:: Hey....He Puts Weasels Down His Trousers! ::

:: 10.31.2003 ::

I don't know if anything's going to come of this, but it made me feel good.

Long about 3 p.m. today, I was fed up. I mean, I'm not eating, not sleeping, I find very little joy in life any more. Michelle is wonderful and tries to keep positive, but the attitude I have (I have been given, more like) is bringing her down as well.

Now.

3 p.m. I've just closed my fourth ticket of the day.
Before I left the office, five had come in.
I've been out of the office for about two hours.

I snap.

So what do I do? Yell, scream, jump up and down, cursing the name of my employer and all that has become of the clan?

No.

I make a phone call.

See, I represent a company -- you may have heard of it-- called "Dell Computers" on campus.
When I look bad, they look bad.
They have made a ton of money by -- say it with me-- not looking bad.

I do not technically work for Dell. I am seperated through two consulting companies.

But I have phone numbers of people that work for Dell. I was told to call them should I have any problems whatsoever.

Big problems this week.

So. I called the person at Dell whom I have had the most/best relationship with.

I did not sandbag anyone. The concerns that I voiced on this call were ones that I have been voicing for over two weeks with the companies that I am technically employed by.

Somehow, my Dell contact hadn't heard these concerns.

So when I call out of the blue and voice my concerns and what has been going on with this job, the Dell person was shocked.

"Rediculous" was one word.
"Silly" was another.

She was unaware that li'l ol' me was the only person that was in charge of hardware support for a university that has over 8000 machines.

Not counting printers.

Apparently, one of the companies that I am employed by underbid this job, thinking that it would be easier than it actually is.

But right now there are 45 tickets open.
Some have been open for a good long time.

Some need to be closed yesterday.

But, as astounding and miraculous a worker that I am, I cannot do four things at one time. Not when one is on the north side of campus, one is on the south, east, west.

I have yet to learn the power of teleportation.

My Dell contact agreed with me. Said that immediate action would be taken on this.

Could I lose my job for doing this? Sure.
Would that hurt? Yes.

But dammit, these people need their machines fixed. Their jobs-- and the education of others-- depend on this.

So if $_SHELL_COMPANY gets really annoyed and fires me, I'll deal with that. The job needs to be done and one person isn't going to do it.

My pie-in-the-sky setup for this gig is:
1. PC Tech, in-office, handles ordering and paperwork as well as working on long-term issues. (Me)
2. PC Tech, knows printers, can handle delivery and pickup of machines needing fixed. (Joe)
3. Mac Tech, Macintosh specialist that can also handle some of the simpler PC/Printer jobs (Mr/s. X)
4. Printer Tech, can handle simpler PC/Mac issues. (Mr/s. Y)

Four people that could not only keep up with issues, but maybe-- just maybe-- get some things done on campus that could be viewed as proactive. Things that need doing. Inventory. No queue.

Maybe then we could turn "Dell" into a name that means "good service," "quick," "no hassle, just got the job done" on ISU's campus.

All I want to do is fix PCs.

That's what I signed on to do.

I didn't count on what's happened.

/me


:: Cameron 10/31/2003 06:39:10 PM [+] ::
...

Went to Carbondale (car-BON-da-lay) this weekend.

You know that old trite saying that you don't know you miss something until it's gone?

I would add this addendum:
You don't know you miss something until it's gone and then you get it back for a brief time.

Saw a lot of old friends while I was there.

Gordillo, McCoyne, English, Seth!, Sarah Webb and Steve Webb.

Add into the fact that Roy was there as well and you've got a great weekend. Too bad Randy was too sick to make it and that Michelle got ill while we were there. I think the Pags pizza didn't agree with her. (or me, as I ate it leftover Sunday and got ill.)

Many much beer was drank. Many much laughter was had by all, and that's been a sorely lacking commodity in my life, despite having such a wonderful witty lady by my side.

I miss McC.

I miss the Carbondale life that I led lo those many moons ago.


:: Cameron 10/28/2003 06:54:52 PM [+] ::
...

Tomorrow Michelle and I go on a journey.

It is a long journey, but many rewards await us at the end of it.

Actually, there will be food and fun and assorted other things. If those are your ideas of rewards, then great. Jibes with mine pretty well.

Roy's supposed to call me around 9-10 o'clock, so I can give him some doss space for a few hours. I'll go into work while he's sleeping, then he'll call me when he wakes up and I'll give him a quick tour of Terre Haute.

He said that he's interested in moving to the midwest/northern-southern states. Maybe we can lure him to this area. Would be cool to have a more-than-me UBL presence in the area.

This is probably my last blog entry 'til Sunday night (unless I fall asleep as soon as I re-enter mi casa). Of course, if I do update Sunday, it'll be less time 'tween updates than my last few. =)

What does a guy have to do to get a good-looking Jason hockey mask, I wonder? Need one for my Halloween costume-thing.

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

/me

:: Cameron 10/23/2003 06:32:23 PM [+] ::
...

Y'know, I'm a lazy guy.

No, really I am.

But I hate missing work. Makes me feel like a big-time shirker.

Today, I missed work. Sicker than a dog, I am. Can't lay down without coughing my head off. My tolerance for NyQuil(tm) still seems to be holding. (I swear I'm the only person that uses NyQuil(tm) as a cough suppressant and not to actually sleep)

Hopefully Joe had everything under control. I bet he did, just 'cuz he knows what all has been going on as well as I do.

I hope that the Parent Company will realize his value and contributions to this endeavour are necessary and can mean the difference between success and failure.

I have been left wondering many times what means more to the Parent Company. Doing the job right regardless of expense now and making more money later, or slavishly following the bottom line now and sandbagging any hopes of future successes.

I'm really not sure.

:: Cameron 10/17/2003 10:53:59 PM [+] ::
...

How many people out there know that the backup goalie for the Czechoslovakian National Hockey team is Roman Checkmanek?

That's what I thought.

Christ, I have too much useless information.

:: Cameron 10/8/2003 06:46:45 PM [+] ::
...

I'm a Cubs fan.

This season has been magical, to say the least.

Going into the bottom of the ninth with the Cubs down two to the damnable Florida Marlins as I type this.

Damien Miller grounded out. That's one down.

This season has tortured and excited me. Cubs haven't gone this far in 95 years. 95.

I am a huge sports fan-- mostly Chicago teams.

The Cubs.
The Bears.
The Blackhawks.
University of Michigan.

(one of these things is not like the other.....one of these things just doesn't belong)

Bears have won a Super Bowl. 1985.
Blackhawks were one of the dominant teams in the 80s, always finishing behind the Gretzky-led Oilers, it seemed. Still, they were in it 'til the bitter end.
I've seen a Michigan football NCAA Championship.

Kenny Lofton! Double!

I have never seen the Cubs become competitors, night in and night out. With the young pitching they have, Kerry Wood-- Mark Prior-- Matt Clement-- Carlos Zambrano (not even going into the very good farm system) I think they can become that.

Wouldn't it be great for the Cubs to become a dominant team for a few years?

I think Satan is buying space heaters.

Dammit, Mark Grudzielanek just grounded out. Two down, Sammy "Corky" Sosa up.

I almost wish I could dislike the Marlins like I do the Yankees or the Cardinals.

Thing is, you shouldn't have to alienate your fans to build a winner. That's just not right.

SOSA! 2-run homer! Tie game in the bottom of the ninth!

Cubs are making this game interesting. Which is good. Damn. Sosa. Wow.

Alou flies out to right to end the innings, but extra innings is going to be interesting.

It's hard being a Cub fan. This is the most mismanaged team in the history of any major league. NBA, NFL, NHL-- it doesn't matter.

Such horrible things like the College of Coaches and Phil Wrigley's mismanagement-- not to mention the Tribune's attention to just the bottom line and not wins-- have made the Cubs a laughingstock.

But not this year.

A wire race with Houston.
A dominating series against the Braves.
A real chance to get to the World Series.

A-fscking-mazing. Aramis Ramirez made a good play at 3B. Two down in the 10th.

Joe Borowski has been a good story out of the bullpen for the Cubs this year.

Bottom of the tenth inning.

Aramis Ramirez. Good story. Young kid, big hype. Originally with Pittsburgh Pirates. Too bad he flied out. Bitch.

Randall Simon was another player that came over from PITT. Free swinger, but effective for all that. Surprisingly so. He's one of my biggest fears in the offseason. Cubs have a good young 1B by the name of Hee Seop Choi. I hope they don't overlook him in their giddiness about Simon's contributions. It's muddled because they both bat left-handed. And Simon's at-bat has gone on for a pretty long time. Simon strikes out.

Brings up Alex Gonzales. Great night so far, 3-for-4 with a single, double and homer. Marlins also have an Alex Gonzales. This ain't him. He strikes out too much for my tastes, but he's good in the field, and he's got a bit of pop in his bat. Which is a Good Thing.

I don't know if a game-by-game blog is going to happen. I was in a blogging mood while this game was going on, so I started. This is a historical (for sports) moment-- and since 95 years have passed after all, who knows how the Cubs are going to screw it up?

A-Gon, putting on a decent show at the place. He's making contact, but fouling a lot off. I hope he catches up to one.

C'mon, A-Gon.

Dammit. Strikeout.

Top 11th.

blarg.

Mike Lowell, who was rumoured to be coming to the Cubs midseason, is up. Let's hope there's nothing to Marlins Destiny.

Ah, shit.

Lowell went yard. 9-8 Marlins, top of the 11th.

Dammit.

Mark Guthrie at least got the second guy he faced (Juan Pierre) out, but in comes Antonio Alfonseca. Born with six fingers on each hand, you'd think that'd give him an advantage in pitching, but no.

He sucks.

Was the closer, 'til Joe Borowski (how's THAT for a Chicago name?) pitched lights-out, and he's just been horrid most of the season.

Alfonseca gives up an infield single. Ramon Martinez (new Cubs shortstop) didn't hurry his throw enough.

One on, one out. Cubs down by one.

Castillo just stole second.

Intentional walk to Ivan Rodriguez (5(!) RBI in this game)

Derrek Lee up.

One out, two on.

If Alfonseca lets this inning get big, he's going to be known as "Goat" for the rest of his life.

At least by me.

Which I'm sure hurts his feelings, the damned multimillionaire.

Alfonseca is slow to the plate, plus he's got the count up to 3-1 on Lee. Bitch.
3-2.
C'mon, Alf.
Don't be a bitch.
Shit.

Bases loaded.

Alfonseca is horrible.

Miguel Cabrera is up. Bases juiced and one out.

0-1.
0-2. (foul tip)
c'mon, Albitchseca.

Double Play!
R.Martinez caught a hotshot, doubled up Ivan Rodriguez.

Bottom 11. Cubs down one.

I'm sweating and giddy at the same time. Can the Cubs do this? Or are they going to go down? Guh.

R.Martinez, Damien Miller, Kenny Lofton due up.

Martinez. Good little role player for the Cubs. A Dusty Baker favorite. Made the DP to finish the inning.

Grounds out.

One down.

Damien "No Bat, Good Glove" Miller up.

And Miller proves me right. Strikeout.

Two down, Lofton up.

Lofton grounds out. Game over.

Cubs down 0-1 in a seven-game series, 9-8 in 11.

Bummer, but with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior pitching in the next two, it's not over.





:: Cameron 10/7/2003 10:41:28 PM [+] ::
...

Well, I think 'chelle and I have passed the initial 'honeymoon' stage of the relationship.

Not a day goes by that I don't irritate her, or vice versa.

Actually, that's kind of comforting, in the fact that no couple I know of has a perfectly happy relationship. There's always a bit of gear-clashing, nerve-baiting, etc. It's good to know that we can play as a couple and even, yes, argue as a couple.

Things are tight money-wise right now for both of us. The move drained a lot of financing that we'll have at a later date. So there's still a lot of items that are in boxes, awaiting shelf space to call home.

DSL does indeed rule, and I think I'd sacrifice my DVD habit to keep this. w00t.

/me

:: Cameron 10/6/2003 06:52:49 PM [+] ::
...

My first blog with DSL.

I like DSL.

Usually I'd just now be finishing up my UBL stuff now, but have been done for about an hour. Yes, it saves that much time.

Now I have three more hours a week for fscking off.

Going to need to stay later at work, I think.

Sucks, because I was handed down an edict from on high about Joe getting no overtime.

None.

More work for me, but that's why they pay me the big bucks.

Or bucks, anyway.

Sacrificing cable for the DSL. Seems a fair trade for me. I have enough DVDs to last a while, and more are on the way, once we get bills taken care of. I'm a season behind on X-Files, and Oz's slow release time is nothing but a benefit at the moment.

To say nothing of the Sopranos, of course.

I think sometime this week I'm going to be giving Wal*Martia some custom for DVDs. I haven't purchased one in about a year.

Bank account, watch out!


:: Cameron 10/2/2003 10:36:25 PM [+] ::
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