the 8:13 train East… where we proceeded to chatter until the train stopped at my station. A highly enjoyable evening and I’m looking forward to the next event!

On other topics… I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think if I know any nice single guys I could point towards my newly reacquired friend. I’m stumped. The guys I know that I’m SURE would be a good match are all taken… there are a few that I think might be a good match personality and interest wise, but their slime potential is entirely too high (I want to keep this gal as a friend, so fixing her up with someone who’s going to do something slimy is a poor choice, I’m thinking). There’s one guy who I think might be a good match, but he’s not really a close friend. Actually, to be completely honest, I know remarkably little about his life these days. He was probably my first crush… way back in grade school some time. His little brother was in my class and our mothers were good friends. Still are, really… his parents were at my wedding… my parents were at his little brother’s wedding… that sort of thing. I think they might get along well, but it’s hard to know for sure. Ah well… as I said, he’s not really that close a friend… in fact, I’m not even sure of his relationship status… maybe it’s time to do some baking and go visit my “second mom” ;)

Tuesday sappy moment...

So, I heard this song on my 'pod this morning on my way in to work and it sparked all these "warm & fuzzy" thoughts. Obviously I'm gettting sappy in my old age *laugh*

This is the song that D used as his yard-stick for wife-material. Remember, when he and I got together he was never getting married... or at least, not unless he found someone who embodied the sentiments in this song for him. Of course, he figured he'd never find that, so he was never getting married. 5 years and one wedding later... here we are... married ;)

Savage Garden - "Crash & Burn"

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
Its hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you cant take anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump Ill break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You're caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you cant face the day

Let me be the one you call
If you jump Ill break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

And there has always been heartache and pain
And when its over you'll breathe again
You'll breath again

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart

Let me be the one you call
If you jump Ill break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone


Awwwww.......

Friends that last…

I know I’ve commented before about how interesting it is that you can be close to some people, not see them for a few weeks, and have to start from scratch, but there are others that you can completely lose touch with and when you reconnect it’s like picking up where you left off.

This past weekend, I had the joy of reconnecting with one of the latter type.

I first met Nikki when we were both still living in residence at University. Her personality appealed to me. She’s very honest and genuine… she’s a caring soul, of the sort who would drop everything to help a friend in need, but at the same time, she pulls no punches. If she’s got something to say to you, you’re going to be treated to an untainted view. And for those two character traits, I value her deeply.

We shared a similar background, too, in a way… both being products of Catholic families and all-girls schools.

We became good friends. In fact, when I first became engaged back in the day, she was the first person I called with the news, and asked her to be in my wedding party. Sadly, that relationship fell apart and I kind of withdrew from the world around the same time she was moving away to help her parents establish a restaurant and we lost touch. That was in ’98.

Last month we reconnected (facebook IS good for something other than eating time!) and on Sunday I visited her at her new apartment. 5 hours of chatter later, I had to run (since I was really supposed to be home an hour or so before I realized the time *laugh*), but it was like no time had passed.

Yes, we had a lot to catch up on… the boys of the intervening years… the real reason for the breakup of my first engagement… pictures to look at… careers to catch up on… stories of Katrina (the Hurricane… she was living in New Orleans at the time)… the lasting effects of psychological and emotional trauma that a surprising number of people just don’t “get”…religion vs. spirituality… wishes and dreams… we shared views on various subjects… we ate, we drank, we chatted like we had back in school. There was no awkwardness, just an easy friendship.

I am very thankful for facebook at the moment for bringing Nikki back into my life. I’ve missed her, and often wondered what her life had brought her. Thank goodness we both found that darn site… and thank goodness I took a chance and sent a message to her, even without benefit of a picture to be sure it was the right person *laugh*

I look forward to more afternoons and evenings of friendship and chatter… to showing her my home (eventually)… to chillin’ with her cat ;) … and introducing her to mine… to having her and D meet (and hopefully get along)… to redecorating her bathroom (ah, the challenges of sea-foam green tiles *laugh*)… to discussion photography... and this time I’m going to make darn sure we don’t fade out of each others’ lives again for no good reason!