Yah right. Anyone who knows me knows there's no true love. Blech! Boys...icky. Wait..not to sound as if I prefer women...because I still wika the boys.
AnyWHOOO....
So the holidays came and went. Nothing overly exciting or different happened. Other than I absolutely, positively, 100% decided to NOT BUY yet. I can't afford it just yet and REFUSE to be married to my house. I'd prefer to be married to a spouse...hahahah I'm funny today...and a poet.
"Stop rhyming and I mean it."
"Anyone want a peanut"
Know where that's from?
But I digress. Two job interviews set up for tomorrow. Two different jobs...two different locations...but all on the Microsoft campus. We shall see. Both are contract positions I'd be good in and would learn a bunch.
Finished my Christmas cards yesterday. Stop whining and caring on about how you haven't even started and stop calling me an over achiever. I HAVE to start early because I hand make my own cards. Now you can call me an over achiever. So be watching your mail for the FANTASTIC Christmas card of 2005...if you didn't get one, I'm sorry....well sorta. I'll be sending them out the end of the week...so stay tuned. And if you don't like them, no need to tell me.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Laughing...
Have you ever laughed so hard that 1) you couldn't stop and 2) your eyes watered and 3) you couldn't breath? That to me is the BEST laughing that you can have. That heart felt, soulful giggle. I've had several situations in my life that warrants a giggle. And I have a very vivid memory of a vast majority of them.
Let's start with the most recent...today.
Now for those of you who haven't met him, the main man in my life, is Pookie...my beloved cat. To sum up Pook in one word..."nutball". He has been the source a many a gut splitting giggle fests. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed let's say.
This morning’s giggle adventure starts with my flipping the channels and landing on Planet's Funniest Animals. The name rings oh so true now. Let me set the stage. Pookie is snoring on my lap, not really paying attention to anything, but demanding attention the way a cat would. Suddenly, as if shot from a cannon, he BOLTS. Stares with wild demon eyes at the TV. LAUNCHES off my lap and hits the TV at a dead run clocked at Mach 2. The TV (a 32" Toshiba that weighs a half a ton), is moved back by about an inch, my cat has a flat face and my two flamingos that were teetering on their one legs fell from the TV stand. Then as if shot from another cannon, the cat LEAPS into mid air - and as if he was scooby doo trying to escape a ghost, runs in mid air for 20 seconds then lands somewhere else. (You've all seen the clips of cats jumping straight in the air from being scared...yah imagine that).
So what, do you ask, caused such bizarre - or normal - behavior. Well a raccoon on the TV of course. Yes, the clip was of a raccoon coming into a house via a pet door. Pook spotted it and hit the TV. Then as he was "chirping" at the raccoon, the clip continues with a cat coming from behind something to scare the 'coon back out. Yah, well Pook didn't expect the cat coming from no where and did the "cartoon leap".
Needless to say, this all unfolded in milliseconds...but it got me giggling. And I couldn't stop. So I did what any sane person would do when confronted with lack of air...I called my mom. Had to share the story with mom.
Now Pookie has had many occasions in which he's done something equally as stupid as charging the TV. When he was just a kitten, he sat on a candle to snuff it out. Thank God he didn't fart.
Just a few years ago, he played Tarzan on my TV stand (its an armoire actually) and got his paws stuck between the doors and the top of the stand.
He's constantly a source of endless entertainment for me...Stay tuned; I'm sure he'll do something more outrageous and crazy soon.
Let's start with the most recent...today.
Now for those of you who haven't met him, the main man in my life, is Pookie...my beloved cat. To sum up Pook in one word..."nutball". He has been the source a many a gut splitting giggle fests. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed let's say.
This morning’s giggle adventure starts with my flipping the channels and landing on Planet's Funniest Animals. The name rings oh so true now. Let me set the stage. Pookie is snoring on my lap, not really paying attention to anything, but demanding attention the way a cat would. Suddenly, as if shot from a cannon, he BOLTS. Stares with wild demon eyes at the TV. LAUNCHES off my lap and hits the TV at a dead run clocked at Mach 2. The TV (a 32" Toshiba that weighs a half a ton), is moved back by about an inch, my cat has a flat face and my two flamingos that were teetering on their one legs fell from the TV stand. Then as if shot from another cannon, the cat LEAPS into mid air - and as if he was scooby doo trying to escape a ghost, runs in mid air for 20 seconds then lands somewhere else. (You've all seen the clips of cats jumping straight in the air from being scared...yah imagine that).
So what, do you ask, caused such bizarre - or normal - behavior. Well a raccoon on the TV of course. Yes, the clip was of a raccoon coming into a house via a pet door. Pook spotted it and hit the TV. Then as he was "chirping" at the raccoon, the clip continues with a cat coming from behind something to scare the 'coon back out. Yah, well Pook didn't expect the cat coming from no where and did the "cartoon leap".
Needless to say, this all unfolded in milliseconds...but it got me giggling. And I couldn't stop. So I did what any sane person would do when confronted with lack of air...I called my mom. Had to share the story with mom.
Now Pookie has had many occasions in which he's done something equally as stupid as charging the TV. When he was just a kitten, he sat on a candle to snuff it out. Thank God he didn't fart.
Just a few years ago, he played Tarzan on my TV stand (its an armoire actually) and got his paws stuck between the doors and the top of the stand.
He's constantly a source of endless entertainment for me...Stay tuned; I'm sure he'll do something more outrageous and crazy soon.
Monday, November 21, 2005
GO COUGS!!!!
This weekend was the world famous, always anticipated, never duplicated, Apple Cup. Okay, well maybe not world famous...and maybe not anticipated...but each year isn't a duplication of the last that's for sure.
This year my team, the WSU Cougars, rose victorious against the University of Washington Huskies. This is the second year in a row we've won the Apple Cup. Or as it was known this year the "Crapple Cup". See both teams SUCKED this year. The Cougs went into the game with an 0-6 in the conference record. While the Huskies went in with a 1-6 record. Impressive isn't it. But more impressive is the Cougs lost three conference games by only 3 points. And in three conference games were ahead between 17 and 21 points each time...and yet they managed to "Coug It". (For those of you not from this area, Coug'ing It means you've got the win in the bag, and you blow it...enormously.)
But who cares, right. The point is the Cougs won the Crapple Cup. But I must say its not nearly as exciting to win when you're basically going to be TIED for dead last. Its much more fun to be the spoiler...of which either team's spoils this year would have been ... well... nothing.
But the season's over and as one famous Husky friend put it... " Mercifully, another forgettable UW football season can fade into the mist."
This year my team, the WSU Cougars, rose victorious against the University of Washington Huskies. This is the second year in a row we've won the Apple Cup. Or as it was known this year the "Crapple Cup". See both teams SUCKED this year. The Cougs went into the game with an 0-6 in the conference record. While the Huskies went in with a 1-6 record. Impressive isn't it. But more impressive is the Cougs lost three conference games by only 3 points. And in three conference games were ahead between 17 and 21 points each time...and yet they managed to "Coug It". (For those of you not from this area, Coug'ing It means you've got the win in the bag, and you blow it...enormously.)
But who cares, right. The point is the Cougs won the Crapple Cup. But I must say its not nearly as exciting to win when you're basically going to be TIED for dead last. Its much more fun to be the spoiler...of which either team's spoils this year would have been ... well... nothing.
But the season's over and as one famous Husky friend put it... " Mercifully, another forgettable UW football season can fade into the mist."
To buy or Not to buy....
... that is the question.
So the pressure is on from all angles.
Angle #1: The folks, bless them, truly think I should be considering purchasing a house. I agree to some extent.
Angle #2: Friends who own. Now granted they are both Microsoft kabillionairs so for them purchasing a house is less of an issue. They have TWO incomes and my little income comes no where near either of their incomes.
Angle #3: Internal pressure. Logically I know that a house is an investment. But there are so many variables that scare the bajeesus out of me.
So I promised my folks I'd look into it. Their suggestion was to check into interest only loans. With the housing market here in Washington being what it is, their theory is I'd make $$ on the house in the end after 2 years or so and therefore not be hurt by the interest only loan. There is a risk that the bottom of the housing market will fall out, but if you've seen the housing market here, its unlikely.
The cost of houses/condos here are outrageous. Even if I could get into a house, I probably couldn't afford the month to month living. Ugh.
But I made a promise, so I'll call a realator and get back in touch with my banker. And I'll let the games begin.
Got any useful advice? I'd love to hear it.
So the pressure is on from all angles.
Angle #1: The folks, bless them, truly think I should be considering purchasing a house. I agree to some extent.
Angle #2: Friends who own. Now granted they are both Microsoft kabillionairs so for them purchasing a house is less of an issue. They have TWO incomes and my little income comes no where near either of their incomes.
Angle #3: Internal pressure. Logically I know that a house is an investment. But there are so many variables that scare the bajeesus out of me.
So I promised my folks I'd look into it. Their suggestion was to check into interest only loans. With the housing market here in Washington being what it is, their theory is I'd make $$ on the house in the end after 2 years or so and therefore not be hurt by the interest only loan. There is a risk that the bottom of the housing market will fall out, but if you've seen the housing market here, its unlikely.
The cost of houses/condos here are outrageous. Even if I could get into a house, I probably couldn't afford the month to month living. Ugh.
But I made a promise, so I'll call a realator and get back in touch with my banker. And I'll let the games begin.
Got any useful advice? I'd love to hear it.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Another one slips away...
I just got notified again, that they chose another candidate for a position I was interviewing for. Its getting a bit discouraging to keep having another candidate be a better fit. Eventually all the "better" candidates will have a job right? So they'll have to pick me.
I did get some very constructive feedback after this last round of interviews. Not sure if any of you are aware, but at Microsoft, they usually bombard you with these "theory" questions and are trying to see how your mind works. You know the type of questions, " you have this boulder you need to get up this steep hill. You have no resources, how do you do it?" Those type. Or my personal favorite, "You have twelve people on the other side of a river that you need to get over to your side with only two trips in a boat that only holds 2." That's an exageration really. But you get what I mean.
And to think, these are only questions for contract persons. Ugh.
So, we'll move on to the next round of interviews eventually. And Eventually something will come through. And maybe this is a blessing because with the holidays coming on, and going on vacation at the end of the year, maybe I should just stop looking for now. Something always happens when you stop focusing, or obsessing, on the situation.
I did get some very constructive feedback after this last round of interviews. Not sure if any of you are aware, but at Microsoft, they usually bombard you with these "theory" questions and are trying to see how your mind works. You know the type of questions, " you have this boulder you need to get up this steep hill. You have no resources, how do you do it?" Those type. Or my personal favorite, "You have twelve people on the other side of a river that you need to get over to your side with only two trips in a boat that only holds 2." That's an exageration really. But you get what I mean.
And to think, these are only questions for contract persons. Ugh.
So, we'll move on to the next round of interviews eventually. And Eventually something will come through. And maybe this is a blessing because with the holidays coming on, and going on vacation at the end of the year, maybe I should just stop looking for now. Something always happens when you stop focusing, or obsessing, on the situation.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Thought for the Day
I heard a quote this weekend I really like and will need to now consider in my every day life.
"Change how you see things, and the things you see change."
As many of you may know I'm not super happy at work. I loved this company when I started working here. Loved everything about it. The people, the dogs, the work....everything. But the company seems to be going through a change in direction....everyone seems to be leaving for better paying, more challenging, more growth jobs. I, myself, have been searching for that elusive GREAT job too.
While I'm here, I've been told by a few higher ups that I should consider my attitude and negativity at work. That if I am unhappy I should keep it to myself. Which I grossly disagree....the power people here asked us to be honest with them if we felt something was wrong in our career. I've done a pretty good job discussing this with my boss and my bosses boss and with no results.
There's a point to all this, I swear....stick with me.
I passed the PMP exam in August and expected that to launch my career within this company. Sadly, though it has not. I was told emphatically by the director of the PMs...
Actually wait, let me go back. In October of last year (2004) I met with my boss at the time, our director and our HR rep. I laid out a career plan that I felt was a path for me here. They all agreed and congratulated me on my efforts. Exactly two weeks after this great meeting, we re-organized. They created PM group...of which I was not a part. Now keep in mind I told them out right that I wanted to be a PM. So I was, to say the least, sad at this change. But I continued on with my plan. Off to school to get my certification in Project Management. Off to take the very difficult Project Management Professional exam.
Now fast forward from Oct last year to Aug of this year. After I passed my PMP I met with the Director of the PM team. He told me emphatically that I was not qualified to be a PM here. When pushed to find our more, he simply said it was because I didn't have any significant client interaction. Fair enough, except how is someone supposed to get this experience...?
So now, several month after, we've lost 11 people since August. This wouldn’t be bad if we weren’t a company of 40 people. Of those 11, 5 were PMs.
Of course, I'm a bit disgruntled because I know I can do that job, but instead am stuck doing the same job I've done here for 4 years.
Now to the point...there is one I swear.
I'm actively seeking employment elsewhere, and know its a matter of time. But this past week, I met with my boss and our Director to find out they re-wrote my job desc and took out ALL The PM aspects of it. AND then...as if that wasn't bad enough, they discussed my attitude and thought I should be more positive.
Do you know how hard it is to be positive, when everything around you is so negative?
And here's the point....
I've been unhappy for so long here that maybe if I change the way I see things here, perhaps "here" will change. Its worth a try for my remaining time here...because God willing and the creek don't rise it won't be long.
Oh and I forgot one other part. After I passed the PMP exam, a fellow working and manager approached me to ask if I'd be interested in being a PM in the internal dept here. No client interaction required. I, naturally, jumped at the opportunity. SEVERAL weeks later...like last week, this fellow colleague came to me and said, there's no way. Too many hurdles.
So you see, how can I keep positive in a negative environment? Any suggestions?
But I leave you with this, if, in fact, you can change the way things happen by changing how you see them, then maybe, just maybe, I can be seen as a valuable asset here and as someone who has a ton of PM knowledge just waiting to be used.
Got any job openings? Let me know.
"Change how you see things, and the things you see change."
As many of you may know I'm not super happy at work. I loved this company when I started working here. Loved everything about it. The people, the dogs, the work....everything. But the company seems to be going through a change in direction....everyone seems to be leaving for better paying, more challenging, more growth jobs. I, myself, have been searching for that elusive GREAT job too.
While I'm here, I've been told by a few higher ups that I should consider my attitude and negativity at work. That if I am unhappy I should keep it to myself. Which I grossly disagree....the power people here asked us to be honest with them if we felt something was wrong in our career. I've done a pretty good job discussing this with my boss and my bosses boss and with no results.
There's a point to all this, I swear....stick with me.
I passed the PMP exam in August and expected that to launch my career within this company. Sadly, though it has not. I was told emphatically by the director of the PMs...
Actually wait, let me go back. In October of last year (2004) I met with my boss at the time, our director and our HR rep. I laid out a career plan that I felt was a path for me here. They all agreed and congratulated me on my efforts. Exactly two weeks after this great meeting, we re-organized. They created PM group...of which I was not a part. Now keep in mind I told them out right that I wanted to be a PM. So I was, to say the least, sad at this change. But I continued on with my plan. Off to school to get my certification in Project Management. Off to take the very difficult Project Management Professional exam.
Now fast forward from Oct last year to Aug of this year. After I passed my PMP I met with the Director of the PM team. He told me emphatically that I was not qualified to be a PM here. When pushed to find our more, he simply said it was because I didn't have any significant client interaction. Fair enough, except how is someone supposed to get this experience...?
So now, several month after, we've lost 11 people since August. This wouldn’t be bad if we weren’t a company of 40 people. Of those 11, 5 were PMs.
Of course, I'm a bit disgruntled because I know I can do that job, but instead am stuck doing the same job I've done here for 4 years.
Now to the point...there is one I swear.
I'm actively seeking employment elsewhere, and know its a matter of time. But this past week, I met with my boss and our Director to find out they re-wrote my job desc and took out ALL The PM aspects of it. AND then...as if that wasn't bad enough, they discussed my attitude and thought I should be more positive.
Do you know how hard it is to be positive, when everything around you is so negative?
And here's the point....
I've been unhappy for so long here that maybe if I change the way I see things here, perhaps "here" will change. Its worth a try for my remaining time here...because God willing and the creek don't rise it won't be long.
Oh and I forgot one other part. After I passed the PMP exam, a fellow working and manager approached me to ask if I'd be interested in being a PM in the internal dept here. No client interaction required. I, naturally, jumped at the opportunity. SEVERAL weeks later...like last week, this fellow colleague came to me and said, there's no way. Too many hurdles.
So you see, how can I keep positive in a negative environment? Any suggestions?
But I leave you with this, if, in fact, you can change the way things happen by changing how you see them, then maybe, just maybe, I can be seen as a valuable asset here and as someone who has a ton of PM knowledge just waiting to be used.
Got any job openings? Let me know.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Ouch!
Forgive me friends, for I have sinned. Its been 10 days since my last confess - er - post. I've had unpure thoughts (thank heavens), I've thought badly of others (they deserved it) and I've cussed about 7 THOUSAND times ( I haven't found a new job).There, all absolved. Or is it obsolved...ah who cares.
So this weekend was the big Top 10 Worst songs as voted by use the fans. And bad they were. I won't post the entire witty commentary by my love Dudley, (you can read it by clicking here)but here it goes. Oh wait, before I go any further. This year the boys of DMQ surprised the world by dressing up as Culture Club (in past years they've been Spinal Tap, Duran Duran, The Go Go's, Darryl Hall and the John Oats'es, and Robert Palmer and his girls.) But DMQ had it all, right down to the funky Boy Geoge Hair. Its really hard to see in the photo, but squit a little.
Top 10 Worst10. I'm too Sexy by Right Said Fred - This was one of my songs I religiously voted on for it to make the Top 10 and it did. Dudley Manlove had their Bass player sing this song...and sadly he can't sing very well either.
9. "Hooked on a Feeling" – Blue Swede
8. "Barbie Girl" – Aqua - This was my second song I voted on religiously to see DMQ sing. Thought it would quite amusing to see the boys sing this song...and I was right. It was rather amusing.
7. "Hollaback Girl" – Gwen Stefani
6. "Never Gonna Give You Up" – Rick Astley
5. "Baby I’m a-Want You" – Bread
4. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
3. "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" – Michael Jackson
2. "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" – Leo Sayer
1. "Final Countdown" – Europe (1987, #8, #67)
Here it is, the top dog. The big kahuna. "Final Countdown" joins an impressive list of songs, including "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)," "(You’re) Having My Baby," "Footloose" and "Don’t Stop Believin’" as the Worst Song of All Time. Congratulations, boys. You’ve earned this honor.
So all in all it was a fantastic night...well except for their opening band which SUCKED. But there was a young man, of whom I think had a face, who wore a hospital gown with nothing on underneath. It was like a car accident, I couldn't stop staring. Yum-O! As you can see we didn't dress up. Well, not really. I did dress up as the Wife of Paul Jensen. But he didn't recognize me because I took off the Stalker outfit for the show.
Sherrie, Me and Mike at the DMQ show.