Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Today is my best birthday ever...

I am 33 today.

So why is this the best birthday ever? Well, I survived my mini-triathlon (finishing middle of the pack among the 19 competitors) and completed it in less than 1 hr.

But most of all, it's because I get to experience these two little peanuts on a daily basis:



Doesn't that photo sum up what the next 15 years will hold? :-)

Monday, July 30, 2007

A few things...

1. I sent in my resume on Friday for the outside position. That afternoon, "Jill" (the Manager there who used to be my coworker) called me to say how thrilled she was to see my resume. She told me she would be reviewing all the resumes this past weekend, and would be booking interviews for later this week. She said she would be in touch, and seeing me soon.

2. On a related job note, our new VP starts on Monday (who I will report to directly until they hire for the position that I'm currently filling). I have no idea what to expect, but I almost hope the other search (mentioned above) takes a bit of time so I can get a feel for the new guy and how he operates. If he's a jerk, it will make my decision alot simpler. If he's great, my decision will be much tougher.

3. I did Dragon Boat racing on Saturday. Has anyone ever done that before? It was my fourth year participating with the University team. We finished 11 out of 32 teams (our best ever in 8 years). Not bad for a thrown-together team of some staff and students - no faculty participate ever. Even if I end up working elsewhere, I would like to continue doing this as an alumni down the road. We have a blast, and I don't get out on the water often enough :-)

4. Tomorrow is the mini-triathlon, and my 33 birthday. I'm going down to the pool at lunch for one more crack at things. On Saturday, I did the Dragon Boat racing, then went for a light jog in the evening and then did 30 minutes on the elliptical. Yesterday, I did nothing to train. Today, I will swim, and maybe do a bike ride this evening. I don't want to overdo it today and end up injuring myself for tomorrow (it's also supposed to be really hot and humid. Yay.). I'll ask my DW to post something on OT in case the triathlon kills me. If it doesn't, who knows what crazy thing I'll try next.

5. I got to play my electric guitar in a performance last night for the first time in a while (I usually play acoustic). I ended up busting a string half-way through the set (I'm pretty sure it was my g-string *snicker*), and didn't have any spares to re-string. *sigh* Nothing more embarassing than snapping your g-string in the middle of a performance.

6. Do you guys remember Wheezy? She wrote a book, scheduled for distribution next spring. You can, however, pre-order the book through Amazon at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1416953574/simonsayscom (I'm too lazy to figure out how to embed a link on blogger). Go and do it now. Let's get her on the NY Times bestseller list. Kimmah has a link on her blog too.

7. I had a salmon/cirtus salad for lunch yesterday that was sooooooo good. I'm still thinking about it.

8. Crap. It's almost noon. I have to go swim. I might continue this later, but for now, it's a list of ... nine. I thought of something else.

9. My oh my, how I wish I could have been on Carey & MM's date. That is all.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Need advice.....

...on a couple of work issues.

Scenario #1)

The manager position from our Department has been vacant for more than 2 years.

One of our team members was named Acting Manager at the time of the inital vacancy. She lasted through several failed searches, before deciding to call it quits at the end of May (although a new search is underway, and interviews are being conducted).

When she left, I suggested (as the most senior person here), that we should have someone in the Acting Manager role until the position is permanently filled, to maintain consistency and accountability in the office. It was decided, in conjunction with HR, that I should take over this role (efffective June 1).

This is what gets me though: HR sent through the paperwork as follows - "In the event that this apointment is longer than 3 months in duration, we would review your compensation to determine a provisional increase for the additional duties you are undertaking." So basically, if they start someone by Aug. 31, I see no compensation for the nearly three months of extra work and responsibility. And even if I do make it past the 3 month mark, I have no idea what kind of compensation I should expect. What if they offer me an extra $100 bucks, and tell me to take it or leave it? There would be no recourse because I've already done the work.

I'm really bothered by this, but wonder if this is common practice. Anybody else have experience in this kind of thing? Any suggestions?

Scenario #2)

Secondly, remember that external position that I applied for? The one that the lady I had been mentoring got, while I didn't even get an interview?

Well, she forwarded me a job posting about a new position in her office (to see if I knew of anyone who would be interested). The reporting structure would be reporting to her. On Saturday, I happened to run into her at the grocery store, where we discussed it a bit more. She indicated that the position would be similar to my current position, but the salary would run anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 more than what I'm making now. I joked that given the crap I'm facing at my job, that maybe I would apply. Her face lit up, and she started to hard sell me on the idea. The position closes this Friday.

I always said that my next move would not be lateral - I prefer to move into some area of management. However, I have a good relationship with this lady, and the pay is much more than what I have now. It wouldn't necessarily be a great move for my professional career (nor a bad one), but would help me out financially. My question is, would you find it awkward to work for somebody given the scenario we went through just a couple months ago?

What to do..... what to do......

Friday, July 20, 2007

I am doing a triathlon...

... and it will likely kill me.

I am confirmed my participation in a mini-triathlon on our campus in a week and a half.

I have been contemplating this for a couple of weeks now, and been training in my sporadic fashion to try and get myself somewhat prepared.

It includes a 100 metre swim in the pool, a 12.4 km route on bike (around the campus), and then a 3 km run/walk/crawl to the finish. It can be done for competition or for recreation, but is intended to give the average mortal a taste of what a triathlon entails.

On Wednesday, as part of my training, I went for a 10 km bike ride, then went for a 1 km run/walk, took a 45 minute break, and then went and played ultimate frisbee for a couple of hours, and seemed to be okay. The biking and run/walk don't really concern me, except that I've never done those distances back/back.

This morning, I faced my biggest challenge: the pool. I have never been a swimmer (If you asked me if I could swim, I would answer: "Just barely.") I got up early and made it here just after 7 a.m. Went down to the pool where it was me and about 25 seniors.

I didn't drown, but I do realize that it is going to be very difficult for me to do even 100 metres. The only stroke I could do even remotely well (meaning making some movement) was the backstroke, which causes some difficulty when you can't see where you're going, and isn't really condusive to a triathlon.

I made friends with the two female lifeguards (I guess I was a bit of a novelty among the many seniors they typically see that early in the morning), so they gave me a few tips. I'll be back again a few times next week to see if I can do it.

I'm not doing this for any type of competition: it's just something I've always wanted to try. I think I'm likely in the best shape of my life right now, so I figured it was worth a shot. Oh, did I mention it's also taking place on my birthday? My 33rd birthday?

Yeah, so I figure a triathlon on my 33rd birthday is destiny: I have to do it. Even if it means drowning.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Potty training and the like.....

1. DD started potty training last week, and has essentially become a pro at it. Yesterday, she got 8 stickers and had 0 accidents. Woohoo! Fewer diapers to buy!

2. I had my annual review with my Little Brother last night (and the caseworker from Big Brothers). This month marks our 4 year anniversary of being matched. He is an awesome kid and I can see us being friends for a long, long time. He's 13 now, and just got through some major surgeries on his legs (had some muscles restructured, stretched and moved) so he's in two leg casts for the next 5 weeks. The thing is? He's totally making the best of it, not complaining, and keeps looking at the bright side of things. Last night he was asked what he's learned from me since we've been matched. If anything, I've been the one learning about myself.

3. Meemo Jr. is now the proud owner of his first tooth. That partially explains all the wetness I described below.

4. Looks like the cruise is a-go. We're scheduling to go during hurricane season (our anniversary is Oct. 25), but we're getting cancellation insurance, and we like living on the edge ;-) Nothing is officially booked yet, but likely will be by the end of the week.

5. It's my birthday in two weeks, and I realize that I really don't want anything this year (well, other than to meet a few more of you blogger peeps).

6. I did an audit of my holidays, and realize I still have 13.5 days left for the year. That's nearly 3 weeks! *starts looking at calendar to see what days to take off*

7. The state of my desk has been a running joke here for the past couple of years - absolutely disasterous. I finally cleaned it on Friday, and nobody can believe it. Of course, I can't find anything now :-)

8. I'm going to end at 8, because I have a meeting to go to. I really didn't intend to make a list anyways, but you got one.

*smooches*

Thursday, July 12, 2007

My new Mac...

...has a built in camera.

Which picture is the most flattering?

a) Serious Meemo

b) Angry Alien-head Meemo



c) Warped Meemo



d) or Regular Meemo



Maybe one of these should be my new avatar :-)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

I'm a bachelor

DW took the two kids and went up to a camp for a couple of days, so I'm home alone.

With my newfound freedom, I am going to get a haircut after work, will likely eat out, and watch TV tonight (while doing laundry).

That is, unless someone wants to come over and party tonight. Any takers?

I'm also taking tomorrow off to go golfing (stoopid thunderstorms better stay away) with a couple friends I don't see often. I'm looking forward to it.

Finally, I was doing some internet vacation planning (it's our 10-year anniversary in October) and realized that I could get us a seven-day Caribbean cruise for $1,500. That includes air. For both of us -- as in $750 each. I think I'm going to book.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

No rock star, no cry

Well, the rock stars didn't happen for me.

We did go to the concert hesitently, as our daughter was running a fever (around 101) for most of the day. My parents were taking her over night so that we didn't have to worry about her. We had a babysitter watching our son at home.

We got down to the show around 7 p.m. (it was to start at 8 p.m.) and moved right up towards the front of the stage after walking around the grounds. (During that time, we passed by and spoke briefly to the guys from the House Band, including Paul, Nate, Raphael and Sasha . It was an outdoor venue, with no actually seating. Either you stood, sat on lawn chairs, or planted yourself on the ground. We were about three-people deep from the stage, so decided to camp out there.

Nothing happened until about 8:40 p.m. when the opening band came out. They were called Fairfield or something, and were okay - but most of their eight songs sounded the same. During their concert, we could see Dilana, Marty and Suzie at various times back stage and such.

Fairfield played until about 9:20 p.m. and we were told it would be a little while longer before the main act. At 9:45, my mom called on the cell phone to say that DD's fever had gone up (she was approaching 103) and suggested it might be best if we come home.

Sigh. So we missed out on the concert. Of course, my daughter's health is paramount (she had a rough weekend, but is doing much better now), but this is definitely a show I wanted to see.

From what I've seen on rockband.com, the set was a good one too:

Ty was up first - Cult of Personality, I Believe in Love, No Woman No Cry, Fire

Storm - Suffragette City, Surrender, Ladylike, Uninvited (in tribute to playing in Canada-Alanis Morrisette song)

Marty - Take me Out, Don't Change, Trees, Wish You Were Here

Dilana - an original song, Zombie, Mother Mother, She Talks to Angels, Roxanne

Suzie - Losing my Religion, Bring it on Home, Hung Up, Bohemian Rhapsody

Oh well.