rkamos

Life is screwy

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:47:16 GMT

Okay, for those two or three people who might be reading this, I will share a bit of news. I am still employed.

Imagine my shock.

See, I work for one of those huge corporations which have been laying off employees left, right, and center. We've had three rounds of layoffs since the first of the year, and numbers kept getting worse and worse - my department was slated at 67%. That's 67% GONE, not to remain. There were five of us in the same who were in the same job title/bracket, so it doesn't take a genius to do the math.

To be honest, I was completely ready for the layoff. Emotionally, mentally, and (cross your fingers) financially, I was ready. So, on Friday the 13th (gotta love the irony) we all show up to learn our fate.

And they decided to retain me. A new supervisor, who I'd spoken to maybe twice in my entire career, made the decision to keep me over all the others.

So, I've spent the last two weeks dealing with co-workers who are bitterly unhappy about teaching me how to do their particular duties, trying to figure out how I'm supposed to do the job of at least three people, and the rearrangement of all the plans I've been making for the last two months. No opportunity to play with my torch or my kiln, no chance to learn to how to do stained glass, and no summer off with my kids. Did I mention they're putting in HUGE water park about 2 miles from my house?

And let's admit it, I think I have a huge case of survivor's guilt along with a gigantic dollop of envy. For everyone who got laid off, it's over. No more of this insane game of Survivor, waiting to see who gets voted off the island, or in this case, out of the Dilbertville maze of padded cubes.

I have all these emotions swirling around me, and I've no idea how I'm supposed to feel. I had decided, back when this whole mess started, that I would leave it all up to the powers that be and not worry about it. I must have failed miserably in that effort, or why else would I feel so conflicted and miserable now?

Fantasy over Robert Pattinson

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:26:13 GMT

Okay, I'm sitting here in my living room, watching (enduring) the movie "Twilight" with my twelve year old daughter. Yes, I want a freaking medal for this. But I had to share my Robert Pattinson fantasy. See, I really enjoyed "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and I was certain that Pattinson would be going somewhere in his career. Apparently, that is taking him to the hearts and bedroom walls of girls all over the world. It certainly has my daughter asking things like "How would you make out with a vampire?"

And I'm entertaining this fantasy... Join me, ladies of a certain age. I want to find this guy, where ever he may be... stalk him relentlessly... Then mug his scruffy ass, comb that damned hair, button that stupid shirt ALL the way to the top, slap a bow tie around his neck and slap that stupid smirk off his face!

He's cute. Gotcha. He's rich, or rapidly getting there. GAWD, get a grip, boy. Then go google River Phoenix and catch a clue!

Anybody want to join me?

It's a boy!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:44:12 GMT

We have had our new dog for a week, and after mucking about for far too long and I'm sure confusing the poor mutt as we experimented with different names, I had had enough. Thursday night I made everyone sit down and wouldn't let them go to bed until we came up with a name. An hour later, and having worked our way through most of a baby name book, the winner is... Stewart.

Here's a picture of him I took this evening, two days after getting back from the groomers, and about 2 hours after he discovered we had moles in the back yard. My husband says he had a grand time digging and snuffling through the dirt before I got home. You can see that his feet and muzzle are a bit dirty.

I wondered if it would have done any good to remind my DH that I just blew $50 on getting him all prettified, but I fear it would have been lost on the man. He has never cared about outward appearances, and while I cringe that he's let the kids go out in clothes that don't match or jeans that show three more inches of my daughter's knobby ankles because she's had another growth spurt, he could not care less.

Oh, well. Like kids and clothes, he'll wash.

New member of the family

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:15:44 GMT

Well, we went ahead and got a dog on Saturday. The new guy is a West Highland Terrier, apparently mixed with a little Bichon since his hair is much silkier and curlier than a regular Westie. However, he has the same square build, face and ears of a Westie, and much of the same attitude. They come with lots of attitude, most of it good.

I must say, adopting an adult dog from shelter is much, much better than the puppy routine. You know there's no such thing as a free puppy... but I can say that spending a $200 "adoption fee" is worth it when the dog is neutered, up to date on his shots, heartworm tested and started on heartworm preventative, wormed, and above all HOUSEBROKEN already! He's had one accident in his crate yesterday morning, but we were running late getting him outside in the morning. He barked at us as my husband was dragging on his jeans and looking for his shoes... by the time we got there, it was too late.

Gillian especially is in love with the little guy, and Henry is much more hands-on than I expected. Unfortunately, he's also having a lot of allergy issues. I'm hoping that it's the outside weather and not the dog. I'd hate to break both their hearts by having to return him because Henry can't breathe. (Not to mention the probably $450 I've already shelled out.)

No name has been decided yet. Rory was the name they had on him in the shelter. We've considered: Baxter, Gimli, Riley, Tycho, Felix, Finn, Einstein, Wallace, Gromet, Sprocket, Harry (as the pun on hairy, nothing to do with Harry Potter) and about a dozen others. Nothing seems to fit, yet.

I'll try to get a picture posted here soon.

First post - whoopee

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:56:33 GMT

Okay, here I am. First entry...

.....

Anybody hear those crickets chirping?

Well, I'm thinking about adopting a dog. My son had allergies when he was younger, and once had an asthma attack after spending some time with a dog. However, that was four years ago, and he hasn't needed an inhaler or nebulizer treatment for over two years. Tomorrow, I'm going to take him and his sister to the local shelter and let them spend some time with some of the younger dogs. I don't want a puppy at this point, but it might be best to let him warm up to the idea of a dog with something small and cuddly.

For some reason, the kid just doesn't like dogs. I wouldn't say he's afraid of them, but he's definitely wary of them. This is the same kid that, when bored, goes hunting for snakes in the backyard (and frequently finds them - he brings them to me to show me). The last time we were at a mall that was having an adoption fair, I fell in love with the cutest fluffy golden retriever pup. I tried to get him to come over and pet the puppy, and what does he do? Stands with his back to the wall, watching the adorable ball of fluff in my lap like it was going to explode or something!

Anyway, I'm hoping that he'll get more interested in the idea of a pet - at least, one that has hair and a self-maintaining body temperature. His pet lizard is cute, but hardly the cuddly type.