Musings on a Small Life

Lots of thoughts spinning through my brain these days, most of them related to significant work changes coming shortly, in a year that's already been filled with major changes. Morning sky today. However, much as I'd like to write about what's going on and express what I'm truly thinking and feeling, I'll wisely refrain in an online venue. Let's just say that while I'm very thankful for the good job, I'm also deeply envious of two of my co-workers' financial freedom to retire early at any time they choose. Instead, I'll post a few pics of a brown tabby I saw yesterday while walking home--he went zooming by me at top speed, running from something, till coming to a sudden stop and plopping down on what I assumed was his walkway.  He was sporting a purple collar and tags, but does anyone know what that black device is? One of the homes I walked past has a glorious mass of Roses of Sharon all along the side of their prop...

I do find it comforting that others can relate to the difficult work situations. I slept marginally better last night, so feel more inclined to take a 'wait and see' stance today. I'm lucky in that I do respect my boss, and for 13 years have pretty much been able to come and go (within reason) as I please, as have we all. Working 7AM to 3PM, for example. Though these days it's more 7:30AM/7:45AM to 3:30PM/3:45PM. I don't like getting home later, of course, but in our larger group, I'm the only one who leaves so early and I feel like I stand out too much. I will give my boss's boss credit (she's the young one who took over after the big firing in June). Yesterday she asked me to book 3PM today for cake for someone here who is leaving (was filling in for the year for maternity leave). Then a few minutes later she came back to my desk and told me to go ahead and book it at 2:30PM, since she just remembered I usually leave around 3PM. I told her no,...

With sarcasm. My past personal issues with the former co-worker (over what she had said to me almost three years ago re: Annie) already got me in "trouble" on Monday. The first day. Mind you, I didn't say anything to that person at all, she had been speaking loudly , in her strident, grating way, at me about something. (In my books that's ranting.) I told my boss I wasn't going to tolerate it and things kind of went downhill from there. Long story short, after a chat with my boss yesterday, at his request (both she and I having to meet in the middle--me not to take things so personally and she to tone it down), I emailed her and sorted things out, told her how hurt and angry I had been, that Annie had died the next day, etc. So we have a peace on that, I guess, and are moving forward, new start, blah blah. But I can tell you that hate it here. I'm right in the middle of the suite, people coming and going, more open than I was. I hate, absolute...

I'm pretty sure I made Santa's naughty list this morning. I popped into the office before errands, with the intent of moving one of my bookcases (orders not to move ANY furniture be damned). I ended up moving the one...then the other, and then the two filing cabinets that are in my new cubicle space as well. I might have pulled something in my left glute (lol), as the cabinets (a) were full and (b) were extremely heavy, but I managed. I also removed the fluorescent bulb in the light fixture above my desk and put it back in above my old desk (I had removed that one three years ago). Those lights give me massive headaches. I won't tell you how I managed to gain the extra inches in height to do this, while standing on the desks, but I made sure I did it safely. Really.  Now, the furniture movers are external to our university, so not covered under union rules. But it's still a no-no to do this kind of thing yourself. (The movers are coming on Monday.)  However, ...

It's Friday, just before 11AM, and I'm mostly moved to my new space at work...one cubicle over to the right. My former-cube-mate's space, actually. Don't ask for the logic of shuffling me one to the right, there's none, really. The larger team, of which we're now a part, is moving up today and Monday. Others in our little (original) group are shifting space too, to make room for them. Because they have higher pay grades. I'm fine, the cube is just as roomy as my old one, though more open right now (bookcases to be moved in on Monday), but two of my direct co-workers, analysts, are losing their offices to make way for those coming up. None of us is impressed, but it's all politics. And hey, we all get to sit down together for our holiday lunch this afternoon, and be one, big, effin' happy work family. Yep, it's a fun morning here.  :-P Derry demonstrates how I feel about the entire situation. Kiss my furry butt, folks. Really, t...

Well, our office gets to move back downstairs to the "dungeon" next month, to be squished in with the other 5 members of our larger group. Into the same place we moved OUT of three years ago. At that time there were 9 of us (our 6 plus 3 from another department) crammed into that small space, barely room to move around with all the storage cabinets and bookcases having to be in the aisle. Now we'll be 11. Yay for us. It sucks sheep shit.  In my case I suppose I'm lucky, being the lowest on the totem pole in terms of rank (though not seniority), I've only ever had a cubicle. Most of my coworkers will be giving up their offices and having to go back to tiny cubes. I'll just lose my lovely, roomy cubicle space. Did I say it sucks sheep shit? And I get to be around two people, one of whom is a former coworker, I really have no use whatsoever for. Maybe it's not just sheep shit, maybe it's also turkey turd. Doggie doo-doo. Cat crap. You g...

Does anyone notice an over-arcing theme (or themes) to their life? I'm genuinely curious. One of mine is "stuck." As in between a rock and hard place -- or feeling that way -- for most of the past 30 years. Feeling like I'm living in limbo, not knowing which direction to take, so I sit and wait. Wait for decades to pass, with no wisdom or direction gained. Well, that's how I feel at the moment, anyway. I think part of my current funk (mentioned on the boys' blog) is the work upheaval. Guess who my boss's boss now is? The former second-in-command, as it were, a younger woman who's been here only five years. Her reputation as a back-stabbing b*tch preceded her several years ago. I actually mentioned this to my boss this morning, because, as I told him, I'm the only one here who will say (to him) what we all are thinking. Partly because I know I can, safely (only with him) and partly because he's been my boss for 12+ years and...

To follow up to last week's events....We had a staff meeting today and our boss told us that it was an issue of scope of responsibility for that role, with neither side backing down. The administration's method of resolving it was what transpired a week ago. The position will not be filled, which is just as interesting, IMO, as the actual event. I have no further information and won't ever. But somehow it doesn't surprise me that a strong-willed woman would come out on the losing end in this kind of political game with the traditional male powers-that-be. On the flip side, I can very much see that she could have stepped on a lot of toes, gender issues aside. So, onwards and upwards. Or maybe that's more "keep your head down and don't make waves."   Purrs from the boys and peace from me.