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Shrub hired a pundit from Fox News to be the new presidential spokesperson. Could there be a worse job in the world than defending Dubya? Could there be a worse source for talent than Fox News? Could there be a cure for all this madness? Oh yes, elections. They are a ways off, but one can dream...
Weekend's here and it is sunny and 70 degrees! Greg and Jenna got into town last night and we are all going out and about in Pittsburgh today. While I'm waiting for the lazy people to get up and around I am pondering what to do about naughty toothbrushes. But then what consenting toothbrushes do in the privacy of their own medicine cabinets is none of my business. Just don't let the ultra conservatives find out.
Had my annual review today and got an "exceeds expectations." Also included was an 8.62% raise (average for this company is 2-3%) and with the 5% I got in January, my total increase for six months in Pittsburgh aint too shabby. It was not as much as I had asked for but was told the rest could be made up in the third quarter. However it was still enough to make me run around in circles...
Anyone keeping up on the Apprentice or American Idol this year? In past years they were a must watch for me. But this season, I don't know. I think it is not being around my Michigan work friends to discuss and make fun of the characters. We should start conference calls, on company time of course....
Is it the busy but slightly laid back pace of the city? My surpassed expectations of the friendliness of "city folk?" Or maybe all that Iron City Beer?
Went downtown to headquarters today for a training seminar and new certification so my lending authority will be increased. Yes I get to underwrite the big loans now, scary huh? Anyway, it was raining big time when I was ready to leave. But the walk down two blocks to the parking garage in the pouring rain was oddly fun. The people sharing the sidewalk hustling to their cars and bus stops, busses and cars whizzing by each sharing their portion of the road in the usual efficient manner, and the drops seeming to bounce back up off the sidewalk made the streets seem so alive. All it needed was some kind of theme music to be playing along. And watching the smokers hanging around the entrances to buildings trying to keep the cigarettes dry is fun to see. Kind of hard to explain but it was like everything, even in the rain, was in harmony with everything else like having an attitude saying "it's just a little water, have fun and jump in a puddle."
No, I have not been drinking.
Homemade chocolate peanut clusters + big glass of milk = chocolate and peanutty goodness coma...
So the CEO of the entire company was in town today visiting the newest link in the corporate chain. A mid afternoon employee reception was held at a swanky cafe downtown so we could all attach our lips to his buttocks and get a 40 minute pep talk. My fake smile has almost worn off and I need more chap stick.
The work week is over and I am so glad. Even after being violated at the gas station again today I am able to smile because tomorrow is a day off. Yesterday was a bad day. My branch was the victim of fraud by a customer who I was dealing with. A customer who opened up and shared all his info on his business, life, and everything else to make a good conversation and make what seemed like the beginning of a good business relationship. This guy was a genuine con artist and said all the right things, provided all the right documents and knew what he was doing. Luckily, I was able to limit the amount of money scammed to $885. It could have been a lot more and I'm sure with all the work he put into it, he was hoping to get a lot more. After noticing a promised wire from another bank did not come in, something just did not feel right so I placed a "hard hold" on his new accounts and started calling other banks. Luckily, bank security departments are more than willing to share info and I discovered some bad things he has done, and was attempting to do at a number of banks. I will say this, we were lucky it was only $885. Others got hit for more. So my day was spent trying to stop this fraud at my bank and recover the money that we did lose as well as deal with my own feelings that I let my guard down. This is not the first instance I have had with people like this, but have always been able to prevent fraud in the past, so this was my first time that someone I personally and soley dealt with got away with it. You know that sinking feeling you get you get when you know something is just not right? I had it as he pulled out of the parking lot with his first handful of money. By the time he got to another branch, I had shut him down, but only after some damage was done. This did not sit well with me. I wish I could go into detail about these kind of experiences with every customer who bitches about not being able to leave the bank with large amounts of money from a check they just walked in the door with. There are many safety features built into bank systems to prevent this kind of thing, but banks have also incorporated aspects that balance security with being customer friendly and releasing funds in certain instances. Clever con artists work to exploit these aspects and with this weak link and an inattentive teller, he got away with it.
But the day did end on a better note as Alison and I went to the Andy Warhol Museum and took in the current exhibition of works by Henry Darger and Grayson Perry. Some culture and a quick dinner made for an enjoyable museum visit. I enjoy admiring art with Alison because she is a great source of information and a great guide for an amateur like me who likes looking for the substance and meaning in art. I probably wasn't the best company after my day at work, but we still had fun. And if it wasn't for the rainy night, we would have walked more of the downtown cultural district. I hope to do that adventure with her at a later date.
Finally got my new Pennsylvania driver's license today. It's been almost six months so I figured I put it off long enough. After the pain in the ass it was getting my car registered here, I was not looking forward to it. But my fear was for nothing as I was in and out with a new license within 15 minutes.
Crazy decided she would leave work at 10:30 this morning, right after I arrived. WTF? And she is taking off tomorrow because she is sooooo overwhelmed with sitting around all day. Apparently situating one's ass in a chair and surfing the net is quite a strenuous feat for some people. So instead of her mental helath days, I am proposing punch-you-in-the-face days. Can I get that by Human Resources?
Gas was $2.97/gallon today. I would now rather go to the dentist than to the gas station. Weren't we supposed to have jet packs and hover cars by now?
I was put in charge of a contest for our local branches today. I have to pick out and purchase the prize which is a $500 TV. Yay, I get to pick out a cool TV for someone else, that makes me so happy. If you know me at all, you can imagine the sarcasm that last sentence would have had if said out loud.
But today is over and tomorrow's a new day, a Friday, Payday, and the start to the weekend. So all is well.
"But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."
All hail the decisioner, who uh, decides and uh decisons the decidings uh that uh need decidering.
The Daily Show called bald eagle poop "Freedom Frosting." This amused me.
My three day weekend is over and tomorrow it's back to the banking world. It was a nice weekend. I got caught up on sleep and got out and enjoyed some sunny and warm spring weather. I also saw a chick flick with Alison, Take the Lead. Lots of dancing with a good storyline that is based on real events. Not a bad movie, I think I would like the soundtrack. Interesting fact about yours truly; I have always wanted to try some form of dancing like swing or even line dancing. At least try it and see if I have two left feet.
Easter dinner was at Alison and Paul's house. Turkey, mashed potatoes with yummy gravy, and all the fixins topped off with homemade chocolate cake for dessert made for a wonderful and fun holiday dinner, my first here in Pittsburgh. My favorite Easter bunny also sent me a basket full of goodies and that made my day since I was missing her and the rest of the Michigan gang. (thanks Grace!) The cats also wrapped up their adventure at Casa de Brent and made the journey back home. Now the only cute and adorbale creature in my apartment is me.
Speaking of cats, I shall be adopting one in the near future, a few weeks maybe. I love cats and now that I am settled in, I would like to give a home to a cat who needs one. Paul and Alison bought me a new litter box so I figure that is another sign I should get a cat. Litter boxes have come a long way since little square plastic boxes. This pooh house has a covered entryway that leads to a large enclosed domed area that helps keeps bad odors from escaping. It's completely covered so you don't see litter or anything else. I'm telling you, this is one classy and sophisticated cat shitter. I may give the cat my bathroom and use this myself.
Time for bed, more musings soon ...
A few pics I have taken so far ...
Audits, Baseball, and Cats
I survived my first bank audit yesterday. I got some kudos for scoring a 91% which is pretty good for a new banking centers' first audit. I must tweak a few things in our operations to make up the nine percent but that's nothing major.
My regional manager invited me to be her guest in the company box at PNC stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates for Tuesday night's baseball game. I'm looking forward to that as I have not been to any of the sports venues in Steel Town yet.
I have two little furry guests staying in my apartment for a couple days. Bob and Chloe are residing with me while the floors are being re-done at Paul and Alison's house. Since Kitty feet and freshly sanded and stained hardwood are not a good combination, they get to have an adventure at my place. They are so cute and such good little kitties.
Chloe in all her cuteness
And Bob finding a spot in my linen closet
So this couple scammed a bunch of people and businesses out of cash and gift cards claiming they were having sextuplets. Did they not think people might notice the lack of six babies being born? Now facing charges, they claim they are sorry and will pay everyone back. Yeah right, from those high paying high profiles jobs you have? Silly rednecks
War in Iraq, energy prices, immigration, approval ratings
I left work early today. I worked hard all morning and got a lot accomplished while others did nothing except paint their fingernails, so I figure I deserved to take some personal time on a fantastic sunny and warm day. Good motorcycle weather. "sigh"
Did a little shopping and then went down to the Southside and went running along the waterfront. It is a great place to exercise because it's flat. I have a much better time running on an even surface instead of the hilly terrain around my neighborhood. I am getting to really like running, wish I was better at it. But something that is so hard but makes you feel so good after must be good for you. Did I mention the waterfront on the southside is flat? No hills. I actually found somewhere to workout that does not have hills all over. It would be a good place to bike too. Oh, and it's flat, no hills.
Gas prices are pissing me off.
To the lady in the big front window at Panera today: If you must breast feed while out to lunch, please face away from the parking lot, you are going to cause an accident or blindness. Maybe choose a less conspicuous table.
The immigration debate is all the rage in the news these days. I have many opinions on this, but it would take a few pages of blog entries to cover all the relevant aspects. So how can the so called experts on the news shows narrow the debate down to a couple minutes in between commercials? Oh that's right, they can't. They can only say the same thing over and over. Is the next distraction coming soon?
The weekend is coming to a close and I am wondering where it went. When I work on Saturday even though it is only until 1:00, it feels like I only have Sunday to unwind. And after sleeping in until 11:30 and not getting out of the apartment until 1:30, the day goes by quickly.
This last week was another SSWW. You have to figure out the acronym by yourself, it has been posted before :)
Cutsomer and coworker issues along with meetings out in BFE that cannot end because of people that cannot just shut the hell up opting instead to let their haze of stupidity and need for attention cloud our meeting as the pollution spewing from their mouths just keeps coming. So the meetings that last four hours could have been over in two allowing everyone to go home early and most importantly miss rush hour traffic.
I was out and about taking pictures today. I am having some issues loading them, but am seeking out some expert help (Paul) so hopefully I can post them soon. I trekked all over downtown with camera in tow, then up to Mt. Washinton to the Inclines. I have found that I need a card with more memory to hold more pictures. Actually I have my eye on a new camera, but I have a few priorities that will have to come first. So I'm kind of worn out and that should make me sleep well tonight.
While I'm working on getting inspired to catch up on blogging, please click on and enjoy
Warning: DO NOT force kitty to sit in there.
MSNBC WASHINGTON - Succumbing to scandal, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Tuesday he will resign from Congress in the face of a tough re-election race, closing out a career that blended unflinching conservatism with a bare-knuckled political style.
Don't let the door hit you in your racist intolerant ass on the way out.
What if you let the future take care of itself and deal with the only thing you really have power over; The present.
Info you need: behind my apartment is a one way alley/street used mostly for parking by tenants of the building. I am on the fourth floor, but because the building is on a hill and because I am on the back of the building, my apartment is almost street level but a little higher up. And my bathroom window is even higher up than the rest of the windows ...
So a kid and his older sibling or uncle or someone like that was playing catch with a baseball on the one way street. Can you guess what happens next? A very bad throw comes hurling through my bathroom window sending glass flying. Luckily, the door was closed and the shards of flying death shrapnel did not escape the bathroom. I wound up throwing out two bath towels and a bath mat rather than always wondering if I vacuumed and washed all the glass pieces out. The kid felt bad and was quite embarrassed by the small scene he caused and his catcher was apologetic. So a total accident, but now I have maintenance men traipsing through my apartment taking the whole window frame out to take it somewhere tomorrow to have the panes of glass replaced. (one regular pane and one frosted pane) I would think they could have someone come and fix it rather than dismantling it, but whatever. I now have a nice stylish piece of wood where my window was.
Now that I had a night of cocktails and a couple days of relaxation I have pondered much about this past week and I realized I almost fell into the rut of negativity that I have worked so hard to get out of in my progression of self-awareness. Work is work. It does not define me and if shit happens as it will on a regular basis in any job, just deal with it and do your job while remembering to watch out for number one. Screw the people who make that hard for you, but be nice to them when you have to.
As part of my job, I have to perform a quarterly alarm/holdup test. I call our security operations and they put us in test mode and I hit all the panic buttons in specific order and do a test of disarming the alarm as if under duress. This means that if we do get robbed or our brains splattered amongst our neutral and calming decor during this test, we just hope that the neighbors hear the carnage and call for help. Anyway, it was the last day and within the last hour of the deadline to get this done or be out of compliance, which is a big no-no in the banking world. While commenting on the lateness of getting around to this task, the lady in our security department said "you're a bad boy." How did she know?
Yeah just what I need, to lose an hour of sleep.