And today was ... just fine, I guess.
I'm such a sucker. My boss came around to our area only once, one of those cropduster, "What's going on? What are you doing?" type of things he's prone to do. So I told him, as vaguely as possible. "Well, I'm going through the boxes, as fast as possible but I'm trying to be thorough."
And that's when he said something that, I'm ashamed to admit, lifted my spirits and, in fact, made me kind of glow inside. "That's good, that's good," he said, and without needing any more feedback, he went back to do whatever else he needed to do. From that point on, honestly, my day went pretty well.
I am a sucker because I felt better just because my boss, a guy who has acted like a dick for a lot of the project, gave me a slight smile and said, "That's good, that's good." Four words -- a pair repeated twice, no less -- and a time where he wasn't yelling or frustrated or flummoxed, and I get all, "OMG, I'm so happy because you're so happy!" I wish how I approach my day isn't dependent on how my boss feels. But it does. If he's happy, I'm happy, and if he's not, I'm not. This is Stockholm Syndrome, is it not? It's sick, and I do not like myself for not being happy independent of anyone or anything. I'm just not wired like that, or at least I haven't learned how to do that.
Nevertheless it was a good day. The distractions were at a minimum, I found some folders I didn't need to go through as much, I tackled two boxes (which is the most I probably could do in a day) and most of those are from early September, which are now very important to push through before it's too late. I even had time to arrange the remaining boxes in chronological order, so that I made sure the oldest shots get pushed to the insurance company this week and giving us as much cushion as we need.
Now it's not all good. The two big packets I wanted to deal with today I want another temp to do, but I think we can get past the problem that caused me to hold them for so long. Also, I noticed that whenever comes toward me from my peripheral vision I tense up. Either they are coming to ask me something, thereby breaking my concentration, or it's one of the temps looking for something to do. The pipeline remains jammed up on my end, and I'm really scared that at some point during this project the remaining temps (there will be just The Two left) will come up and say, "We're done. What else do you want us to do?" and I'll go, "Der, I don't know, count claims?"
Things still might turn south. I have some other things I need to talk to my boss about, and he may not be all too happy to hear it. But that can be saved for tomorrow. I will take the quietude of today after having such a restless night.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Once More Unto The Breach
I've been up since 4. Went to bed a quarter past midnight, then woke up at 1:30, then 2, then 3:30, then I haven't been able to fall asleep after 4. Tried meditation -- that didn't work. Already I am not in a good frame of mind going into work. I know it's already going to be a bad day.
I have to worry about what the others are doing, how to hide this problem packet, what to do about all the other problems, then get to work on the main task my boss wants me to do before my boss yells at me for not doing it fast enough. At some point I am going to have to defer this job to others, just so it gets done according to his timetable. But I just don't trust anyone else. If I could just do this on my own, it'd get done -- slowly, but well. But I don't think well is what he's after.
It's becoming increasingly apparent that this project this year has been an unmitigated disaster. I still don't know why my mentor was let go, but he is so needed right now. Instead, all of us are groping in the dark, not knowing how to deal with the next crisis.
And the temps are all leaving, soon. There are three theories behind this, in my opinion: 1) My boss thinks this can all be done sooner than realistically possible; 2) My boss is under a huge budget crunch from his boss to cut down on costs; or 3) My boss has no idea what he's doing. It may be all three, for all know.
And I don't know much. Once more unto the breach.
I have to worry about what the others are doing, how to hide this problem packet, what to do about all the other problems, then get to work on the main task my boss wants me to do before my boss yells at me for not doing it fast enough. At some point I am going to have to defer this job to others, just so it gets done according to his timetable. But I just don't trust anyone else. If I could just do this on my own, it'd get done -- slowly, but well. But I don't think well is what he's after.
It's becoming increasingly apparent that this project this year has been an unmitigated disaster. I still don't know why my mentor was let go, but he is so needed right now. Instead, all of us are groping in the dark, not knowing how to deal with the next crisis.
And the temps are all leaving, soon. There are three theories behind this, in my opinion: 1) My boss thinks this can all be done sooner than realistically possible; 2) My boss is under a huge budget crunch from his boss to cut down on costs; or 3) My boss has no idea what he's doing. It may be all three, for all know.
And I don't know much. Once more unto the breach.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Addendum To: Oh, I Am So Screwed!
Forgot to add that I have been sitting on one huge packet. I've been sitting on it because there's this very weird problem (made by one of the temps, probably) that is so involving that I had to set it aside until I had time to deal with it.
Well, I still don't know what to do, but on Friday I checked on it and I realized that it was done way back in September. In other words, it should have been done by now. But this puts me in a quandary. I could just shove it through with all the mistakes, all of which could come back to bite me later. Or I could ask my boss for his help and risk the wrath of him noticing that this was done almost three months ago.
I don't know what to do. I think I'll just do it and hide the problem.
Well, I still don't know what to do, but on Friday I checked on it and I realized that it was done way back in September. In other words, it should have been done by now. But this puts me in a quandary. I could just shove it through with all the mistakes, all of which could come back to bite me later. Or I could ask my boss for his help and risk the wrath of him noticing that this was done almost three months ago.
I don't know what to do. I think I'll just do it and hide the problem.
Too Generous
So my alma mater played the Thursday night game, so we congregated at the bar downtown Minneapolis again. Only five people (including me) showed up, which actually is an improvement from previous games. Because turnout was so low I didn't snap a photo of us. And besides giving a t-shirt to an alum who was in town all the way from Des Moines, Ia., on business, once again I had no reason to bring my box of free alumni stuff (sunglasses and pom-poms as well as t-shirts) because there was no on there to give it too.
Because it was a school night (and also because the club is struggling to remain popular -- maybe that has something to do with me, maybe I should blog about it) the other four people left before the game wrapped up around 11:30. I, as President, had to stay to the bitter end. Not that I minded; we won. And I had the whole upper floor of the restaurant to myself. Well, I did until late in the game.
Two guys come up, hang out, talk to each and glance at the TV screens showing our game. Right before it's over one of them goes to the bathroom right behind me. The other, who said hello to me while passing by me on his way to the bathroom, started to chat me up. I didn't want to be an asshole, plus the game appeared to be at hand near the end of the game.
He noticed the box of free stuff, which I set on the table after everyone left in the group left. "Oh, free stuff," I said. "Like what?" the guy said. "Oh, t-shirts and sunglasses and stuff."
Then he asked, "Can I take a look?" Looking back I should have said no. But again, he seemed nice, and again, I didn't want to act like a dick, so I gave him permission.
And then, after sifting through the contents of the box, he pulled up a t-shirt and asked, "Can I take it?"
Only now do I realize that at this point I was at a crossroads. I really should have said no then. The t-shirts are the most popular item to give to alums for free. Also, I had only three of them, and they were larges. I had received complaints from members (back early in the season, when people were actually showing up) that there weren't enough large and extra large t-shirts for obese Americans. So the ones that were in the bo were specifically requested. And now this guy, a man I had never met, asked for one.
I hesitated, so he continued rooting around in there and pulled up a drawstring bag and asked, "Can I take this?" Those bags are less popular and I had tons of them, so I said he could. But then he went back to the t-shirt and asked, once again, if he could take one.
I don't know why I said yes. Maybe I was mistakenly thinking I had a lot, when I knew for a fact that I had only three. Maybe he was being nice, or, in retrospect, acting nice. Maybe I got so tired of him asking over and over that I wanted to shut him up. Maybe I didn't think that anyone from the club would know, or maybe I thought that no one is going to show up for games the rest of the season, so why not give someone something that no one else isn't bothering to show up for?
So I said he could get the t-shirt too, which he put into the bag. He looked at my puzzled face and probably could see the torment in my soul. So he volunteered to give it back to me: "I know you want it back." But honestly, at that point I didn't want to be seen by him -- a stranger -- as a liar. So I stuck to what I said and insisted that he keep both: "Enjoy it."
My God, I am too generous, and so, so stupid. I just gave some dude a t-shirt from the alumni club. Now, when we come back in a couple weeks to watch our game, he's going to come around and thank me for the t-shirt, or worse, he'll be wearing it and show it to me and anyone from the club I'm with, all of whom will then turn to me and ask, "How in the hell did he get a t-shirt? Did you give him a t-shirt?" To which I'll reply ... by running away.
Because it was a school night (and also because the club is struggling to remain popular -- maybe that has something to do with me, maybe I should blog about it) the other four people left before the game wrapped up around 11:30. I, as President, had to stay to the bitter end. Not that I minded; we won. And I had the whole upper floor of the restaurant to myself. Well, I did until late in the game.
Two guys come up, hang out, talk to each and glance at the TV screens showing our game. Right before it's over one of them goes to the bathroom right behind me. The other, who said hello to me while passing by me on his way to the bathroom, started to chat me up. I didn't want to be an asshole, plus the game appeared to be at hand near the end of the game.
He noticed the box of free stuff, which I set on the table after everyone left in the group left. "Oh, free stuff," I said. "Like what?" the guy said. "Oh, t-shirts and sunglasses and stuff."
Then he asked, "Can I take a look?" Looking back I should have said no. But again, he seemed nice, and again, I didn't want to act like a dick, so I gave him permission.
And then, after sifting through the contents of the box, he pulled up a t-shirt and asked, "Can I take it?"
Only now do I realize that at this point I was at a crossroads. I really should have said no then. The t-shirts are the most popular item to give to alums for free. Also, I had only three of them, and they were larges. I had received complaints from members (back early in the season, when people were actually showing up) that there weren't enough large and extra large t-shirts for obese Americans. So the ones that were in the bo were specifically requested. And now this guy, a man I had never met, asked for one.
I hesitated, so he continued rooting around in there and pulled up a drawstring bag and asked, "Can I take this?" Those bags are less popular and I had tons of them, so I said he could. But then he went back to the t-shirt and asked, once again, if he could take one.
I don't know why I said yes. Maybe I was mistakenly thinking I had a lot, when I knew for a fact that I had only three. Maybe he was being nice, or, in retrospect, acting nice. Maybe I got so tired of him asking over and over that I wanted to shut him up. Maybe I didn't think that anyone from the club would know, or maybe I thought that no one is going to show up for games the rest of the season, so why not give someone something that no one else isn't bothering to show up for?
So I said he could get the t-shirt too, which he put into the bag. He looked at my puzzled face and probably could see the torment in my soul. So he volunteered to give it back to me: "I know you want it back." But honestly, at that point I didn't want to be seen by him -- a stranger -- as a liar. So I stuck to what I said and insisted that he keep both: "Enjoy it."
My God, I am too generous, and so, so stupid. I just gave some dude a t-shirt from the alumni club. Now, when we come back in a couple weeks to watch our game, he's going to come around and thank me for the t-shirt, or worse, he'll be wearing it and show it to me and anyone from the club I'm with, all of whom will then turn to me and ask, "How in the hell did he get a t-shirt? Did you give him a t-shirt?" To which I'll reply ... by running away.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Oh, I Am So Screwed!
Not necessarily an addendum on my quick meeting before I left work for the weekend Friday afternoon, but it comes out of that meeting: My boss asked me how I was doing on the main project I still have left to do, namely getting this weekly spreadsheet out. He's been harping on this ever since the project began, and I really am doing the best I can, being fast while making sure I'm thorough. That said, I have a ton of boxes back there -- a ton. And whenever I get sidetracked with another thing I need to get, that's more time spent away from addressing the spreadsheet.
My boss doesn't know that. It's become quite apparent to me that as up to my eyeballs I feel about this project, he does too. Maybe moreso, since 1) I know more about the nuts and bolts of how this entire project (not just my spreadsheet) and 2) it's probably his ass on the line if this all goes south. (That doesn't excuse him being a dick to me, but ... that's complicated.) But I think he's gotten the impression that there is a lot less work to be done than there actually is. He affirmed my position when he asked me to get all those things done in the next two days, and enlist another temp's help if I needed to.
Dude, it's not going to get done in the next two days. It may not get done in the next two weeks. It's ... a lot of stuff. And as long as I am going to make sure I have everything correct (and even though I get some wrong, but I still need to go through these with a fine-toothed comb), I can't just jet through these.
But, he wants it done. So what am I to do? I have no fucking clue. It may be time for me to cede some of this to the temp, but that might make coordinating all the names onto the one spreadsheet that has to be sent even more difficult. What I'm worried about is come Tuesday, he'll look at all the boxes that will still be in the back (and there will be boxes in the back) and be absolutely shocked at how little progress I've been making. "What the hell is this? I thought you could get these done?" And I wouldn't know what to say. Therefore, I will probably say ... well, "Look, I'm doing the best I can. If you don't like it, well, fire me."
You know, having a drop-dead date changes things. I realized after I blogged about that yesterday that it's only three weeks away -- not too long. As usual I am deeply ambivalent. On the one hand this means the loss of a job, unemployment and the need to look for work once again. On the other hand I won't have to deal with all the crap at work, I can wake up when I want to, I won't have any responsibilities to anyone else and I may even get to stay in during the day if it's too cold out. Shoot, I might just stay unemployed for the winter. So with the stress of doing the right thing comes the freedom of knowing that no matter what you do or don't do, you're losing your job.
So why stress over that? Because I didn't tell him the truth, not necessarily: "We've got a lot of boxes back there." Instead I kind of soft-played the workload: "We've got ... some boxes back there." (OK, I may have outright lied.) That may have led him to think I'm close when I'm definitely not.
I don't really know what he's going to do next week. He may flip out. Or, as he has from time to time, decided he needs to concentrate on all the other stuff he has to do and just let me do my thing. If so, I'll do the best that I can and pray that he doesn't go off on me, again. Well, at that point I may not give a shit.
OK, maybe I'm not so screwed after all. You can do a hell of a lot of things, or not do a hell of a lot of things, when you don't care anymore.
My boss doesn't know that. It's become quite apparent to me that as up to my eyeballs I feel about this project, he does too. Maybe moreso, since 1) I know more about the nuts and bolts of how this entire project (not just my spreadsheet) and 2) it's probably his ass on the line if this all goes south. (That doesn't excuse him being a dick to me, but ... that's complicated.) But I think he's gotten the impression that there is a lot less work to be done than there actually is. He affirmed my position when he asked me to get all those things done in the next two days, and enlist another temp's help if I needed to.
Dude, it's not going to get done in the next two days. It may not get done in the next two weeks. It's ... a lot of stuff. And as long as I am going to make sure I have everything correct (and even though I get some wrong, but I still need to go through these with a fine-toothed comb), I can't just jet through these.
But, he wants it done. So what am I to do? I have no fucking clue. It may be time for me to cede some of this to the temp, but that might make coordinating all the names onto the one spreadsheet that has to be sent even more difficult. What I'm worried about is come Tuesday, he'll look at all the boxes that will still be in the back (and there will be boxes in the back) and be absolutely shocked at how little progress I've been making. "What the hell is this? I thought you could get these done?" And I wouldn't know what to say. Therefore, I will probably say ... well, "Look, I'm doing the best I can. If you don't like it, well, fire me."
You know, having a drop-dead date changes things. I realized after I blogged about that yesterday that it's only three weeks away -- not too long. As usual I am deeply ambivalent. On the one hand this means the loss of a job, unemployment and the need to look for work once again. On the other hand I won't have to deal with all the crap at work, I can wake up when I want to, I won't have any responsibilities to anyone else and I may even get to stay in during the day if it's too cold out. Shoot, I might just stay unemployed for the winter. So with the stress of doing the right thing comes the freedom of knowing that no matter what you do or don't do, you're losing your job.
So why stress over that? Because I didn't tell him the truth, not necessarily: "We've got a lot of boxes back there." Instead I kind of soft-played the workload: "We've got ... some boxes back there." (OK, I may have outright lied.) That may have led him to think I'm close when I'm definitely not.
I don't really know what he's going to do next week. He may flip out. Or, as he has from time to time, decided he needs to concentrate on all the other stuff he has to do and just let me do my thing. If so, I'll do the best that I can and pray that he doesn't go off on me, again. Well, at that point I may not give a shit.
OK, maybe I'm not so screwed after all. You can do a hell of a lot of things, or not do a hell of a lot of things, when you don't care anymore.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Well, I Was Given A Drop-Dead Day At Work
Early next month, according to the temp agency. Wow, that's a shock. That is way sooner than last season, where I was there through mid-March, and in fact they didn't leave me but I left them because I was going back to test scoring. This season is even sooner than my first season, when I was cut at mid-December when I was told by my previous boss/mentor/predecessor that they wanted me back after the New Year.
Also, this is not the date I was given by my boss when I left for the day. He said I am gone "once the project is finished," whenever that may be. So I've been given two different dates. Who's right, and who's lying? Is it my boss? Is it the temp agency? Could my boss change his mind and keep me on longer ... or worse, cut me even sooner? Is the agency just dicking me around so they don't mislead me?
All of a sudden I feel ... scared. All of a sudden I miss the chaos at work, even the BS I had to go through today. All of a sudden I don't feel like going to this stripper party tonight. (No, I will, if only to drown my sorrows in my own semen.)
Also, this is not the date I was given by my boss when I left for the day. He said I am gone "once the project is finished," whenever that may be. So I've been given two different dates. Who's right, and who's lying? Is it my boss? Is it the temp agency? Could my boss change his mind and keep me on longer ... or worse, cut me even sooner? Is the agency just dicking me around so they don't mislead me?
All of a sudden I feel ... scared. All of a sudden I miss the chaos at work, even the BS I had to go through today. All of a sudden I don't feel like going to this stripper party tonight. (No, I will, if only to drown my sorrows in my own semen.)
Thursday, November 13, 2014
I Am Forgetful Jones
My day actually started Tuesday. Well, maybe even Monday. We had our first snowstorm Monday. It was supposed to be huge -- forecasts Sunday night said we would get a foot, maybe even 18 inches. We didn't get that much, however, maybe half a foot. That's a huge blessing from Mother Nature. Nevertheless it was the wet and heavy snow, therefore I plowed the driveway.
I said before I love my parents' Toro. It made the driveway so clean that I decided to make it spotless. I turned on both of the cars, just for a few minutes, just so I could move them to the street, just so I could plow the whole driveway. Man, it was beautiful.
After that (and I know this is a long story, just go with me), I was going to fill up my parents' minivan. But since I thought I did such a masterful, manly job with the driveway, and I was going to charge the gasoline to my credit card, I decided to treat myself and go to a Buffalo Wild Wings and charge that.
I indulged in Happy Hour-priced chili con queso, then I ordered eight wings because it was Wing Tuesday. I was going to limit myself to one beer, but due to an overpour mistake (and I don't say this to be arrogant, I'd rather it not happen) I was given another beer (also a Coors Light, just like the one I ordered). And I didn't want to waste the beer, so I stayed 2 1/2 hours to finish the second one.
So by the time I got home, after I left around 5:45 and stopped at the gas station before returning home, it was 9 and I was both full and, well, drunk. So I listened to my body and conked off to sleep at 9:30.
Unfortunately this was unconsciousness due to drunkenness, not fatigue, so I woke up at 2. I realized I needed to do some things online, including the Weekly Minnesota Sports Survey. By the time I did all that, masturbated and brushed my teeth it was an hour before I had to wake up, and I knew by then I wouldn't be able to sneak in another nap. So I tried meditating, laid in my bed till my iPhone sounded the alarm, and I went off, reluctantly, to work.
I could have tried to sneak in some shut-eye during lunch, but not this day. We had a pizza party Wednesday afternoon, to celebrate ... no, to mourn the temps that were fired yesterday. So I got full again with food bad for me, a mere 18 hours after I did it the first time.
Just before the end of my workday I could feel my brain shutting down. That's when waking up too early and not being able to go back to sleep started to hit me. Nevertheless I had to see my psychiatrist (yeah, I should talk about that, or at least as much as I can). Then, as has been my ritual, I went to a place to eat dinner close by so I could wait out the traffic. I was tired, but I made it all the way home.
But not without forgetting a few things. On my way to the shrink I realized I had left my watch at work. Crazy day, again, augmented by the loss of a few good people who I relied on to get the project done. Then, after I got home, I realized that I did not pick up the to-go cup of Coke I had asked my waitress at the restaurant for. It was left sitting on my table. I promptly forgot it as soon as I got up from my seat and put on my coat. Shoot, I even picked up the check from my table, but not the Coke. So I just got up and left it, even though I specifically requested it.
You know, I remember this one time I was at college. A friend of mine was treating me for dinner at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif. I had leftovers and was going to bring it with me to his car before we saw the documentary Hoop Dreams. But even though it was put in a container and a plastic bag for me, I got up and left, leaving it behind. (My friend obviously didn't notice it either.) So I've done it before.
Question is, How the heck could I forget? One thing I thought of was that I decided not to take a sip of Coke from the to-go cup because (and I don't think this makes me weird) I had eaten a slice of pie (this is place is known for their pies) and I don't think you can wash down dessert with a soft drink because that's, uh, inappropriate. You would think that if you consume something, you would be cognizant of that object and take it with you, you know? That I didn't made it easier for me to forget about it. But I had eaten half of the food with my friend back in college, and I forgot about the to-go box. Also, I had dinner out after seeing my psychiatrist last Wednesday and I asked for a Coke to go and I had dessert and I didn't take sip of Coke when I had my pie, and I remembered to take it home (and I still have that cup of Coke in the fridge).
So, I forgot because it was a long goddamn day, one that was set up from the snowstorm overnight Sunday. OK, I blame you, Mother Nature. I blame you for my waste of a Coke.
Oh, by the way, you all remember who Forgetful Jones is, from Sesame Street, right?
I said before I love my parents' Toro. It made the driveway so clean that I decided to make it spotless. I turned on both of the cars, just for a few minutes, just so I could move them to the street, just so I could plow the whole driveway. Man, it was beautiful.
After that (and I know this is a long story, just go with me), I was going to fill up my parents' minivan. But since I thought I did such a masterful, manly job with the driveway, and I was going to charge the gasoline to my credit card, I decided to treat myself and go to a Buffalo Wild Wings and charge that.
I indulged in Happy Hour-priced chili con queso, then I ordered eight wings because it was Wing Tuesday. I was going to limit myself to one beer, but due to an overpour mistake (and I don't say this to be arrogant, I'd rather it not happen) I was given another beer (also a Coors Light, just like the one I ordered). And I didn't want to waste the beer, so I stayed 2 1/2 hours to finish the second one.
So by the time I got home, after I left around 5:45 and stopped at the gas station before returning home, it was 9 and I was both full and, well, drunk. So I listened to my body and conked off to sleep at 9:30.
Unfortunately this was unconsciousness due to drunkenness, not fatigue, so I woke up at 2. I realized I needed to do some things online, including the Weekly Minnesota Sports Survey. By the time I did all that, masturbated and brushed my teeth it was an hour before I had to wake up, and I knew by then I wouldn't be able to sneak in another nap. So I tried meditating, laid in my bed till my iPhone sounded the alarm, and I went off, reluctantly, to work.
I could have tried to sneak in some shut-eye during lunch, but not this day. We had a pizza party Wednesday afternoon, to celebrate ... no, to mourn the temps that were fired yesterday. So I got full again with food bad for me, a mere 18 hours after I did it the first time.
Just before the end of my workday I could feel my brain shutting down. That's when waking up too early and not being able to go back to sleep started to hit me. Nevertheless I had to see my psychiatrist (yeah, I should talk about that, or at least as much as I can). Then, as has been my ritual, I went to a place to eat dinner close by so I could wait out the traffic. I was tired, but I made it all the way home.
But not without forgetting a few things. On my way to the shrink I realized I had left my watch at work. Crazy day, again, augmented by the loss of a few good people who I relied on to get the project done. Then, after I got home, I realized that I did not pick up the to-go cup of Coke I had asked my waitress at the restaurant for. It was left sitting on my table. I promptly forgot it as soon as I got up from my seat and put on my coat. Shoot, I even picked up the check from my table, but not the Coke. So I just got up and left it, even though I specifically requested it.
You know, I remember this one time I was at college. A friend of mine was treating me for dinner at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif. I had leftovers and was going to bring it with me to his car before we saw the documentary Hoop Dreams. But even though it was put in a container and a plastic bag for me, I got up and left, leaving it behind. (My friend obviously didn't notice it either.) So I've done it before.
Question is, How the heck could I forget? One thing I thought of was that I decided not to take a sip of Coke from the to-go cup because (and I don't think this makes me weird) I had eaten a slice of pie (this is place is known for their pies) and I don't think you can wash down dessert with a soft drink because that's, uh, inappropriate. You would think that if you consume something, you would be cognizant of that object and take it with you, you know? That I didn't made it easier for me to forget about it. But I had eaten half of the food with my friend back in college, and I forgot about the to-go box. Also, I had dinner out after seeing my psychiatrist last Wednesday and I asked for a Coke to go and I had dessert and I didn't take sip of Coke when I had my pie, and I remembered to take it home (and I still have that cup of Coke in the fridge).
So, I forgot because it was a long goddamn day, one that was set up from the snowstorm overnight Sunday. OK, I blame you, Mother Nature. I blame you for my waste of a Coke.
Oh, by the way, you all remember who Forgetful Jones is, from Sesame Street, right?
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The Weekly Minnesota Sports Survey
#0: Gopher football (Re-Entry!). This largely was a down week overall for Twin Cities sports. So that makes the University of Minnesota's football team's accomplishment this past Saturday stand out even more. Two weeks after shitting the bed and dampening the good vibes of the season losing at Illinois, they came back to TCF Bank Stadium and absolutely throttled Iowa to take home Floyd of Rosedale, 51-14.
And it wasn't even that close. Swear to God, they looked like a solid, dangerous, even fantastic program. The Gophers took advantage of three Hawkeye turnovers to lead, get this, 35-7 at halftime. If there was going to be a rout in this game, all of us thought the U. would be on the short end. But they weren't, and therefore Minnesota has won both the pig and The Little Brown Jug in the same season for the first time since 1967.
Finally, if I haven't said this before, I should say this again: Jerry Kill should stay on the sidelines as long as he can. We haven't heard anything about his seizures, thank goodness, probably because he's been able to keep them under control. That has coincided with yet another solid year, and they were able to make up for their upset loss to the Illini by upsetting the Hawkeyes.
They now are a half-game behind Nebraska for the lead in the Big Ten West, and they still have upcoming games against the two top contenders in the division, the Cornhuskers and Wisconsin. They come later; first up is the final home game of the year Saturday, against possibly the best team in the Big Ten: Ohio St. The Buckeyes have smoothed themselves out since losing star Quarterback Braxton Miller early in the season, and they're ranked in the top ten in the polls. But the Gophers have finally, finally! cracked the polls themselves (landing at #25 in Tuesday's College Football Playoff poll -- does that count as a poll?). Ohio St. may be good, but Minnesota rarely has been better. Plus, since the game's at home and it should be under temperatures hovering around freezing, there may be no better setting to pull the upset. Game's at 11.
#-1: Gopher men's hockey (Last Week: -5). Beat up Notre Dame over the weekend, routing them by scores of 5-0 and 4-2 Friday and Sunday. The Gophers' Taylor Cammarata and Adam Wilcox took the first two Top Stars from the B1G this week. You'll see many players on this squad get lauded by the league -- not necessarily just because they're good (although they are, although I will wait until the NCAA Tournament), but also because there are only six teams in the Big Ten. This week they have another home-and-home series against an in-state rival, Minnesota-Duluth (here Friday, there Saturday).
#-2: Timberwolves (Last Week: -3). They were on the road all week. They managed to beat back Kevin Garnett and the Brooklyn Nets. But then they lost against crappy Orlando and retooling Miami. Again, I don't expect much from this team this year. No one should. But if you are prone to flights of fancy, you could imagine the club taking both games, or at least the one against the Magic, who were without Victor Oladipo. Instead, they are on a two-game losing streak, and they remain on the road this week, even though Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets technically is at home. You see, that game will be played in Mexico City, but it's called a home game for the Woofie Dogs. I still don't understand how it could be a home game when the so-called road team is closer to the city you're playing in. Remember that the Wolves were also supposed to play a "home" game in Mexico City last year against the San Antonio Spurs, but that was postponed and moved to Target Center because the arena went up in smoke. After going south of the border, the T-Wolves visit New Orleans Friday and Dallas Saturday.
#-3: Gopher volleyball (Last Week: -8). These Goofs managed to win in four sets at Michigan St., but then were swept at Michigan. That means they have lost six of their last eight matches and stand 5-9 (!) in-conference. This leads one poster in a volleyball chat room to speculate that this team now is on the outside looking in to the NCAA Tournament. They're not even on the bubble -- they're out. And Minnesota is hosting a regional this year! (Actually it may not be the worst thing in the world -- it'd be the first time I got see all neutral games at the Sports Pavilion, and I won't have to worry about getting a good seat.)
They have six games left in the regular season. Also remember that the Big Ten (and every conference in volleyball, I think) don't have tournaments. The big matches against other bubble teams in the B1G come later. But this week features two games that are going to be important for their own reasons. Wednesday Northwestern comes to town, and the U. are looking to avenge a 3-0 result on the road that showed fans how bad this team is this year. That's followed up by a road game against Penn St. on Saturday. A win there would absolutely boost their resume. But there's no chance the Gophs will win.
#-4: Wild (Last Week: -4). The other pro team is also suffering through a losing streak. However, this one may be worse, both because of its length and because of the reasons behind it. They have lost four in a row overall after getting crushed on the road against Ottawa (3-0), Montreal (4-1) and New Jersey (3-1). Also, they have lost leader Zach Parise to a concussion, and there's no telling when he'll be back. Jared Spurgeon is also hurt, damaging depth at the blue line. This would be the time for the young pups to step up, but they haven't yet, therefore the good times and good will the Mild built up at the start of the season is all gone now. This week: home to Buffalo (could be the surest W of the season, but who knows?), at The Team That Was Stolen From Us, home to Winnipeg.
#-Infinity (tie): Gopher soccer and United FC (Last Week: -7 and Re-Entry!, respectively). Finally, we wrap up this WMNSS by putting the soccer season behind us till next year.
It was a long shot for the University of Minnesota Gopher soccer team to make the NCAA Tournament heading into the B1G Tournament. Their final conference record of 7-5-1 was just to pedestrian in a year where Penn St. remained the class of the league and Wisconsin, Michigan and Rutgers had great seasons. They also weren't able to impress with non-conference defeats away from home against Florida St., Ole Miss and Auburn.
So, their only recourse was to make hay in the tourney last weekend. They had a chance if they reached the final, although one may as well win the final and get the automatic bid if you're playing in it. The club started off the tourney in West Lafayette, Ind., very well, upsetting the then-25th-ranked Wolverines in the Big Ten Quarterfinals in double overtime (and just 80 seconds before they were going to decide who advances by doing penalty kicks), off a header by Taylor Wodnick from a cross by Josee Stiever. But their run, and season, ended in the Semifinals to Wisconsin, again. Last time they played the Badgers routing the U. 4-1, but this time there was only one goal scored in the match, by Wisconsin's McKenna Meuer in the ninth minute. Head Coach Stefanie Golan tried to be optimistic after the game, but I have a feeling she knew it was all over. And on Monday, when the field was announced, it was. They finish 11-9-1 overall, but hey, it appears as if Minnesota was picked to finish 11th before the season began. Maybe this is the start of something good. Or, it maybe just another start.
Possibly more heart-breaking, though, is the local second-tier soccer club, United. They were the class of the North American Soccer League this year, winning both the spring and the fall seasons and getting home-field advantage throughout the four-team, single-game playoffs.
Sadly, these aren't these two-leg matches that soccer loves. This is tournament-style, American-style, and it sucks because the chances that the better team loses is at its highest. And it happened Saturday night, when United lost to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Even more infuriating, the loss happened 1) when the Strikers scored a controversial goal to tie it up and 2) on penalty kicks, which is, without a doubt, the stupidest way to break a tie in world sport. Just fucking play until someone scores, OK? I guess this is all sour grapes; of course I wouldn't be pissing and moaning this much if MUFC won. But they didn't, and what could have been a memorable season turned into ash. That's why I break my general rule about not putting in second-tier clubs in the WMNSS. This loss really could signal the beginning of the end for Minnesota United.
Soccer has really sunken in its roots in the United States this year, I believe. The wind has been whipped up for the past couple years in places like Seattle and Kansas City. But this year I think the World Cup spurred on more people to take in the game. Thus, next year there will be an expansion Major League Soccer team based in, of all places, Orlando, and it appears to be backed up by a genuine grassroots effort that will ensure it becomes a part of the local sports fabric. Meanwhile, and I didn't know this, the Guardian of London ran a story about another NASL team, Indy Eleven. They had a terrible year, yet they had the most home attendance of anyone in the league, surpassing 10,000. This is an expansion team, but its birth came because there was such a huge demand for a team from Indianapolis footy supporters.
I think interest in Minnesota United has swelled as well, but not as much as Indy Eleven. But it's not as much as Indy Eleven, nor do I think is it as genuine. That's because I believe the growing crowds were a result of the team -- that it won, basically. That's great; that's even the "proper" way to gain fans for your team, on-field success. But crushing upsets like this allows American antipathy to butt up against soccer fanaticism. Will this hurt United's casual fan base and season-ticket holders, especially after what was supposed to be a coronation of a postseason turned into what could be the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship Game for Minnesota professional soccer? I'm serious when I say that this defeat could damage this team, this franchise, and this organization. Why in the hell could Minnesota sports fans support a team that was supposed to win and didn't? I'm really scared for this club, I really am.
And it wasn't even that close. Swear to God, they looked like a solid, dangerous, even fantastic program. The Gophers took advantage of three Hawkeye turnovers to lead, get this, 35-7 at halftime. If there was going to be a rout in this game, all of us thought the U. would be on the short end. But they weren't, and therefore Minnesota has won both the pig and The Little Brown Jug in the same season for the first time since 1967.
Finally, if I haven't said this before, I should say this again: Jerry Kill should stay on the sidelines as long as he can. We haven't heard anything about his seizures, thank goodness, probably because he's been able to keep them under control. That has coincided with yet another solid year, and they were able to make up for their upset loss to the Illini by upsetting the Hawkeyes.
They now are a half-game behind Nebraska for the lead in the Big Ten West, and they still have upcoming games against the two top contenders in the division, the Cornhuskers and Wisconsin. They come later; first up is the final home game of the year Saturday, against possibly the best team in the Big Ten: Ohio St. The Buckeyes have smoothed themselves out since losing star Quarterback Braxton Miller early in the season, and they're ranked in the top ten in the polls. But the Gophers have finally, finally! cracked the polls themselves (landing at #25 in Tuesday's College Football Playoff poll -- does that count as a poll?). Ohio St. may be good, but Minnesota rarely has been better. Plus, since the game's at home and it should be under temperatures hovering around freezing, there may be no better setting to pull the upset. Game's at 11.
#-1: Gopher men's hockey (Last Week: -5). Beat up Notre Dame over the weekend, routing them by scores of 5-0 and 4-2 Friday and Sunday. The Gophers' Taylor Cammarata and Adam Wilcox took the first two Top Stars from the B1G this week. You'll see many players on this squad get lauded by the league -- not necessarily just because they're good (although they are, although I will wait until the NCAA Tournament), but also because there are only six teams in the Big Ten. This week they have another home-and-home series against an in-state rival, Minnesota-Duluth (here Friday, there Saturday).
#-2: Timberwolves (Last Week: -3). They were on the road all week. They managed to beat back Kevin Garnett and the Brooklyn Nets. But then they lost against crappy Orlando and retooling Miami. Again, I don't expect much from this team this year. No one should. But if you are prone to flights of fancy, you could imagine the club taking both games, or at least the one against the Magic, who were without Victor Oladipo. Instead, they are on a two-game losing streak, and they remain on the road this week, even though Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets technically is at home. You see, that game will be played in Mexico City, but it's called a home game for the Woofie Dogs. I still don't understand how it could be a home game when the so-called road team is closer to the city you're playing in. Remember that the Wolves were also supposed to play a "home" game in Mexico City last year against the San Antonio Spurs, but that was postponed and moved to Target Center because the arena went up in smoke. After going south of the border, the T-Wolves visit New Orleans Friday and Dallas Saturday.
#-3: Gopher volleyball (Last Week: -8). These Goofs managed to win in four sets at Michigan St., but then were swept at Michigan. That means they have lost six of their last eight matches and stand 5-9 (!) in-conference. This leads one poster in a volleyball chat room to speculate that this team now is on the outside looking in to the NCAA Tournament. They're not even on the bubble -- they're out. And Minnesota is hosting a regional this year! (Actually it may not be the worst thing in the world -- it'd be the first time I got see all neutral games at the Sports Pavilion, and I won't have to worry about getting a good seat.)
They have six games left in the regular season. Also remember that the Big Ten (and every conference in volleyball, I think) don't have tournaments. The big matches against other bubble teams in the B1G come later. But this week features two games that are going to be important for their own reasons. Wednesday Northwestern comes to town, and the U. are looking to avenge a 3-0 result on the road that showed fans how bad this team is this year. That's followed up by a road game against Penn St. on Saturday. A win there would absolutely boost their resume. But there's no chance the Gophs will win.
#-4: Wild (Last Week: -4). The other pro team is also suffering through a losing streak. However, this one may be worse, both because of its length and because of the reasons behind it. They have lost four in a row overall after getting crushed on the road against Ottawa (3-0), Montreal (4-1) and New Jersey (3-1). Also, they have lost leader Zach Parise to a concussion, and there's no telling when he'll be back. Jared Spurgeon is also hurt, damaging depth at the blue line. This would be the time for the young pups to step up, but they haven't yet, therefore the good times and good will the Mild built up at the start of the season is all gone now. This week: home to Buffalo (could be the surest W of the season, but who knows?), at The Team That Was Stolen From Us, home to Winnipeg.
#-Infinity (tie): Gopher soccer and United FC (Last Week: -7 and Re-Entry!, respectively). Finally, we wrap up this WMNSS by putting the soccer season behind us till next year.
It was a long shot for the University of Minnesota Gopher soccer team to make the NCAA Tournament heading into the B1G Tournament. Their final conference record of 7-5-1 was just to pedestrian in a year where Penn St. remained the class of the league and Wisconsin, Michigan and Rutgers had great seasons. They also weren't able to impress with non-conference defeats away from home against Florida St., Ole Miss and Auburn.
So, their only recourse was to make hay in the tourney last weekend. They had a chance if they reached the final, although one may as well win the final and get the automatic bid if you're playing in it. The club started off the tourney in West Lafayette, Ind., very well, upsetting the then-25th-ranked Wolverines in the Big Ten Quarterfinals in double overtime (and just 80 seconds before they were going to decide who advances by doing penalty kicks), off a header by Taylor Wodnick from a cross by Josee Stiever. But their run, and season, ended in the Semifinals to Wisconsin, again. Last time they played the Badgers routing the U. 4-1, but this time there was only one goal scored in the match, by Wisconsin's McKenna Meuer in the ninth minute. Head Coach Stefanie Golan tried to be optimistic after the game, but I have a feeling she knew it was all over. And on Monday, when the field was announced, it was. They finish 11-9-1 overall, but hey, it appears as if Minnesota was picked to finish 11th before the season began. Maybe this is the start of something good. Or, it maybe just another start.
Possibly more heart-breaking, though, is the local second-tier soccer club, United. They were the class of the North American Soccer League this year, winning both the spring and the fall seasons and getting home-field advantage throughout the four-team, single-game playoffs.
Sadly, these aren't these two-leg matches that soccer loves. This is tournament-style, American-style, and it sucks because the chances that the better team loses is at its highest. And it happened Saturday night, when United lost to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Even more infuriating, the loss happened 1) when the Strikers scored a controversial goal to tie it up and 2) on penalty kicks, which is, without a doubt, the stupidest way to break a tie in world sport. Just fucking play until someone scores, OK? I guess this is all sour grapes; of course I wouldn't be pissing and moaning this much if MUFC won. But they didn't, and what could have been a memorable season turned into ash. That's why I break my general rule about not putting in second-tier clubs in the WMNSS. This loss really could signal the beginning of the end for Minnesota United.
Soccer has really sunken in its roots in the United States this year, I believe. The wind has been whipped up for the past couple years in places like Seattle and Kansas City. But this year I think the World Cup spurred on more people to take in the game. Thus, next year there will be an expansion Major League Soccer team based in, of all places, Orlando, and it appears to be backed up by a genuine grassroots effort that will ensure it becomes a part of the local sports fabric. Meanwhile, and I didn't know this, the Guardian of London ran a story about another NASL team, Indy Eleven. They had a terrible year, yet they had the most home attendance of anyone in the league, surpassing 10,000. This is an expansion team, but its birth came because there was such a huge demand for a team from Indianapolis footy supporters.
I think interest in Minnesota United has swelled as well, but not as much as Indy Eleven. But it's not as much as Indy Eleven, nor do I think is it as genuine. That's because I believe the growing crowds were a result of the team -- that it won, basically. That's great; that's even the "proper" way to gain fans for your team, on-field success. But crushing upsets like this allows American antipathy to butt up against soccer fanaticism. Will this hurt United's casual fan base and season-ticket holders, especially after what was supposed to be a coronation of a postseason turned into what could be the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship Game for Minnesota professional soccer? I'm serious when I say that this defeat could damage this team, this franchise, and this organization. Why in the hell could Minnesota sports fans support a team that was supposed to win and didn't? I'm really scared for this club, I really am.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
They Recognize The Pain In Me (Scheduled Post)
Move 'em over? Why don't you fuckin' move 'em over? I've got shit to do -- shit you want me to do. If you're not gonna be around, I'm just gonna do what the fuck I like. And if you don't like it, I am now at the point where you can fire me and I don't give a flying fuck. You can probably take it from here, asshole.
You know, this isn't the first time he's talked down to me.
---
There's someone at work whom I've been working a little closely with for my project. I've known her since I began there three seasons ago. But this year I've had to do more things for her. Because of that, and for the mutual stress we've been dealing with in what has become a very trying project, we've been talking a lot about how we're feeling about the project and how we're feeling about each other.
Today after work we vented again about how things are going. I kind of alluded to what my boss (who's still on vacation) ordered me to do, and she started talking about him. We've had some heart-to-heart talks over these few weeks, but I have to admit that one part struck a chord with me: She picked up on my comment about my asshole boss and said that she also sees how he "treats" me, and how he's always talking down to me. I didn't want to break down and cry, but honestly, when she saw that, when she got to the truth of me and how I was really feeling, I turned into the little boy who cried constantly. I wanted to break down in front of her, because by acknowledging the truth about him, she made it OK for me to let my guard down.
Well, I didn't. But she was candid about asking for feedback on the project (and him) after all of this was over. I have had enough of this guy, and I think I don't want to be back, ever. So I'll take her up on her offer and unload on him.
---
Before today I planned on talking to the temp agency about my boss as well. I still felt he hung me out to dry when he called from wherever he's vacationing from and told me he was cutting some people. So before I took out the snowblower to clear my driveway (Toros are the best, by the way -- half-hour and it was totally clear!), a bit after 5 in the afternoon, I called my contact there.
It was about 25 minutes, but I felt a hell of a lot better. I told him about how I felt overwhelmed, how I felt like my boss screwed me, and basically bitching about how he's an abusive and demanding prick. Unlike this woman at work he either didn't believe he's a bully or he was being diplomatic. But he empathized with me and, more importantly, said that I was put in an unfair situation. I have no idea if there is a side temp agencies take, and I was afraid he would side with the clients, i.e. the companies that pay the agency money. And I still don't know if my talking to him is going to lead anywhere. But I felt a lot better after talking to him.
---
So now dealing with my asshole boss as he wants to know how we're progressing through the envelopes. I'm probably a lot farther behind that he would want, but I don't care. Like I said before, if he wants to fire me, at this point I'm actually OK with that.
You know, this isn't the first time he's talked down to me.
---
There's someone at work whom I've been working a little closely with for my project. I've known her since I began there three seasons ago. But this year I've had to do more things for her. Because of that, and for the mutual stress we've been dealing with in what has become a very trying project, we've been talking a lot about how we're feeling about the project and how we're feeling about each other.
Today after work we vented again about how things are going. I kind of alluded to what my boss (who's still on vacation) ordered me to do, and she started talking about him. We've had some heart-to-heart talks over these few weeks, but I have to admit that one part struck a chord with me: She picked up on my comment about my asshole boss and said that she also sees how he "treats" me, and how he's always talking down to me. I didn't want to break down and cry, but honestly, when she saw that, when she got to the truth of me and how I was really feeling, I turned into the little boy who cried constantly. I wanted to break down in front of her, because by acknowledging the truth about him, she made it OK for me to let my guard down.
Well, I didn't. But she was candid about asking for feedback on the project (and him) after all of this was over. I have had enough of this guy, and I think I don't want to be back, ever. So I'll take her up on her offer and unload on him.
---
Before today I planned on talking to the temp agency about my boss as well. I still felt he hung me out to dry when he called from wherever he's vacationing from and told me he was cutting some people. So before I took out the snowblower to clear my driveway (Toros are the best, by the way -- half-hour and it was totally clear!), a bit after 5 in the afternoon, I called my contact there.
It was about 25 minutes, but I felt a hell of a lot better. I told him about how I felt overwhelmed, how I felt like my boss screwed me, and basically bitching about how he's an abusive and demanding prick. Unlike this woman at work he either didn't believe he's a bully or he was being diplomatic. But he empathized with me and, more importantly, said that I was put in an unfair situation. I have no idea if there is a side temp agencies take, and I was afraid he would side with the clients, i.e. the companies that pay the agency money. And I still don't know if my talking to him is going to lead anywhere. But I felt a lot better after talking to him.
---
So now dealing with my asshole boss as he wants to know how we're progressing through the envelopes. I'm probably a lot farther behind that he would want, but I don't care. Like I said before, if he wants to fire me, at this point I'm actually OK with that.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Forget What I've Said Before: Monday Will Be The Worst Day Of This Job
This morning, I'm going to have to face several people who are going to ask why they've been cut. Never mind the fact the cruel way they've been cut, by the temp agency after they went home. Their last days weren't Friday. You see, they get to come back and work for a little while longer. They're the walking dead, and I get to see them until they're done. My boss, however, won't have to see them, because that fucking asshole's still on vacation. Which means I have to clean up his mess. And after thinking about this entire weekend, I still don't know what I can say that'll make the situation better nor prevent me from getting my fucking ass kicked.
This could have been handled so much better. My boss should be here. He should have told them face-to-face, instead of going out like a bitch and asking the agency (and me) to do the dirty work for him. Guess it doesn't matter; the temps know that he's relying on what I see, they're not stupid. I deeply resent him for swinging this ax when he doesn't have the balls to do all this bullshit himself. I'm a temp just like them, and I deeply resent being set-up like this. I can't look these people in the eye. They deserved a better shake than what that asshole decided to do. I deserve a better shake.
So the only thing I can think of that could potentially salve the hurt feelings of those who'll be out of a job soon is to come in early, be a man and answer any questions they may have. (Although I will also tell the truth and tell them that I was blindsided with this news too. Maybe they'll believe me.) Unfortunately the "coming in early" part is going to be impossible to do because there's a goddamn snowstorm that's coming in overnight. I already wake up too early; and I was planning to wake up even earlier than that so I can be a man to my temps. But I know have to wake up even earlier than to shovel snow out of the driveway and to drive (very slowly) on the streets. Just so I can be a stand-up fella and hope that no one takes a swing at me or yells at me.
Monday isn't going to just suck. I have to answer to my actions from people who deserve answers, and I still don't know how to defend myself. Plus I have to deal with this fucking weather.
I truly, truly hate this fucking job now.
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