Did Elvis Leave the Building?

Because that must be the reason that I've had nothing to say for 3 months. Not because I haven't done anything, just that I've lacked the inspiration to put it into written words. I've been to New York for a company meeting, learned more about blueberries than I care to know and figured out that is, in fact, impossible to navigate in Manhattan using only an iPhone. It cannot keep up and you will only get yourselves lost again and again. Also, folks in the Bronx do not actually know how to get to LaGuardia. I don't know why.

I've been to Gainesville, GA. If you ever get the chance to go, skip it. And yet I feel like I've only been slogging thru, never really gaining ground. Been spinning my wheels, never doing anything more than get more mud in my tires. The school year is starting soon, and, quel surprise, I'm back where I was. But life is full of these nasty little surprises, you just have to find ways around them. So I know my mojo will come back to me, it always does. Maybe I don't have much enthusiasm but I do have determination. If I'm going to be here another year, I'm going to be successful, regardless of who I have to maim to do it.

Working

It's 27 work days until the school year is done and over. It hasn't yet been decided by folks who know better than me, where I will be next year. If I'll be in a different place or the same one. Presumably, all signs are pointing toward the change that's gonna come. As for me, I'm ready. I think I've hit the law of diminishing returns where I am, where all that will serve is to maintain the status quo. So I'm slogging through my days, washing dishes and cooking food that I really don't even care for anymore and that the kids are tired of, and we while away the hours.

"it's just me and my machine, for the rest of the morning, and the rest of the afternoon, for the rest of my life..."

Lazy Blogger

I've neglected you dreadfully, my friends. I apologize and promise to do much better very soon. More tales of courage and temper tantrums, coming soon...

Funny Valentine

"When you open it to speak, are you smart?" Usually when it comes to meetings, I keep my mouth shut. I am very articulate, but that doesn't always translate to diplomatic. So anything I may say will very likely be used against me later, even if they have to take it out of context to do it. So I stay mute.
It's a strategy that I have adopted after many years in corporate environments. Some good, some that make the Borgias look like a swell family to work for. But occaisonally, I have something to ask. Sometimes, I may even suggest something. Technological savvy is, while not exactly my specialty, is part of my dogma. So when I ask if something is on a Java platform, I'm not expecting the confused looks I get, or when I ask if we're going to put the blog on a feed, I don't expect folks to look at me like I've suddenly turned funny colors. These are smart people I'm in a room with, so I assumed they would be conversant in the details of their presentations. I didn't ask my questions to try to make anyone look dumb, or to confuse anyone. I'm sure, though, that later on down the road, this will come up in some review or whatever, that I'm mouthy and ask complicated questions.

Next time, I'm playing dumb.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Or more aptly, shuffling towards Spring Break. It's that time of year. We're tired of the cold, rainy weather. Holidays are over and there isn't much to look forward to, except March and Spring Break. I'm trying desperately to keep my menus interesting, but it's hard to wait for the spring veggies to arrive. I'm getting tired of doing dishes and I think my hands just might fall off. I dream about a kitchen that isn't held together with duct tape and glue, a budget that actually has something to do with reality and kids that do something other than whine. But it's the midwinter doldrums for us, as we schlep ourselves toward spring.

Brand New Year

But largely, the same old thing. Cooking for the kiddos, trying to convince them that veggies are not the enemy. Trying to get back into the gym after the evil martian death flu I'm still recovering from. For some reason, I don't think it would be kosher to try to walk on the treadmill and hack up my lungs. Probably wouldn't be very hygenic either. So I'm staying away from group settings until I can breathe and talk semi-normally. Also, need to kick my NyQuil habit. But that's a battle for another time.

I'm not an addict. I can quit anytime I want.

Meanwhile Back on the Ranch

Yeah sorry about the unscheduled stop in my blogging adventures...Everything kind of went bonkers at the same time and I could barely find time to tie my shoes, much less compose sentences. Work has been chugging right along, with the modification that I am being trained now to do all my own bookkeeping and spreadsheets etc. Its more work, but the good news is that they are going to pay me for it. So that's a plus.
The holiday time is upon us now, and once again, I have failed to make Christmas cookies. But since we know I am not a baker, that really isn't all that surprising. The good news almost all of my shopping is done, all that is left are things that I am doing for others. I am home with my family now and surrounded my all the lovely decorations and music and that is very good.
Some rest is welcome and I plan to enjoy it to the highest. So, in my annual message, get out there, do some good somewhere, help somebody.

Noel.