Welcome to Summer!!!
The official "Summer Kick-off" weekend is here. That calls for a BBQ and the official Caribbean National Anthem -- everybody get your body moving to the beat and sing-a-long. Not sure of the tune and words? Well here are the words and I bet you know the tune!
Ole ole, Ole ole,
Ole ole, Ole ole
Me mind on fire, me soul on fire,
Feeling hot hot hot
Other people, All around me,
Feeling hot hot hot
What to do, on a night like this
Music's sweet, I can't resist
We need a party sound
It's fun, they'll get to jam
So we can um bum bum bum
Yeah we'll um bum bum bum
Feeling hot hot hot
Feeling hot hot hot
Ole ole, Ole ole,
Ole ole, Ole ole
Me mind on fire, me soul on fire,
Feeling hot hot hot
Other people, All around me,
Feeling hot hot hot
What to do, on a night like this
Music's sweet, I can't resist
We need a party sound
It's fun, they'll get to jam
So we can um bum bum bum
Yeah we'll um bum bum bum
Feeling hot hot hot
Feeling hot hot hot
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Thursday, May 27, 2004
"Bad Day"
I'm having one of "those weeks" where I'm rethinking my employment at Watkins. With the HR Recruiter now living in Hawaii, it seems the majority of his job has landed on my desk. The stress level has more than doubled with the demands that everything be done NOW. Of course, without any proper training either. Things I had specifically asked to be shown, I was told "don't worry, someone else would be handling that process". Well, that process is on my desk and all without the knowledge the "someone else" possesses.
I've put in way too many hours doing other people's work, while my own work goes on the back burner. Yesterday, I was finally seeing the light at the end of the paperwork, when we lost power. Against my better judgement, I chose to go out to lunch with the rest of the office workers. With no outside lighting and only one emergency light in the office, it wasn't like we could do any work. Our discussion at lunch turned to the heirarchy at Watkins and job progressions. That's when I discovered NO ONE is considered for any position in manangement unless they have worked the dock. Even the HR Recruiter would not have been considered for a management position unless he voluntarily accepted a demotion to "Manifest Clerk".
We returned to the office (90 minutes later), the power had returned. Of course I was now 90 minutes behind in my work with fresh "must do now" demands coming from the Operations Manager. More demands from Lakeland because the "managers" in our office wouldn't know how to read and fill out a form properly if their lives depended on it. Quite frankly, they don't care if the form is filled out properly. They completely ignore the requests for more information from Lakeland.
This morning, I updated my resume and will start sending them out, again. With all that I have seen and heard at Watkins, I won't be staying with the company. I'm having a very difficult time holding my tongue with management, that can't be bothered with doing anything for themselves and expect me to do all their paperwork at 1/2 their pay. All this, while they know I will never be considered to work as their equal.
I'm having one of "those weeks" where I'm rethinking my employment at Watkins. With the HR Recruiter now living in Hawaii, it seems the majority of his job has landed on my desk. The stress level has more than doubled with the demands that everything be done NOW. Of course, without any proper training either. Things I had specifically asked to be shown, I was told "don't worry, someone else would be handling that process". Well, that process is on my desk and all without the knowledge the "someone else" possesses.
I've put in way too many hours doing other people's work, while my own work goes on the back burner. Yesterday, I was finally seeing the light at the end of the paperwork, when we lost power. Against my better judgement, I chose to go out to lunch with the rest of the office workers. With no outside lighting and only one emergency light in the office, it wasn't like we could do any work. Our discussion at lunch turned to the heirarchy at Watkins and job progressions. That's when I discovered NO ONE is considered for any position in manangement unless they have worked the dock. Even the HR Recruiter would not have been considered for a management position unless he voluntarily accepted a demotion to "Manifest Clerk".
We returned to the office (90 minutes later), the power had returned. Of course I was now 90 minutes behind in my work with fresh "must do now" demands coming from the Operations Manager. More demands from Lakeland because the "managers" in our office wouldn't know how to read and fill out a form properly if their lives depended on it. Quite frankly, they don't care if the form is filled out properly. They completely ignore the requests for more information from Lakeland.
This morning, I updated my resume and will start sending them out, again. With all that I have seen and heard at Watkins, I won't be staying with the company. I'm having a very difficult time holding my tongue with management, that can't be bothered with doing anything for themselves and expect me to do all their paperwork at 1/2 their pay. All this, while they know I will never be considered to work as their equal.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
What a week!
Again, it was a hectic work week. Our HR Recruiter moved to Maui and I have been assigned several of his duties. Was I wrong to think not much would be happening in HR until a replacement was found. Just yesterday I typed (yes, they still use typewriters!) 4 status change forms, 2 change of address forms, processed 1 new hire and 1 termination. Then I spent about an hour at the copier, making copies of all the paperwork being sent to the corporate office.
Late Thursday afternoon one "rumor" was finally confirmed. The New England District Manager, Mike, was promoted to Vice President of the Southwest Region. His official last day was friday and he flies to Dallas on Monday. My boss, Jeff, is next in line for Mike's job as DM.
If that isn't enough people shuffling for you, how about the District Secretary, Doreen, has applied for the HR Recruiter's job. If she is moved to the HR position, that will leave the District Secretary job open. Chances are very good that job will be offered to me.
On the homefront, I broke down today and purchased an air conditioner. I don't want to find out how miserable I can be this summer with hot flashes. This is not the "normal" place in the window A/C. It's a portable A/C AND dehumidfier. It doesn't go in the window but has a vent hose (like a dryer vent) that is placed in the window. The unit is freestanding and on wheels. This means I can easily move it from room to room and I never have lift it in and out of the window. It also has a 24-hr timer so I can set it to a warmer temp, while I'm at work. The filter is a reusable filter, so that won't need to be replaced. It can be washed and reinserted.
Debbie and I are going to a play tonight in West Hartford. I kept thinking it was a play by Shakespeare but it's not. It's "The Lion In Winter" by James Goldman. Prior to the play we're going to check out a local pub - Duffy's Bar and Grill. Sounds like it should be a fun place and it's a block from the playhouse. If we like the place, we'll probably spend some "Happy Hour" time there.
Again, it was a hectic work week. Our HR Recruiter moved to Maui and I have been assigned several of his duties. Was I wrong to think not much would be happening in HR until a replacement was found. Just yesterday I typed (yes, they still use typewriters!) 4 status change forms, 2 change of address forms, processed 1 new hire and 1 termination. Then I spent about an hour at the copier, making copies of all the paperwork being sent to the corporate office.
Late Thursday afternoon one "rumor" was finally confirmed. The New England District Manager, Mike, was promoted to Vice President of the Southwest Region. His official last day was friday and he flies to Dallas on Monday. My boss, Jeff, is next in line for Mike's job as DM.
If that isn't enough people shuffling for you, how about the District Secretary, Doreen, has applied for the HR Recruiter's job. If she is moved to the HR position, that will leave the District Secretary job open. Chances are very good that job will be offered to me.
On the homefront, I broke down today and purchased an air conditioner. I don't want to find out how miserable I can be this summer with hot flashes. This is not the "normal" place in the window A/C. It's a portable A/C AND dehumidfier. It doesn't go in the window but has a vent hose (like a dryer vent) that is placed in the window. The unit is freestanding and on wheels. This means I can easily move it from room to room and I never have lift it in and out of the window. It also has a 24-hr timer so I can set it to a warmer temp, while I'm at work. The filter is a reusable filter, so that won't need to be replaced. It can be washed and reinserted.
Debbie and I are going to a play tonight in West Hartford. I kept thinking it was a play by Shakespeare but it's not. It's "The Lion In Winter" by James Goldman. Prior to the play we're going to check out a local pub - Duffy's Bar and Grill. Sounds like it should be a fun place and it's a block from the playhouse. If we like the place, we'll probably spend some "Happy Hour" time there.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Shopping
I finally shopped for garden flowers and veggies today! The back seat of my car was loaded with Impatiens, Coleus, Mini Pansies, Petunias, Sweet Basil, Dill, Chives, Oregano, Bell Peppers, String Beans and Tomatoes. The trunk carried 4 large bags of potting soil.
After shopping I went to Debbie's for a birthday cookout. Dinner was a joint effort. Fred cooked the burgers and dogs, Debbie made the potato and pasta salads and Peter made the tossed salad and garlic dip. Debbie also made the most delicious strawberry shortcake --- Mmmmmmm good ---- and presented it to me with a lit candle. One of Freddy's long time friends stopped by with a dozen fresh bagels and cream cheese.
The first thing I did upon arriving at home, was to unload all the plants. For now they are in the back yard until I have a chance to plant them. Of course the potting soil is still in the car. I looked around and realized I don't have an outside faucet. That means running a hose from my kitchen to water the plants. Oh well, it's easier than using a watering can! Next week will be a busy one, trying to get everything planted.
I finally shopped for garden flowers and veggies today! The back seat of my car was loaded with Impatiens, Coleus, Mini Pansies, Petunias, Sweet Basil, Dill, Chives, Oregano, Bell Peppers, String Beans and Tomatoes. The trunk carried 4 large bags of potting soil.
After shopping I went to Debbie's for a birthday cookout. Dinner was a joint effort. Fred cooked the burgers and dogs, Debbie made the potato and pasta salads and Peter made the tossed salad and garlic dip. Debbie also made the most delicious strawberry shortcake --- Mmmmmmm good ---- and presented it to me with a lit candle. One of Freddy's long time friends stopped by with a dozen fresh bagels and cream cheese.
The first thing I did upon arriving at home, was to unload all the plants. For now they are in the back yard until I have a chance to plant them. Of course the potting soil is still in the car. I looked around and realized I don't have an outside faucet. That means running a hose from my kitchen to water the plants. Oh well, it's easier than using a watering can! Next week will be a busy one, trying to get everything planted.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Secret Admirer
I have a secret admirer that wants to please me. Whoever it is, has left me gifts on my front steps twice this week. I believe I know who my admirer is and can't help but laugh at the situation. You'll laugh too when I tell you the gifts are a bird and a mouse. I do believe "Bumbles" is in love with me and leaving me presents.
Yesterday I came home and found a dead crow next to my front my steps. As I left the house today, there was a dead little mouse (on it's back with feet in the air) lying at the foot of my steps. The mouse looks like an offering to a Goddess left at the foot an altar.
After seeing what is being left at the front door, I'm afraid to look out the back door! I really hate to disappoint my admirer but I don't like dead bodies!!! Does anyone out there do body removal?
I have a secret admirer that wants to please me. Whoever it is, has left me gifts on my front steps twice this week. I believe I know who my admirer is and can't help but laugh at the situation. You'll laugh too when I tell you the gifts are a bird and a mouse. I do believe "Bumbles" is in love with me and leaving me presents.
Yesterday I came home and found a dead crow next to my front my steps. As I left the house today, there was a dead little mouse (on it's back with feet in the air) lying at the foot of my steps. The mouse looks like an offering to a Goddess left at the foot an altar.
After seeing what is being left at the front door, I'm afraid to look out the back door! I really hate to disappoint my admirer but I don't like dead bodies!!! Does anyone out there do body removal?
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
New drug information:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Pfizer Corp Announcement -
Pfizer Corp. announced today that VIAGRA will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one.
Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink." Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: "MOUNT & DO".
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Pfizer Corp Announcement -
Pfizer Corp. announced today that VIAGRA will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one.
Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink." Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: "MOUNT & DO".
Interesting Happenings At Work
Yesterday, I typed a review and request to promote a person to the Operations Manager position. Which leads me to wonder where the current Operations Manager is going. Rumor has it, the District Manager applied for an opening in Atlanta and my boss is next in line for the District Manager position. I can't help but wonder if there will be a change in management in the near future. The District Secretary has applied for the position of HR Recruiter, which means there could be an opening soon for a District Secretary as well. Chances are good that if my boss were to be promoted to District Manager, I will be asked to become the District Secretary. That would mean no more playing with Payroll, telephones or insurance claims :)
Monday, May 10, 2004
1: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says: Mashed Potato Mix, dry - 1/2 cup. Gee, did you guess the closest book is a cookbook? The recipe is for Rosemary Potato Bread.
2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?: Well if I stretch my arm forward, it reaches my ashtray first. To the side, it touches nothing. If my arm could reach, the first think it would touch is my bread machine, on the other side of the dining room.
3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
4. WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is: 7:00
5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?: 7:01 (I had just looked a minute or two before)
6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?: Birds chirping, traffic on I-384
7: When did you last step outside? what were you doing?: About 5:30 pm. - coming home from work.
8: Before you came to this website, what did you look at?: I was chatting with Marsha on AOL.
9: What are you wearing?: Light tan dress slacks, off-white short sleeve sweater
10: Did you dream last night? Yes. I don't remember all of it but it had something to do with moving into a new house/apt. and the bathroom was really small.
11: When did you last laugh? Tonight when Marsha told me about a letter sent to her sister.
12: What is on the walls of the room you are in? Not a whole hell of a lot -- decorative plates, wall sconce lights.
13: Seen anything weird lately?: Yep, Stromberg payroll sofware really sucks! Today, one person appears it have worked 120 hours last week.
14: What do you think of this quiz?: It's cute and something to do
15: What is the last film you saw?: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
16: If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?: Drinks on me at J&G's.
17: Tell me something about you that I don't know: Some people know this but not everyone. I didn't speak English until I was 5 and ready to start kindergarden. My first language is Canadian French. The school wouldn't accept me in kindergarden because I didn't speak English. I never went to kindergarden and started school in the 1st grade when I was 6.
18: If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?: Eliminate political parties. They are nothing more than "labels" that don't really describe what the party really is about. I would place a low limit on how much any business or private person can donate to a campaign. Also, make it so EVERY vote counts (not the Electoral vote)and every vote is counted - prior to announcing any election results.
19: Do you like to dance? I like to slow dance :)
20: Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?: Well it's never happened for me and I do believe it's too late to happen now. However, if I had been blessed with a daughter, her name would have been Emily Elizabeth.
21: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?: I'm not too set on any male names, there are a few I like - Andrew, Jonathan, Dylan but it would probably take a little more thinking before I decided.
22: Would you ever consider living abroad? Only in the Caribbean :)
23: Will you pass on this survey? Not through e-mail but my friends are welcome to copy it from my blog.
2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?: Well if I stretch my arm forward, it reaches my ashtray first. To the side, it touches nothing. If my arm could reach, the first think it would touch is my bread machine, on the other side of the dining room.
3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
4. WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is: 7:00
5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?: 7:01 (I had just looked a minute or two before)
6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?: Birds chirping, traffic on I-384
7: When did you last step outside? what were you doing?: About 5:30 pm. - coming home from work.
8: Before you came to this website, what did you look at?: I was chatting with Marsha on AOL.
9: What are you wearing?: Light tan dress slacks, off-white short sleeve sweater
10: Did you dream last night? Yes. I don't remember all of it but it had something to do with moving into a new house/apt. and the bathroom was really small.
11: When did you last laugh? Tonight when Marsha told me about a letter sent to her sister.
12: What is on the walls of the room you are in? Not a whole hell of a lot -- decorative plates, wall sconce lights.
13: Seen anything weird lately?: Yep, Stromberg payroll sofware really sucks! Today, one person appears it have worked 120 hours last week.
14: What do you think of this quiz?: It's cute and something to do
15: What is the last film you saw?: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
16: If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?: Drinks on me at J&G's.
17: Tell me something about you that I don't know: Some people know this but not everyone. I didn't speak English until I was 5 and ready to start kindergarden. My first language is Canadian French. The school wouldn't accept me in kindergarden because I didn't speak English. I never went to kindergarden and started school in the 1st grade when I was 6.
18: If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?: Eliminate political parties. They are nothing more than "labels" that don't really describe what the party really is about. I would place a low limit on how much any business or private person can donate to a campaign. Also, make it so EVERY vote counts (not the Electoral vote)and every vote is counted - prior to announcing any election results.
19: Do you like to dance? I like to slow dance :)
20: Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?: Well it's never happened for me and I do believe it's too late to happen now. However, if I had been blessed with a daughter, her name would have been Emily Elizabeth.
21: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?: I'm not too set on any male names, there are a few I like - Andrew, Jonathan, Dylan but it would probably take a little more thinking before I decided.
22: Would you ever consider living abroad? Only in the Caribbean :)
23: Will you pass on this survey? Not through e-mail but my friends are welcome to copy it from my blog.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
I'm Still Here
I thought today would be a good day to update my blog with news.
Work:
Work has been very hectic. Corporate installed a new release for payroll that had MAJOR bugs in the software. Everytime they fixed one bug, it created five more. We had almost two weeks of reporting that needed to be corrected after the programs were fixed. I told everyone, in the office, if their paycheck was accurate, I expected a tip!
Our HR Recruiter, James, gave his notice last week. I'm contemplating putting my name in for his job. The job itself doesn't appear to be difficult but he could be efficient enough to make it look easy. I must add our terminal "appears" to be a "good old boy" office. There are no women in management positions. There is a big difference in the way office "clerks" are reviewed and the reviews of other workers. All the females are office clerks or secretaries. We are reviewed on our appearance; how neat our work area is; how helpful we are to customers; attendance and of course knowledgeable about our jobs. I haven't seen reviews for the dockworkers so I can't comment about those. However, I do know there are no women working on the dock. As for the Manages, Dispatchers, Supervisors, Manifest Clerks - they are all males. Their reviews all have to do with goal setting and reaching those goals. There is nothing in their review pertaining to appearance and clean work areas. What I find most interesting is that James is in a salaried position. He is not a manager or supervisor and yet he is reviewed the same as they are. I think it would be very interesting to get his job and see how I would be reviewed.
Health
One of the first things I did, after starting at Watkins, was to make an appointment with my OB/Gyn. It's is now official, I have started menopause. Oh this is so much fun! I absolutely love having nightsweats and hot flashes. I have another appointment at the end of May to discuss how to eliminate the hot flashes and have a bone density test. My blood pressure is great. I've lost 10 lbs. and cut my smoking to 1 pack (instead of 2 pack) since my last physical. On the downside, my cholesterol is a bit high. I think she said 228. She suggested I contact my primary physician and have that checked out further. First I need to FIND a primary physician.
Home
I have a variety of containers ready to be filled with flowers and veggies. Now I just need to purchase the plants. Several of the smaller pots will have herbs - chives, basil, oregano and dill. I want to try drying or freezing the my own herbs.
I had to stop the neighborhood kitties from coming into the house. Although they are very affectionate and friendly, my allergies got the best of me. Of course they still try to get through the door but not as often.
May
The month of May will be a very busy month. Mother's Day is the start of the year's busiest week, for me. That week will include Mother's Day, 3 birthdays and 1 wedding. I'll be spending the 14th-16th in Maine, attending my cousin's wedding. While there, I'll celebrate my birthday at
Pat's Pizza in Orono. No trip to Maine is complete without a stop at Pat's! There will also be a breakfast stop at Governor's in Stillwater.
On the 22nd, Debbie has picked up tickets for a play at a local theater in West Hartford. We're going to meet for dinner first and catch up on the latest gossip. We still need to decide where to have dinner.
Well I guess that's about it for the updates. Don't be a stranger, leave comments and say "Hi".
I thought today would be a good day to update my blog with news.
Work:
Work has been very hectic. Corporate installed a new release for payroll that had MAJOR bugs in the software. Everytime they fixed one bug, it created five more. We had almost two weeks of reporting that needed to be corrected after the programs were fixed. I told everyone, in the office, if their paycheck was accurate, I expected a tip!
Our HR Recruiter, James, gave his notice last week. I'm contemplating putting my name in for his job. The job itself doesn't appear to be difficult but he could be efficient enough to make it look easy. I must add our terminal "appears" to be a "good old boy" office. There are no women in management positions. There is a big difference in the way office "clerks" are reviewed and the reviews of other workers. All the females are office clerks or secretaries. We are reviewed on our appearance; how neat our work area is; how helpful we are to customers; attendance and of course knowledgeable about our jobs. I haven't seen reviews for the dockworkers so I can't comment about those. However, I do know there are no women working on the dock. As for the Manages, Dispatchers, Supervisors, Manifest Clerks - they are all males. Their reviews all have to do with goal setting and reaching those goals. There is nothing in their review pertaining to appearance and clean work areas. What I find most interesting is that James is in a salaried position. He is not a manager or supervisor and yet he is reviewed the same as they are. I think it would be very interesting to get his job and see how I would be reviewed.
Health
One of the first things I did, after starting at Watkins, was to make an appointment with my OB/Gyn. It's is now official, I have started menopause. Oh this is so much fun! I absolutely love having nightsweats and hot flashes. I have another appointment at the end of May to discuss how to eliminate the hot flashes and have a bone density test. My blood pressure is great. I've lost 10 lbs. and cut my smoking to 1 pack (instead of 2 pack) since my last physical. On the downside, my cholesterol is a bit high. I think she said 228. She suggested I contact my primary physician and have that checked out further. First I need to FIND a primary physician.
Home
I have a variety of containers ready to be filled with flowers and veggies. Now I just need to purchase the plants. Several of the smaller pots will have herbs - chives, basil, oregano and dill. I want to try drying or freezing the my own herbs.
I had to stop the neighborhood kitties from coming into the house. Although they are very affectionate and friendly, my allergies got the best of me. Of course they still try to get through the door but not as often.
May
The month of May will be a very busy month. Mother's Day is the start of the year's busiest week, for me. That week will include Mother's Day, 3 birthdays and 1 wedding. I'll be spending the 14th-16th in Maine, attending my cousin's wedding. While there, I'll celebrate my birthday at
Pat's Pizza in Orono. No trip to Maine is complete without a stop at Pat's! There will also be a breakfast stop at Governor's in Stillwater.
On the 22nd, Debbie has picked up tickets for a play at a local theater in West Hartford. We're going to meet for dinner first and catch up on the latest gossip. We still need to decide where to have dinner.
Well I guess that's about it for the updates. Don't be a stranger, leave comments and say "Hi".
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