Countdown to Christmas

 

Made it through Thanksgiving.  All went well and I had my fair share of food.  I have left over Turkey & Ham.  I got what little bit of the stuffing was left and the sweet potatoes.  Plus my friends didn’t invite their neighbor this year, so it was just the 3 of us.  I was very happy when I figured that out.  Their neighbor is nice but he gets on my nerves.  He will however be there for Christmas. 

I have watched way too many movies between On Demand and the streaming services that made for a wide variety of content.  Gator has spent a lot of time in my lap sleeping and she too has ate her fair share of food.  I need to get her some fluids, which I never look forward to. 

I am having some second thoughts on going back to the office this week.  While a small part of me wants to I really would rather stay home since there is a new variant of COVID that has been discovered.

I can’t believe that there is only thirtysomething days left in the year.  I’ve got 4 weeks total (including this week) left to work.  I have a week of vacation towards the end of December.  December is a busy month at work with people retiring, leaving and then the promotions. 

I gave in and spent some money on myself, which I kind of knew I would.  I got yet another pen ordered, placed another Amazon order, bought a train calendar (that’s for the office, I know I will be going back next year for sure.  Unless this new variant squash’s that.), a shirt and of course some porn because how can the holidays be complete without naked men having sex?

Speaking of porn, there is a series on Amazon Prime Video about Helix Studios.  There is some inside scoop which is in the first seasons.  The second season is a lot of their content edited without the sex, but you get the idea.  I call it softcore porn.  Just in case you are interested.  I got to see a little bit more of Alex Riley, who passed away earlier this year.  He was such a hot looking young man and he could dance as well. 

Tomorrow is back to the bullshit and I am sure it will be a busy day.  On call has been quiet and hopefully I can make it through my last night without getting interrupted. 

I will be seeing the Dentist tomorrow, so I will have some what of an escape from work.  The best part about it is when I am in the office I don’t even bother to take my phone in.  There is no way to reach me for about an hour and that is perfectly fine with me.  Kind of similar to flying but not exactly the same experience.  I’ve had some tension in my jaw, like it wanted to grind and I wondered if that is why I have had some teeth bothering me.  I got a mouth guard yesterday and slept with it last night.  That is sure a different experience but I actually feel better today.  I think it’s all tension from my back working it’s way up into my neck and jaw.  I’ve got massagers here but I ordered a massage gun (since they are all the rage) to see if that might give me some relief.  I don’t use the massagers that often because they are big and bulky plus the cord limits my movements.  Amazon won’t be bringing that until Thursday. 

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed time away from work.  Now it’s countdown to Christmas and then the End of the Year!  Where exactly did this year go?  It all feels very much like a blur to me – one day I woke up and it was cold, then another it got warm and now it’s cold again. 

Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving

Food Poision

Saturday, I laid around for a good portion of the day. Watched some TV from bed napped and hung out with my furry girl. I got up and decided that I should probably eat something considering it was 2p and I hadn’t had a bite of food nor any pills yet. I made a foolish choice and had a few Strawberries which I had gotten the week prior at the grocery store. They were washed and cut by the store and then packaged and refrigerated. I kept them refrigerated and enjoyed some of them earlier in the week. I got dressed and left the house. I opted to grab a bite to eat from a local BBQ place and instead of my usual Turkey I got Pork & Brisket. It was really good. I paid my bill and left headed back towards home. I still needed to pick up the mail and get cat food. However, I began not feeling well and unfortunately didn’t make it back home before I had a personal accident.

Once home I got undressed and showered. Then laundry and finally cleaning up the vehicle. Then it was off to bed. I didn’t care about much else. Then before I knew it the trips to and from the bathroom started. I took something to settle my stomach but it takes multiple doses before it kicks in. Eventually the storm subsided and I was able to get some sleep.

Sunday, I woke up and really didn’t want to eat but I had 2 bowls of oatmeal, it was really good and the only decent thing I had in the house. I returned to bed, cranked up the electric blanket and passed back out. It was late morning before I got going and made it to the grocery store. I felt like a zombie running mostly on auto pilot. I had enough sense to grab sprite and gator aide, along with a few more things including cat food. I felt pretty good but once I pulled in the driveway the to and from the bathroom trips returned. I got over that, had some more medicine as I sort of wished I was dead.

Gator had filled her litter box full and had gone on the floor once. She has never ever done that. It was clearly my fault and once I took care of her litter box, she was very happy and jumped in and used it right away.

I do believe that I had a minor case of food poisoning. Not something you want anytime particularly the weekend before Thanksgiving. I was starting to wonder how I would manage to make it through work on Monday and what would happen as we got closer to Thursday.

Monday was a rough day but by the time the afternoon got here I was in pretty good shape. I made it through the work day. It was stone cold dead at work and yes, I was working from home. One of the times I was truly thankful for that benefit. I had a Chicken Pot Pie for supper and it was really good. As the day turned to night my sexual appetite returned, which was also a welcome sign.

Slept pretty good overnight until 2a when Gator needed food and I needed to be rescued from a nightmare. Then it was back to bed until 6a. My body is starting to wake up at that time because mentally I am trying to prepare for my eventual return to the physical office. I need to be up at 6a and starting my routine, out the door by 7a and then I a good. I think that will start up in December but I am kind of wanting to play the system and keep on doing what I have until next year hits. However, waiting will make it even harder so might as well get it over with.

I do believe I have recovered from this horrible food incident and it will be a long time before I purchase fresh fruit from the grocery store. This could have been way worse and I am thankful that it was minor and more so that it’s behind me, no pun intended.

Were sitting at Tuesday. It’s been a little busy this morning but now that were towards the latter half of the day it’s just dead quiet. I am all about that since I am the one who is on-call this week. I still plan to go to my friend’s house for Turkey Day. I really don’t want to but I will be on guard and not all that talkative. I meant to pick up some soda for this gathering because at the 11^th hour I will probably get a text message asking me to stop for soda. Well, I will just bring a few cans of what I have if that happens. No word on when dinner time is but I know when the food is being picked up so I will plan accordingly presuming that they will want to eat as soon as they get home, unless I hear otherwise.

As for my furry friend she has been extra attentive the last few days and knew that something was wrong. I am looking forward to spending some extra time with her over this long holiday weekend. I wish that I could get my hands on the flavors of food that I know she really enjoys but this damn supply chain issue is messing with everything.

I’ve done some holiday shopping for me on Amazon. I have a few more orders to place with other merchants but I am not exactly in a big hurry. I do have my eye on a couple of pens and am thinking of getting one of them, but I know I really don’t need it. I could use a better body that was more in shape but you can’t order that, you have to work for that and I don’t like working.

Hope all is well in your world. Talk with you again soon.

Happy Friday Eve

Is this thing on? Just curious if there is still anyone out there reading my blathering.

Yesterday I got quite the scare from Ms. Gator. I had been working away in the basement all morning long. Normally she makes a bunch of noise in protest to get me back upstairs. Yesterday she was very quiet, too quiet in fact. I came upstairs to get a bite to eat and to begin working from the couch. I found her in my room in her bed. She wasn’t moving that I could see and was laying in an awkward position. I got out a flashlight to take a closer look and it looked like she had passed. I said her name and nothing happened. I went to lean down and was going to touch her and then she sprang to life and started screaming at me for waking her up. She was in a very deep sleep. I was startled but very happy. I left her and she calmed down and went back to sleep for a bit. By the time I finished my lunch and started up my laptop she was coming out asking for food. I took care of her and then she spent the afternoon by my side on the couch. I don’t know if it’s an omen but her mom started this deep sleeping routine a couple years before she eventually passed. She got some extra special attention yesterday and I got reminded once again that life is temporary and she is going to leave me eventually. I need a plan on how to move on after she passes and sadly that isn’t something that I can make until I am in the moment. I really don’t want to go on but my mind may change when the time comes.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the results of my colo-guard test and finally they arrived yesterday. I was never so happy to see the word negative. I’m good for 3 years and then we get to do it all over again or I can undergo a colonoscopy. I’d like the colonoscopy but it’s not fun to prep for and then you have to find someone to drive you to and from. It’s the gold standard but thanks to Colo-Guard it’s the next best thing and it’s super simple.

As for my job I have been continuing to work from home. I got a call from my boss yesterday and feel that were going to have “the talk”. I am sure he will want me to go in this month, if only for 1 day but I am pretty hell bent on not going back until December. We got news earlier this week that after the MLK holiday we will be required to be in the office 3 days per week with Tuesday & Wednesday’s being mandatory days. It’s no surprise but COVID cases are once again on the rise in my neck of the woods. Health officials are predicting an even bigger rise for the Winter season. I am sure my doctor is probably tired of me but I will be asking again when I see him in Jan. if 3 days is safe and what I need to watch for as in when it’s time to revisit working from home full time. When the news broke about the 3 day return people absolutely lost their minds. This is and was not a surprise to me as the plan was announced months ago but they never gave any details as to when we would get to the 3-day portion. It's a unified industry response that “we work better when we can collaborate together and it’s time to get back to the office”. That is pure bullshit, we have had 2 record earning years and never done better but yet we still need to return to the office as if that will somehow make a difference in the grand scheme of things.  Still there is a lot of uneasy people and there is very much a turnover tsunami in the industry right now. People are quitting because they just don’t want to go back. I get it, we all got a taste of the good life, which is something that our employers never ever planned to give us but instead they were forced to. Now they are trying to figure out how to put the toothpaste back in the tube and resume a normal life pre-pandemic. Lots of people are saying the pandemic is over or referring to it as post pandemic. The pandemic is far from over, the worst of it hopefully has passed but it’s still very much alive and probably will be for a couple more years.

Based on the whole way the process went for me to try to get permission to continue working from home, I too would like to quit in protest. It’s a rash move and it would certain be devastating to both me and my employer. However, it’s not a smart move to make. I am looking and while there are a lot of jobs, a lot of them indicate no remote work. The biggest problem I have is compensation and vacation time. I am hard pressed to find anyone that will match the money, I can certainly forego some time off. I’m also looking for something closer to home and that too is a barrier as most of the higher paying jobs are in a bordering state. Right now, there isn’t anyone making any waves and I really think it won’t make much of a difference for the remainder of the year if I kept doing what I am doing today. However, come next year I do think that I will be held much more to the expectation of the 3 days in office schedule. Might as well ease back into it now so that I am fully prepared come next year when the expectation will be greater. It’s me helping myself. There really is no difference in productivity regardless of where I am at. I still get interrupted just not nearly as much as when I am at home. Not to mention it’s much safer here than going in. However, I am told that I am safer in the office than if I was to hang out at my local grocery store all day. That may be true but who the hell wants to spend there entire day at the grocery store, unless you work there?

My lawn guy showed up out of the blue yesterday, it was very much a surprise to me since we have had our first frost and I figured he wouldn’t be back. I am sending him his last check for the year and a note that politely says I am done for this year, please come back next year. I am still waiting on the landscaper guy and even though he told me I was on his list I am wondering if that will even happen this year. The money is set aside so I won’t spend it unless something dire comes about and I absolutely need it. I don’t expect that will happen. That is the best thing about the pandemic, I got the chance to build a nice small cushion of money for emergencies or if I get a whim and want something.

I am listening to my boss jabber in a meeting where he is putting together some documentation. It’s not like I need to be there but it’s one of many needless meetings that we have all the time. We meet more than any other team in our organization and that is a little bit aggravating to me, especially when I have a mountain of work and a deadline looming. That isn’t the case at the moment but it does happen.

After this I am ready for a nap but there is a difficult call that I have coming this afternoon with a problem end user and not something I look forward to. I’ll be much happier when this day is done! Perhaps slightly happier once I have some lunch and see my furry girl.

Hope all is well. Let me know how things are in your neck of the woods.

Cold Outside

  When I did a search for cold outside I saw this photo and had to use it.  It’s so cute!  While we don’t yet have snow outside it can’t be that far off.  It rained overnight and I found that out as I ventured out of the garage and the water dripped on to my hood and windshield.  I made my way to Cracker Barrel quite early, 8a which is a strange time to be out and about on a Sunday morning.  However, the advantage was that I got to park in front of the restaurant instead of having to make a small hike.  The hike would be to my advantage but on a cold day I am all about being lazy.  I ordered the Country Fried breakfast with Country Fried Steak.  It was good especially on a morning like this one.  Service sucked and the soda mixture was off but the food was good. 

Onto the grocery store where I got another good parking spot.  Everyone was either in church or still in bed.  I got a nice bundle of freshly cut strawberries which I will most likely eat right out of the box but I also have some vanilla ice cream that they would pair well with.  Got some water for the Gator and sadly they didn’t have the flavor of food that she likes but I did pick up a few cans of stuff I know she will eat.  This whole supply chain issue is horrible and it as well as this pandemic can’t be over fast enough for me.

My next stop was the gas station.  I like to keep a full tank especially when it gets colder.  You never know when something will go wrong and you will be stuck in traffic.  I would rather have gas to burn than not.  Finally I made it home and bellowed out as I walked in the door. 

My little ball of fur was sleeping in my room and that woke her up because she meowed back at me a few moments later.  I got her to come into the kitchen and gave her some food as I put the groceries away. 

Finally after that was done it was time to get more comfortable and relax in my chair.  Gator came to join me and we both eventually passed out for a bit.  I was up by noon and then started in on the fun tasks.  I had medicine to put out for me.  Grabbed a quick snack and then came down to play with my money and by that I mean figure out how much to stick into savings.  I also figured out what would bring me square with the lawn mowing guy, even though I haven’t gotten a second bill.  I paid him and I am sure that will cause all sorts of confusion.  I don’t know why but lawn mowing people and accounting don’t mix, especially when you try to pay them early.  I just don’t like to have a bill looming over my head and wondering when it will hit.  Besides that they have the first check and still haven’t cashed it. 

Then it was time to place an Amazon order which I have been putting off.  I got my 2022 naked men calendars.  In case your wondering what I bought I chose Buckshot Boys, Cocky Boys – Summer Boys and The Men of Falcon.  I also got a new shower head that I have had my eye on for a long time.  It was down in price from when I originally added it to my shopping list.  I threw in a few other things that I wanted and needed like furnace filters and ibuprofen.  Just like I remarked to the cashier at the grocery store, it doesn’t take long to spend money. 

I renewed a maintenance agreement I have for some software, it’s cheaper than buying the new version when it comes out and this way I get it for much less along with regular updates.  I renewed a subscription to an uninstaller that I like, this type of program removes programs from your computer plus all of the junk they leave behind.  If your interested I use Revo Uninstaller.  They have been around for a long time and make a good product in my opinion.  Renewal was at a discount so it made sense. 

That’s it I am done with spending money for the day or so I think.  I just typed those words and then got a reminder that I need to pay my doctor my co-pay, they don’t take it at the time of the visit because the way my insurance is setup in their system it looks like I don’t have a co-pay.  After I pay him, then I am done with spending money today or so I think.  I need to bring the laundry upstairs and get it put away.  I’m bringing some long sleeve shirts as well considering that I will be going back to the office might as well be comfortable.  If I was staying at home I would just stick with my short sleeves.  I’m not a fan of long sleeves but on a really cold day I am thankful that I switched.  Also need to vacuum and get the trash out.  Then for the task I hate the most is hydrating the Gator.  We skipped last week, her hydration was superb.  I don’t feel that she is dehydrated now but the idea behind this was to help her kidneys since the prednisone she is on is aggravating them. Her food intake is a bit out of control but it’s manageable and not nearly to the level it was earlier this year where every 10 to 15 minutes she was asking for food.  She still tries to inhale water and since she can’t that makes her mad and she argues with the water.  It’s quite the site to see.  Happy that we have made it this far and I am hopeful that she will continue to age gracefully and be with me for a while. 

I’ve still got to run my silly report for work.  Tomorrow as well as this entire week won’t be fun but I will make it through somehow.  This was going to be the week that I took vacation but I permitted a colleague to take it instead because I am such a nice guy.  Being nice doesn’t get me very far but occasionally it does work to my benefit.

Here is hoping that you are warm and well.  Best wishes for a great week ahead.  Talk with you all again soon. 

Hot Waiter & Pizza

It has been another lazy Saturday around here.  I was able to sleep in a bit.  Nap with Gator and watch some TV.  Gator got fed on the couch last night and again this morning.  She really likes that and asks for it frequently.  I think I created a monster by making one gesture of good will since I knew when I started this that she didn’t feel good one day and now it’s becoming a habit.  I finally jumped in the shower around 1p and then waited until 2:30p to get moving.  I hit up the post office for my box of bills and some medication, then on to the empty shelves at the cat food store.  I was able to buy a few cans but still none of Gator’s true favorites were in stock, which is beyond disappointing. Then on for pizza. 

I timed my visit just right at the pizza place.  The cute waiter I like walked in and that made the trip worth while.  Then he smiled and waived at me which made my visit extra special.  What was horrible is that I was sat under a vent that blew air that went from slightly warm to cold.  My waitress was off in la la land and I didn’t get the service I deserved.  It took forever to cash out but eventually I was able to get back on the road.  I just watched my waiter, who is also the manager bounce around and that was fun.  I didn’t like having the air blown on me and next time I’m offered that table I am asking for something else. 

Now I am home again, working on laundry and catching up on some computer stuff.  I still have to run my stupid report at work.  There is also a minor storm brewing and it looked like I was going to need to jump in and help out but thankfully that hasn’t happened yet.  It still may tomorrow but more than likely it will wait until Monday.  I am kind of reluctant to help with anything after this whole WFH request ordeal and being denied.  There is a meeting next week and look to be in January we are going to 3 days in the office – Tuesday & Wednesday will be mandatory days and your manager will schedule the other day with you.  I just hope that there mandatory in office thing doesn’t happen before my next doctors visit.  I know I am cleared for 2 days per week and my guess says that he won’t mind for 1 more day but hell who knows.  Plus who knows what the infection rate will be come January.  News reports make it sound like things could trend back upwards but that is very much a wait n see event. 

For the last few weeks my teeth have been bothering me.  It’s not constant pain but it is irritating.  I am not due to see the dentist until the Monday after Thanksgiving so I am trying to hold out.  I’ve now also got some shoulder pain.  I was remarking to a co-worker yesterday perhaps I am having a heart attack and don’t know it.  I’m sure the shoulder pain is due to lack of activity and the position I sit in when I am next to Gator. 

My latest TV series that I am binge watching is called All American.  It’s about a Football team, gangs, guys, girls and high school.  There are some really hot guys in the show.  This was a series that aired on The CW.  There are 3 seasons but I do believe the show is no longer in production. 

I’ve got 2 slices of the Chocolate Pecan Pie I picked up last week at Cracker Barrel.  I will be hitting that place up for breakfast in the morning and then on to the grocery store and to gas up the vehicle.  I am going to try to sit this week out and continue working from home, I think I can pull it off but nothing is for certain.  The following week is Thanksgiving and I am for sure I will be able to work all 3 days from home.  Then when we go back work the last 2 days of the month at home and ease back to the office in December.  It’s not exactly what I want but I know I need to go back.  Psychologically it will help me, I will get back in to my routine and that too will be healthy.  I will be walking more so that can only lead to weight loss.  I won’t be next to the fridge all day long so there are more positives than negatives.  However, it still seems stupid to return to a physical office when I can do everything I need to from here.  Save on gas, wear & tear on the vehicle, be able to sleep in and even get naps when I need them.  Plus I start work earlier when I work from home and stay later.  It is a positive thing for both me and my employer.  Ah well.  There are record numbers of people quitting their jobs and I really would like to quit mine but that would just mean starting over some place else.  I’d give up a lot and in the end I don’t think it would be a smart move.  However, if the right opportunity comes along I will jump at it. 

On to run my stupid report for work and then to be with my Gator.  Earlier this week when I took a sick day, she crawled under the covers and slept at my feet for a short period of time.  That was out of the ordinary normally if a human is in a bed she won’t dare go under the covers but I guess she was cold and I know that she hates being cold.  Sadly we are in Winter.  I mean I know it’s fall but the way things work around here one day it’s Fall and then soon after you get Winter temps.  The same things happens with Spring & Summer.  There is no gentle progression for the change of seasons like there was when I was a kid, it’s all rapid fire change now. 

I hope that your having a good weekend and staying warm.  Talk with you peeps later. 

Where we are

I haven’t felt the best so I took a couple days off work.  Back tomorrow.  I’ve peeked at my inbox and the 130 messages that are waiting for my attention.  All hell seems to break loose while I am away and that is one reason why I don’t like taking time.

As for going back I plan to try to limp along for the rest of the month at home and then in December go back.  We got an invite to a staff meeting and it is noted that we will be going to a 3 day a week schedule in the office next year, just not sure as to what date.  I will be talking with my doc as I get more details but I suspect that I am in the thick of this and I don’t really have a chance to fight it, go along or look for another job. 

I have looked to see what is out there and there are a couple of things that appeal to me but they don’t pay nearly what I need to survive.  I don’t have it that bad it just sucks that I need to go back to a physical office but then again I don’t want to work from home forever.  I will be changing my ways and not killing myself for my job – this whole ordeal has put things into focus for me.  

It’s cold here and the leaves have fallen.  We haven’t seen any snow yet but I think that might be on the way.  No real plans for the weekend, thinking of getting pizza to see my favorite hot waiter.  Other than that the usual running. 

Hope all is well in your world and that you are staying warm.  Talk again soon.

Worry Weekend

Being unable to sleep Friday night into early Saturday morning I watched some TV with the hopes that eventually I would drift off.  Eventually that worked but you’ll never guess what big mouth woke me up.  Yup, Gator.  I had to kick her out of my room in order to get some sleep.  She came to investigate when I flipped the TV back on and we spent time together but once I turned the lights out she wanted to get chatty, wrong time. 

My mind has been racing about this whole back to the office BS.  While I don’t think I have much chance of having a case I can talk it over with someone from the EEOC if I wish.  They will provide guidance and if there is something there they will help draft a complaint.  I also have the option to go to the head of our HR and see if that person will come to my aid.  While I am not a fan of HR, I took a lot of time to lay out the facts and I have drafted a three page letter that explains my POV and what has transpired.  It does a good job of partially throwing my boss and his boss under the bus, but I stick to the facts.  I’ve gone over it twice and after this will be the third and final time.  I’m going to read it to someone to see what they think.  My plan is to wait and see what my boss says if anything.  If he brings it up and wants me to go back then I will send the note to the head of HR.  If he says nothing then I don’t plan on doing anything other than what I have been doing in continuing to work from home.  At the end of the day no one is really being harmed here it’s just me defying a mandate which is actionable by disciplinary action, which is something I want to avoid.  I am not the type of person who gets in trouble at work.  I don’t think for a second I am above the law.  I do think that my employer is being inflexible and difficult.  At the end of the day if I have to go in then that is what I will do.  It’s not the worst thing in the world but I am not 100% comfortable with it.  I would really like to resign but that would be chopping off my nose despite my face.  I am pissed beyond belief because my boss led me down this primrose path that everything would be okay and it is far from that.  I am fucking sick of being lied to on a regular basis. 

I have some worry that by sending a note to the head of HR they will interpret it as an ultimatum, which it is not.  That they will just dismiss it and move on.  The final fear is that they will decide that this is too big a bump in the road and that we need to part ways.  My employment is in an at will state, which means that either party can terminate the employment relationship with or without notice.  It’s like walking on a tight rope 10 thousand feet up.  If you can keep your balance and you don’t make waves then chances are really good that you will be okay.  If you make waves then there is a possibility that you will fall.  The last thing that I want is to place myself in harms way and be back in the job market.  That would probably be the straw that broke the camels back and I would give further consideration to checking out.  My employer isn’t known for just throwing people in the street but I have seen it happen before to someone who complained on a constant basis.  I’m not an official complainer, where I bitch about every little thing.  I voice concerns to my manager who usually quashes them. 

If there is a case with the EEOC and I would file a complaint, the law prohibits retaliation.  That is my saving grace.  I think I may also have them on a HIPPA violation and the law there also prohibits retaliation.  I don’t want to make unnecessary waves because there are always creative ways they can end the employment relationship, but if you back me into a corner then I will be like a racoon with rabies and I will stop caring about everything and just fight for survival.  When I get into situations like these I just remind myself that I took on one of the most powerful unions in the US and I made them cave, it took time but I and I alone defeated them because I was right and they were wrong.  I’m more than capable to defending myself but at the end of the day I really want to just exist and have life be in some state of normal without fear, tension, etc. 

Saturday I got out to get a haircut since I really think I will have to go into the office.  Might as well look some what presentable, that’s also in our rules and regulations.  I hit up the new pasta place and this time tried the Fettuccini with Chicken.  It wasn’t the best meal I have ever eaten but desert was fantastic.  It was some chocolate liquor cake.  Service was a little slow.  Next thing to try is the steak, that is what they are famous for.  I am not a fan of a steak but if you make it right then I can eat it.  It was also nice to go for a drive.

Today I was up way too early, laid around and eventually went out for breakfast.  Cracker Barrel has this new Cinnamon Roll Pie.  I had a slice of that along with some eggs, hash brown casserole, grits and over cooked bacon.  My waitress made the meat choice and never asked me, I much prefer sausage.  Bacon is just not my jam.  I grabbed a whole Chocolate Pecan Pie and checked out.  Hit up the grocery store and spent way too much money.  They didn’t have Gator’s favorite food so she won’t be terribly happy with me but there isn’t much I can do about it. 

I washed my shower curtain and it was super dirty so I put it through the wash two times and that shredded it.  I had to venture back out to Target and get a new one.  What I had was clear heavy plastic and it served me well for many years.  I have gotten some super thin piece of plastic before and that lasted all of a month.  What I purchased at Target is a waterproof liner to function as a shower curtain.  They had medium weighted clear plastic but this liner was rated as heavy so that is why I got it.  Hopefully all will be well.  If not then I will be going back for plastic.  The hardware store I think sells what I want but you have to order it and wait – I can do that on Amazon. 

I mounted my lock box for an emergency key as well as the keypad for the garage.  Both have been down since I painted and I haven’t had the energy to put them back up.  They both mounted back with ease.  I will probably order more paint when we get in to spring and add to what is already there.  However, were good for winter and in much better shape that I was prior to painting. 

Time change weekend always makes the day seem so long in the fall/winter and so short in the spring/summer.  However, our bodies adjust.  I don’t know how soon Gator will adjust but it will take at least a few days for sure.  I’m washing my bed clothes and will be headed up soon to make the bed and then put out medicine.  Then it will be time to figure out what is for supper, feed the Gator and relax with some TV before it’s time to jump in the shower and then finally hit the bed.  I am putting on my weighted blanket as well as my electric blanket.  Were in the 30’s consistently at night and mornings are a bit chilly but I have such an aversion to heat that I wind up kicking the covers off when I am asleep, then I freeze, enough of that and I will get sick.  Oh no, that would mean I couldn’t go into the office, what a pity. 

Here’s hoping for a fast moving week and one that doesn’t have too many issues either for me to deal with on a personal or professional level.  Some calm would be really nice and welcome. 

Hope you had a great weekend.  Talk with you all again soon. 

Just as I expected

I had my final call about working from home with HR today and my request was denied by management.  I have the option of finding another doctor and starting the ADA process all over again but otherwise it’s back to the office.  They offered to find a doctor for me if I wanted.  I don’t want to waste my money and time when they easily have the ability to make the accommodation.  To add insult to injury they said that our leader is looking at possibly permitting full time work from home in the future for our division or a good portion of it, but the details haven’t been worked out yet.  Maybe in 2023 I can work from home full time but as for now I have to go back.  That makes no fucking sense in the world. 

What I said in the call is that I don’t understand why I am permitted to work from home for 3 days per week but the other two I am required to be in the office.  As if that is going to have some affect on my performance or make some kind of a major difference.  My job description has been altered and there is no reason in the world that I have to physically be in the office.  I’ve been doing just fine for close to 2 years and now while were still in the middle of a pandemic you want me to go back.  The conversation shifted to my workspace and how I had an office.  Basically if I want to keep my office I need to go back or they will take that away from me next. 

Look I am not the best employee they have but I’m up there, well respected, known for quick turn around and follow through and always going the extra mile.  Well the only reward is the paycheck I get and the fact that I have an office.  I am killing myself for a job that will replace me tomorrow if I happen to drop off the planet.  I am appreciated to the extent that I am useful but as soon as I no longer am useful that will bring an end to the so called appreciation, not to mention my paycheck. 

I have been reasonably happy here and felt appreciated some of the time but for the past couple years it’s all smoke being blown up my ass and that really sours me.  Considering my age jumping back in the job market is not appealing to me but on one hand I would really like to be able to tell my present employer what I really think.  I’ve also got the option to file complaints but that won’t change anything just cause them problems and get me on a black ball list so the next time they want to make cuts I will be the first to go.  It’s a tipsy pickle but at the end of the day I just need to do the bare minimum of my job, go along to get along. 

The only saving grace if there is any here at all is that I can start light with 1 day a week in the office but by the end of the year I need to be ramped up to 2 days a week because the expectation is that at some point next year we will be at our 3 day a week schedule in the office.  The extra day will push a lot of people over the edge and I kind of think this is all about fucking with us as if we are puppets they can play with.  If your going to a 3 day a week schedule lets just rip the band aid off and go back to 5 days.  I mean that is the ultimate goal, right back to normal?  Well put on your blinders, pretend the pandemic is over and just shove us all back in the building to breathe the same air and hope for the best that your entire workforce doesn’t get wiped out by COVID which is still very much a risk to everyone. 

The longer I go on the more upset I will get so might as well end this rant here.  I am all ears if you have advice but my plan is to just do what is expected of me and hope for the best.  It won’t be an easy adjustment or a fun one but this is called work for a reason.  I do have lots of concerns and apprehension but I have to believe that everything will fall into place which includes Gator.  I know she won’t like the change but I am told that she will adapt.  I don’t know if I will be jumping back in the office next week or not.  I can tell you for sure I won’t be in the entire 3 day week of Thanksgiving.  I also have no plans to be in when my boss is on vacation which will happen towards the end of the year, unless circumstances change.  Driving in snow, ice yeah probably not going to do that either I will milk this for all that it is worth, why not that is what they think I am trying to do now. 

Okay the rant is now over.  I am headed back to the fun.  Have a nice weekend and thanks for stopping by and reading my bitching and moaning. 

Mid Week

We have finally had our first freeze and the forecast has chilly weather in store now.  It’s cold in the morning but warms up a bit in the afternoon and then as soon as the sun disappears the temperature drops. I have turned the furnace up but there are still sometimes when it’s a little nippy. 

Gator is doing okay, she isn’t terribly pleased with the food choices this week.  I don’t have a wide variety of food so she turns her nose up or eats a little bit and walks away.  I can try to do better this weekend but that kind of depends on the supply chain and what is available. 

As for working from home, this could potentially be my last week for that.  I will get an update later this week on what my employer was able to workout amongst management.  I am not terribly optimistic but then again I haven’t abandoned all hope.  I’ve heard from lots of people that the office is by far empty on most days, not everyone is coming in like they should.  I could easily be defiant and it probably wouldn’t be caught for a bit but eventually it would catch up with me.  Like it or not the pandemic isn’t over yet and heaven forbid when we go back to a 5 day in the office work week people will be revolting for sure. 

Tracked down my landscape guy and he’s still got me on his list but it is going to be a bit.  It’s been longer than his 5 weeks but that’s okay it’s not like I am itching to give away my money. 

Caught up pretty well on the TV that I have recorded on my DVR.  It is a bit challenging at times to find content.  Tonight will be one of those nights I think.  I know new stuff is coming to the streaming platforms it’s just a matter of waiting. 

My turkey day friends reached out they want to do the carry out option if it’s available.  I have yet to call to find out and it’s not like I am in a huge hurry.  I have given some thought to spending Thanksgiving alone this year but I think that would probably not be healthy for my mental well-being.  I know it would cause concern with my turkey day friends but to what degree I am uncertain.  I don’t want any drama so I will likely go along to get along.

Back to the fun that is work.  Hope your staying warm and doing well. I will be back with another update before you know it.  Take care and thanks for stopping by.