Category: Generic

The Last Thing

Daily writing prompt
What is the last thing you learned?
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We all probably learn something new every day, right? That should be the goal, at least. I learned a couple of little things yesterday. Nothing important in the grand scheme of things, but new things none the less.

I learned that a US passport doesn’t include a street address. Who knew?

I learned a couple of small details about filling out travel requests at work.

I learned that our new work in the office policy (two days a week instead of just one) has lead to a lot of people choosing to come in on Wednesdays.

In the last week I learned for sure something I already suspected. Kitchen remodeling projects are stressful.

See? You really do learn new things every day!

I Hate That

Daily writing prompt
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
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I don’t have a real answer for this. There’s nothing specific that sets me off or anything like that. Nothing that I feel strongly enough about to label as “hate.” Maybe I can come up with some mild annoyances?

  • The company I work for has some goofy policies. I get annoyed when I have to explain them to people who work for other software companies. Companies that have more traditional policies that aren’t quite as goofy.
  • I don’t like being asked about religion. I won’t hesitate to give my thoughts and opinions with both barrels right into the questioner’s face. That doesn’t mean I enjoy being put in that situation. I don’t care about other people’s religious beliefs at all. Not even the faintest hint of a care. I would ask you to not care about mine in the same manner.
  • So Rob, why don’t you drink alcohol? Well because fuck you, that’s why. That one hasn’t come up in a very long time, but it used to come up multiple times per week and I would get really annoyed by it.
  • Okay, here’s one I hate. Say Rob, that donald trump is something special, right? No. He’s a fucking nazi who tried to overthrow the US government. He’s disgusting and evil and I cannot believe he has actual support from people who claim to be Americans.

Okay… I’m really pissed off now. This post is over.

Epic Fail

Daily writing prompt
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
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I finished high school in June of 1989 and started college that September. I was a music major with an emphasis in sound recording technology. Basically, that was music crossed with electrical engineering. The core course work included two semesters of calculus and one of physics. Therein lied my problem.

Coming out of high school, my math skills were flat out awful. I was unprepared for college level classes which meant I was unable to pass calculus, and given that calculus is the foundation of a lot of physics, I was hosed there too. There was more to it than that. I was also just not in a place mentally where I could handle school anymore. I needed a break.

All of that lead to me dropping out of college. I couldn’t do it at that time. Academically or emotionally. That was my failure. College, the first time around.

I followed that experience with a job, and then a tech school and a certification in a field where I was unable to get a job, which was followed by a shitty job in a warehouse for garbage money. When I couldn’t take it any more I went back to school.

All of that is what lead to my eventual success. I majored in computer science. Another field that required a strong math background. I went into it knowing that I had to strengthen my basic skills. I told my first academic advisor that I was going to start at the lowest math course available. I had taken a placement test that said I could start a little further along. I said no and started at the bottom. I then studied my ass off at each level. By the time I was hitting my upper level computer science courses I had aced three semesters of calculus and two semesters of physics.

Success, babie. Take that, failure. Suck my awesome grades.

After graduation I got a job in the field. Not the best job. Not a development position. I figured I’d worm my way into a development position, but then never did. I stayed in client services and moved into management. I’m still there.

Frustration

The plumber went out to get some dinner. He expects he has about two hours more work to do tonight. It’s 600pm. I think we’re going to be working until after 9:00pm again tonight.

Insert the sign of frustration here.

Stressing out like nuts over here, kids. Like nuts.

The plumber just walked in the door. Here’s hoping he can wrap it up in two hours. Fingers crossed.

Haiku for You #154

Today’s haiku is a follow up to the previous post where I bitched about our kitchen not being finished yet.

I miss my kitchen.
I want to make us some lunch.
Remember dinners?

The tile guy is here. The plumber hasn’t shown up yet. It’s 12:20pm.