Brentology.com

Christmas with the family was great. Fun, relaxation, lots of food, and presents all in one weekend. I was actually going through sugar withdrawl the last couple days as I come down from a constant supply of cookies, buckeyes (yum!), fudge, lemon bars, etc. I also made it through church on Christmas Eve without the floor opening up and swallowing me into a flame filled existence. It was even entertaining at times. One might even say it was a gas. Anyway, it was great to be with family and it was a new kind of weird experience leaving. Usually I am the one saying goodbye to people who are heading to a home far away. I kept up with Paul and Alison on the Ohio Turnpike most of the way home and made the trip faster than usual. But it felt good to come back to my new home too. I have lots to look forward to in the new year.

Posted by Brent at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (676)

It was back to work today. I knew I should not have taken Tuesday off. The people in my office cannot seem to do anything if I am not there to ask how. I think some people are afraid to trust their instincts to make a decison or use common sense. I wish there was a pill for critical thinking, I would put it in the breakroom coffee pot. Mucho hours to work this week getting things either caught up or fixed.

Current mood = annoyed

Posted by Brent at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I may not post again for a few days so:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Enjoy the holidays, forget your worries and stress if only for a few days. I think even those not with us, soldiers overseas, deceased loved ones, or people separated by distance for one reason or another would want their loved ones to enjoy some cheer and magic of the season. So joy to the world and joy to us. Now pass the eggnog.

Posted by Brent at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

As I learn my way around the city, I have noticed that Pittsburgh is really one big hill. Every street from the long gradual incline of Murray Avenue in my neighborhood to the incredibly steep South Negley in Shadyside (which has the nickname BFH, figure it out), to the winding up and down of the freeways, can really make driving an adventure. While it does wear on your brakes and tires more than the flatlands I came here from, it does provide some great views from just about anywhere you travel since you usually find yourself at a high elevation at some point during your outing. This is especially cool at night when the lights of city are shining from downtown or the lights from the houses in the hills are dotting the skyline. I have recently trekked up to the roof of my building on a couple occasions to get some fresh air and take in some lights.

The neighborhoods of Pittsburgh surround the main business center of the city just across the water and various bridges connect everything. These numerous neighborhoods all are unique in their own historical way. My neighborhood, Squirrel Hill, has a large Jewish population and the main streets have several Jewish centers and businesses. The business district is busy and offers a large variety of stores and restaurants. Two movie theaters are within walking distance of my apartment. It is great for walking and also has some awesome houses. Some very large and very pricey, but the architecture is tremendous. There are streets where I just like to travel and look at the houses. Another is Shadyside. This one is a busy place with its many trendy shops and galleries. It also has the Walnut Street grill which is one of my favorite restaurants. Greenfield is where Alison and Paul live. I can cross into their neighborhood on foot since they are so close. Lots of residential streets in this neighborhood and it is the gateway for me to the waterfront. At least one park, of which there are some great ones throughout Pittsburgh, is in it. It was a great area for them to buy a house in and me being so close just makes it that much better. Finally there is the South Side. This is a mix of old and new. New developments including my Caribou Coffee, restaurants, theaters, and shops give way to the old neighborhood hangouts down the road. This is another good area to take a stroll. There are some others which I have been to, but have yet to appreciate them enough to name them and their attributes. That will come in time as my travel radius is slowly growing as I find my way around more and more and get adventurous. I especially look forward to the parks when the weather gets warmer in the spring. So these few were just a small snapshot of the many neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. So much to see and do, it will be a long time before the newness wears off.

Posted by Brent at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am finally done with my shopping. I have not cut it this close in many years. A trip to a mall, which finding the mall was a trip in itself, and visits to the stores at the waterfront was the plan for success tonight. I about lost my x-mas cheer after almost getting run over while coming out of a store. Some idiot decided he did not want to wait for the car in front of him to turn and he came up on the side walk to go around him. How stupid can you be? he is very luck I am so full of x-mas cheer or my jolly fist would be pulling out his kidney and sticking up his tail pipe. fa la la la la

I also got a big box of Twizzlers in the interoffice mail at work today. My friend Lil from my old branch has not let a few hundred miles get in the way of supplying me with goodies. Of all the interoffice mail I get at work, this is the first time I received a 180 piece box of licorice. All I needed when I got home was a big glass of milk, my Twizzlers, and the TV and I was happy.

My boss also gave me a gift card today. I have only known her a few weeks and was hoping we would not be exchanging gifts, but now I suppose I should pick something up for her. So I guess I actually have one more gift to get. CRAP

I am so looking forward to coming back to Michigan this weekend. I was hoping to have more time but I also had been planning on my branch opening in January, not right before x-mas. But I will have enough time to eat lots of buckeyes, so get them ready Grace and Alison.

Posted by Brent at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Busy week. Between work and trying to finish x-mas shopping, there has been little time for anything else. I have not even sat down with a newspaper in a few days. I miss my daily dose of news. I used to be able to scan the online versions at work, but not anymore. I hope to get back to more news worthy and current event type rants soon. I would actually like to look into writing freelance in the near future. That could be a new years resolution to work towards I guess. I wrapped presents tonight after doing some shopping after work. Tomorrow will be another night of shopping but hopefully I can get it done. The branch opening went fine. Still kind of organizing and getting used to the new office and getting a routine in place for me and everyone else. It is a lot more work than I thought it would be, but the challenge is kind of fun.

Went for a quick walk to Geagle tonight and someone in a car asked me for directions while I was waiting to cross the street and I actually was able to tell them where to go. I was excited that I knew how to get somewhere and could explain it by streets. I may actually be learning my Pittsburgh streets. I also used the actual street names and not the naughty nicknames that me, Paul and Alison use to remember them. We found it a better system for helping me learn my way around. I know, the little things excite me, but I take what I can get.

Posted by Brent at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

" To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. " -- Thomas Campbell

Memories. They can bring smiles and tears, sometimes both at once.

Posted by Brent at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Two days, two company x-mas parties, two days of lots of cocktails, and a present from regional manager.

Number of corporate x-mas parties invited to in over 3 1/2 years working in Michigan = 0

Yeah, a little different here.

That is all, I told myself no blogging after drinking.

Posted by Brent at 12:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Started at the new branch today. It is not open yet but we are setting up and arranging things. Everything is brand new. The building, carpet, even all the computers and phones have that newness appearance and smell. I got there pretty early this morning since I was going by mapquest and wanted to make sure I found it the first time. I did pass it because I was looking on the other side of the road for it. I did notice, but it was too late to hit the brakes and make the corner onto the parking lot, even for the mighty Grand Prix. And the dress code for today and the rest of the week is mega casual. Jeans, sweatshirts, and tees are all good. I still have to come back to my other branch and finish up work in progress in the afternoon but I am not changing into business attire for that. I just shut the office door and leave the light off. The computer and natural light provide enough illumination. Next Monday is the grand opening. The official grand opening celebration with food, prizes, and even spirits will not be until February, but Monday we are open for business. I totally snagged the good office for myself too. That was the benefit of getting there early. There was a bit of drama amongst some others about office locations, there are seven and a large conference room, but it just made those couple people look stupid and petty.

The only aspect that worries me is that I am the only employee there with experience with my company and I am having a challenging time coaching and teaching a key person in the branch who is supposed to do operation functions. This person is developing an attitude that it will be ok because Brent knows how to do this and Brent knows how to do that. So it will fall on me to do pretty much everything for a period of time. Believe me, that will not last long. I figure you either need to take responsibility for learning your job or get out of my branch. You are a professional adult, act like it.

Really, I am a good guy to work for.

Posted by Brent at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (468)

Been invited to a x-mas cocktail party that my regional manager is putting on at her house. Only the managers from her branches and the few corporate people in town are invited. I'm thinking I should take something like a hostess gift. Perhaps a box of Godiva chocolates, bottle of wine, ornament, or ?

Posted by Brent at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Kinda neat, sent to me by Pam.

Slide the ornament at bottom and click on the other icons.
http://www.powerpres.com/xmascard03.html

Posted by Brent at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sitting here watching It's a Wonderful Life and reflecting on the week.

Went x-mas shopping today with Alison. I saw some neat stores and galleries in some different neighborhoods, had a great lunch, and learned my way around a bit more. I bought a grand total of one present. I have been so bad this year with my shopping.

I also recently learned how to play chess. Paul has taught me and while not quite the chess master yet, I am sure it is only a matter of time before I beat him. I like the thought processes needed to play chess. It is serious thinking, strategizing, and understanding your opponent in a game form.

I also had to get my car registration transferred this past week. The intent was also to get my new drivers license. Let me tell you, I will never again complain about the Michigan Secretary of State offices. Pennsylvania makes it sooooo hard to do anything related to your car. You cannot do license and registration issues in the same place. You have to get a VIN verification by an authorized notary or mechanic, which is simply someone copying your VIN number down from your windshield. I still do not know the purpose of that. Next after paying $120 (it would have been 115 but if you have a bank lien on your title they charge $5 for having to type that), you have to get a mandatory and annual state emission test and a safety test. I actually had to get new windshield wipers or I would have failed the safety test because they would streak the window. So two hours of time away form from work (offices only open 8:30-4:30 Mon-Fri), parking fees, and $120 I was done. I still have not gone to get my new license and that will be more money. What a racket.

It snowed this week. yay for a white Christmas I can see a few flakes coming down as I sit here with my Crown Royal while watching TV with my x-mas tree in the background. Life is good.

Posted by Brent at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today at work I attended the meeting that would not end. It was an afternoon meeting beginning at 1:00 about forty minutes outside of the city. At these meetings, I am always amazed at people who just have to comment on anything and everything. Participation is encouraged at these monthly manager meetings and I regularly offer my great wisdom, but some people just cannot help but open their enormous yap about every little thing and usually venturing off topic. The sharing of moronic thoughts, that serve only to prolong a meeting taking place out in BFE from which many of us attendees have to trek home from in city rush hour traffic, makes me want to jab an ice pick into the ear of such people to plug up at least one hole that allows lunacy to escape into the real world in which myself and most of my colleagues live. The collective eye rolls that ensue several times during these meetings are obvious to everyone but the one or two people that just need to SHUT UP.

Posted by Brent at 08:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

It has been a month since I moved to Pittsburgh. It was quite a huge and kinda scary step for me. It has been quite a change; a change for the better. I am pretty much settled in now after the move. I love the parts of the city I have experienced so far, but I need to get out of my neighborhood a bit more and explore more of the city. I am pretty sure there is more out there than the route to Alison and Pauls house and my beloved Murray Avenue with my regular visits to its Starbucks, Giant Eagle grocery store, and Cold Stone Creamery. Going downtown this weekend to see the x-mas lights in the park, regular visits and walking around the South Side after visiting Caribou Coffee, and driving around to learn streets and see new things are all on the agenda in the immediate future. After the holidays and getting my branch open this month I hope to join or even start my own local business networking group. Good for business contacts and a social outlet also. The city is full of different organizations, clubs, and charities to consider. I guess moving here has reenergized me and filled a void that my life was in need of. While it has created a void by now being away from some family and friends, it has filled more by offering what I think is a brighter future. Who knew that work could go well and I would actually like going into the office? There have been a couple times I had to pause and reflect on some feelings because it almost seemed something was wrong or out of place. Those feelings were actually happiness, hope and some contentment with how things were going in my life. I do not know if that bit of self realization is a sad statement, but having a renewed outlook feels good. And it is not the newness of moving and the feeling of adventure of new challenges that is giving me that sense. I can tell it is not fleeting, so that confirms it was the right move for me. And it has only been a month …

Posted by Brent at 08:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Work has been busy lately. It has picked up since the first several days in which I had it pretty easy. Well, the get acquainted period is over. My new branch is set to open December 19th. Starting on the 13th, I will be at the new location helping to set up and organize the office. Everyday I find out something else that needs to be done before it opens. Busy as I am at work, I started training a new person who is shadowing me, I am actually looking forward to the challenge. I am kind of anal about my organization and routines and opening a new office allows me to exercise some control over the set up and how the office will be run. I wonder if I can get a couch for my office.

Helped Paul put up x-mas lights on his house today. They look very festive. Alison seemed to like them as well as be distracted by them as she drove right by her own house upon returning home from work. I found that humorous. It was then it was time for a Pasta dinner and lattes at Starbucks. Coffee shops are great. Now I just need to start my x-mas shopping. Usually by now I am pretty much finished, so to have not even started is bad for me. Preparing to move, moving, and the expenses associated with it pushed back my time and budget a bit, but now I am ready to tackle the stores.

Also, I think I finally found a decent Chinese restaurant near my place. That is one more thing off my checklist.

Posted by Brent at 01:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Brent at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)