It has been awhile since I’ve posted, and every day that I don’t because I lack the time, I get further behind in my posting. I feel like the chicken. And the egg.
Caution, projectile updates to follow…
As many of you know the axe was indeed swung at my place of employment last month. Although I still have my job, my little group looks like Lizzie Borden’s latest victim. My colleague/counterpart Michelle got let go. That was weird and scary and painful. I’ve never had anyone that close, both in proximity and work relation, get let go in such a manner. In addition, my boss’s boss was also let go. Feels like we were both pruned at the branches and hacked at the roots. I’m sure my bewilderment and frustration pales in comparison to those no longer here. Throughout the rest of my department there were eight other people let go. My heart and prayers go out to them. I was fully expecting to be shown the door myself. The tension from waiting all week for the phone call or tap on my shoulder was palpable. Knowing that my industry cannot sustain the losses it has suffered w/o getting bloody. I don’t like this aspect of life/work and I never want to experience it again. Unfortunately that isn’t very realistic. I don’t want to dwell on it anymore—at least right now.
In addition to the latest round of lay-offs, we are required to take a week off this quarter w/o pay. I am honestly happy to do it, especially if it means we get to save more jobs. Instead of sitting home on my plentiful backside and watching Days that week, I decided to volunteer at our local women’s crisis center. My colleague Michelle inspired me to do so—thanks Michelle. I’m excited to be able to be doing something positive that may actually help people. Last I heard I would be working on the layout for the Spring fundraiser’s program. Last year’s guest speaker at the program was Jeanette Walls, author of
The Glass Castle. I am very excited to see who it will be this year. I am also excited to spend some time outside the realm of engineers—it will be refreshing to get a swift creative kick in the hinder.
The holidays went well. My team at work adopted a holiday family—a mom, a dad, and a little boy. I, along with the rest of my colleagues, went overboard in decking them out for the season. It was the only way I could find some semblance of joy with all of the other depressing stuff going on in the area/country/world. The weather caused me some last minute scheduling readjustments, but I made it to the Motor City to see the rents, the siblings, and the nephews. A good time was had by all. The rest of holiday break was spent vegging and worrying and planning. Didn’t really do any of the projects I was supposed to at home, but my mind needed to rest and I’m ok with it. I learned I watch too much TV when I need to zone out. I learned I hate NBC’s commercial for 30 Rock that says, “What is 10 rock times 3 rock?...30 rock!” No it isn’t—It’s 30 Rock squared. Duh! Nanner dyed my hair for me over break too. Apparently growing the black dye out from Halloween is going to take (MUCH) longer than expected. So on any given day my hair is at least 3 different colors (black, red, and gray *sniff*). Sometimes there is also a stripe of brown or purple/burgundy depending on how bad my roots are showing and what color I’ve tried to cover it up with last. I’m thinking of bleaching the tips blonde just for good measure in the color spectrum.
I was invited to my pal Noahs’ for his b-day last month—which falls right around my nephew Alex’s b-day—I’ll have to catch him next time I’m in the city. I was happy to gift Noah with
The Dangerous Book for Boys. What seven y/o doesn’t need to know how to build a treehouse, or skip stones, or decipher a secret code? I also got to see how well Noah’s rents’ house expansion is coming along. It is truly shocking how much more space they have. It is really beautiful. I’m so happy for them. We all (friends, fam, neighbors, colleagues, etc.) had a nice time hanging out and talking.
Next month I have a shopping trip to IL planned with Judea and my friend Elaine. We found a deal that’ll be right around 60 wampum per person including lodging and transportation. I’m not really in the mood to shop. I don’t really need/want anything. However, it is an excellent excuse at an excellent price to get the heck outta dodge and spend some time with my mom and my pal Elaine. Judea is a natural born shopper and she needs an outing just as bad as I do. Between her nightmare students and taking classes on the weekends, she is definitely looking forward to a mini-escape.
I already confessed my embarrassing reality show sin to my MTU chicas, and honestly, I’m too ashamed to repeat it here. Lara, I’m there warped in the brain with ya! Solidarity Sista!
We (Elaine, Helen, Loretta, Bolay, Leah, and I) had a hens’ night at my friend Helen’s the week before last. We did a potluck and got to see Helen’s new kitchen remodel and spend some time out of work together. I finally got my butt in gear and shared some Greece pics with them—not just Athens, but Mykonos and Santorini too. I still have to post the island stories here…but that will just have to wait for another day….
Oh yeah, Helen and I found our GR
Antiques RoadShow experience will be airing on our local station in three parts: 20-Apr, 27-Apr, and 04-May. Check your local listings if you are interested. :)
I came in last week, while there was even more hijinx going on at work that I can’t get into here, to find an email from a head hunter wanting me to apply for a position down in Chi town. I’ve been putting feelers out since last fall, just to be prepared. The position sounded VERY appealing. VERY, VERY appealing. However, I really like my job. A lot. I know how difficult that is to come by, and I don’t want to leave unless I have too. I especially don’t want to relocate. I like it here. It is home. It was nice to be reassured there are jobs out there tho. And that someone thinks I’m qualified to do something other that this.
Recently, as I’ve shared with some of you, I have discovered the singular pleasure one can derive from a fine single-malt scotch served neat. Seriously, who’d have thunk it? :) The subtle complexities are as intriguing as the floral bouquet and delicious hint of berry you can find in a big fat cab. I’m currently taking delight in a bottle of 15 year old
Glenfiddich. Luck upon luck, about a week after my new found interest, I was invited to dinner at some friends’ (Dan and Nadine's) house who happen to be single-malt scotch aficionados. Very serious ones—they spent their honeymoon traipsing across Scotland staying at B&Bs, and collecting rare and unique bottlings. Dinner is scheduled for next month, we’ll be supping on
raclette and sampling some scotch—I’m pumped. :)
The most exciting thing that happened on V-day this year was receiving a single red rose from a stranger. That made me smile. :)
I had brunch on Sunday with my friend (Beth) and her 2 y/o daughter (Harper) and her newest coming attraction (scheduled to arrive this summer) at
AlpenRose and stuffed myself to the gills--including a complimentary mimosa. Us chicas then took a stroll in the mid-morning sunlight around downtown. It is amazing how differently you see the world when you walk thru it with a 2 yo. Unfortunately, while out, I missed an invite to come to G’s that night and hang with another of my colleagues that got let go last month. I’ll catch em next time.
My friend Aimee’s grandmother (Nana) passed away last week. My prayers go out to her.
Both big bro Nick, SIL Stacy, MTU chica Lara, and pal Helen had b-day celebrations already this month--collective best wishes for another happy year!
I just got signed up today for a 10 week intro to Japanese class that kicks off next week. I’m also going to try to make knit night at the north-side li-berry next week. Okay, I’m outta words and the tummy is grumbling for dinner, and I have piles of laundry to do, and you’ve spent too much time reading this already.
Toodles
