Pet Peeve for the day...

One of my pet peeves reared its ugly head today.

Track abuse.

Why do people stand on the walking/jogging track at the gym?

Actually, I do know why they do that:

• To talk to someone using a machine that is not on the track
• To talk to someone else who has stopped on the track
• To watch their friends playing basketball on the court below
• To have a loud conversation with their friends in the workout area below

Yeah, no justifiable reason there - at least not IMHO.
I do understand when an  the elderly person needs to stop and stand for a few minutes to catch their breath.  I sympathize, and even empathize, with them. I am tempted to do that myself, at times.

Why do people walk/jog in the wrong direction in the middle of the track?

Actually, I do know why they do that, too:

• To get to a machine along the outside of the track that is a few steps closer to them if they go opposite traffic
• To meet up with a friend who is a half lap behind them

It amazes me -  and not in a good way.

This morning I had to stop on the track because there was this big guy running toward me, zig-zagging his way against traffic, to meet up with someone a bit behind me.  I thought he was going to run right into me. He was wearing a big smile that I just wanted to slap right off his face.

Don't mess with me when I am making laps on the track to try to burn off some pent up frustrations.

Ok, I feel a little better now that I got that off my chest.  Thanks for listening.

I think I can handle it...

There are only 9 working days left for me this year.


Unless I count the time I work this weekend and next. ..which I won't since I can do that from the comfort of my couch.


I am getting excited.

.
I just have to stay focused and get a few specific things done...

Unfortunately, one of those things is documenting all of my accomplishments over this past year and, in so doing, convince my boss and his boss that I am an awesome employee ....

I know I am awesome - I just do not like to have to prove it...

But I will do my best...

I can handle it...

Only 9 more days.

And unlike last year, when I worked every day except DEC 25 (even though I was supposedly on holiday/vacation) because there were deadlines and commitments....

I will be unavailable this year....

Out of the country...

Away...

Unavailable by phone or email....

On a beach...

Or in a pool...

At the swim-up bar...

Not available...

Only 9 more days....

I can make it!

Here's to the ones...

I am getting old...well, older:)

And I am single...have been for a long while.

Most times I am ok with that.

But sometimes not ....

During those not times, I have tried to put myself out there and meet the man of my dreams.

And quite honestly, that has not worked out so well....

I have stories...

But, bottom line, I am the worst at dating and relationships...I admit it.

I have both screwed up and allowed myself to be hurt so many times that right now I am afraid to let anyone get close - especially anyone I want to keep as a friend....

I am in a rut...

When I meet someone I like more than a little, I tend to want to jump right in because it has been awhile and I could use some good lovin....

But, then I get skittish and start to back away because I do not want to lose a friend...

And then I lose a friend because I back away...

Ahhhh, the circle of love - or lust - or whatever....

I have not always backed away, though; oh no I have not...

And, unfortunately, those are the times I should have known better...

Yeah, I have stories...

Stories that keep me still backing away more than I probably should.

I have learned that lust is blind...

Until it goes to shit and your eyes are opened....ugh.

Yeah, that has happened.

At least twice.

What was I thinking???


But for at least one of the times that I have backed away - I wish I could cop a do-over...

Seriously...

What was I thinking????

Hopefully, someday, my prince will come....

Or come again...or back, or whatever...

Or not...

But in the meantime, I found this article that kind of explains myself to myself  -  and helps me feel a little better about myself...


It is by Ella Ceron and posted in Thought Catalog....

Here’s To The Ones Who Want To Take Things Slow

And here's to the ones who want to dive right in and just see where things end up...

 And here's to you, however you make your way!

Slumpity, slump, slump...

I have been in a real slump lately...

I wish I could understand why - maybe then I could dig myself out...

Could it be the winter blahs?  I know it is not winter yet, but the weather in Ohio has not figured that out.  In fact, it is not sure what season it is.  A foot of snow one day, fall-like temps the  next, spring-like winds the next...where's summer? That is what I need to feel.  Of course, I am thankful I am not living in Buffalo.  At least if I want to go out into the world, I can.

Could it be the uncertainty at work?  Promise of a new position opening up one day, everything frozen the next, total reorganization the next, threat of layoff hanging over my head now...I know I should be looking elsewhere just in case, but I do hate the thoughts of trying to sell my self again. It was a tough battle the last four times.

I have been trying to force myself to be active.  Though with the snow, I cannot seem to make myself go to the gym.  The thought of going inside to a warm place and having to come back out into the snow is not appealing and excuse enough to avoid the place.  Having my (stationary) bike back at my apartment helps me foster that excuse. But as my youngest reminds me - it is not the same as getting to the gym.

I know I have a lot to be thankful for.  I am not looking for pity.  I am just hoping that whining about the slump I am in will help me move through it faster.

Almost goofed....

I was gonna shave today....

And then I remembered...

It is No-shave November!

Lucky me:)

Happy Birthday, Marie Curie - an inspiration to women physicists everywhere!

I realize that I am a day late with the wishes, but nonetheless, Marie Curie rocks.
She did what I could not.  She survived and thrived as a professional physicist.

Here's my story about that....

At age 21 and graduating from a local Jesuit University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Physics and a minor in Electronics, I began the search for an Engineering position that would make my Dad proud.

The first position I was offered and accepted taught me a few things.  

• Never accept an offer unless you are sure it is a good offer for you. 
• Of course, an acceptable  offer to you may not be acceptable to another.
• Just because you studied your ass off for four years does not mean you will like the job that that four years will get you.

A few months into this first position, I stumbled upon the original job posting that listed the low end of the salary range well above the salary I was offered and accepted. I still feel that that offer was a good offer for me at the time, because I was just out of school, insecure, not so confident, and worried that NO offers would be presented.  

Physics is a man’s  kingdom, or so the men I worked with at this first position had me believing.  Luckily for them and me, I enjoyed the meager (to them) tasks they assigned to me.  I enjoyed talking with customers about product choices and options and order status rather than why the product they bought does not seem to work they way they think it should. As I was being mentored for these latter, loftier tasks,  I listened to coworkers explain to customers how inept they were for not realizing how our products should be used.  I quickly realized that this was not the job for me.

Fortunately, after a couple of years of suffering through that position,  an opportunity opened up in the marketing communications department.  My technical background combined with my love of writing  and interest in desktop publishing (which I had kept secret until this time) made me the perfect candidate.  I dove in and rearranged the company’s product catalogs and buyer selection guides, bringing them to new heights of user-friendliness.

Unfortunately, that was a one-time gig; once the new layout was in place, maintenance was not in the budget.  Or at least that was the excuse given for the reduction in work force that hit me upon my return from my first maternity leave. 

I was faced with a dilemma.  I had a degree I was not sure I want to use coupled with a need to find employment.  My husband and I had recently purchased a house counting on a double income. It was 1984.  Modern technology was limited.  Thankfully, my now ex-husband was/is a computer nerd/genius.  I taught myself word processing on an Apple IE.  I applied for technical writing positions over a three county area. When asked if  knew WordPerfect and WordStar, I nodded and batted eyelashes.  That was taken as a yes.  Thankfully they did not test.  I learned everything I needed to know within the first few weeks and confirmed to myself that I was computer literate. 

And the rest is history, sort of...

I no longer write for a living, but I used the skills I learned in that profession to move into localization coordination and then document control.  

I have come a long way, baby - and hoping to go further.

I intend to apply for a newly-created Change Coordinator  position in my current place of employment - if it ever gets approved and posted.

Wish me luck!

What is your career story?

Checking on my 2014 resolutions...

I tend to make resolutions each New Year that I do not intend to keep or follow up on.

This year I made a promise to myself that I would do better.

And quite honestly, I believe I have - at least for the most part.

On December 31st 2013, I posted these resolutions for 2014:

1. Let go of faltering friendships. 
2. Cherish my good friends.
3. Attempt to stay socially active.
4. Continue to make my apartment more homey.
5. Walk in at least two organized 5K events this year. 
6. Take a vacation to somewhere warm. 

It is now November 2014.  How am I doing?

1. I have been better at letting go of faltering friendships, though at times I do feel a little guilty for not making the effort to get back in touch...
   
2. Cherishing good friends is a two way street.  And I must say, the few good friends I resolved to cherish make that so easy.  We do keep in touch and check in with each other and make time to visit and share our life's ups and downs.  My best friend Sandy and I get together almost every month for dinner or gaming or just visiting.
   
3. Attempting to stay socially active has been more of a struggle.  I stopped visiting the Rocksino unless it is a planned visit with a friend. The ROI is just not enough.  I did opt to join a gym and have been chatting with some of the regulars while there. The first two months I went almost every night.  I have slacked off a bit, but still making 2-3 visits a week.
   
4. I have done quite a few things to my apartment.  The kitchen, dining room, guest bathroom, and living room all have new wall art.  I created a magnet canvas to cover my fuse box.  I do have a few more things in mind, including a wind chime, but I am just not as creative as I would like to think I am.  I did get lucky when my son decided to move to Belize.  I acquired two living room lamps, a bedroom set (which he thinks he is getting back on his return), some kitchen items, an exercise bike (which I gave to him last time I moved), some comforters, more wall art,etc...  So if all that counts, I have kept this resolution.
   
5. I did walk in two organized 5K events this year, one on Mother's Day and one at the Natatorium in September.   And, since July 1st,  I have been setting and achieving monthly activity (step) goals.
   
6. I did take a vacation to Myrtle Beach in September and I have booked a flight to Belize in December.  Check and double check!

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

And, I have actually added a resolution.  I am working to get my 5k walk time down.  On September 14, my official 5k time was clocked at 51:16.  My goal is to get that time (unofficially, 25 1/8 mile laps at the Nat) down to 45:00 by Christmas.  I hit 47:30 earlier  this week.  I am on my way.