Thursday, April 30, 2009

Back to the Real World

Austin was great! It was the first time I've really been to Texas. I say really because I was there for a work thing (different company) about 10 years ago, and the function was at a big hotel right at the airport in Dallas, I believe. So, I don't count that because I didn't really see any of Texas.

This time, though, we had the opportunity to check out some of the local night spots, try some outstanding restaurants and do a little shopping.

Did I mention that we did a lot of work, too, because that is what we were there for?! All of that went well and those we worked with were fantastic. It was great to see our friends and make some new ones.

So, this is terribly generic, undetailed and short because I'm just getting my act together and back into the swing of things, but I'll post more, soon...

Friday, April 24, 2009

Austin!

I'm going there and I'll see you guys next week. Whoo hoo!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I Hate Big Trucks (and I cannot lie...)


Well, I almost died this morning. (I'm glad to say that there are not a lot of days where I can state this.)

I was merging from one highway onto another in a construction zone. This area has a very quick but manageable merge, but no yield signs. Everyone there, every morning, just takes it nice and slow, letting one car in front of the next, and while it slows things down considerably, no one dies.

This morning, the individual in the GIANT double truck thingy, apparently decided to rewrite the terms of the formerly peaceful merge. Because the double truck came barreling through, overtook both lanes and forced me onto the side of the highway.

Did I mention it was dark and rainy? I had my lights on though...there was NO WAY this person didn't see me.

The SUV behind me flicked his lights and honked lightly that I could get back on, but I was shaking like crazy.

I saw the Web site for the stupid truck and his ID # and when I got to my desk, I sent an e-mail. I wouldn't usually do such a thing, but this near death experience made me want to take my friend's father's advice from years ago ("It's good to let people around you know how you feel...") to a new level. Since "how I felt" had a lot to do with giving the middle finger, I used great restraint and professionalism and sent my e-mail:

Good morning.

I was driving on 75S to 275W this morning when your driver for truck number 123 overtook the merge lane, forcing my vehicle to the side of the highway. Had I not been able to swerve out of the way, I surely would not be sending this e-mail to you now.

There are no injuries to report and no damage to my car, but this kind of irresponsible and dangerous driving could have resulted in a very bad day for both your company and for me. The only result right now is that I'm still shaking as I type this and I'm pretty upset. The livechat operator on your Web site gave me this e-mail address to report the incident. I felt that you should know about this, as I'm sure your company has a committment to promoting safe highways.

Thank you,

Now, I could have been a mega-B in this e-mail, but I feel like instead, I was pretty factual and collected. Maybe I'll get a response that says, "We're sorry that this happened to you and while we weren't there and don't know all the details, we'll talk with the driver to make sure that he/she is employing safe practices while driving." Or maybe just, "He will NEVER be permitted to drive again! We've given him a desk job..."
We'll see what happens...

UPDATE: What reply did I get instead? Nada. Nothing. Zip. Zero.

Which in some languages is the same as saying, "Tough cookies, biotch."

I hope that you're all safe and sound and that you avoid the Big Trucks on the highway. Because sometimes, they are mean... (If my "illustration makes the driver look like Satan, there is a reason for that...)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Days...They Fly By...



I realize I haven't posted in a while...you might be thinking it's because I've fully given in to my OCD desires and that I've been doing nothing but vacuuming for the last week and a half.

But that just isn't so...

Instead, I've just been up to a little of this and that. In the evenings, keeping on the exercise train.

It has snowed here two days this week and while there is no accumulation, it's a sign that Winter still has it's cold, bare branches wrapped around Spring's young throat. Winter needs to eff off.

Besides all that, I've beeen helping my Mom ready her house for the family Easter dinner.

My Mom, her husband and I have rearranged furniture, dusted, polished, vacuumed, name it. It looks lovely. It's ready for family.
Steinvic is coming down tomorrow night (he took off Good Friday) which is wonderful and I'm totally looking forward to the extra evening with him this weekend, thought I have to get up and go in to work on Friday morning. Still, I get to leave early that day and when I get home, he'll already be there. As simple as that sounds, it's a treat we don't get to enjoy so often since we're in different cities.

Steinvic wanted to contribute to the celebration and so he is buying/picking up/transporting the Easter Ham. Even though I'm a vegetarian, I think it's a really special idea and my Mom (and the other guests, too!) will certainly enjoy and appreciate it. (Thank you for making the extra effort, babe!) I hope his son can join us, too.
We might meet up with a friend of ours on Friday night, if her schedule allows, and then on Saturday with another friend and his new girlfriend.

I'm looking forward to the weekend big time and it's only Wednesday! I swear I'm not wishing the week away...just can't wait for time with Steinvic, our family and friends.

Isn't that what it's all about?