Last Workday of the Year

Can you believe another year has come and gone? It seems interminable while it stretches on but then so short as I look back over the last twelve months. However you viewed it, we will soon be writing 2012 on checks and emails (I added emails because many of you probably scoffed at me for still writing checks). Let's all hope 2012 is a better year than 2011 was (and I will let you determine what better means for you).

We are about 12 hours away from seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra. That's going to be fun. Maybe we will eat dinner on that side of town, too, since we never go over there. I see a steak house, Japanese, Ribs, a Piano bar. We will probably head over early and take in the Westgate area.

All of that "taking in" we're going to do will probably require some agility, right. Speaking of Agile...

We had a quiet evening at home last night. Nachos and TV. That's living, my friend.

Well, I think I know what to provide my VP on that special assignment now. I am still working on how to get there, but I know where I am going, and that's a start.

As you might imagine, it is pretty quiet in the office so far. The freeways were busier than I would have thought, but it was still a much easier commute than normal. Anyway, maybe if I get a lot done early, I can boogie out early (what? Don't you ever boogie?).

Happy New Year to all my followers. We will get together next year. Same bat place. Same bat time.

Insider Trading

Do not get me started on this new revelation about our Congress. And remember that they are not bound to participate in ObamaCare (if it makes it through the court challenges). Not that I thought they were the most stalwart of government workers, but it shows how much different their lives are than ours. It just shows that Life is not a game.

Speaking of games...

We took the girls home last night and it seems everyone (almost) was tired. Morris slept all evening and then all night. On the drive to their house, Kendall asked if she could fall asleep. We said yes, and she was gone within a couple of minutes. Kathie and I came home a vegged on the couch. Bella, though, kept up a constant conversation all the way home. She had slept until 8am that morning, though.

I suspect some good Lyndsay cooking is coming up for NYE (New Year's Eve), especially some Goop cake. We are having Italian for dinner at Sal's in Gilbert, then back to their house for games and her desserts and some raucous behavior until midnight.

Are you having to work this week? I was off Monday, but I do work through Friday. It is quiet both on my commute and even in the office as a number of people are taking some time off. I prefer to save my vacation days for Spring and Fall when school is out.

I sent my VP some requirements for the special assignment, but she has countered with a different direction. See, I knew this was something I needed to clarify before I start working on something that does not match her expectations.

I need to respond to her email and get my normal reporting out of the way before working on her stuff, so I will let you go. Thanks for staying with me through 2011. Just one more post this year, so check back tomorrow.

Did You Say Board Game or Bored Game?

Yup. Today's CoV has more game references. I tried to keep them to ones that everyone would recognize.

The granddaughters spent the night last night. We had a good time staying home and doing crafts and puzzle books and watching Spongebob Squarepants. We brought in pizza and bread sticks for dinner.

I am charging ahead creating a requirements document for the work assigned by the VP. I am not comfortable that I understand where we will end up, so I am using this document to have her confirm that we will be successful if we reach the end state I have proposed.

Traffic is really nice this week between holidays. So many people are off that I did not go below 55mph on the freeway, and the same thing yesterday afternoon on my way home.

Oh come on. I saw one of you nodding off already, and it is still morning. Fine. I will let you get started on your days since I am obviously boring you. Maybe this whole blog is a bored game?

A Merry Christmas, Indeed

We had a nice Christmas break. How about you? We started with Christmas Eve at my parent's place. Then, Christmas morning, we had the Sixth Annual Christmas Brunch at KLIK. We saw both MI:3 and Sherlock Holmes over the holiday. We liked Mission Impossible more. We were sleeping up to and even past 7am every day. So, today's alarm at 5:15am was a rude awakening (no, really, it was rude).

I am at my desk, but not really at 100% yet. So, I also ended up returning with no new CoV ideas. So, I turned to my idea list and found this topic.I am sure there will be more on this topic.

Speaking of games, I did get some new ones this year. I have a new card game version of Tetris. It is surprisingly fun. I also got Wits and Wagers, and The Game of Things. We have played them all at least once, and I will carry them to our Game Night on New Year's Eve.

My boss' boss is expecting some results on the project she assigned me last week, so it will be a busy week, even though my boss is on vacation. First, I need to generate some good requirements to confirm that what we build is what she expects. That is my goal for the next four days.

We have uploaded some holiday photos on Facebook, but I do not have them with me for this blog. Hopefully, I will remember to do so sometime this week.

Lindsay, I really do have some notes on cameras, but I have not compiled them for publication yet. This week. Hopefully.

It will be a GRAND night because the GRANDS are staying with us while their parents convert their house from Christmas-themed to New Year-themed. So, I don't want to work too late. I need to get started anyway.

My Friday, At Last

We have tomorrow and Monday off for the holidays. So, A Legend In My Own Mind won't be back until Tuesday. Neither will Clarity of Vision. So, I wanted a CoV reflective of the season. Instead, I came up with this one.

Yesterday, my boss and I were given a new list of 20 items to remember as we continue to work on the memory exercises. this one includes more conceptual items (including the word conceptual which is #6 on the list) than physical ones. We also are remembering these using a different set of mental images than the first two lists. A few of the items are nimble (I am using Fred Flintstone running up on his toes while bowling because the mental placeholder for this list is my toes), Red Skelton (#5 on my list, which is linked to love handles, so I remember this item because I can feel my skeleton when I touch my love handles), severity (#13 which is linked to my elbow, so I picture having severe arthritis there), unknowingly (#16, which is navel, so the photographer unknowingly took a photo of my navel instead of a navel orange of a grocery store ad), and #20, under the sea (of course, I linked that to the Disney song because my mental link is mouth). It seems to be working so far. Leigh, I am really enjoying the Moonwalking with Einstein book, which covers much of the same techniques.

I received a number of free meal coupons in the mail from places where we have signed up, but they all expire 12/26 (one week after my birthday), so I may not get to use any of them. Boo. Maybe I should sign up with a mid-year b-day like Kathie?

I did not get even close to finishing all the things on my To-Do list yesterday, so I am anxious to get going. Again, you are certainly welcome to stop by the blog tomorrow, but there will (most likely) not be an update. However, I am working next week, so I will have some updates then.

I've Never Had Christmas Goose ...

so, it doesn't really matter to me if it gets fat or not. Have you? Then again, since it is an English song and they even mention a Ha-penny, I guess they do have goose for their Christmas dinner. What did Scrooge give Cratchit and family? Goose? I cannot remember.

Probably, a white Christmas is not uncommon in England. In AZ, though, we only get it up in the high country. However, a Phoenix-based sheriff seems to want us all to have one.


I did catch up on all my email yesterday after a vacation day. I have not completed all my assignments yet, though. Does that happen to you when you are out of the office?

We had some Irish pasties for dinner last night (that's pronounced past as in not the future, eez as in ease). They were quite tasty (that's pronounced taste as in taste, ee as in ee). I had a chicken pot pie pasty (last time, I had shepherd's pie).

This time of year, I am working my way through wearing Christmas ties. I have about 12 of them. Usually, I wear polos.

I am running a little late today, so I will wrap it up. Thanks for the pre-Christmas visit (they sounded a little like A Christmas Carol, didn't it?).

Eight Maids With Eight Candles

Yes, the title does sound like something from the memory exercises I am performing with my boss. However, it is simply a mix of the two themes in today's Clarity of Vision comic.

I am back in the office today after a few days at Disneyland with KLIK and K and C. We had a little bit of rain, but nothing like the horrible downpours of 2010. And it wasn't so cold as to be uncomfortable. We had a really good time. And by the way, the new flights they added to Star Tours are excellent. It seems random, so there is something different each time (based on the three times some of us rode it).

We also celebrated my birthday there. They gave me tickets to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Oh yeah. I hope they do the Wizards in Winter song. Remember it from such videos as Wizards in Winter.

However, perhaps the most special gift is an audio book with Bella and Kendall reading Twas the Night Before Christmas. I know it took a lot of work to put together and I appreciate it so much. I wanted to share it with coworkers today, but Kathie put dibs on taking it first. Hey, wait a minute. It's my present!!

I have not loaded photos yet. I didn't really take that many. We were tired last night and I just did not take the time to work on photos. I barely unpacked.

OK, after missing yesterday, I am late on some items, so I need to work a bit. Thanks for noticing I was gone yesterday. Talk again tomorrow?

PDF

No, this post is not available in PDF (Portable Document Format). Rather, today is Pre-Disney Friday. Yeah, baby. At this time tomorrow, I will be on my way to the park. Yes, that is worth losing a little sleep over. It is not supposed to rain (which it did last year).

For the office Christmas party yesterday, I brought a Starbucks mug/hot chocolate/gift card bundle. When it came my turn, I picked the Fact or Crap board game. Whoo hoo. Of course, it was taken away and I ended up with... wait for it... a Starbucks mug/hot chocolate/gift card bundle. In total, there were about six of them in the gift pile. Except... the gift card had been removed. Needless to say, no one stole it from me.

We did have a Karaoke machine. I sang that Quarter After Four song by Lady Antebellum with Jennifer. We weren't bad. At least, I don't think we sounded like this.

We've got a Chorale concert tonight at the folks' church. Then, I will go home and pack for the trip.

But first, I've got to get through a work day. Don't you?

Hey, I return home on Monday, so we won't get together again until Tuesday. I know you will miss me on Monday.

Parrrr-Tayyyyy

It is Christmas party day for our department. Our VP has flown in from San Francisco. We have a White Elephant exchange during the party. It is a potluck. All is right with the world.

That does not mean, however, that I can blow off the rest of the day. Oh no. I really do need to work on a Roadmap. Why do I laugh when I say that. Probably because of this hilarious comic strip.

There is a trip planned to Disneyland for a select group of family members, including me. Part of it is to see the annual holiday decorations there. Part of it is to pick up some delicious ChocolatEars malted milk balls. they are disgustingly yummy and I will return with more than one box. Part of it is to celebrate birthdays for myself and Kendall.

I ran a little late today. You know what that means. I can't sit around flapping my jaws with y'all for as long. In fact, time is up. I see Thursday peeking around the corner, seeking my attention. I'll tell you about the party and which present I end up with tomorrow.

Christmas Songs..Do They Send a Good Message? Let's Talk About It

There are Christmas songs ranging from Silent Night to Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. There are songs about Jesus, Santa, Bells, Ground Zero, Daddy getting drunk, Prison. My, my. What has Christmas become?

Well, take a look at these words and see what you think....

We had a Christmas pot luck at Chorale practice last night. I had already eaten, but who can pass up pot luck food. Not me. So, I had a little more.

The folks did not have any pot luck. They were with my sister, watching the fire department put out a kitchen fire at her house. It sounds as if it was not too bad, but a lot of smoke damage and a ruined oven. That is really lucky. I'm glad nobody was inside at the time. It sounds like her pets are OK, although one cat is still missing.

Leigh, I am enjoying Moonwalking with Einstein. It is even better than just a book about memory techniques because he is telling a story about using stories to remember things. So far, though, I haven't actually learned the techniques. It is fun, though. My boss has a DVD about remembering names that he is going to share with me (from remembermedia.com).

During this week and next, I am wearing Christmas ties. So, I have to wear my dress shirts that I haven't really worn since coming to this company. So, of course, everyone asks me (everyday!) where I am interviewing that day. OK, yes, I'd do it to them, too.

Well, I think I will mosey down to the break room and get a mug o' chocolate. No, don't wait. We can chat more in the morning.

Wet and Wild

Hey, don't get your hopes up. Today's title just means that it is a rainy day, so the commute is often wet and wild. Luckily, there were no accidents between home and work, but there are certainly plenty around the Valley of the Sun. After all, we are not the Valley of the Rain. We don't know how to drive in this stuff. We only get around 6" of precip per year.

With all the sun, though, you'd think we could handle bright lights. Mostly, yes, but what if something got too bright?

We get paid every other week. Sometimes, those paydays do not line up with bill due dates such as the mortgage at the beginning of the month. Why did that have to happen in December? For the most part, though, I like it because money comes in more often.

Well, our VP asked if I could help her staff with a special project. That's good PR for me, right? Well, I mean it is if I pull it off. I will certainly knock myself out trying. No, not literally.

Tonight is the Chorale Christmas party. I am in a quartet to provide part of the entertainment. I tweaked a song with a couple of parts and added a Rap section, so hopefully, it will be fun. Yes, I do mean literally.

Someone at work yesterday used the word regurgatory. I like it, but don't know how to make it a CoV yet. Ideas?

OK, let's dry off and get to work. Hopefully, it will be a bit drier when we leave for the day, right?

Red State, Blue State

It seems that a certain Red state can hold their heads up high while a certain Blue state is less enthusiastic. That's right. Let's walk over to the sports center. The AZ Cardinals won yesterday, but the Cowboys could not hold on. Alison's boyfriend should be happy since he is a Giants fan. The rest of us are mightily disappointed.

In the non-fiction category, I mentioned my memory exercises at lunch yesterday and it seems my niece already knows this technique. Does she use it? I can't remember. Ha ha. Get it? Anyway, she loaned me a book describing more details (reviewed here).

Before I forget, though, let's swing by the Clarity of Vision corner and see what's happening today.

Let's now move over to the music department. We had the first of our big orchestra holiday concerts last night. It went fairly well. We did have a couple of disconnects, but the audience couldn't tell. These are always fun events.

Under the heading of business, I see that there are two meetings lasting a total of 3-1/2 hours on the books for today. The first is a webinar on Agile teams, and the second is the weekly PMO (Project Management Office) management meeting. So, I need to prepare for the PMO meeting before (or maybe while) I listen to the webinar.

We now move over to the exit. Isn't it a lovely glowing green color? Reminds you of Christmas, right? OK, when you go out it, go buy me a present. See you Tuesday.

Get Your Weekend On!

It is almost time for the weekend. Even though we had the party last weekend, tomorrow is Kendall's birthday. She and her sister are staying with us tonight, so we'll for sure see her on her birthday. In fact, we've got to get them up early for soccer games.

Another thing about the weekend is I do not publish a CoV. I am sure that makes some of you sad. OK, maybe a few of you, then. Oh, come on, at least one of you must be sad about that. Today, though, there is a new Clarity of Vision comic.

My boss is teaching me a little from the recent memory improvement class he is taking. Yesterday, we talked about .... I can't remember. No, just messing with you. He told me about the palm tree list and how to attach memories to it so you can recall them later. For example, the first concept is a palm tree. It stands for one, it looks like a one standing there, and you can use it to remember your item one. For our test, the first item is mug, and I see myself throwing the mug against the tree and it shattering. The two concept is an electrical outlet. There are two sockets in it, two plugs in each socket. So, I imagined an electrical car jack plugged into it lifting a car. The second item to remember was indeed a car jack. His goal is that he and I can remember all 112 active projects, who runs each, and which program they align with. Whew! I am tired just explaining it.

I show three meetings on my calendar. Of course, I would remember that if I knew all the tricks, right? I need to go prepare for the first, which I lead. So, let's get our weekend on. Oh, by the way, I just remembered that item 9 on the list is the word intensity. How did we decide to remember that? Well, the nine concept is a kitten. Why? Nine lives. Anyway, we pictured a kitten, wearing little pink cat-sized boxers, walking around in the local prison known as tent city. Get it? The kitten is in tent city...intensity. OK, buh bye.

TV Teasers

So, we held our annual Survivor Party that we hold each week and provide our own commentary to the show. We were torn over who would be voted off the island, although we all wanted something to happen to add some drama. Then, during the teaser for next week, they showed us something that would be surprising and fun. However, surely they wouldn't really show us that and spoil the surprise, right? There's a catch. There always is.

We will be hitting Cherry St in Mesa on Friday night for their annual displays. It is a stretch of maybe 20 houses all decked out, with families sitting in the driveways sharing fires and hot chocolate and inflatable displays and lights. It has become an annual tradition. Afterward, the GRANDS will be spending the night. We will have a great time.

Speaking of time, what if you could have your own time machine? Would that be fun or was once enough? And what if it malfunctioned like it does in today's CoV?

It's a two meeting day. One is two hours and the other is one and one-half hours. That's, like, half of my day. So, including nap time, six hours of my day are gone. And if you add in the hour it takes me to write this blog, seven hours are used up, and I haven't even had my hot chocolate yet.

I'd best be underway. Does anyone say "I'd best..." anymore? Probably not, although maybe this will repopularize it. Anyway, I just traveled ahead in time and saw that I got behind in the afternoon, so I am going to start now to try and catch up. See you.

An Orchestral Pit

Is an orchestra pit the thing left behind when the orchestra leaves? Anyway, we practiced with the orchestra last night and it was a lot of fun. I don't think we had to run through any song twice. So, either we did really well or the director just wanted to get home early. However, with about 80-100 singers on the risers, it was pretty crowded.

Speaking of misusing words like implying an orchestra pit is anything like a fruit pit, here's another way to twist words.

I am attending a lunchtime meeting over across the freeway on how to attend classes at University of Phoenix. I know a lot of people have gotten their degrees from here, but I haven't taken any classes yet. They are supposed to explain the process and give us ideas on programs or individual classes that might be of interest.

Did I tell you that the instrument cluster in Ali's car is shot, but they can only work on it during a regular business day because they have to call the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for help in configuring it based on what options were included in the Cavalier, so Ali will either have to borrow one of our cars for next week while hers is in the shop or maybe get it done on Friday when she is up for a Dr. appt? OK, that was as far as I could stretch that sentence. Did you get lost? I did.

We started watching The Sing Off Christmas special last night. There were some pretty cool arrangements. You know, it might be fun to see Ben Folds in concert some time.

I am ready to get today underway, so thanks for staying with me through that paragraph/sentence above. Have your people call my people and we'll do this again soon.

Some Training is Needed

It seems I was chosen to be part of a song/skit at next Tuesday's Chorale practice. However, we will not have time to practice before we perform, and I don't even know who else is in the group with me. Still, I have ideas of what would make it more fun, so I will work on my plan during lunchtime today. Then, I will give copies to the accompanist tonight for her to give to the other singers. I'll try to remember to tell you about it next Wednesday.

Speaking of preparing and training....

It seems Ali's car needs a new instrument cluster. It's always something, right?

No, we still have not finished our holiday shopping. You? Oh, but we did finally get our 2100 ornament. Well, we ordered it, so we don't actually have it on the tree yet. We have an ornament for every year of our marriage. Nice little remembrance, right? And we also picked up our Christmas cards.

Our credit union has corrected the error where they deducted $900 from our account for a $100 check. Yeah, they missed it just a little. Luckily, nothing bounced because I have them pulling from our savings before they return a check. They refunded our account fees, too.

Well, I'm feeling the need for some hot chocolate. I never became a coffee drinker like my son or wife, so I will usually get a hot chocolate during the cold weather. And right now, it helps soothe my slightly scratchy throat so I won't cough. You can take a break for a hot beverage, too. We'll meet again in the morning.

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

I will admit that I was torn on my loyalties during the Cowboys vs Cardinals football game yesterday. I had to cheer whenever a good play was made by either team. I was hoping Dallas would win because the win would do more for Big D in the playoffs, but I cannot be sad that AZ actually won one with their long-time injured quarterback playing again. And Garrett calling that final time out during regulation messed up his kicker's rhythm. Wow. It was a good game, though.

You know what Bailey could have used for his missed field goal? More power.

The East Valley Chorale performed its first Christmas concert of the season last night. I think it went pretty well. The church was packed (I would estimated 500-600 people). It was a cool, clear night. There wasn't a cloud in the ceiling. Our concert next Sunday is with the full orchestra, so that will be more special.

No, I don't have all my outside Christmas lights hung yet. Do you? I want to wrap the porch column in a garland and lights candy-cane style look. And I need to hang the lights across the front eaves. I'll get it done this week.

We had Kendall's Fourth Birthday party on Saturday. Wow, they grow up so fast, don't they? And it is even faster when they are not yours so that you don't actually see them daily.

We have not finished our Christmas shopping yet. How about you? And deciding what to get Dad is a challenge every year. Maybe a framed photo of me would be nice? No, I suppose he was a good boy this year, so that would be more like giving him coal in his stocking.

They sounds of a workday are beginning around me. The chime of computers booting up, the tap-tap-tap of keyboards clicking as people logon and start working, the gurgle of the coffee brewing in the breakroom, the talking of people catching up after a weekend. All of these draw my attention away from my daily salutations to you. So, I will give in and join in the workplace camaraderie. Until tomorrow, then.

Iiiiit's FRIDAY!!

Yeah, baby. That's what I'm talking about. We made it through another week. Just four more and we will have also made it through another year. Just nine more years and we will have made it through another decade. OK, I think you have picked up what I am putting down.

Another thing you should put down is that sales flyer for whichever store you frequent. I know they have a Buy One, Get One Half-Off sale, but maybe that doesn't mean what you think it means (which reminds me of The Princess Bride).

I am having lunch with a friend from my Motorola days today. We are hitting Pei Wei. Mmm. My mouth is already watering. Is it lunchtime yet?

Oh, before I forget, I am now four years cancer-free. Whoo to the hoo. However, I am not really following the prescribed Mediterranean diet, nor doing the recommended exercise program. OK, let's focus on the success for now and not the myriad failures.

Only two meetings today. Whoo to the hoo number two.

I received my own copy of the coveted Walker Family Genealogy book this week. Nothing in there gives me a clue as to how my brain got so twisted.

I actually cheated on y'all. I snuck out between the last two paragraphs and responded to an email my boss sent yesterday. Did you even notice? I thought not. Will you notice if I just end this post and go do some prep work for the first meeting?

I Am Confident

I am confident that my urologist will confirm I am cancer free after four years. One thing that this annual appointment also does, though, is remind me of the passing of my mother-in-law. I had just had my operation when she died and I was unable to travel to Texas for the funeral. I loved her very much and still miss her. However, she is no longer in pain and in eternity with our Savior.

Do you ever wonder what goes on in my mind that allows me to create my Clarity of Vision comics? Me, too. I don't know where today's idea came from, but it marks CoV #621.

What else? Oh, I finally got around to watching the Sing-Off finale last night. Whoo hoo. My favorite group won. Do you remember us talking about this a week or two ago? I wanted an Arlington, TX-based group to win. And they did! Yup, Pentatonix. The three lead singers are all only 19 years old, but there are good. And since it was Wednesday, we also had our weekly Survivor-meal-and-viewing. The vote surprised me. I won't say why in case any of you recorded it for later viewing.

OK, I need to generate a report before a 10am meeting. The team had an assignment and I have to validate that they completed it as requested. You go do that voodoo that you do so well, too. Until tomorrow, then.