CafeChatNoir

Totally forgot in my post race delirium yesterday. Beezer totally gets the good sport award for getting up at the crack of dawn on s Sunday morning to go run 5 miles with 4,700 other people. (He also kicked ass with a 43:28 time.)

Happy Birthday, !!

THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY?!?!

Work was mildly better yesterday. Boss was working from home w/a sick kiddo, and then around 6:30, long after she is done for the day anyhow, she gets back online and IM’s me & my coworker just to see how we were holding up, how the day went, had we killed anyone or taken out contracts for said killings, etc – just a nice thing to do that she didn’t really have to do. She points out that I don’t have a direct shot at dingbat coworker so I need to work on my over the cube wall hook shot w/the stressballs (aka, weapons) we got yesterday.

It is rough right now – I managed to close 30 calls. A very nice amount. We still ended up with a backlog for the day overall…and I still have 50 some assigned to myself. That’s just not good at all. We’ve got somewhere in the neighborhood of ~320 open tickets right now. Thing is, there’s just nothing we can do except just power through it as best we can, and I know that is the most frustrating thing for our boss – there just really isn’t anything she can do about it.

Random thing that made me smile: An IM of “I have an art question for you.” :-D Way better than “I have these three calls I need to escalate to you.”

another 67 cents after taxes…

Work is sucking. One of my good coworkers is out for the rest of the week with a death in the family. My boss told me I wasn’t allowed to have a nervous breakdown – I relayed this to , who replied with “Prove her wrong.” And I nearly did.

The upside of the day is that I got to hang w/my Marine before he heads off to sandy places in the Middle East. The downside is that I’ve figured out (I respect OPSEC, he didn’t tell, I’m just not an idiot) that’s it looks like he’s going to be more in the thick of things than it originally seemed… Fuck. But, I did get to hear about the training time in Texas and damn, that sounds like a shitload of fun – just hope he doesn’t have to use any of it. (oh, , it was Ft. Hood.) I was happy to hear he scored quite well on his quals, but again, really, really hope he doesn’t need it.

I’ll admit I’m worried about him going. But at the same time, if it was me, I’d be chomping at the bit for it, too. Hell, I’d get on a plane now if I thought I could do any good over there. Lord knows saving a bunch of dumbass accountants from themselves doesn’t exactly make the world a better place.

It’s going to be another long day.

Some people just do not get it.

I am so writing a letter to Matthew Bogdanos after I finish this book.

The signoff from an email from the Marine needing assistance with his computer…

The guy who should be you for this,

I don’t know why, but it made me smile. It’s not often I can outdo a Marine on something. :-D

That and he’s been infinitely more gracious than any of my clients with the help I’ve provided so far w/his. I’ve offered to just take the machine while he goes off to Texas for training next week – that may be his best hope…

Thank god, cause I can’t guarantee that I would have been all sweetness and light.

Got a call from my Marine last night, went and hung out and enjoyed the time to not think about work or much of anything else. Guess who is going to Iraq in a few weeks? Yup, and he is thrilled. I’m happy for him, cause I know he’s been chomping at the bit for this for a good long time, but I did tell him to be careful and not get his ass blown off. I don’t want to see his picture in the paper, thankyouverymuch.

Saw Lost for the first time. Let me get this straight, this plane crashes, and every single person that survived has some truly evil deep, dark secret, correct? And there is a smoke monster in the jungle. And there is a freaking computer room on this island in the middle of nowhere? Or was that supposed to be a flashback to somewhere else and I didn’t get it. Odd little show.

OK, off to run 9 miles once I can get the dog back in the house. (He does NOT like being in the house when it’s this windy out. It’s a struggle to get him back in.)

Oh, and , the mailbox got blown off the post last night…

I’m tired as hell but still too keyed up to sleep.

The year started off with a fun call from , announcing that he was quite inebriated, but had to do it to protect the honor of the USCG. Ben, when do I get the ring to go with the marriage proposal? (Kidding. Maybe.)

7.9 miles. Holy crap. 6.2 was going to be a distance record anyway, I still don’t know how I managed the 7.9 – and I actually didn’t feel bad at the end. Tired – yes, happy to stop moving – definitely, but not BAD. The half mary in March doesn’t seem quite so absurd anymore. And I’ve got another 10K on 3/12 – heck, that’s gonna feel short after this one. :-D

Of course, very tired and creaky tonight – my Grandmother said “Well, you should do that more often, or not at all, you know.” had to physically restrain me from charging out of the kitchen and whacking her in the head with a coffee mug. Just another week – we’ve started with the daily checking of the itinerary and what time we need to be at the airport (this is a normal annual occurrence.) She wants to weigh her suitcase tomorrow. Fair enough, if we can get her off the ceiling on that one, I’ll consider it quite the success.

OK, gonna try for sleep again.

Gatorade.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, !!!!!!!!!!!

made me cry.

Since I started reading your journal, I discovered one thing. You are a silver lining.

Merry Christmas.

I think that is the sweetest thing I have ever been told.

So, yes, next week is Thanksgiving. Our office is closed on the Friday after, but we keep the call center open and a very, very light crew – just one person off our queue. I’ve gotten stuck with this in the past, but not this year. You see, basketcase coworker volunteered for it. Hey, whatever blows your skirt up I guess. However, it seems she didn’t quite realize what she was getting herself into, given the conversation we had before the end of the day today…

Coworker: Yeah, I figure I’ll get paid to sit & study all day.
Me: Yeah, there usually aren’t a whole lot of calls.
Coworker: Well, how do the calls come in if the call center is closed?
Me: [suppressing laughter] Um, the call center is open. Support is open. The calls will come in like any other day, it’s just usually pretty light, that’s why we only have 1 person on.
Coworker: *blink*
Me: …
Coworker: Oh. I thought we were closed. I couldn’t figure out why we had to have someone here…

Her problem, not mine. At least I get to sleep in this year for a change.

In other news, talked w/the gal I’m running with tomorrow, she’s just as displeased with the weather forecast as I am – we’re gonna freeze our asses off. Somehow I don’t think we’ll be at the projected high of 52 degrees by 9 AM tomorrow. I’m just trying to figure out what to wear so that I don’t freeze or leave a 5 mile trail of clothing in my wake as I get warm… It’s just especially annoying since I was running in shorts on Wednesday morning.

OK, time to crash – morning is just around the corner.

I just emailed Abigail to tell her how awesome she is, and got this back:

Sweetheart seeing you made me SO happy. I can’t believe you took the time to do that. … I can’t tell you how good it was to see you.

Seriously, if you know someone racing in ANY kind of event, big, small, timed, fun-run, whatever, try as hard as you possibly can to take the time to go cheer them on – it REALLY does mean a lot.

Now I get it. For years, I’ve never understood why you’d want to do a marathon, especially considering that the first guy that went out and did it dropped dead at the end of it. Today I went and watched the Marine Corps Marathon, and while I can’t explain it, I do get it.

Wow. Just wow. I wish I’d had the presence of mind to take my camera along – that was a dumbass move on my part. There is such an insane level of energy, which comes partially from having 30,000 runners and 80,000 spectators, but it’s also just watching these folks DO this. Impressive does not even begin to describe it.

I saw the second wave start (found out that my friend started in the first wave, which would be why I couldn’t find her in the second…) – between the two waves are the racers in the wheelchairs. You want tough? THAT is tough.

I managed to catch Abigail (the happy insane one) at the 10 mile point, and again at 15. I even managed to see her cross the finish line – but completely lost her in the crowd and never was able to find her again. I’m pretty sure this is her 3rd MCM. WAY TO GO ABIGAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve gotten three months worth of rain in two days, there are spots around outside where I could be lap swimming in right now…

Saw the Wallace & Gromit movie last night for little bro’s birthday – cute, mindless, perfect after a week of going full throttle. Hit Sweetwater afterwards and had some good brother/sister bonding time and good oatmeal stout.

Discovered something new this week – don’t know how I’ve never heard of it before – USMC Mud Runs. OMG, the look like SO much fun. Found one that is held mid-September each year down in Roanoke – I think I may have to do that next year to finish off the season. Was talking to my coworker about it, and we lamented the fact that we could only come up with four people in the whole company that would do something like that. His comment was something along the lines of “we’ve got a bunch of pansy-assed girly men around here”

Have directions to the wedding – it’s actually out in Manassas by the airport, still gonna be a PITA drive over w/the weather. Oh, and it’s in a tent. I can only imagine how the bride is handling things at this point.

OK, if I have to be at this shindig at 6, I suppose I’d best go get ready, shouldn’t I?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, !!!!!!!!

aka, little bro

Still a little wrecked from the dentist – feel like I went out and ran 10 miles today.

To celebrate finishing the week in one piece, it’s off to GD’s for a pint and some dinner.

Found out a member of another forum I frequent passed away earlier this month. Rest in peace, Colonel. You’ll be missed. First pint is for you tonight.

Found out that a member of another forum I frequent passed away earlier this month. He was not a young man, so shock wasn’t among my reactions, but he had a kind heart and was a lot of fun to read and will be greatly missed. RIP, Colonel.

Happy birthday !

Rita is apparently a bitch on wheels, and if you’re not out of the way yet, you’d best be hauling ass here very soon it seems.

Please be safe, be smart and don’t take any stupid chances, OK?

Can someone explain this to me?  (For once, the man troubles are not my own.)

Went out w/friends last week.  In the group was a guy that has gone on a couple dates with one of the gals.  He scored well with all of us, and all the body language over the course of the evening says he is interested in her.  They had plans to hang out on Sunday, he was to call and firm things up and never did.

Granted, yes, she could have called him, but if he said he was going to call – why the hell wouldn’t he, even if just to say, “I can’t make it/My house burned down/I have to wash the cat/If I have to spend any time again with your insane friends I will slit my wrists so I can’t see you anymore.”

I just really don’t get saying you’ll call and then not bothering.  (Don’t get me started on folks that don’t check emails.)

Went out and saw March of the Penguins w/Abigail and Andrea.  Excellent documentary.  We all cried.  (I was pretty sure I would, I felt better not being the only one.)

Walked all over Arlington, ended up at Whitlow’s for dinner, lots of pondering over the opposite sex, no definitive answers found…

Got in the car to hear them talking of “Rehnquist’s legacy” and found myself near yelling at the radio, “Retired or Died?!  Which is it!?”  It will be very interesting to see how SCOTUS ends up after all this.

Oh, and as of about 45 minutes ago, the Shell station at Rolling & Old Keene Mill still had regular unleaded for $2.97/gallon.

I’m tired, but it’s a nice “I did all sorts of stuff today” tired instead of a “the world is kicking my ass” tired that has been the norm a little too often of late.

Sweet dreams, all.

The wedding was lovely, the bride was stunning, the groom was his usual goofy self, and the reception was the most entertaining I have ever been to.  :)  Lisa** is a smiley gal to start with, but you couldn’t get the grin off her face with a Mac truck today.  I even have a few photos of my brother all spiffed up.  No photos of the few times he was dancing, as I swore I wouldn’t take any, and I kept my word.

Tev broke out into the Iccy Shuffle during the first dance, then broke into the Dad & Daughter dance, and proceeded to dance with Dad.

Sat at the “guests of the wedding party” table, as  was in the wedding party in some capacity, but I couldn’t quite tell you what, as all the guys apparently kept changing duties, decision making being done via rock-paper-scissors.

Talking w/ Debbie at my table, she asked if I danced – heck yeah, but I never can find a dance partner.  She says that she is sure that Nick would dance if I asked…  HAHAHA!  Not doing that to Nick (though he’s a nice guy and would probably agree) or to my brother, cause I *do* know little bro would catch shit for it.  I mentioned it to him, and he confirmed, not allowed!  Well, later a bunch of us are on the dance floor, Josh is on the dance floor, but not dancing, so I poke him about joining in.  So he does, more with me than the general “us” bouncing about on the dance floor, and apparently within seconds, my brother is catching crap from his friends along the lines of “Josh is going to nail your sister.”, LOL.  I did not get in trouble w/him for this, as he said, “Well, I did only specifically ban Nick.” 

I also became near permanently attached to a small child who had to be on methamphetamines – my god, what a insanely high energy little one, who wanted to dance to EVERY SINGLE DANCE, and loved getting picked up and spun around.  Weight training and cardio today?  Check.  Finally, she latched on to the bride, much easier to find in a crowd with the big white dress.

Just a really great wedding and reception, and I think they’re gonna make it for the long haul.

And despite a two hour dead-to-the-world nap upon getting home, I’m still beat, so I’m going to bed.

**
Lisa = bride
Tev = groom
Debbie = Mark’s wife
Mark = groomsman
Josh = groomsman/friend of
Nick = groomsman/friend of

The dog, while an absolute joy, is a lousy exercise partner.  There is no such thing as “continuous” walking with him – it’s stop & sniff & walk & stop & sniff…  This is another reason aside from the heat that he gets dropped off after one lap. :)

Next Saturday I am going to be at a wedding that starts at 1 PM.  It just occurred to me today that I am on beeper until 3 PM next Saturday…  Hell, I’ll just put it on vibrate for the ceremony and pray it doesn’t go off at all…  And at 3 PM, I may just drop it in the punchbowl.

Got a fair amount accomplished in the basement today w/, though the dog decided to test my considerations of his being “an absolute joy” by attempting to undo it…  Fortunately, I caught him in the midst of it and was able to get it cleaned up immediately.  Coulda strangled the little mutt for a few minutes there, though…

Happy Birthday, and !!!!!

Happy Birthday !!!!!!

London office all safe and accounted for, has posted, I can now relax.

Though she hasn’t heard from him, his flight to Dublin was last night at 7:05 out of Bath, so he shouldn’t have even been in London today.

I emailed him anyway telling him “when bad things happen and you’re anywhere near them, you’re now under strict orders from the LJ chicky chicks to move heaven & earth to find an internet connection and check in.”, but I feel a hell of a lot better.