Additional Photos on Pinterest

Since I was home sick yesterday (did you miss me? Anybody? Anybody? Buehler?), I added a few of my favorite photos to one of my boards in pinterest.com. If you are a long-time follower of this blog, you have most likely seen all of them already.

Am I feeling better? Better, yes. Totally well, no. I do have my bag of cough drops with me, though. What does that mean about Chorale practice tonight? I will let you know.

All of you realize how oddly you pronounce things when your nasal passages are stuffy. It can make for some interesting interpretations.

You are probably wondering how my VP report came out? No? Well, I'll tell you what I know. Nothing. I have not heard hide nor hair from her yet. Does it meet her needs? Do I need to keep it updated? I don't know yet. There were no mails from her yesterday. I guess that at least doesn't mean bad things or she would probably have said so.

I see that I missed 8 calls yesterday. I will check them in a little while. Most of my inter-team communications are via email. Is your office more phone-based or email-based or Twitter or what? For us, Twitter and Facebook are blocked at the office. (So is Pinterest, by the way).

I was sitting here spacing out for a moment while trying to decide what to write next. When that happens, it usually means I should end the day's entry and go to something else. So, I will do that.

A Debate About Debates

Wow, I know that each Republican candidate wants to stand out, but I am already tired of all the sniping and personal insults being hurled in the debates. And the ads are equally negative. And once a person is chosen, both parties will roll out their big negativity guns and the battle will be on. At least we will have a reason to hope December comes soon beyond the usual Christmas excitement.

Speaking of the candidates...

Well, I am down to my last day to finish the resource loading report for the VP. Yes, I am certain I will get it done, although I still question its value. Still, mine is not to question why....

The GRANDS are spending the night with us tomorrow. I am not sure what we will do yet. Hey, remind me to ask Kyle to bring the iPad so we will have two tablets available for them to play with.

OK, fine. I will admit it. I cheated on my diet yesterday and had a donut. Come on. I had no choice. they were in the cubicle next to me and I heard a chocolate one calling my name.

Today's Steven Wright joke: I replaced the headlights in my car with strobe lights, so it looks like I'm the only one moving.

Well, that'll do it for now. Y'all have a great weekend.

Time Is A-Ticking

I am down to two workdays left before my report is due to the VP. By my count, I still have 133 presentations to pull the data from, and 16 hours to make it happen. That's about 8 per hour, and I have averaged about 6 per hour in the last couple of weeks. Why did that dude have to find another job instead of helping me?

Speaking of helping someone, I am sure this guy meant well as he counseled a coworker. By "meant well," I am saying he at least never lied. It is more of a sin of omission.

We went to Chompies for dinner last night and I was sorely tempted to get liver and onions, but felt the fried food would not help my diet. So, I had grilled chicken and steamed spinach. The waitress suggested we try the Jewish sliders, but "Oy, Vey," I didn't feel like it. Maybe next time. Oh, I have left-overs, but I forgot to bring them.

Alison has already completed her tax returns. I have not even started gathering my numbers yet. How about you? Is yours already finished? In fact, I have not even gotten my W2 yet.

Tired of reading already? I am tired of writing, and yet, I will be at the keyboard all day. So, let's get a jump on it. Have a good day. I decided to end with a Steven Wright joke. Remember him. Crazy-haired guy with a slow, deadpan delivery? Anyway, I got my driver's license photo taken out of focus on purpose. Now when I get pulled over the cop looks at it (moving it nearer and farther, trying to see it clearly)... And says, "Here, you can go.

We Interrupt This Blog For a Presidential Address

Did you watch last night's State of the Union address by the president? I confess that I did not. first, I was at Chorale practice. Even had I been at home, though, I would not have watched. I wouldn't watch it no matter who was president. And nowadays, even if I decided to watch, I would not do so live. That's what DVRs are for. You can skip all the commercials during regular TV and all the applause during speeches.

I did read some of his points online this morning, though. One, to find out what topics he thinks are most critical, and two, so I could create today's Clarity of Vision comic.

I still have a lot of data to cull for the VP report I am working on. My timeline takes me right up through Friday afternoon, and no wonder. There is a lot of information, and it's sooooo boring that I have to stand up for frequent breaks.

I woke up cold again last night at around 2am. You know, they say that getting cold is not uncommon for people my age. That's bad. I've reached "that" age when you can say things happen to people my age.

The Chorale ordered new copies of our CD and the director had a great idea for a way to minister using them. He gave each of us a free copy and asked that we share it in whatever way we feel led. I have a great idea for mine. There is a lady at church whose sister attempted suicide a couple of months ago. I think I will give it to her and ask that she share it with her sister. Yeah, I know it may not be her type of music, but it was what came to mind when Bruce talked about this ministry.

What's that I hear? It's the sound of an approaching deadline, so I'd best start running. No, I'm sure that's not a train I see at the end of this tunnel.

The Roof Is On Fire

Well, it might not be on fire, but a lot of people are up there walking around. So, right now, it is quite noisy here in the office. I am on the second floor of a two-story building, so we easily hear it when rain hits the roof or people are up there working. I did notice a sign company ladder truck out front earlier, so I expect they are doing sign repairs.

The company uses a building sign to advertise itself. People often use their email signature line to advertise their accomplishments. One of the additions to a signature line for a project manager is PMP (if they are certified by the Project Management Institute). How would you pronounce that acronym? Exactly. It then sounds like.... Well, read this.

Are y'all watching Alcatraz? Yes, it is a normal police procedural show, but wrapped in a supernatural story line involving missing Alcatraz prisoners. And it is produced by J.J.Abrams of LOST and Fringe fame. So, being the CSI and science fiction fan that I am, I do enjoy it.

We will be in the mid-70s all week. That may sound nice to those in colder climates, I would like it to stay in the 60s during our winter months. We get enough heat throughout the rest of the year.

I got behind on the VP assignment yesterday. The team needed me to do some other data analysis. I've really got to stay focused today. So, don't bother me, OK?

I suppose I should start earlier rather than later. Thanks for the visit.

Pats 'N' Giants, Huh?

I would say it is now almost impossible for the Cowboys or the Cardinals to make it to the Super Bowl this year. However, I am now torn on my loyalties. Do I root for NY because that is who Alison's boyfriend supports? Or should I go for the Patriots since I worked up in that region for a year? Sorry, Dave. Right now, I am leaning towards New England because the Giants are a longtime Dallas rival.

Is anything besides the Super Bowl going on right now? Aren't there some primaries happening in different states? And do you need a catchy nickname to win?

We are expecting some inclement weather the next couple of days. On the weather report this morning, they said it could be a little heavy, with up to 1/4 inch in some areas. Not so heavy for some of you in wetter climes, right? Well, it is a lot for the desert.

Dad, how did you like the pistachio frozen yogurt? Well, I liked it. Mom, I hope you are feeling better. Bella and Kendall, I hope y'all are felling better, too.

I am down to my final week to get the VP report ready. It's a sprint to the finish, even though getting to this point has been more of a marathon. I don't want anyone to pass me, so I'm stopping our talk for today. See you in 24.

Goin' to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo. How About You, You, You?

We have agreed to accompany KLIK to the zoo tomorrow. The weather should be around 71F in the afternoon, so the morning should be perfect for people and animals. No debate about that.

Speaking of debates, did you watch the Republican debate last night? Yeah, me neither. That does not stop me from commenting on it, though.

I may need to drop the Jeep off at the repair shop tomorrow to fix that taillight problem. I would rather fix it before the police stop me than have to get a ticket, then get it fixed and then prove to the police that it is fixed. A search on the web shows it is likely the taillight assembly that has gone bad. So, why not just order one and fix it myself? Well, if that is not the problem, then I am out that money plus whatever I now have to pay that same repair shop to find the real problem.

I was making good progress on my special assignment yesterday when I got an email from the VP. She had a slight tweak in expectations (in other words, the requirements changed after the project launched) and I had to review all of the presentations I had already finished. In total, I lost about six hours. I hope no additional changes are made before I publish the report next week.

I have run out of blog topics earlier than expected, so I will not write more just for the sake of writing. Let's break early for the weekend and start up again first thing Monday. Have a great weekend.

We Lapsed

We are really doing quite well on eating healthier, but we went for BBQ last night. We had hoped to go to a place I have visited at lunchtime, but it closes at 7pm. So, back to Joe's Real BBQ. Not totally off our diet, but certainly yummy. Tonight? Back to adherance. Lunch? Oatmeal.

Any thoughts on who Romney might choose as his VP nominee? Hopefully, it is nothing like these names.

The gauntlet has been thrown down at work. I have to have this report ready for our VP by the end of next week. So, I have to complete about a month's worth of data extracted every two days. Yes, I think I can do it (well, I have to do it, so really, I am saying that I think it can be done during regular work hours as opposed to staying late in order to meet the deadline).

You know, we need something new to throw down since nobody wears gauntlets anymore. Well, not outside of Scottish Games and Medieval Games jousting tournaments. Maybe an iPod or something? "Oh, are you going to do it? I heard your boss threw down the iPod." No, that doesn't really feel as challenging, does it?

I do not normally watch American Idol. I do, however, like the first few episodes when the really bad people are showcased. Yes, last night, there were a few bad ones. No William Hung yet, though.

Lindsay, do you have a date yet? No, not that kind of date. I meant a day when you might leave.

Dad, research on the web leads me to believe I may have to replace the tail light assembly to fix the brake light problem. All tail lights seem to work, but if I step on the brake, there is no brake light on the driver's side.

OK, time to start my project. Thanks for chilling with me (chilling not in the temperature sense because it should reach 71F today). Until tomorrow, then.

Step By Step

With the advent of smartphones with accelerometers, will the market for mechanical pedometers last? A man at work just added one to his Android phone and feels it is more accurate than any he has used to date. However, I will admit that the name of this app sent my imagination in a different direction.

Last night, Chorale practice had to move to a different location due to an event in our normal location. Of course, I did not remember that until I arrived at the usual place and noticed that the folks' car wasn't there. Luckily, others forgot, also, and they reminded me that we moved for the night. I wasn't too late.

OK, the VP at work wants to know if I can complete my special assignment by the end of January. So, today, I need to do some totaling and some time measuring and determine if I can do it alone or I still need assistance. I think I can finish in time, but we'll find out later.

I am attending a webinar today on preparing for retirement. Can you believe it? Aren't I still decades away from worrying about that? No, I guess it's not that far now. So, I want to know what I need to understand to be prepared.

I admit it. I have not yet studied my Sunday School lesson nor memorized this week's verse. Maybe I'll start checking it out tonight.

OK, trivia time over. Let's start the workday.

Feeling Steamed About Anything?

I am not, although today's Clarity of Vision is inspired by a warning I read on the popcorn bag last night.As I was writing this, I found numerous articles on the web warning that the steam contains some dangerous chemical, so don't be smelling it, OK?

We had a good East Valley Chorale concert on Sunday night out in Mesa. I would guess the attendance was between 500 and 600. I am not sure when the next one is; probably in two weeks.

We did not see any movies over the weekend. Alison did, although I cannot remember which one. I do remember that it was not Contraband, which had been her original plan.

My boss and I have been busy in different directions during this new year, so we have not had a chance to move ahead on our memory exercises. We did create the stories that will help us remember the org structure, but have not reviewed them yet. Once we know the teams, we can then link the projects and programs to them.

Kathie and I are still trying to eat healthier. We went to brunch on Saturday and saw they had a new menu. I know what you are thinking. New prices, right? Not too bad, but they also added calorie counts on everything. I asked if it has changed the ordering habits at all and they confirmed that most still order their same breakfast entree, but then do not add on as much such as pancakes or a dessert pastry. For us, no changes. My omelet only has 230 calories. Whoo hoo.

Did you miss me yesterday? We got MLK/Civil Rights Day off. No, we did not attend any parades or anything.

Well, I know you are not used to reading so many words at once after a long weekend, so I will let you go. I'll write more words tomorrow, so try to get in a little practice tonight.

It's Friiiiiday!

This is horrible. I was thinking of a title for today's post and the Rebecca Black song came to mind. I don't think I have ever seen her video, but I still thought of the song. Is the word Friday ruined?

I have seen the Dexter videos, though. Certainly, they are much more mentally disturbing. Maybe he should try his hand at other professions?

On our health kick, we had turkey spaghetti last night. It was good, but needed a little more sauce. We are still learning some of the vagaries of using healthier ingredients in some dishes. Good word, huh?

I am trying to determine how much of a setback it is now that the kid contractor has bowed out. So, I tried to finish the Gantt chart coding yesterday. Today, I will do some extracting and measuring and see how long it takes to do an average project, and then multiply it by 300.

And then, I'm going to get my weekend on. I've got to do some pool stuff. Maybe we'll do brunch and see about making that healthier. I need to finish studying the SS lesson. I will return the Expedition to Dad. Just busywork.

And writing this is using up time I need to do my work, which is using up time I want for the weekend, which starts on "Friday, Friday, Gotta get down on Friday.
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend." Have a great one and, BTW, I will not be here on Monday due to the MLK holiday. We'll chat again on Tuesday.

Show Me the Money!

For some reason, the beginning of this year has felt really tight on our finances. One drawback of getting paid every other week is that it does not always coincide with when the bills are due. So, it could be that we started off out of synch and have not caught up yet. After all, we are only two weeks in. How about y'all?

Luckily, I do have a good job. And I still have a few years before retirement. Well, unless something like this happens....

So, we are trying to eat healthier, got more exercise, and get into the Word more. No, I wouldn't call them resolutions, but they are things that we consider important in our lives. This week's memory verse (from our Sunday School Pursuit of Holiness study) is 2 Cor 7:1 "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." We are walking at least a mile at night with the dog (16 min per mile, Lindsay. Not quite marathon speed yet). And we are cooking chicken and whole wheat pasta and stuff at home instead of eating out.

I found out yesterday that the contractor that was to help me with the VP assignment took a full-time job elsewhere. No, I don't blame him. I would do the same thing. So, today, I need to identify alternatives (probably either some other contractor or extend the timeline and I do it all myself).

Well, I am burning daylight, so let's hit the trail, pardners. Happy trails to you until we meet again (I wonder what pulled the "trigger" on that memory?)

Whazzup With Filters?

Yesterday, for a little while in the morning, I was able to get on pinterest.com, so I posted some of the CoV comics. Later in the day and again this morning, the site is blocked. I guess I don't understand how the filter is applied. Or maybe I caught them while they were updating it? Weird.

Speaking of CoV....

The East Valley Chorale is coming up on its first concert of 2012 on Sunday night. Last time we performed at this location, there were almost 800 people in attendance. Amazing.

We are trying to eat healthier and get some exercise daily. That is a noble goal, right? However, as we discussed in Sunday School, let's not neglect out spiritual health, too. I suspect that is a reminder we can all use.

I am waiting on my boss to complete the paperwork for the temporary worker to help me with the VP assignment. If he can get that done today, maybe the guy can start Friday. Otherwise, I guess it will be next Monday or so.

Let's get going, people. We've all got places to see and people to go. Wait. Strike that. Reverse it. See you all tomorrow.

I'm Not Comfortable With That Diagnosis

I think that I mentioned that we put Alison's car back in the shop for a problem they said had been remedied. They told me that the problem with her key not coming out of the ignition was "maybe a bent key" and that we should "use the new key and keep the old one for a backup." That does not make me feel like they really found the problem. So, I will drive it the rest of this week and see if it is a problem while I am driving it.

It sounds like the company may be outsourcing some of the infrastructure support roles like network support. That feels like some of the stuff Motorola did before it split into multiple companies. Sure, I get that you want to focus on core strengths and you want to save some money, but it feels a little scary to me.

So, we'll just have to do the best we can on our projects. And that includes having an effective kickoff meeting.

Anybody ready for the election hype and rhetoric and mud-slinging to be over? Yeah, me, too, but we've still got ten more months of it.

What's going on with bringing in that contractor, you ask? Yes, I asked yesterday and have not heard yet.

Until he arrives, though, I've got plenty to do. I imagine that you do, too, so let's all go do whatever we do.

First Five Day Workweek of 2012

Look, we all knew it would happen sometime. Let's just put on our smiles and act as if we prefer five day workweeks over those boring four workdays and one holiday type of weeks. I don't know if it will actually make the days go quicker or just mess with coworker's heads when they see us all bubbly and smiley.

Remember "Avoid the Noid?" Me, too, for some reason.

We had a quiet, boring weekend and it was so nice. Aren't those pleasant sometimes? And the temperate weather made it even more pleasant.

Except that Alison's car is busted again...and with the same problem that the shop said they fixed last time. So, she took one of our cars and I took one of Dad's while we wait for the shop to check it out. Sometimes, her car won't let her pull out her key, and sometimes, it has gauge problems. We'll see what they say later today.

On the memory front, the boss and I are working up stories to help us remember who is working in which area. My two stories are to revolve around The Price is Right and a hair salon.

Did you see that Jeremiah Johnson was on cable TV last night? I had to watch some of it. I saw when Jeremiah and Caleb came up on Del Gue buried up to his neck in the sand. Jeremiah asked him, "Are you all right?" Del Gue responded, "Sure. I've got a fine horse under me."

What do you say that we call it quits early today? I don't want to bore you too much on the ninth day of the year.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

is still a rose. That may be true, but it doesn't mean someone won't rename it to better advertise their business. And even as buildings and sports venues and sports events are renamed for branding purposes, you have to wonder what the next step will be. You have to... because I said so.

KLIK are coming over tomorrow for a visit while they go to the vet and dentist and maybe doctor. I'm not sure what all is going on. So, we'll definitely catch lunch and maybe a movie while they are here in town. Should be fun.

Other than that, no special plans for the weekend.

Starting one week from Sunday, our church is going to three morning services. I need to talk to KLIK to see what our schedule will be. I suspect we will retain the current schedule of Sunday School first and then morning worship. Do we have to match their schedule? No, but during the alternating month when they attend worship (instead of children's church), it's fun to sit with them.

I am coming along in getting the plan for the VP report, but still have an Excel problem I am studying. And the contractor should be able to start next week (we are still getting the paperwork in place).

Are colds or the flu working their way through your company? Seems like it is here. I hope I don't get it. Where is my disinfectant?

Have a great weekend, my friends. I'll be back Monday, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

Use Your Skillz, Man

"I got skills. They're multiplyin'." I think I do have some skills, but I am not sure they are multiplying like John Travolta sang in Grease. However, I do believe that this next generation will be much more sophisticated in their acceptance and usage of technology. Hopefully, not this sophisticated.

Yes, I am working on bringing in a contractor to help with my VP assignment. I know he is young (for me, who isn't?), and I hope he does bring in some skills to make quick work of this. I am having to tweak my spreadsheet a bit due to the limitation of seven IF statements in a single cell. I don't want to use VBA, so I am getting a little creative.

Hey, I talked with my sister-in-law, Denise, yesterday. They are the last of my nuclear family left in Dallas. No, everything is fine. She was just following up with a call that I had left on their answering machine that they just now listened to. Hey, Nisey, everything is fine here in the Valley of the Sun.

Lindsay, sorry I did not get back to you on the camera research. I heard you got a Sony for Christmas, but your Mom did not remember which one. So, which one? I check Facebook about as often as your Mom checks her answering machine.

I woke up with a slight sore throat today. Many people from work have been out a few days with colds or flu or something. I hope I am not getting it. And I certainly don't want Kathie to get it.

With it being so warm here already, I turned the A/C back on. Then, this morning, it was nice and toasty under the covers and I slept a little late, so I'm behind my usual morning schedule. I will chat with you more tomorrow.

How Much Does I-O-Weigh?

"They can be cold as a falling thermometer in December if you ask about the weather in July." That's a line from the song Iowa Stubborn in The Music Man. I don't know if it really applies, and I don't care. I was just building on the Iowa Caucuses yesterday and the media hype surrounding the voting of 100,000 people. I even used it in today's Clarity of Vision.

I wanted to stay home and veg last night, but I got up and went to Chorale. As usual, I enjoyed myself and I am glad I went. Oh, the folks said "Hi." No, not really. I don't even know who is reading this.

Schools are starting back. Traffic is increasing. The temperature is dropping to 76F. Winter is in full swing here in the Valley.

Well, I figured out how to manipulate the extracted data for the VP. I still need to consider how to eliminate no-longer-relevant data, though, as a project moves through the approval cycle.

Let's get this party started. I mean, it's time for the workday to commence. Thanks for standing around the water cooler with me. Do places even have a water cooler anymore? We do, but no one stands around it that I have seen. I will wait beside the water in morning. Meet me here and I will share the latest news then.

It's a New Year, but the Same Old Work

I'm back at work today after a few days off. How about you? Did any of you have to work yesterday? We were off, but I don't know if it counted against 2011 holidays or 2012. Probably this year. Either way, I'll take it.

Being back at work also means I am back in the Official Clarity of Vision Creativity Corner. So, let's begin 2012 with a new Cov entitled "I Slept Late."

One nice thing about New Year's Day falling on Sunday is that church was not as full. Why is that good? Well, they did not need us in the nursery, so we got to go to church.

We finally got all the Christmas decorations packed up and moved into the attic. That's a pain, lifting all the boxes up through the small attic stairway and stowing them between the rafters. After all, it was already hot in the attic, since we reached 81F yesterday.

Traffic was heavier, but not yet fully normal this morning. I'll bet it is back in full tomorrow. Ah, well. It was nice while it lasted.

OK, time to get back on that special assignment from the VP. I do have ideas of how to pull it together, so now, it is just the effort of actually performing it. So, I feel much more confident that I can deliver with a quality product now.

OK, let's go. Synchronize your watches and meet back here tomorrow.

It's 2012...Already!

We made it to 2012. Well, I assume we all did since I was able to write this and you were able to read it. So, good news all around.

Remember that I told you we were going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra? We saw them this past Friday night AND LOVED IT! It was only about 50% Christmas music, but they also have arranged several Classical pieces into their piano/guitar style. They are coming back to Tucson in March for a Beethoven-themed show, but I am not sure if we will catch it. Here are some blurry, ugly shots taken with my cheap cell phone.



Last night, we had Italian food in Gilbert, then spent the evening with KLIK eating some desserts, playing games and doing a few fireworks. It was nice. I have some shots, but I have not uploaded them yet.

Kathie is trying to figure out how to use the Kindle Fire. She just learned how to bring up a browser and is viewing Facebook right now.

Anyway, Happy New Year to all and to all a shout out to the Cowboys to start playing!