Archive of Marcia's Musings September 17-23, 2001
Sunday, September 23, 2001
The Usual Agenda
Today was full of the usual agenda-- Costco run, grocery store, a little laundry. I thought I was going to have to throw in a trip to the mall but, I got lucky: I've lost enough weight to fit into old jeans of mine (from 2-1/2 years ago!!) and a pair that Natali brought with her on that last trip she made up here!!! Man, was I excited and surprised!!!
Then, after watching Brian do all of his stuff this afternoon, I had to lay down and take a nap-- I was just too tired! ;>) Now, I've got a pot of chili on the stove and other than that, I've pretty much done everything that I've wanted to do this weekend. The weekends are still too short but, if I get everything that I want to do done, I shouldn't complain too much about it.
I've been reading Nicholas Evans' The Loop-- I don't think I've remembered to tell you that. I bought the book for Brian a few years back but, he decided it was "not his kind of book" (read: not science fiction or Tom Clancy) so he didn't want to read it.
I've really been enjoying it and had a particularly hard time putting it down last night to go to sleep-- I'm almost finished with it. Its really good and I've enjoyed it and, actually, with the half-wolf dog we have for a neighbor, learned a few things about her behavior that helps to understand where she's coming from when she barks at us. Oh, well, his loss!
No Early Bicycling
Since I don't like getting out in the cold (yes, I'm a wimp), I'm not going to ride until after work. With the time change not having happened yet, when I get home from work, it is still light out so, until I get my stationary bike, I'll ride at night this week.
Have a good evening!
Saturday, September 22, 2001Not Cheap!!
Before I left to go in search of a stationary bicycle, Brian and I had a chat about how even though I'm reluctant to spend money on this bike, I need to spend some money so that I get a quality bike. When I got to the store, I saw what he meant. There were ones that had a "belt" that I'm pretty sure will wear out pretty quickly and there were ones with fans that looked like they would spin off their axle. Then I found the one that I've bought-- it is the Proform 940S. Fewer working parts that are liable to fall off-- I like that and, it is similar to the style that I used at the health club I went to a few years back.
He was right-- I needed to go higher than I wanted to but, it'll be worth it in the long run. Now, if we could only agree on where it is going to be used . . . ;>)
More Running . . .
From there, we went to Home Depot and Orchard Supply in the mad search for an American Flag-- the unsuccessful search, I might add. It is starting to get really old, let me tell ya!!
Brian worked on the lawn and picked up the lawn mower that his bosses are giving us-- he's thrilled needless to say. In the meantime, I picked up around here a little and painted some more ornaments.
Thanks . . . All Around
First, because Scott helped us move we took he and Jan out for dinner and then, because I helped Jan when her ribs were broken, they took us out for dinner! Yeah, it was interesting but a bit confusing at first. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and had good food and good conversation, as usual. They live at our old apartment complex so hopefully, we'll be able to keep in touch.
Second, for coming by-- I know there are a lot of things that are more important than reading someone's journal pages so I just wanted to relay to you that I'm grateful that you stop by, for the communication and for the reaching out to me that you do and that I do to you-- its good to be in this community, eh?
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Well, that's it for me for tonight-- take care and have a nice evening.
Friday, September 21, 2001
PM UpdateYes, Well, I'm Sure You Did Notice
But it wasn't my fault: there were connectivity problems again last night. (Not a Good Thing.) By the time we had service restored, I was in bed reading and, while I got out of bed to check email, I'm not sure how I found my way back-- that's how tired I was!!
Oh, well, yesterday was a fairly uneventful day anyway so you didn't miss anything. Other than a staff meeting call (my manager is on the other side of the country), today appears to be just about as uneventful again! Yeesh!!
Indecisive
Yes, I'm terrible at making unnecessary, un-life-threatening decisions. I think I've mentioned this before, haven't I? Well, this morning, I was supposed to go riding, of course but, I decided at 6:08am (5:48 real time) when the alarm went off that I wasn't going to go this morning but, instead, I would ride tonight. By 6:17am (5:57 real time), I'd changed my mind because I was feeling guilty about not going riding. Brian, of course, had a good chuckle about that and tightened his grip around me, reminding me that I needed to just go with the decision I'd made earlier.
Yeah, but what if I claim to be tired tonight-- I gotta keep this up!!
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Barring problems with connectivity tonight, I'll be back later.
Have a swell day!
This morning I realized something: getting out of bed at o'dark-thirty in 40-50 degree weather is not going to be fun. It is also not going to be something that I'll want to do and I have to want to do it.
This weekend we are doing something that most people don't do because it isn't a good investment: we're going to buy an exercise bicycle of some sort for me to use in the livingroom (or my office) in the morning and/or night and/or both. I know that I will use it-- I'm thinking that if it is in the livingroom, I could watch the news from 6-7am and get more exercise than I am presently getting. That would be a Good Thing! On weekends, I could still go on "live" rides but, it is going to be too cold for me to go outside soon and I know me-- I won't go and that's NOT a Good Thing.
I've done a little research already and it isn't going to be easy to find what I'm looking for-- I refuse to pay more than $150 for an exercise bicycle. I'm sure I can find it for less but it may require waiting for shipping. (I've already found one online that I can buy for less than that but I won't have it for a couple of weeks.) We'll see what tomorrow brings-- who knows, I may get lucky.
Too Good to Last
Well, I don't agree with Bob's comments on G.W.'s speech last night-- we couldn't agree forever, it was inevitable, I suppose. My only reaction or concern is that I don't want to wait two years to respond to this attack. I also don't want him to over-react and fire off at everyone-- I just want him to respond fairly but quickly.
As far as appointment of Tom Ridge to a new cabinet post of "Secretary of Homeland Security" . . . that's a job I wouldn't want!! If he screws that up, a negative performance could mean thousands more people are killed!! Not an enviable position to be in, for sure!
So we're going to watch the special tonight "A Tribute to Heroes". I'm looking forward to it but it is kinda sad that they can't "gather" in the same place for fear of an attack. Yeah, well, this whole situation is pretty sad-- who would've thought we'd come to this? Yeesh!
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Have a good night . . .
Thursday, September 20, 2001Safe Arrival
My niece, Natali, has arrived safe and sound in Brazil-- thanks for your concern!! Wow, that's an amazing load off my mind! I received a very exuberantly happy sounding email from her mother this morning-- Sue was also much relieved, I could tell.
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No bicycling this morning-- Monday-Wednesday-Friday only (there's no sense in killing myself!) ;>)
More to come, I'm sure . . .
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
PM UpdateSomething Borrowed . . .
While perusing the Usual Suspects this morning, I ran across the American flag graphic, above, on Ann Dominik's site so I borrowed it. While its a little late for my wedding, at this time in our history, I don't think its a bad to borrow something red, white and blue from a friend.
Thanks, Ann!!
Faster Ride
Today, I went out to the garage at my usual time-- 5:50am but, instead of getting geared up for my ride, I had to stop and check the tire pressure on the bicycle tires. After that was finished, I got on my gear (gloves, helmet, and facemask) and set out to ride. I was back in the house by 6:32am which means that I did the ride way (WAY!!) faster today than I have in a long time. I don't know why I did but I did and I'm not going to complain about it!! That raises the level of intensity, thus raising the number of points I "earn" on Weight Watchers!! Yippee!!!
Onward and Upward
Another day in our mundane existence begins . . . it is worth it if only to show that we, the United States of America, can and will come out better on the other side of this tragedy.
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Take a moment to smile and have a simple thought-- then, have a good day while you're at it!!**********
Happy Anniversary . . .. . . this time it goes to Tom & Leah-- I meant to "announce" it this morning and then, plum forgot it!! Hey, Leah-- how many years have you
been putting up with him-- err, oops, I mean, married-- yeah, that's the ticket-- how many years have you been married????Tattle-Tale!!
My "riding companion" hasn't been seen except from a distance the last two days that I've ridden my bike (Monday & Wednesday). She apparently didn't like getting told to stay on the sidewalk.
This morning, I finally remembered to call the school that she goes to and I told them about her: 1) arrives at school by 6:30am or earlier; 2) doesn't ride in the street but rides in the street and on the sidewalk, bouncing back-n-forth between the two of them endangering herself and those around her, i.e., ME; 3) wears dark clothing; and most importantly, 4) its 6AM-- where are her PARENTS?????? The secretary's reaction was first: "SHE??? This is a female student???"
The secretary that I spoke to was vigorously taking notes as I continued to express my concern. There are weirdos around out there and this child is not safe, showing up at school that early let alone being on the street!!! Kids shouldn't be allowed to show up in the dark at school-- the school's rules say no earlier than 7:50am. That being the case, she is obviously breaking a couple of rules that could endanger herself-- again!! This just isn't right!!!
The school's principal called to respond to me this afternoon: "We agree!!" The janitor will be arriving at school at 6:30am tomorrow morning (instead of 7am) so he can try to find out who she is. If that isn't earlier enough, he'll come earlier the next day and the next day until they find out who she is and deal with her and the parents.
From there, the next step is going to be to remind all of their students about bicycle safety and clothing that makes them more visible, reflectors, etc.
Cool!! I was really glad to hear their response: The little girl may be ticked at me cuz she'll know it was me that turned her in-- the parents, too-- but at least she'll be safe!!
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Since I've been home, I've made my lunch for tomorrow (cauliflower with cheese sauce), my dinner-- Brian wanted something completely different-- of eggs and toast, painted some Christmas ornaments and run two loads of laundry. Now, I'm going to go relax as soon as the last load is out of the dryer. What an exciting night, eh? Oh, yeah . . .
Have a nice evening--
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
PM UpdateNo Publishing Allowed
There was a problem with the server that houses our websites last night so not only could you not get to them, I couldn't get to them to publish last night's post either! Oh, well-- all is well now and I'm sure that Brian will explain it to you much better than I could begin to tell you!
Big Plan for Today
I've got my laptop scheduled to have Office 2000 installed on it!! Big whoop, huh? Yeah, well, it beats having my computer crashed by customers sending me documents that it can't read! (Or at least, that's the excuse given to me by the MIS Department.)
One Week Plus
Our lives being forever changed as they were a week ago today, take time to say a prayer or peaceful reflection for the victims and the innocents from last week. The road ahead is going to be very rough but we'll come out ahead in the long run.
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More to come . . .**********
Due to time constraints, Delanae Crider has decided to drop out of the Netwidows.net and Netwidows.org. I've re-set those pages on the portals-- she'll be missed but her schedule just didn't permit going back to posting.
One Week Plus
We have our candle lit again tonight for two reasons: one because there's supposed to be a satellite scheduled to photograph everyone's lit candles and the second reason because it is the first week anniversary of the day that changed our history. It has changed-- it isn't the same and will never be again but, we will persevere and move forward against the struggle that awaits us. We will win the fight, the battle and the war.
More of the Same
At work it was more of the same: more conference calls and cancelled conference calls and conference calls that were never scheduled but, oh, what the hey-- if I've got about two hours, sure, I can talk with ya!! It is definitely end of quarter!!
My only conference call for tomorrow was re-scheduled to next week-- it should be an interesting conference call since the customer has had at least four "Proofs of Concept" for the same product and still think that their secretaries are going to use the software!! It is going to be a grueling negotiation since they obviously don't understand the software-- I can hardly wait.
New Magnet on the Fridge!!
Oh, by the way-- there's a new magnet on our refrigerator:
Oh, yeah-- I'm beaming, glowing and looking forward to my bicycle ride in the morning with new enthusiasm!!
Have a nice evening!
Monday, September 17, 2001
PM UpdateHappy Birthday,Leah!!!
Yes, indeed-- it is Leah Syroid's birthday today!! If you haven't sent her a birthday greeting yet, why don'tcha? (Click here to do so) Have a good birthday, Kiddo-- but don't eat tooooo much cake!!
Full Day
Its another full day of conference calls-- almost end-o-quarter, don'tcha know? The working part of the document is done-- we've just gotta talk the agreement through the fulfillment group.
More later, I'm sure but not much has changed this morning since last night's post.
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The Big Deal Conference CallWow-- talk about anti-climactic!! The big conference call that I had scheduled for today lasted all of about 5 minutes. We needed to make some decisions internally and we made them. Now the ball is in the customer's court and we'll see how they come back on the serve.
Apparently Still Inoperative
We sent a bid package last Thursday by an overnight carrier that shall remain nameless. On Friday I received overnight courier packages so we figured that meant that they were once again flowing around the country, if not the world. Apparently, that is not the case. This morning we checked to see where the package from Thursday was-- it was still in Oakland. They hadn't been cleared for take-offs yet so the packages weren't going anywhere. Great! So much for that bid!
This is the same state that demanded that we overnight the bid to them; yes, the same that I called to remind that there were no overnight couriers. Now, he's saying he can't take the faxed version of our bid. I reminded him of our conversation and what he had said to me-- he told me that he said no such thing and that he was hanging up the phone!! I was ticked, needless to say.
Upon finding out that all of the carriers are still grounded, however, it seems impossible that anyone else's bid got to them though-- unless it was hand-delivered. Yes, that's possible but not likely-- we'll have to see how it goes out from here. We can appeal it but that, of course, takes time.
I have to point out that the outside sales rep called this customer and the customer was really nice to him-- even said that they were considering our bid in light of the incidents from last week and our not being able to send in the original. Why he couldn't say it to me, I don't know. The inside sales rep and I had a good laugh-- maybe that State employee thinks he'll be negotiating the terms and conditions with that outside sales rep. Guess what? His thinking is very wrong, isn't it? ;>) Oh, well! There was a line in Pretty Woman that kept going through our minds: "Big mistake . . . huge!"
At the time of this writing, the servers are down at Greg Lincoln's so, now that I've paid bills for the month, I'm going to go have some fun working on ornaments.
Have a nice evening!
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