My Life is A Drama Free Zone http://blog.the-jdh.com/ I graduated highschool for a reason, and it wasn't to go to college. en Copyright 2008 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:14:17 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.33 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss And now, an actual update. Because while it was a pretty accurate summary of my opinion of the current situation on Monday, it doesn't really do a whole lot of explaining, well, anything. So here goes (warning: the below is probably going to be an essay. Deal.).

So back in November, they transferred a lot of the overnight folks–okay, *all* of the overnight folks–over to the XPS division. Now, I have no interest whatsoever in doing hardware related support, which is what that department's primarily involved with. Not that I can't do it–it's relatively easy to do, particularly when you're not the one fiddling with the inner workings of the bustified computer. But that's also the problem; it's too freakin easy. If something physical is broken, it either works, or it doesn't. End of story. You either replace the part, or tell the customer he's an idiot and to RTFM and go on to the next call. The longest and quite probably most irritating part of the job now is more than likely going to be waiting for the diagnostics Dell builds into their systems to finish running and tell me which part I'm going to be replacing. Now, I'm all for easy as pie work, usually. But this is ridiculous easy. In a week or two of doing this, I suspect I'll be able to just coast right through it like it's nobody's business. Not good when it's me. I tend to get into things I shouldn't. Like finding random little tidbits about my coworkers about which to insult them on here. But primarily just… being me. Which can and often times is a little freaky in and of itself–just ask any member of my family! So, yeah. This week I'm going through the retraining process that goes along with a rather forced change of career path. On the bright side, it means at least for the next month or so, I'm back to having 3 days off–and an actual weekend to boot! On the not so bright side, holy late. But that's another rant for another day. Like say, on the weekend when we're being hammered yet again by snow–a third rant for the next 3 days. That one I'll probably fire off tomorrow, when I have linkage to back up my pissedness. In the meantime, though, there be hockey on my television, and I barely watch that anymore. So I go do that now.

]]> Because while it was a pretty accurate summary of my opinion of the current situation on Monday, it doesn't really do a whole lot of explaining, well, anything. So here goes (warning: the below is probably going to be an essay. Deal.).

So back in November, they transferred a lot of the overnight folks–okay, *all* of the overnight folks–over to the XPS division. Now, I have no interest whatsoever in doing hardware related support, which is what that department's primarily involved with. Not that I can't do it–it's relatively easy to do, particularly when you're not the one fiddling with the inner workings of the bustified computer. But that's also the problem; it's too freakin easy. If something physical is broken, it either works, or it doesn't. End of story. You either replace the part, or tell the customer he's an idiot and to RTFM and go on to the next call. The longest and quite probably most irritating part of the job now is more than likely going to be waiting for the diagnostics Dell builds into their systems to finish running and tell me which part I'm going to be replacing. Now, I'm all for easy as pie work, usually. But this is ridiculous easy. In a week or two of doing this, I suspect I'll be able to just coast right through it like it's nobody's business. Not good when it's me. I tend to get into things I shouldn't. Like finding random little tidbits about my coworkers about which to insult them on here. But primarily just… being me. Which can and often times is a little freaky in and of itself–just ask any member of my family! So, yeah. This week I'm going through the retraining process that goes along with a rather forced change of career path. On the bright side, it means at least for the next month or so, I'm back to having 3 days off–and an actual weekend to boot! On the not so bright side, holy late. But that's another rant for another day. Like say, on the weekend when we're being hammered yet again by snow–a third rant for the next 3 days. That one I'll probably fire off tomorrow, when I have linkage to back up my pissedness. In the meantime, though, there be hockey on my television, and I barely watch that anymore. So I go do that now.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/06/and_now_an_actual_update.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/06/and_now_an_actual_update.html James They're training me again... So apparently now I'm going to be a hardware technician for XPS computers. Which should be… thrilling, according to what other folks who've already made the switch are saying. Entertaining the prospect of looking for alternative employment, just in case this does take a nose dive…

]]> So apparently now I'm going to be a hardware technician for XPS computers. Which should be… thrilling, according to what other folks who've already made the switch are saying. Entertaining the prospect of looking for alternative employment, just in case this does take a nose dive…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/03/theyre_training_me_again.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/03/theyre_training_me_again.html James Tool outages are your friend. Particularly when they mean you've only had to troubleshoot and actually fix maybe 2 or 3 calls all freakin' day, and it's now 2:30 in the afternoon. Ladies and gents, somebody up there loves me, methinks.

]]> Particularly when they mean you've only had to troubleshoot and actually fix maybe 2 or 3 calls all freakin' day, and it's now 2:30 in the afternoon. Ladies and gents, somebody up there loves me, methinks.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/29/tool_outages_are_your_friend.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/29/tool_outages_are_your_friend.html James What's worse than fixing Microsoft's mistakes? Fixing apple's. What's worse than fixing Apple's mistakes? Fixing that which they already know about. For the record, I never want to get that involved with anything Apple related again. And this from a guy who's got a well documented hatred of Microsoft. But at least their software doesn't break everything else when you're installing a supposedly updated version. Good job, dipsticks.

]]> Fixing apple's. What's worse than fixing Apple's mistakes? Fixing that which they already know about. For the record, I never want to get that involved with anything Apple related again. And this from a guy who's got a well documented hatred of Microsoft. But at least their software doesn't break everything else when you're installing a supposedly updated version. Good job, dipsticks.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/28/whats_worse_than_fixing_microsofts_mistakes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/28/whats_worse_than_fixing_microsofts_mistakes.html James Is today the national day of malware or something? Only explanation I can think of for the reason every call, except maybe 1 or 2, has been a badly messed up system in desperate need of a serious cleaning. If I really wanted to play dirty, I could probably break the single-person record for amount of times reinstalling Windows in a typical day at the office. Ah well, on the bright side, by the time I get off lunch I'll only have maybe 2 hours left. I can drag a call or few out long enough to cover it I'm sure…

]]> Only explanation I can think of for the reason every call, except maybe 1 or 2, has been a badly messed up system in desperate need of a serious cleaning. If I really wanted to play dirty, I could probably break the single-person record for amount of times reinstalling Windows in a typical day at the office. Ah well, on the bright side, by the time I get off lunch I'll only have maybe 2 hours left. I can drag a call or few out long enough to cover it I'm sure…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/25/is_today_the_national_day_of_malware_or_something.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/25/is_today_the_national_day_of_malware_or_something.html James Now there's a random search woops. I think Google may have had a momentary laps. A Dell technician in India has, apparently, stumbled across this entry while looking for a solution to one of I'm sure a meriad of Sympatico related problems. Particularly surrounding Windows Mail. Now, uh, don't get me wrong–I like the attention, but that's got nothing to do with that particular entry. Oops. Ah well, hopefully it's the same idiot I was talking to shortly before writing that entry. Now there's open feedback for ya.

]]> I think Google may have had a momentary laps. A Dell technician in India has, apparently, stumbled across this entry while looking for a solution to one of I'm sure a meriad of Sympatico related problems. Particularly surrounding Windows Mail. Now, uh, don't get me wrong–I like the attention, but that's got nothing to do with that particular entry. Oops. Ah well, hopefully it's the same idiot I was talking to shortly before writing that entry. Now there's open feedback for ya.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/24/now_theres_a_random_search_woops.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/24/now_theres_a_random_search_woops.html James My computer sucks... It's a sad, sad day when you work for a computer company, doing tech support, and your computer goes on the blink. Mine's already developed this nasty habbit of restarting for no real apparent reason. And now while making someone pay me to fix their brokenness, my computer started to again display its brokenness by half freezing up on me all over the place. There was much of the suckitude. I wonder if they'll let me bring in the beast from home. At least I know that one works.

]]> It's a sad, sad day when you work for a computer company, doing tech support, and your computer goes on the blink. Mine's already developed this nasty habbit of restarting for no real apparent reason. And now while making someone pay me to fix their brokenness, my computer started to again display its brokenness by half freezing up on me all over the place. There was much of the suckitude. I wonder if they'll let me bring in the beast from home. At least I know that one works.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/23/my_computer_sucks.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/23/my_computer_sucks.html James I can haz no webmessengerz? So apparently they've gotten smart and blocked all the good web to IM services out there. I didn't want a way to kill a lunch hour anyway. Anyone have an alternative to things like meebo, MSN's web messenger, ebudy and… um, all those? Will pay in… um, praise. 'Cuz that's all I gots.

]]> So apparently they've gotten smart and blocked all the good web to IM services out there. I didn't want a way to kill a lunch hour anyway. Anyone have an alternative to things like meebo, MSN's web messenger, ebudy and… um, all those? Will pay in… um, praise. 'Cuz that's all I gots.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/23/i_can_haz_no_webmessengerz.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/23/i_can_haz_no_webmessengerz.html James If you're stuck on hold, I'm sorry. Very rarely will I make 2 work related posts in one day. Not because I don't like my job, but because I'm too lazy. But today–oh, today… there are 23 people currently waiting on hold. One of them, the one I'll probably get to talk to when my break ends, has been waiting for almost 20 minutes already. And it's not even noon yet…

]]> Very rarely will I make 2 work related posts in one day. Not because I don't like my job, but because I'm too lazy. But today–oh, today… there are 23 people currently waiting on hold. One of them, the one I'll probably get to talk to when my break ends, has been waiting for almost 20 minutes already. And it's not even noon yet…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/22/if_youre_stuck_on_hold_im_sorry.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/22/if_youre_stuck_on_hold_im_sorry.html James Baby, it's cold outside. Another Friday morning which feels more like a Tuesday morning. And another freakishly cold morning. Thank you wind chill for making -12 roughly translate to -19. And now you can go right to hell. And now they're threatening me with snow. I thought I evicted you yesterday? I'll say again, winter sucks.

]]> Another Friday morning which feels more like a Tuesday morning. And another freakishly cold morning. Thank you wind chill for making -12 roughly translate to -19. And now you can go right to hell. And now they're threatening me with snow. I thought I evicted you yesterday? I'll say again, winter sucks.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/22/baby_its_cold_outside.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/22/baby_its_cold_outside.html James I despise Microsoft Office 2007. Well, actually, I despise Microsoft. But Office 2007 for specific reasons. Primarily, it should not take me, who knows his way pretty much around Office products for the most part like the back of my hand, an hour and a half to figure out where the hell they put this or that setting that in the end it takes me 30 seconds or less to change. Nor should it stick document templates in easily corruptable files that it takes a small army to locate. And also takes 30 seconds to fix (read: delete). Microsoft, you suck. That is all.

]]> Well, actually, I despise Microsoft. But Office 2007 for specific reasons. Primarily, it should not take me, who knows his way pretty much around Office products for the most part like the back of my hand, an hour and a half to figure out where the hell they put this or that setting that in the end it takes me 30 seconds or less to change. Nor should it stick document templates in easily corruptable files that it takes a small army to locate. And also takes 30 seconds to fix (read: delete). Microsoft, you suck. That is all.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/21/i_despise_microsoft_office_2007.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/21/i_despise_microsoft_office_2007.html James Someone's gonna have to reformat... I just spent the better part of 3 hours on a spyware call. That ended up pretty much being nailed, except for a lingering Windows Installer issue. Nothing I tried was working, and even the fix I ended up settling on was a little iffy at best. If she does end up calling back, I won't be surprised. I will, however, bet it'll end in a reformat. Sometimes, I love this job. And sometimes, I think it'd be much simpler to just blame the computer manufacturer. Unfortunately, we *are* the computer manufacturer. Someone tell me how I messed that up…

]]> I just spent the better part of 3 hours on a spyware call. That ended up pretty much being nailed, except for a lingering Windows Installer issue. Nothing I tried was working, and even the fix I ended up settling on was a little iffy at best. If she does end up calling back, I won't be surprised. I will, however, bet it'll end in a reformat. Sometimes, I love this job. And sometimes, I think it'd be much simpler to just blame the computer manufacturer. Unfortunately, we *are* the computer manufacturer. Someone tell me how I messed that up…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/15/someones_gonna_have_to_reformat.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/15/someones_gonna_have_to_reformat.html James Sanity not included. Usually I wouldn't post this many work-related blog entries in a row, and definitely not *from* work, but in this case, I'll make an exception. There are 2 agents waiting for calls. I'm coming off break in 3 minutes. I am relieved. With 2 available, I should not be relieved. It's too busy here…

]]> Usually I wouldn't post this many work-related blog entries in a row, and definitely not *from* work, but in this case, I'll make an exception. There are 2 agents waiting for calls. I'm coming off break in 3 minutes. I am relieved. With 2 available, I should not be relieved. It's too busy here…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/sanity_not_included.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/sanity_not_included.html James I left work nearly 12 hours ago. I'm back at work now. I'm off at 7:00 tonight, barring another 10.5 hour day. Uh, crap on a cracker? The hours I'm billing Dell for are gonna be bloody well insane…

*****************

Ladies and gentlemen. When I left work yesterday, it was snowing like hell. There is more snow in Ottawa's forecast for today. Somebody up there is intent on pissing me off. And it's thinking about working.

*****************

Can someone please tell me, just once, why it is the Writers Guild of America was holding out and being a bunch of royal panzies for the sake of higher royalties to have material streamed over the internet? Are they, perhaps, not aware that if the TV stations weren't doing it, some other generous soul with a nack for getting his hands on free content–not me, RIAA/MPAA, relax–would just do it instead? I mean, not that I haven't thought about it. But really, if that's the only reason they're striking, which is sort of what the article in question's leading me to believe, it is making me contemplate perhaps watching significantly less actual TV content than I already do. Realisticly, I only have a TV right now so I can watch hockey and/or baseball. And since my team's biting the suckitude bullet something fierce, it's going to end up just being baseball. At least this year. And hey, that I can probably get online, too!

*****************

The computer they have me working on at the office has developed a habbit of randomly and inexplicably restarting without warning. No error message, no blue screen, no notta. Just I'm in the middle of typing/reading/whatever, and then kerpoof. I bitched a little about that last night. And I'm still thinking about taking the bitching to our I/T folks and flat out giving them the option. Give me access to something as uber basic/simple/non-retarded as MSConfig and let me tell you what the hell's wrong with this thing. That way all you need to do is replace the faulty component I know exists, and then get out of my hair. I wish I could work in I/T…

*****************

It has been decided. OC Transpo isn't *all* evil. I only took an hour and 15 minutes or so to get here today. An improvement, really, over a week ago. I'm… not quite to the point of irritated. Yet.

]]> I'm back at work now. I'm off at 7:00 tonight, barring another 10.5 hour day. Uh, crap on a cracker? The hours I'm billing Dell for are gonna be bloody well insane…

*****************

Ladies and gentlemen. When I left work yesterday, it was snowing like hell. There is more snow in Ottawa's forecast for today. Somebody up there is intent on pissing me off. And it's thinking about working.

*****************

Can someone please tell me, just once, why it is the Writers Guild of America was holding out and being a bunch of royal panzies for the sake of higher royalties to have material streamed over the internet? Are they, perhaps, not aware that if the TV stations weren't doing it, some other generous soul with a nack for getting his hands on free content–not me, RIAA/MPAA, relax–would just do it instead? I mean, not that I haven't thought about it. But really, if that's the only reason they're striking, which is sort of what the article in question's leading me to believe, it is making me contemplate perhaps watching significantly less actual TV content than I already do. Realisticly, I only have a TV right now so I can watch hockey and/or baseball. And since my team's biting the suckitude bullet something fierce, it's going to end up just being baseball. At least this year. And hey, that I can probably get online, too!

*****************

The computer they have me working on at the office has developed a habbit of randomly and inexplicably restarting without warning. No error message, no blue screen, no notta. Just I'm in the middle of typing/reading/whatever, and then kerpoof. I bitched a little about that last night. And I'm still thinking about taking the bitching to our I/T folks and flat out giving them the option. Give me access to something as uber basic/simple/non-retarded as MSConfig and let me tell you what the hell's wrong with this thing. That way all you need to do is replace the faulty component I know exists, and then get out of my hair. I wish I could work in I/T…

*****************

It has been decided. OC Transpo isn't *all* evil. I only took an hour and 15 minutes or so to get here today. An improvement, really, over a week ago. I'm… not quite to the point of irritated. Yet.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/i_left_work_nearly_12_hours_ago.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/i_left_work_nearly_12_hours_ago.html James My first actually failing computer? And it's at a computer company for which I work, and I can't even diagnose it. I love it. Anyone wanna see a tech support agent call tech support?

]]> And it's at a computer company for which I work, and I can't even diagnose it. I love it. Anyone wanna see a tech support agent call tech support?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/09/my_first_actually_failing_computer.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/09/my_first_actually_failing_computer.html James And still employed is me! Just about nothing scares me nowadays. I mean, hell, I live in a city where a guy could quite easily kick the royal crap out of you in broad daylight as though it wasn't broad daylight. But I was, well, just a tiny bit concerned when the guy I was getting a ride into work with on Wednesday called me up and his first question to me was, "So, are we still employed?". Of course, 5 minutes after we got there he got his walking papers, so I was understandably just a little uh oh. Dell ended up cancelling the building of a second buildinig here, and I seriously thought they were considering closing this one–they did, after all, just slam the door on the one in Edmonton. Apparently though, instead of that, they're just axing my department and shifting us all over to doing actual hardware related tech support. I hate hardware related tech support. There's no actual work involved in it. "Okay, try this. Didn't work, okay run this diagnostic. Did it go ding ding? Cool. I'll replace your hard drive now." As a girl my mom used to work with said, absolute crap on a cracker. Although, I suppose, it's still better than if I'd followed the periodic proddings and moved to Edmonton…

]]> Just about nothing scares me nowadays. I mean, hell, I live in a city where a guy could quite easily kick the royal crap out of you in broad daylight as though it wasn't broad daylight. But I was, well, just a tiny bit concerned when the guy I was getting a ride into work with on Wednesday called me up and his first question to me was, "So, are we still employed?". Of course, 5 minutes after we got there he got his walking papers, so I was understandably just a little uh oh. Dell ended up cancelling the building of a second buildinig here, and I seriously thought they were considering closing this one–they did, after all, just slam the door on the one in Edmonton. Apparently though, instead of that, they're just axing my department and shifting us all over to doing actual hardware related tech support. I hate hardware related tech support. There's no actual work involved in it. "Okay, try this. Didn't work, okay run this diagnostic. Did it go ding ding? Cool. I'll replace your hard drive now." As a girl my mom used to work with said, absolute crap on a cracker. Although, I suppose, it's still better than if I'd followed the periodic proddings and moved to Edmonton…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/04/and_still_employed_is_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/04/and_still_employed_is_me.html James Is this the international day of dialup? I just got finished the third call in a row I could do something with wherein the customer's on dialup. That combined with the fact I'm not the only one here who's got that problem makes me think every year or so, there is an international dialup day. And today is apparently it. I wanna go home…

]]> I just got finished the third call in a row I could do something with wherein the customer's on dialup. That combined with the fact I'm not the only one here who's got that problem makes me think every year or so, there is an international dialup day. And today is apparently it. I wanna go home…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/31/is_this_the_international_day_of_dialup.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/31/is_this_the_international_day_of_dialup.html James Kissing hour number 2, and... I'm still no closer to actually waking up, despite help from the cold that is mother nature. It sucks. Loads. But, 6.5 hours longer and I can go home. And watch my poor hockey team lose another game. Or maybe I'll just order pizza. Or maybe not. Maybe I'll decide if I survive today. With 4 agents currently sitting available… it's not lookin too pretty.

]]> I'm still no closer to actually waking up, despite help from the cold that is mother nature. It sucks. Loads. But, 6.5 hours longer and I can go home. And watch my poor hockey team lose another game. Or maybe I'll just order pizza. Or maybe not. Maybe I'll decide if I survive today. With 4 agents currently sitting available… it's not lookin too pretty.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/kissing_hour_number_2_and.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/kissing_hour_number_2_and.html James Free breakfast at Cora's? Well worth coming to work. As is only having to work 4.5 hours yesterday. Sadly, that good luck was not meant to carry over to day. But 'twill be made up for. In the form of various after work activities. There's a birthday that needs cellebrating. And if she's not up for that, I'm at least gonna spoil myself. ;)

]]> As is only having to work 4.5 hours yesterday. Sadly, that good luck was not meant to carry over to day. But 'twill be made up for. In the form of various after work activities. There's a birthday that needs cellebrating. And if she's not up for that, I'm at least gonna spoil myself. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/free_breakfast_at_coras_well_worth_coming_to_work.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/free_breakfast_at_coras_well_worth_coming_to_work.html James As much as I complain about going to work... It sure is awesome when I get here. Particularly when the coffee's bought for me. Some days, I really, really love this job. ;)

]]> It sure is awesome when I get here. Particularly when the coffee's bought for me. Some days, I really, really love this job. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/19/as_much_as_i_complain_about_going_to_work.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/19/as_much_as_i_complain_about_going_to_work.html James Is it Sunday yet? The calendar says no, but it's lied to me before. I've been back to work for a grand total of a week, and already I'd kill for a week off. It's been *that* busy this week. Add to that the fact that I've actually been making a conscious effort to semi-keep up with the cleaning of my tiny little place, and not just leaving it all for a day off, and I've been pretty busy. Lazy is the preference, so you can probably guess at my state of mind right about now and not be out somewhere in left field. Right field, maybe. I'm just now getting used to the idea of my weekends being Monday and Tuesday, and now we're talking about shifts changing again. So I'll probably wind up with some funky thing like Wednesday and Thursday being the new weekend. Well, as long as I'm not doing the 2:00 to 11:00 thing again, I'll go for it willingly. I did that when I first got out of training–ironicly, it was just about this time last year. Actually, almost exactly this time last year. I won't willingly do it again unless there's, like, no other option. It interferes with the roleplay. And some days, particularly after lengthy stretches of time with the family, my roleplay is the difference between a murderous rage and a nervous twitch. It would be unwise to take such a thing away from me. *rubs hands together*

]]> The calendar says no, but it's lied to me before. I've been back to work for a grand total of a week, and already I'd kill for a week off. It's been *that* busy this week. Add to that the fact that I've actually been making a conscious effort to semi-keep up with the cleaning of my tiny little place, and not just leaving it all for a day off, and I've been pretty busy. Lazy is the preference, so you can probably guess at my state of mind right about now and not be out somewhere in left field. Right field, maybe. I'm just now getting used to the idea of my weekends being Monday and Tuesday, and now we're talking about shifts changing again. So I'll probably wind up with some funky thing like Wednesday and Thursday being the new weekend. Well, as long as I'm not doing the 2:00 to 11:00 thing again, I'll go for it willingly. I did that when I first got out of training–ironicly, it was just about this time last year. Actually, almost exactly this time last year. I won't willingly do it again unless there's, like, no other option. It interferes with the roleplay. And some days, particularly after lengthy stretches of time with the family, my roleplay is the difference between a murderous rage and a nervous twitch. It would be unwise to take such a thing away from me. *rubs hands together*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/12/is_it_sunday_yet.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/12/is_it_sunday_yet.html James Easy mornings don't happen often. So on the rare occasions wherein they actually do, it kinda sorta just a little bit surprises the hell out of me. And in this case, the surprise came from the fact that at 10:30 this morning, I had only actually managed to take a grand total of 4 calls. Now, if this was the night shift that wouldn't surprise me. But it's not, and we're usually a whole lot busier than this. Plus I usually don't get lucky enough that I actually have something I can fix on the 4th try. So yeah, it's a little surprising. And now I can waste a break doing all manner of non-work related tasks because, well, they said I can. That I've been doing it all morning though will just be our secret, okay? ;)

]]> So on the rare occasions wherein they actually do, it kinda sorta just a little bit surprises the hell out of me. And in this case, the surprise came from the fact that at 10:30 this morning, I had only actually managed to take a grand total of 4 calls. Now, if this was the night shift that wouldn't surprise me. But it's not, and we're usually a whole lot busier than this. Plus I usually don't get lucky enough that I actually have something I can fix on the 4th try. So yeah, it's a little surprising. And now I can waste a break doing all manner of non-work related tasks because, well, they said I can. That I've been doing it all morning though will just be our secret, okay? ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/10/easy_mornings_dont_happen_often.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/10/easy_mornings_dont_happen_often.html James My boss can read minds. Staying up all night is a bad idea, even if I do end up talking to a very wonderful young lady in the process. But I did, so I'll probably pay dearly for it today. Not this morning, however. I came in half bagged, and the boss bought me coffee. I'd skipped breakfast, as I frequently do, and the boss brought the team doughnuts. If he could read minds, I'd say he had me pegged pretty good. But I suppose I'll just have to settle for he's just plain awesome. Yay awesome! And now, back to this particularly dragged out spyware call I had to charge someone in order to endure. The things I do for a paycheck.

]]> Staying up all night is a bad idea, even if I do end up talking to a very wonderful young lady in the process. But I did, so I'll probably pay dearly for it today. Not this morning, however. I came in half bagged, and the boss bought me coffee. I'd skipped breakfast, as I frequently do, and the boss brought the team doughnuts. If he could read minds, I'd say he had me pegged pretty good. But I suppose I'll just have to settle for he's just plain awesome. Yay awesome! And now, back to this particularly dragged out spyware call I had to charge someone in order to endure. The things I do for a paycheck.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/19/my_boss_can_read_minds.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/19/my_boss_can_read_minds.html James I should not be allowed to think before 9, ever again. Bad things happen. For example, yesterday. I went to work, which ordinarily wouldn't be all that big a deal. Except I saw the exact same warning I posted about yesterday, in preliminary form, on Saturday. I guess I should have got the hint when the first three words of the warning are "near crippling snowstorm", but again, shouldn't be allowed to think before 9. So I went into work yesterday morning. And by about noon, we were talking about closing the office. So yes, I'm an idiot. But I survived. And now, I get to take down a list of names of folks I get to send emails to wondering exactly what crack they were on when they decided,, nah… it's not gonna snow up here. You wimps can go to work. Yeah, about that. I think next time I'll just preemptively book the day off. Thanks for a whole load of absolutely nothing, jackasses. You're lucky I happen to like my job.

]]> Bad things happen. For example, yesterday. I went to work, which ordinarily wouldn't be all that big a deal. Except I saw the exact same warning I posted about yesterday, in preliminary form, on Saturday. I guess I should have got the hint when the first three words of the warning are "near crippling snowstorm", but again, shouldn't be allowed to think before 9. So I went into work yesterday morning. And by about noon, we were talking about closing the office. So yes, I'm an idiot. But I survived. And now, I get to take down a list of names of folks I get to send emails to wondering exactly what crack they were on when they decided,, nah… it's not gonna snow up here. You wimps can go to work. Yeah, about that. I think next time I'll just preemptively book the day off. Thanks for a whole load of absolutely nothing, jackasses. You're lucky I happen to like my job.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/17/i_should_not_be_allowed_to_think_before_9_ever_again.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/17/i_should_not_be_allowed_to_think_before_9_ever_again.html James This is where I check out. I have no idea why I think of about 3/4 of the things I do. But apparently some random part of me finds it amusing. I will seak help immediately.

*****************

Winter storm warning for: City of Ottawa">
Someone tell me they can see why I seriously thought about the possibility of not going to work today. Although granted, the predictions were worse yesterday. It's still nothing anyone should ever have to be out in, never mind have to go to work in. Bleh.

*****************

I think I'm managing to come down with my first winter cold. And a week before Christmas. Go me. At this rate I should be half dead by new years.

*****************

I thought we were supposed to suck this year? The team I'm beginning to love to hate has started pulling themselves together. And I was just beginning to accept another season of golf…

*****************

Conrad Black officially makes less than me. According to this storry (thank you, CTV), he'll be making 12 cents an hour in prison. See, I'd complain, but what expenses has he got there? His food and housing's paid for. Besides, he made enough money breaking the law, he can afford to lose some following it.

*****************

If anyone ever has to know why it is I absolutely despise vista, just try and set up file/printer sharing. You will pull your hair out. I nearly wanted to… thank god today's my Friday. Oh. My. Lord. Good thing I'm not easy to piss off.

*****************

Another spyware call. Another bloody mac user/windows newbie. Wonder how long I can drag this call out before people start pointing fingers at me. Anyone taking bets?

*****************

And lastly, mother nature, please and thank you kindly, stop it with the freakin' white stuff. It's bad enough I get to freeze my ass off on the way to work. Again, bleh. Nature sucks.

]]> I have no idea why I think of about 3/4 of the things I do. But apparently some random part of me finds it amusing. I will seak help immediately.

*****************

Winter storm warning for: City of Ottawa">
Someone tell me they can see why I seriously thought about the possibility of not going to work today. Although granted, the predictions were worse yesterday. It's still nothing anyone should ever have to be out in, never mind have to go to work in. Bleh.

*****************

I think I'm managing to come down with my first winter cold. And a week before Christmas. Go me. At this rate I should be half dead by new years.

*****************

I thought we were supposed to suck this year? The team I'm beginning to love to hate has started pulling themselves together. And I was just beginning to accept another season of golf…

*****************

Conrad Black officially makes less than me. According to this storry (thank you, CTV), he'll be making 12 cents an hour in prison. See, I'd complain, but what expenses has he got there? His food and housing's paid for. Besides, he made enough money breaking the law, he can afford to lose some following it.

*****************

If anyone ever has to know why it is I absolutely despise vista, just try and set up file/printer sharing. You will pull your hair out. I nearly wanted to… thank god today's my Friday. Oh. My. Lord. Good thing I'm not easy to piss off.

*****************

Another spyware call. Another bloody mac user/windows newbie. Wonder how long I can drag this call out before people start pointing fingers at me. Anyone taking bets?

*****************

And lastly, mother nature, please and thank you kindly, stop it with the freakin' white stuff. It's bad enough I get to freeze my ass off on the way to work. Again, bleh. Nature sucks.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/16/this_is_where_i_check_out.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/16/this_is_where_i_check_out.html James Only doing this job... … can you still sit here on a Saturday morning, working, and still watch Saturday morning TV. Unfortunately you have absolutely no say in what's on. This guy's 13 or 14-year-old daughter's sitting there watching Power Rangers, for instance. And all I can say is my god, I wish her father had the remote controll.

]]> … can you still sit here on a Saturday morning, working, and still watch Saturday morning TV. Unfortunately you have absolutely no say in what's on. This guy's 13 or 14-year-old daughter's sitting there watching Power Rangers, for instance. And all I can say is my god, I wish her father had the remote controll.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/only_doing_this_job.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/only_doing_this_job.html James I have officially lived in Ottawa for a year. Well, actually, over that now. Over that by… about a week. Which means I've almost had internet access from Ottawa for a year. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep my relatively little sanity when I shoved my almost life into boxes and got the hell out of Pembroke. Trish and I were actually talking about this Thursday night, and it kinda made me realize. I don't see me going back to Pembroke any time soon, for anything more than the occasional shortened visit. By shortened, I mean… maybe an evening, hopefully an hour. I'm a different person now, I think, than I was when I moved out. I've learned a lot, and actually gotten some motivation to do something. Oh, I'm still lazy as hell, and would still rather stay home and get paid than go to work, but I like my job, and since I have to do it anyway, I'm kinda glad going to work means going to this office. I overslept yesterday and it pissed me right the hell off. But eh, it happens. Tonight, there be hockey (I'm ordering pizza). I still have 4 games–no, 4 victories–to post about when I get home tonight. And then I'm ordering pizza. Possibly. And I can only say… oh, hell, yes. Okay. I'm gonna just stop here. This entry's becoming a whole lot more random than I'd intended. Note to self: do not blog while half awake, or before coffee.

]]> Well, actually, over that now. Over that by… about a week. Which means I've almost had internet access from Ottawa for a year. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep my relatively little sanity when I shoved my almost life into boxes and got the hell out of Pembroke. Trish and I were actually talking about this Thursday night, and it kinda made me realize. I don't see me going back to Pembroke any time soon, for anything more than the occasional shortened visit. By shortened, I mean… maybe an evening, hopefully an hour. I'm a different person now, I think, than I was when I moved out. I've learned a lot, and actually gotten some motivation to do something. Oh, I'm still lazy as hell, and would still rather stay home and get paid than go to work, but I like my job, and since I have to do it anyway, I'm kinda glad going to work means going to this office. I overslept yesterday and it pissed me right the hell off. But eh, it happens. Tonight, there be hockey (I'm ordering pizza). I still have 4 games–no, 4 victories–to post about when I get home tonight. And then I'm ordering pizza. Possibly. And I can only say… oh, hell, yes. Okay. I'm gonna just stop here. This entry's becoming a whole lot more random than I'd intended. Note to self: do not blog while half awake, or before coffee.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/i_have_officially_lived_in_ottawa_for_a_year.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/i_have_officially_lived_in_ottawa_for_a_year.html James Oh. My. Lord. I don't know whether to be extatic or frightened. So I'm a little of both instead. There was, at one point this afternoon, 63 people available to take calls. Even now, less than 5 minutes later, there still sits 54 available. If I'm lucky, I'll take *maybe* one call before I have to check out. Lovin' it.

]]> I don't know whether to be extatic or frightened. So I'm a little of both instead. There was, at one point this afternoon, 63 people available to take calls. Even now, less than 5 minutes later, there still sits 54 available. If I'm lucky, I'll take *maybe* one call before I have to check out. Lovin' it.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/22/oh_my_lord.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/22/oh_my_lord.html James 'Crunch'? My parking lot does not 'crunch'. At least, it sure didn't yesterday. But apparently, someone thought they'd be funny and dump a whole crapload of white stuff on it this morning. And in my half-asleep-ness as I usually am, the fact that it was late November didn't immediately register–so I was, understandably, a tiny bit confused when normally solid ground went crunch. Of course, when I was finally 3/4 awake–thank you, colder than hell snow that still has yet to let up–I just had to wonder if, perhaps, we hadn't already had this discussion at least once. Of course, then the trusty archive of my various random ramblings and rantings that is my blog reasures me that, indeed, we have. At which point, of course, I shall now point out yet again, my parking lot should not go crunch. At least not until December. Or until I find some vacation time. Both applies and either would be awesome!

]]> At least, it sure didn't yesterday. But apparently, someone thought they'd be funny and dump a whole crapload of white stuff on it this morning. And in my half-asleep-ness as I usually am, the fact that it was late November didn't immediately register–so I was, understandably, a tiny bit confused when normally solid ground went crunch. Of course, when I was finally 3/4 awake–thank you, colder than hell snow that still has yet to let up–I just had to wonder if, perhaps, we hadn't already had this discussion at least once. Of course, then the trusty archive of my various random ramblings and rantings that is my blog reasures me that, indeed, we have. At which point, of course, I shall now point out yet again, my parking lot should not go crunch. At least not until December. Or until I find some vacation time. Both applies and either would be awesome!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/22/crunch_my_parking_lot_does_not_crunch.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/22/crunch_my_parking_lot_does_not_crunch.html James How long will this call go? it's pretty much quarter past 2. I'm off in just over an hour and a half. Can I stretch this call out that long? Would it be in my best interest to do so? If it means I can get outa here relatively on time… hell yeah. So… would I? Watch me try.

]]> it's pretty much quarter past 2. I'm off in just over an hour and a half. Can I stretch this call out that long? Would it be in my best interest to do so? If it means I can get outa here relatively on time… hell yeah. So… would I? Watch me try.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/how_long_will_this_call_go.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/how_long_will_this_call_go.html James The 2007 Ottawa Santa Clause parade... Well, I do have to say–regardless to what I actually thought about last night's parade, it was still significantly better than last year's Pembroke equivalent. That, of course, in the sense that the child we're forced to affectionately call my brother's fiance was, in fact, not present at this one. Always makes for a perfect evening, if you ask me. More floats than you could shake a stick at, and only one actual band worth noting, but I think I'd of still gone to that one before a return to Pembroke. Plus we got coffee out of it–can't go wrong there, I think. Or if you can, please don't try to. We did kind of come to the conclusion that it'd be nice to probably end up at the Toronto equivalent parade at some point in the near future. It's odd, I spent 3 years living an hour away from TO and never bothered going there for the Christmas parade. Small oversight that was never corrected. Added to the list of things to do when I get around to it. Either way, I rather enjoyed myself. And of course, staying up 'til 4:00 in the morning yacking someone's ear off for no real reason than because we could wasn't too bad either. Yeah I know I had to work the next day, but I'm here. I had caffeine. I have more caffeine in my lunch. If it becomes an issue, it won't be for long. Anyway, back to parade talk. Not all that great overall, I wouldn't say it's something worth videotaping, but it still beat the hell out of Pembroke. Which was all I was really aiming for.

]]> Well, I do have to say–regardless to what I actually thought about last night's parade, it was still significantly better than last year's Pembroke equivalent. That, of course, in the sense that the child we're forced to affectionately call my brother's fiance was, in fact, not present at this one. Always makes for a perfect evening, if you ask me. More floats than you could shake a stick at, and only one actual band worth noting, but I think I'd of still gone to that one before a return to Pembroke. Plus we got coffee out of it–can't go wrong there, I think. Or if you can, please don't try to. We did kind of come to the conclusion that it'd be nice to probably end up at the Toronto equivalent parade at some point in the near future. It's odd, I spent 3 years living an hour away from TO and never bothered going there for the Christmas parade. Small oversight that was never corrected. Added to the list of things to do when I get around to it. Either way, I rather enjoyed myself. And of course, staying up 'til 4:00 in the morning yacking someone's ear off for no real reason than because we could wasn't too bad either. Yeah I know I had to work the next day, but I'm here. I had caffeine. I have more caffeine in my lunch. If it becomes an issue, it won't be for long. Anyway, back to parade talk. Not all that great overall, I wouldn't say it's something worth videotaping, but it still beat the hell out of Pembroke. Which was all I was really aiming for.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/the_2007_ottawa_santa_clause_parade.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/the_2007_ottawa_santa_clause_parade.html James My coworkers are evil! A direct conversation in an employee only chatroom not 5 minutes ago.

Evil Coworker: it's snowing, folks Me: bite your tongue. i gotta walk in that. :P Evil Coworker: join the club

Snow. *Before* I have time to go home and sleep. Wicked evil cruel. People like that should be shot. Twice. In both knees.

]]> A direct conversation in an employee only chatroom not 5 minutes ago.

Evil Coworker: it's snowing, folks Me: bite your tongue. i gotta walk in that. :P Evil Coworker: join the club

Snow. *Before* I have time to go home and sleep. Wicked evil cruel. People like that should be shot. Twice. In both knees.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/16/my_coworkers_are_evil.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/16/my_coworkers_are_evil.html James How does a man who's opposed to the 1 hour lunch... … waste time for the duration of a 1 hour lunch? Well, it sure ain't on Facebook, as certain individuals who shall remain nameless would prefer it to be. Apparently… it's dropping random blog posts about what to do on a 1 hour lunch. I… have nothing. I haven't even seen me a stupid headline all morning. Gees… what's a guy gotta read between calls? Other people's blogs? *scoff*

]]> … waste time for the duration of a 1 hour lunch? Well, it sure ain't on Facebook, as certain individuals who shall remain nameless would prefer it to be. Apparently… it's dropping random blog posts about what to do on a 1 hour lunch. I… have nothing. I haven't even seen me a stupid headline all morning. Gees… what's a guy gotta read between calls? Other people's blogs? *scoff*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/15/how_does_a_man_whos_opposed_to_the_1_hour_lunch.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/15/how_does_a_man_whos_opposed_to_the_1_hour_lunch.html James Schedule my lunch at 10:30, will you? I'll show you... Ha. Got this call at 10:25 or so, and have so far managed to streetch it out to 11:00. Hopefully we can hit closer to 11:30… y'know, the actual lunch hour. And then I'll only have 3.5 hours left of my shift. Suh. Weet. Who says I don't know what I'm doing?

]]> Ha. Got this call at 10:25 or so, and have so far managed to streetch it out to 11:00. Hopefully we can hit closer to 11:30… y'know, the actual lunch hour. And then I'll only have 3.5 hours left of my shift. Suh. Weet. Who says I don't know what I'm doing?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/14/schedule_my_lunch_at_1030_will_you_ill_show_you.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/14/schedule_my_lunch_at_1030_will_you_ill_show_you.html James When I bought it, it was warm. Of course, I bought my coffee at 6:30 this morning. And I ended up not finishing the thing until 10:15, when I could actually get off the phone long enough. I've taken a grand total of 2 calls so far, and one of those ruined a perfectly good cup of coffee. Thanks loads, asshole. I didn't want to wake up this morning anyway. Ah well, maybe this half-empty can of coke I tossed in with my lunch'll do it…

Sidenote: who the hell scheduled a lunch break for 10:30 in the morning? I know I've been here since 7, but come on. It's bad enough that it's an hour. Does it really also have to be early?

]]> Of course, I bought my coffee at 6:30 this morning. And I ended up not finishing the thing until 10:15, when I could actually get off the phone long enough. I've taken a grand total of 2 calls so far, and one of those ruined a perfectly good cup of coffee. Thanks loads, asshole. I didn't want to wake up this morning anyway. Ah well, maybe this half-empty can of coke I tossed in with my lunch'll do it…

Sidenote: who the hell scheduled a lunch break for 10:30 in the morning? I know I've been here since 7, but come on. It's bad enough that it's an hour. Does it really also have to be early?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/11/when_i_bought_it_it_was_warm.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/11/when_i_bought_it_it_was_warm.html James Wherein my opinion of relying on other people gets more confirmation it doesn't need. So remember when I was looking forward to the day shift because I could catch the decent buses going to and from work? Well apparently, they neglected to make that the case on Saturdays. Now, Sundays is understandable–bus service sucks on a good day then anyway. But I distinctly recall seeing that there was a bus running this morning, at the usual 5:20 or 5:21 time slot, just as it did on a normal day. So, silly little me goes out and freezes his ass off waiting for said bus to show up. 5:45 gets here, and… yup, still no bus. Now, ordinarily I wouldn't particularly care–just go to the next stop and catch another bus that's heading in the same general direction, and I'll meet up with my transfer on the other end. Except the only other bus running that early? One that leaves at… you guessed it, 5:46 in the morning. And that particular bus stop is a 20 minute walk from my house, and from the stop I was currently standing at-. 25 if I decided I couldn't be bothered to cut through my building to get there–it's freezing cold. Yeah freaking right. So thanks to OC Transpo misinforming me, my shift was a writeoff before I got out the door. The end result? A phone call in sick, an explanation to my manager of all of 4 days that I did not, in fact, decide to take a Saturday off whether I had one or not, and… I get to enjoy an unplanned Saturday off. Which, okay, can't complain about that. But it would have been nice to have actually planned that unplanned Saturday off, rather than OC Transpo deciding that I didn't want to go to work anyway. Well, I guess on the bright side, I can get some housework done around here. Eventually. Meaning… just as soon as I figure out whether or not I want to go grab a couple more hours' sleep. It's not like I don't have the option now.

]]> So remember when I was looking forward to the day shift because I could catch the decent buses going to and from work? Well apparently, they neglected to make that the case on Saturdays. Now, Sundays is understandable–bus service sucks on a good day then anyway. But I distinctly recall seeing that there was a bus running this morning, at the usual 5:20 or 5:21 time slot, just as it did on a normal day. So, silly little me goes out and freezes his ass off waiting for said bus to show up. 5:45 gets here, and… yup, still no bus. Now, ordinarily I wouldn't particularly care–just go to the next stop and catch another bus that's heading in the same general direction, and I'll meet up with my transfer on the other end. Except the only other bus running that early? One that leaves at… you guessed it, 5:46 in the morning. And that particular bus stop is a 20 minute walk from my house, and from the stop I was currently standing at-. 25 if I decided I couldn't be bothered to cut through my building to get there–it's freezing cold. Yeah freaking right. So thanks to OC Transpo misinforming me, my shift was a writeoff before I got out the door. The end result? A phone call in sick, an explanation to my manager of all of 4 days that I did not, in fact, decide to take a Saturday off whether I had one or not, and… I get to enjoy an unplanned Saturday off. Which, okay, can't complain about that. But it would have been nice to have actually planned that unplanned Saturday off, rather than OC Transpo deciding that I didn't want to go to work anyway. Well, I guess on the bright side, I can get some housework done around here. Eventually. Meaning… just as soon as I figure out whether or not I want to go grab a couple more hours' sleep. It's not like I don't have the option now.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/10/wherein_my_opinion_of_relying_on_other_people_gets_more_confirmation_it_doesnt_need.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/10/wherein_my_opinion_of_relying_on_other_people_gets_more_confirmation_it_doesnt_need.html James Well now. That was cold. The walk and subsequent bus ride to work, that is. Uber, freaking, cold. Somebody must hate me. It's not even January yet, either. Ladies, gentlemen, and people of indeterminate genders, I officially hate winter in Canada. And it's neither snowed nor actually become winter yet. Bloody hell times 6. I wanna go home…

Required dose of optimism: I think the Leafs play tonight. That means pizza. Which means I don't have to cook. I like this arangement.

]]> The walk and subsequent bus ride to work, that is. Uber, freaking, cold. Somebody must hate me. It's not even January yet, either. Ladies, gentlemen, and people of indeterminate genders, I officially hate winter in Canada. And it's neither snowed nor actually become winter yet. Bloody hell times 6. I wanna go home…

Required dose of optimism: I think the Leafs play tonight. That means pizza. Which means I don't have to cook. I like this arangement.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/09/well_now_that_was_cold.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/09/well_now_that_was_cold.html James I might actually get used to this. After going for an unplanned workout last night, and subsequently not getting to bed until about 1:30, you'd think I'd be slightly more tired than I am right now. That whole… 2.5 hours of sleep thing. But, surprisingly, I'm not. Perhaps not surprisingly considering I just regained consciousness–I expect I'll be pretty nearly whiped by about noon today. But, for the moment, I'll take it. Not bad for someone who's spent the last 8 or 9 months working nights. Now, depending on how *this* goes, I may still be looking for another job come January. But I'm not shaking my head at this arangement this morning. Don't wanna disturb the cobwebs.

]]> After going for an unplanned workout last night, and subsequently not getting to bed until about 1:30, you'd think I'd be slightly more tired than I am right now. That whole… 2.5 hours of sleep thing. But, surprisingly, I'm not. Perhaps not surprisingly considering I just regained consciousness–I expect I'll be pretty nearly whiped by about noon today. But, for the moment, I'll take it. Not bad for someone who's spent the last 8 or 9 months working nights. Now, depending on how *this* goes, I may still be looking for another job come January. But I'm not shaking my head at this arangement this morning. Don't wanna disturb the cobwebs.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/07/i_might_actually_get_used_to_this.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/07/i_might_actually_get_used_to_this.html James And I complain about missing my hockey games this year... apparently someone up there heard me. starting next week I go back to working days. And the sweet shift, to boot. If… you call having to work Sunday, of all freakin' days to work, the sweet shift. But at least it's 7 to 4. As opposed to 11 to 8, or my personal favourite from when I first started taking calls–2 to 11. At least I can catch a rush hour bus home! And watch my hockey! And CSI! And… and… and… oh, it's almost enough to make me forget why I started working nights in the first place. Almost. Except for that 11 to 8 shift, or my personal favourite–2 to 11. They're enough to make a man half crazed. At least if the man in question catches a bus that stops running at midnight when he's stuck on a call 'til 12:30. But that doesn't happen now! … God forbid. Hey, maybe I can get back into my roleplaying…

]]> apparently someone up there heard me. starting next week I go back to working days. And the sweet shift, to boot. If… you call having to work Sunday, of all freakin' days to work, the sweet shift. But at least it's 7 to 4. As opposed to 11 to 8, or my personal favourite from when I first started taking calls–2 to 11. At least I can catch a rush hour bus home! And watch my hockey! And CSI! And… and… and… oh, it's almost enough to make me forget why I started working nights in the first place. Almost. Except for that 11 to 8 shift, or my personal favourite–2 to 11. They're enough to make a man half crazed. At least if the man in question catches a bus that stops running at midnight when he's stuck on a call 'til 12:30. But that doesn't happen now! … God forbid. Hey, maybe I can get back into my roleplaying…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/and_i_complain_about_missing_my_hockey_games_this_year.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/and_i_complain_about_missing_my_hockey_games_this_year.html James I think the phone system's busted... There are currently a shitload waiting to take calls. A week ago today there was a shitload waiting on hold. What's busted? Whatever it is, don't fix it–I'm lovin' this. First time in like a month I've had time to breathe before 4. Hey, I may actually get to take my lunch on time…

]]> There are currently a shitload waiting to take calls. A week ago today there was a shitload waiting on hold. What's busted? Whatever it is, don't fix it–I'm lovin' this. First time in like a month I've had time to breathe before 4. Hey, I may actually get to take my lunch on time…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/i_think_the_phone_systems_busted.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/i_think_the_phone_systems_busted.html James And then there were none. Ladies, gentlemen and innocent little children, for the first time all night I actually have a couple minutes–note: certain people's possibly not yet received emails will have said 30 seconds… that was earlier–wherein I'm not currently trying my best to explain to some moron that his computer is not, in fact, busted because that's some wicked evil scheme Dell has designed to force you to buy a new one when your warranty expires. Although that would serve some of these idiots right. There are currently 9 people waiting for calls. And of those 9, I am proud to be one. Sweet, jesus, hell, yes. Why couldn't my night *start* like that? That'd be awesome.

]]> Ladies, gentlemen and innocent little children, for the first time all night I actually have a couple minutes–note: certain people's possibly not yet received emails will have said 30 seconds… that was earlier–wherein I'm not currently trying my best to explain to some moron that his computer is not, in fact, busted because that's some wicked evil scheme Dell has designed to force you to buy a new one when your warranty expires. Although that would serve some of these idiots right. There are currently 9 people waiting for calls. And of those 9, I am proud to be one. Sweet, jesus, hell, yes. Why couldn't my night *start* like that? That'd be awesome.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/26/and_then_there_were_none.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/26/and_then_there_were_none.html James Wake me up when it's over, m'kay? They expect me to be in training until 2, and then in a meeting 'til 4. Which means by the time I take my first phone call, it could be 5. This is gonna make for one hell of a long night…

]]> They expect me to be in training until 2, and then in a meeting 'til 4. Which means by the time I take my first phone call, it could be 5. This is gonna make for one hell of a long night…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/24/wake_me_up_when_its_over_mkay.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/24/wake_me_up_when_its_over_mkay.html James Dell: we'll help you with your porn, too. I've sunk to a new low. Guy calls in because he can't access a certain website. that website just so happens to be worldsex.com, and the reason is his own stupidity. for the record, searching for worldsex.com on google will not, in fact, always reveal that particular website. typing the address where it's actually supposed to go, however, will. computer license. Revoked. Immediately. Gawd, sometimes, I can't believe they pay me to do this.

]]> I've sunk to a new low. Guy calls in because he can't access a certain website. that website just so happens to be worldsex.com, and the reason is his own stupidity. for the record, searching for worldsex.com on google will not, in fact, always reveal that particular website. typing the address where it's actually supposed to go, however, will. computer license. Revoked. Immediately. Gawd, sometimes, I can't believe they pay me to do this.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/19/dell_well_help_you_with_your_porn_too.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/19/dell_well_help_you_with_your_porn_too.html James What a horrible fan am I. I promised I'd blog more about my hockey team, then promptly fell off the wagon for all of 2 games. I should really make up for that–for the record, they were games in which we both got crushed and did the crushing, so at least I'm missing games on both sides of the equasion. O'course, I'd of probably remembered to write about the thing if I were at home for 'em. Sometimes, I wonder why I ended up working nights. But then, that only lasts long enough for me to catch the morning bus home, at which point I clue in–oh yeah, getting off at 12:30 when the last bus shows up at 12 pisses me off. A moron sometimes, I am. It's what gives me the right to call other people morons. Which anyone who knows me will know I do frequently–and usually with good reason. Just… not necessarily a good reason which I'll admit to. Unless asked. Then all bets are off. Speaking of off… I should be off sleeping. Or something. Other than rambling senselessly. But I'm *good* at rambling senselessly. I have to work tonight–dammit to hell. Sleep wins. At least 'til 2. This random collection of what in creation's inside my head brought to you by way too many calls taken in one night. If I got paid by the call, I could retire in 6 months.

]]> I promised I'd blog more about my hockey team, then promptly fell off the wagon for all of 2 games. I should really make up for that–for the record, they were games in which we both got crushed and did the crushing, so at least I'm missing games on both sides of the equasion. O'course, I'd of probably remembered to write about the thing if I were at home for 'em. Sometimes, I wonder why I ended up working nights. But then, that only lasts long enough for me to catch the morning bus home, at which point I clue in–oh yeah, getting off at 12:30 when the last bus shows up at 12 pisses me off. A moron sometimes, I am. It's what gives me the right to call other people morons. Which anyone who knows me will know I do frequently–and usually with good reason. Just… not necessarily a good reason which I'll admit to. Unless asked. Then all bets are off. Speaking of off… I should be off sleeping. Or something. Other than rambling senselessly. But I'm *good* at rambling senselessly. I have to work tonight–dammit to hell. Sleep wins. At least 'til 2. This random collection of what in creation's inside my head brought to you by way too many calls taken in one night. If I got paid by the call, I could retire in 6 months.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/19/what_a_horrible_fan_am_i.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/19/what_a_horrible_fan_am_i.html James I get to do nothing for 4 more hours. Plus breaks. And all because of a collective clusterfuck that means my entire team misses out on 4.5 hours of training tonight. So now, until 2:00 in the morning at the earliest, barring a natural disaster–they taught us very early in the initial session about the speed of Dell–I get to sit here with my thumb up my ass, doing absolutely nothing except cruising teh interwebs until one of 3 things happen. we get really extremely uberly busy and they tell us they need us on the phones, one or more of us decide we're tired of sitting here and getting paid to not do work–for the record, I so won't be one of those–or plans get changed/reworked/fucked over in such a way that someone higher up than my manager realizes, hey wait a minute, training's been cancelled and there wasn't anything sent out about that. Of course, for the record, I don't think there's anyone higher than my manager so far as this department goes even in the building at the moment. Or there won't be in about an hour and a half. so unless he does a complete 180 on letting us just kinda chill it for a few hours, we're all good 'til 2:00 or 2:30. I love this job. Or maybe it's just the manager. That's a possibility. I'll take it either way.

]]> And all because of a collective clusterfuck that means my entire team misses out on 4.5 hours of training tonight. So now, until 2:00 in the morning at the earliest, barring a natural disaster–they taught us very early in the initial session about the speed of Dell–I get to sit here with my thumb up my ass, doing absolutely nothing except cruising teh interwebs until one of 3 things happen. we get really extremely uberly busy and they tell us they need us on the phones, one or more of us decide we're tired of sitting here and getting paid to not do work–for the record, I so won't be one of those–or plans get changed/reworked/fucked over in such a way that someone higher up than my manager realizes, hey wait a minute, training's been cancelled and there wasn't anything sent out about that. Of course, for the record, I don't think there's anyone higher than my manager so far as this department goes even in the building at the moment. Or there won't be in about an hour and a half. so unless he does a complete 180 on letting us just kinda chill it for a few hours, we're all good 'til 2:00 or 2:30. I love this job. Or maybe it's just the manager. That's a possibility. I'll take it either way.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/i_get_to_do_nothing_for_4_more_hours_plus_breaks.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/i_get_to_do_nothing_for_4_more_hours_plus_breaks.html James 27 minutes... And I'm home le free. Tonight's insanity done with, I don't have a job for the next 3 days. In 26 minutes. And… oh, my, suh, weet, le, jesus. It's gonna feel damn good walking out of this building in… 25 minutes. The countdown is on. And I *will* leave on time. Or Trish will kill me for keeping her waiting in the parking lot. Eh… maybe coffee will save my life. ;)

]]> And I'm home le free. Tonight's insanity done with, I don't have a job for the next 3 days. In 26 minutes. And… oh, my, suh, weet, le, jesus. It's gonna feel damn good walking out of this building in… 25 minutes. The countdown is on. And I *will* leave on time. Or Trish will kill me for keeping her waiting in the parking lot. Eh… maybe coffee will save my life. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/27_minutes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/27_minutes.html James Thanks giving with the family. Or, will I snap this weekend? Take insanity from one hell of a work week, add in a trip to Pembroke for thanks giving, a pinch of the ultimate in meladramatic families, throw in a sister-in-law I'm told has grown up a bit but still find myself seriously doubting, and what do you get? Me wondering just how many ways I can torture myself that *didn't* cost the price of a trip to Pembroke. But, y'know, 'tis family–so 'tis my turn to take one for the team. Or for society as a whole. I haven't decided which yet. I have, however, decided for 3:00 in the morning, it should *still* not be as busy as it is now. It's unholy. Unnatural. I came to nights to avoid this. I didn't avoid very well. *twitch*

]]> Take insanity from one hell of a work week, add in a trip to Pembroke for thanks giving, a pinch of the ultimate in meladramatic families, throw in a sister-in-law I'm told has grown up a bit but still find myself seriously doubting, and what do you get? Me wondering just how many ways I can torture myself that *didn't* cost the price of a trip to Pembroke. But, y'know, 'tis family–so 'tis my turn to take one for the team. Or for society as a whole. I haven't decided which yet. I have, however, decided for 3:00 in the morning, it should *still* not be as busy as it is now. It's unholy. Unnatural. I came to nights to avoid this. I didn't avoid very well. *twitch*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/thanks_giving_with_the_family_or_will_i_snap_this_weekend.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/thanks_giving_with_the_family_or_will_i_snap_this_weekend.html James 38... calls... waiting...? I get the distinct feeling calling in sick should so have been on my list of things to do tonight. Oh. My. Loving. Lord. I know I wanted to work in tech support, but at 11:00 at night there should not be this much insanity. It's just not cool! I wanna go home…

]]> I get the distinct feeling calling in sick should so have been on my list of things to do tonight. Oh. My. Loving. Lord. I know I wanted to work in tech support, but at 11:00 at night there should not be this much insanity. It's just not cool! I wanna go home…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/05/38_calls_waiting.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/05/38_calls_waiting.html James I promised you a rant, and here it be. Warning: this could get very, very long-winded. Possibly requiring it not be posted until the end of my shift–taking one look at how busy we are right now (35 people currently on hold, just for the record) with about 20 minutes before I have to actually start, it might take me that long. So anyvay. I get on the bus yesterday, same old routine I've been doing since, oh… about the first day I started here. Except this time, there happens to be a Senators game. In Ottawa. No big deal, there'll just be a tiny bit of a delay. Except that tiny bit of a delay turned out to be 20 minutes. Which, for those of us keeping score, chalks up one more reason for me to not rely on other people–I recall saying as much at least once on this here blog. Although being at work, I'm not about to take the time to find exactly where. so, I've pretty much missed the bus I normally catch. Which… again, no big deal. I'd just show up 45 minutes to an hour early for work anyway. except the next bus drops me off right smack at 8:00. Which means by the time I haull ass from the bus stop to the office–for the record, they call the cubicle I'm currently sitting in an office–it's kissinig 20 after. And I still have to fire up all the crapola I need to refer to during the process of taking calls. By the time it comes around to actually start working, I have 10 seconds to breathe. Then I go head first into a pile of anywhere from 23 to 31 calls waiting, and don't really come up to breathe again until my break.

sidenote: I'm so not complaining about the job–I love it. It's the other people interfering with the getting to the job that I'm not entirely a huge fan of. The bus driver and I today actually reached a sort of agreement, something I really think they should make law. Every time the Senators win, they should give us a day off to be used when the Senators next play at home. that way, those of us who're sick enough to actually like that particular team can go watch them, and those of us who hate the team (toronto fan over here) and the sudden massive influx of trafic their games provoke can stay home, watch *our* team, or do… anything else that doesn't involve fighting through that mess to get to work. That's it, I've decided. I'm gonna have a look at the Senators' schedule after about January or so, and every game they play at home, I'm booking vacation time for. Before they make me late. Chew on that, mr. Murphy!

]]> Warning: this could get very, very long-winded. Possibly requiring it not be posted until the end of my shift–taking one look at how busy we are right now (35 people currently on hold, just for the record) with about 20 minutes before I have to actually start, it might take me that long. So anyvay. I get on the bus yesterday, same old routine I've been doing since, oh… about the first day I started here. Except this time, there happens to be a Senators game. In Ottawa. No big deal, there'll just be a tiny bit of a delay. Except that tiny bit of a delay turned out to be 20 minutes. Which, for those of us keeping score, chalks up one more reason for me to not rely on other people–I recall saying as much at least once on this here blog. Although being at work, I'm not about to take the time to find exactly where. so, I've pretty much missed the bus I normally catch. Which… again, no big deal. I'd just show up 45 minutes to an hour early for work anyway. except the next bus drops me off right smack at 8:00. Which means by the time I haull ass from the bus stop to the office–for the record, they call the cubicle I'm currently sitting in an office–it's kissinig 20 after. And I still have to fire up all the crapola I need to refer to during the process of taking calls. By the time it comes around to actually start working, I have 10 seconds to breathe. Then I go head first into a pile of anywhere from 23 to 31 calls waiting, and don't really come up to breathe again until my break.

sidenote: I'm so not complaining about the job–I love it. It's the other people interfering with the getting to the job that I'm not entirely a huge fan of. The bus driver and I today actually reached a sort of agreement, something I really think they should make law. Every time the Senators win, they should give us a day off to be used when the Senators next play at home. that way, those of us who're sick enough to actually like that particular team can go watch them, and those of us who hate the team (toronto fan over here) and the sudden massive influx of trafic their games provoke can stay home, watch *our* team, or do… anything else that doesn't involve fighting through that mess to get to work. That's it, I've decided. I'm gonna have a look at the Senators' schedule after about January or so, and every game they play at home, I'm booking vacation time for. Before they make me late. Chew on that, mr. Murphy!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/05/i_promised_you_a_rant_and_here_it_be.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/05/i_promised_you_a_rant_and_here_it_be.html James *breathes* The last time calls came at me this rapid fire, I was just starting here. On the day shift. In the middle of freaking January. Oh. My. Loving. Lord. Whoever said I don't keep busy… uh, doesn't know me. Or this company. I love it. Time doesn't go by quite so draggingly slowly–hence, you know, the lack of random pieces of amusement posted on here–when I'm up to my eyeballs in calls. Suh. Weet. And now, I get back to being up to my eyeballs in calls. Yay working in tech support!

]]> The last time calls came at me this rapid fire, I was just starting here. On the day shift. In the middle of freaking January. Oh. My. Loving. Lord. Whoever said I don't keep busy… uh, doesn't know me. Or this company. I love it. Time doesn't go by quite so draggingly slowly–hence, you know, the lack of random pieces of amusement posted on here–when I'm up to my eyeballs in calls. Suh. Weet. And now, I get back to being up to my eyeballs in calls. Yay working in tech support!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/21/breathes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/21/breathes.html James I just made this company $500. Which, roughly translated, means… absolutely jack for me. Yay workin' for the man! One of these days, I'll work for me. One of these days. Possibly. Nah, too much work. Just hit me up with another bonus or 6.

]]> Which, roughly translated, means… absolutely jack for me. Yay workin' for the man! One of these days, I'll work for me. One of these days. Possibly. Nah, too much work. Just hit me up with another bonus or 6.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/14/i_just_made_this_company_500.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/14/i_just_made_this_company_500.html James Just 5 hours and 44 minutes... … Until I get to go home. Not that I don't like it here–hell, it's awesome. But… well, this cold I thought I'd kicked on the weekend? Yeah. It's back. And it's got revenge on its mind. What a royal bastard it is. So I'm sitting here, on my lunch break, trying very hard to stay awake and getting nowhere. If we go through another of those dead periods like we did for… oh… most of last night, I'll start to question my ability to actually stay awake. So far, though, at least I've managed to avoid becoming a walking sneeze fest. Now, I just need to get set up for this year's anti-winter campaign. Hopefully I stop being stuffy before I have to get out the big stick. Okay, lunch break almost over. Have things to attempt to get done before I leave. ending random ramblings now.

]]> … Until I get to go home. Not that I don't like it here–hell, it's awesome. But… well, this cold I thought I'd kicked on the weekend? Yeah. It's back. And it's got revenge on its mind. What a royal bastard it is. So I'm sitting here, on my lunch break, trying very hard to stay awake and getting nowhere. If we go through another of those dead periods like we did for… oh… most of last night, I'll start to question my ability to actually stay awake. So far, though, at least I've managed to avoid becoming a walking sneeze fest. Now, I just need to get set up for this year's anti-winter campaign. Hopefully I stop being stuffy before I have to get out the big stick. Okay, lunch break almost over. Have things to attempt to get done before I leave. ending random ramblings now.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/14/just_5_hours_and_44_minutes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/14/just_5_hours_and_44_minutes.html James Merry Christmas in September! Specifics will come out when I see exactly how much of my bonus actually makes it to my bank account, but at the moment, if it's as much as I'm thinking… there could be some fun being had here. Pay off computer type fun, perhaps. Unless it conveniently stops working. Oh, wait… it already has. Well, maybe the replacement computer will do better. Ah, who cares? I got bonus!

]]> Specifics will come out when I see exactly how much of my bonus actually makes it to my bank account, but at the moment, if it's as much as I'm thinking… there could be some fun being had here. Pay off computer type fun, perhaps. Unless it conveniently stops working. Oh, wait… it already has. Well, maybe the replacement computer will do better. Ah, who cares? I got bonus!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/merry_christmas_in_september.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/merry_christmas_in_september.html James because 2 weeks is long enough. Of course, when you do as much in 2 weeks as I've somehow managed to do in *this* 2 weeks, yeah… it's long enough with no updates. Let's see… where best to start. Vell, I could always start with the usual, easy routine of what had me so busy that I couldn't post to the thing. but… well, that'd take up all of about a sentence. 'Cuz, well, when the highlight of your little bit of time away is getting absolutely soked beyond all repair at the ex, there's not that much of an essay to be written about it. Not that it wasn't still fun–anything that results in making Trish's poor husband nearly lose it is entertainment for me. I'm sorry, was that… um, too mean? Ah well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna… well, I guess I'm gonna sit here at my desk and wait for a call. That's what I'm gonna do. And… curse the people for whom I work for stiffing me on a computer. Y'see, I took one of these, customised the absolute hell out of it, threw in a few fancy toys just so I have something to do when I'm bored, and had it shipped to my apartment. Where it promptly wouldn't turn on. I figured it'd be the mobo or power supply, but… eh, I got the max on warranty, so I was gonna use it to the fullest. fortunately mister probably outsourced technician from India agreed with me, so it got set up for a return real fast. And will be returned in… about… um… oh, 5-10 days. Not that it bothers me all that much; everything else works. It's currently sitting in my room right now, hooked up to my ever faithful but still slowly dying laptop. Which makes it sound a whole hell of a lot meaner than it actually is. Not that it wasn't mean when I got it… but… eh, that was like 3-4 years ago. It's a kitten now, in comparison to the potential monsterness of some fo today's systems. and the monsterness of the one currently, um, not working. Stupid computers. If it wasn't for the fact their breaking keeps me employed… okay, I'm over it. And now back to our regularly scheduled taking of calls. Which… just for the record, I haven't actually done since I got off lunch. Granted that was 10 minutes ago. But still. When I get home, and if I don't forget, I have politically motivated pictures to display. And a picture that should have been a bit more threatening than it actually is. Not that I'd know anything about picture quality–I'm going by the opinion of the girl holding the camera. Surprisingly, I'll trust her opinion on a lot of things before most people's. Setting myself up for difficulties? We shall see. Granted she *is* family, but so far… she and I are proving to be exceptions to the family rule. In just about every category. They hate it. I love it. It's all good. And… that's why they hardly call me. But, y'know, you don't hear me complaining about that one. If you ever do, please shoot me.

]]> Of course, when you do as much in 2 weeks as I've somehow managed to do in *this* 2 weeks, yeah… it's long enough with no updates. Let's see… where best to start. Vell, I could always start with the usual, easy routine of what had me so busy that I couldn't post to the thing. but… well, that'd take up all of about a sentence. 'Cuz, well, when the highlight of your little bit of time away is getting absolutely soked beyond all repair at the ex, there's not that much of an essay to be written about it. Not that it wasn't still fun–anything that results in making Trish's poor husband nearly lose it is entertainment for me. I'm sorry, was that… um, too mean? Ah well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna… well, I guess I'm gonna sit here at my desk and wait for a call. That's what I'm gonna do. And… curse the people for whom I work for stiffing me on a computer. Y'see, I took one of these, customised the absolute hell out of it, threw in a few fancy toys just so I have something to do when I'm bored, and had it shipped to my apartment. Where it promptly wouldn't turn on. I figured it'd be the mobo or power supply, but… eh, I got the max on warranty, so I was gonna use it to the fullest. fortunately mister probably outsourced technician from India agreed with me, so it got set up for a return real fast. And will be returned in… about… um… oh, 5-10 days. Not that it bothers me all that much; everything else works. It's currently sitting in my room right now, hooked up to my ever faithful but still slowly dying laptop. Which makes it sound a whole hell of a lot meaner than it actually is. Not that it wasn't mean when I got it… but… eh, that was like 3-4 years ago. It's a kitten now, in comparison to the potential monsterness of some fo today's systems. and the monsterness of the one currently, um, not working. Stupid computers. If it wasn't for the fact their breaking keeps me employed… okay, I'm over it. And now back to our regularly scheduled taking of calls. Which… just for the record, I haven't actually done since I got off lunch. Granted that was 10 minutes ago. But still. When I get home, and if I don't forget, I have politically motivated pictures to display. And a picture that should have been a bit more threatening than it actually is. Not that I'd know anything about picture quality–I'm going by the opinion of the girl holding the camera. Surprisingly, I'll trust her opinion on a lot of things before most people's. Setting myself up for difficulties? We shall see. Granted she *is* family, but so far… she and I are proving to be exceptions to the family rule. In just about every category. They hate it. I love it. It's all good. And… that's why they hardly call me. But, y'know, you don't hear me complaining about that one. If you ever do, please shoot me.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/because_2_weeks_is_long_enough.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/because_2_weeks_is_long_enough.html James Oh glorious stupid call. Not only are 95% of people who call me idiots, they're also cheap/expect things handed to them. Evidenced by the guy who proceeded to screw up his system, complete with oh my spyware up the wazu, and then demanding pretty much that it be fixed for free. Yeah, that'll happen. People like that fine gentlemen should have one finger removed from each hand, be shot in both knee caps, and have their computer user's license revoked. And if their computer's halfway decent, like the killer XPS this customer had, it should go to me. That would make the world a better place, I think. And one enthusiastic geek very happy.

]]> Not only are 95% of people who call me idiots, they're also cheap/expect things handed to them. Evidenced by the guy who proceeded to screw up his system, complete with oh my spyware up the wazu, and then demanding pretty much that it be fixed for free. Yeah, that'll happen. People like that fine gentlemen should have one finger removed from each hand, be shot in both knee caps, and have their computer user's license revoked. And if their computer's halfway decent, like the killer XPS this customer had, it should go to me. That would make the world a better place, I think. And one enthusiastic geek very happy.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/oh_glorious_stupid_call.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/oh_glorious_stupid_call.html James 47 minutes... … and I can go home. I wanna go home. I love my job, I had an easy as hell week, but I wanna go home. Or maybe that's just because since about… oh… 3:00 staying awake has become a real trick. Could be a distinct possibility. Ah well, whatcha gonna do? 46 minutes and I'll know what I'm gonna do. Go home, half crash, forget I have a job for 3 days… oh, the suhweetness. The countdown is on. And now, it's at 45. Yay end of week!

]]> … and I can go home. I wanna go home. I love my job, I had an easy as hell week, but I wanna go home. Or maybe that's just because since about… oh… 3:00 staying awake has become a real trick. Could be a distinct possibility. Ah well, whatcha gonna do? 46 minutes and I'll know what I'm gonna do. Go home, half crash, forget I have a job for 3 days… oh, the suhweetness. The countdown is on. And now, it's at 45. Yay end of week!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/47_minutes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/47_minutes.html James Why... … do I start to develop coldlike symptoms after being at work for 4 or 5 hours or so? Inquiring, and slightly irritated, minds want to know.

]]> … do I start to develop coldlike symptoms after being at work for 4 or 5 hours or so? Inquiring, and slightly irritated, minds want to know.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/why.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/25/why.html James Yup, it's friday. And like anyone on any friday, I find myself very, very reluctant to actually go to work. Is that bad? Survey says… signs are hazy, ask again later. Ah well, at least there's an interest there I might be able to catch for another little conversation before my shift starts. I shall leave the rough translation to your imagination–specifics from me you will not get. Deal.

]]> And like anyone on any friday, I find myself very, very reluctant to actually go to work. Is that bad? Survey says… signs are hazy, ask again later. Ah well, at least there's an interest there I might be able to catch for another little conversation before my shift starts. I shall leave the rough translation to your imagination–specifics from me you will not get. Deal.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/24/yup_its_friday.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/24/yup_its_friday.html James God, I hope I get a raise. Performance reviews are coming up at work. And the timing rocks. I just checked my mail this afternoon, and apparently, my land lord just got approval to jack up the rent by about 2% by April of next year. For those of you who haven't quite caught on yet, yeah, that all kinds of sucks. I like having money–not giving away money. I'll be keeping an eye on the rental demands over the next bit… something tells me, though, I may be looking for a new hole to crawl into when my lease ends. Stupid land lord. Stupid rent. Stupid money I don't have. Stupid me for not having it. I want a raise.

]]> Performance reviews are coming up at work. And the timing rocks. I just checked my mail this afternoon, and apparently, my land lord just got approval to jack up the rent by about 2% by April of next year. For those of you who haven't quite caught on yet, yeah, that all kinds of sucks. I like having money–not giving away money. I'll be keeping an eye on the rental demands over the next bit… something tells me, though, I may be looking for a new hole to crawl into when my lease ends. Stupid land lord. Stupid rent. Stupid money I don't have. Stupid me for not having it. I want a raise.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/22/god_i_hope_i_get_a_raise.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/22/god_i_hope_i_get_a_raise.html James It should be legal to show up to work naked. According to certain forecasts, it's upwards of 33 degrees C outside right now. Which, ordinarily, wouldn't be unexpected. Except it's 6:00 PM for crying out loud. And by the time I get off work tomorrow morning, it's supposed to still feel like 30 degrees out there. And to that, all I can say is… oh. Crap. Take your clothes off and the first 2 layers of skin and tell me if you still feel warm. On the bright side, there's at least a breeze out there. This bit of optimism is dampened slightly, though, by the fact that said breeze is not exactly what I'd call cool. If anyone wants to convert this to that stupid system the US uses, go nuts. Just don't tell me if you do–33 degrees C almost makes me wanna cry as it is. I don't need to hear a higher number.

]]> According to certain forecasts, it's upwards of 33 degrees C outside right now. Which, ordinarily, wouldn't be unexpected. Except it's 6:00 PM for crying out loud. And by the time I get off work tomorrow morning, it's supposed to still feel like 30 degrees out there. And to that, all I can say is… oh. Crap. Take your clothes off and the first 2 layers of skin and tell me if you still feel warm. On the bright side, there's at least a breeze out there. This bit of optimism is dampened slightly, though, by the fact that said breeze is not exactly what I'd call cool. If anyone wants to convert this to that stupid system the US uses, go nuts. Just don't tell me if you do–33 degrees C almost makes me wanna cry as it is. I don't need to hear a higher number.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/02/it_should_be_legal_to_show_up_to_work_naked.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/02/it_should_be_legal_to_show_up_to_work_naked.html James Weekend in T minus 3 hours! And I never thought I'd be looking forward to it quite this much. Guess that's what happens when you spend nearly 3/4 of an hour explaing that, no, if you power your computer off while frozen, the world will not, in fact, come to an abrupt and firy end. Curious minds can request specifics when I'm not working. For now, let me just say this. Paranoia on that level? Not healthy. Not even close. In fact… I think he's on medication. Or, um, should be.

]]> And I never thought I'd be looking forward to it quite this much. Guess that's what happens when you spend nearly 3/4 of an hour explaing that, no, if you power your computer off while frozen, the world will not, in fact, come to an abrupt and firy end. Curious minds can request specifics when I'm not working. For now, let me just say this. Paranoia on that level? Not healthy. Not even close. In fact… I think he's on medication. Or, um, should be.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/15/weekend_in_t_minus_3_hours.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/15/weekend_in_t_minus_3_hours.html James *twitch* Waiting on a call. Been waiting for almost half an hour. Had a grand total of two calls all night. Did a really crappy quiz, got a really crappy result not worth posting. This is gonna be a long night… somebody entertain me.

]]> Waiting on a call. Been waiting for almost half an hour. Had a grand total of two calls all night. Did a really crappy quiz, got a really crappy result not worth posting. This is gonna be a long night… somebody entertain me.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/14/twitch.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/14/twitch.html James Yeah, it's a slow night. An hour between calls. Plenty of time to check on my Baseball Mogul Online teams. And, in doing so, I learn… I'm 17-6 in one league, 55-60 in another, 13-11 in another, and 56-42 in yet another one. Plus one that's not full enough to start yet. I have too much time on my hands. Someone call with a busted up computer. Please.

]]> An hour between calls. Plenty of time to check on my Baseball Mogul Online teams. And, in doing so, I learn… I'm 17-6 in one league, 55-60 in another, 13-11 in another, and 56-42 in yet another one. Plus one that's not full enough to start yet. I have too much time on my hands. Someone call with a busted up computer. Please.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/05/yeah_its_a_slow_night.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/05/yeah_its_a_slow_night.html James Back to the grind... A week's vacation is still not enough. But, 'tis over… and now, back to the usual routine. Anyone with quiz ideas, fire 'em at me. I'm gonna be bored 'til things start picking up around here… at about, oh… 2:00. Ish. Maybe. On the other hand, it *is* July 4th… Okay, I definitely need entertaining.

]]> A week's vacation is still not enough. But, 'tis over… and now, back to the usual routine. Anyone with quiz ideas, fire 'em at me. I'm gonna be bored 'til things start picking up around here… at about, oh… 2:00. Ish. Maybe. On the other hand, it *is* July 4th… Okay, I definitely need entertaining.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/back_to_the_grind.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/back_to_the_grind.html James Now that's a distraction. So I'm waiting for the local bus that gets me from my transfer point to the office, and this rather nice young lady who just so happens to be taking the same bus pulls up a seat about… oh 5 feet away from me and starts playing a guitar. At first, I figured… okay, it's the beginning of summer–she's probably just doing like those curb-side musicians do and just playing… well, because. But she was good. Nice singing voice, too. Probably someone I met in passing before but eh, still. So I'm just kinda standing there, half listening, and she goes into a version of "Tiny Dancer". I never was really that big of an elton John fan, but trust me, I almost wanted to go back home and pick mine up for the first time in… um… well okay, like 6 or 7 months–I don't have time to play anymore. Sue me. It was a cool distraction before work, though. Who knows? Maybe that whole 6 degrees of seperation theory will come into play here and I'll see her again. Or maybe not. Either way, that was a break from the usual routine from work, and a very pleasant one. If I knew half the other songs she was singing, I might have joined in. Hey–it could happen. I don't suck that badly. Or… so I'm told.

]]> So I'm waiting for the local bus that gets me from my transfer point to the office, and this rather nice young lady who just so happens to be taking the same bus pulls up a seat about… oh 5 feet away from me and starts playing a guitar. At first, I figured… okay, it's the beginning of summer–she's probably just doing like those curb-side musicians do and just playing… well, because. But she was good. Nice singing voice, too. Probably someone I met in passing before but eh, still. So I'm just kinda standing there, half listening, and she goes into a version of "Tiny Dancer". I never was really that big of an elton John fan, but trust me, I almost wanted to go back home and pick mine up for the first time in… um… well okay, like 6 or 7 months–I don't have time to play anymore. Sue me. It was a cool distraction before work, though. Who knows? Maybe that whole 6 degrees of seperation theory will come into play here and I'll see her again. Or maybe not. Either way, that was a break from the usual routine from work, and a very pleasant one. If I knew half the other songs she was singing, I might have joined in. Hey–it could happen. I don't suck that badly. Or… so I'm told.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/15/now_thats_a_distraction.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/15/now_thats_a_distraction.html James I'm dyin' over here. Of boredom. Wednesday nights/Thursday mornings are perhaps the worst nights to be working. There's 36 people on the floor, or there abouts, and enough calls for maybe… uh… I'm gonna be generous and say 25. So at any given time, after about 3:00 in the morning, I get to sit here and go *twitch* until I get a call. Which could be half an hour… could be an hour. At least I used to keep myself entertain keeping track of people's stats and the like–but we're apparently not doing that anymore. So now, it's *twitch, twitch, flop* until someone goes and calls me. And with 20 people waiting for calls… I could be waiting a while. Just another day at the office, and another dime earned. Can I go home yet?

]]> Wednesday nights/Thursday mornings are perhaps the worst nights to be working. There's 36 people on the floor, or there abouts, and enough calls for maybe… uh… I'm gonna be generous and say 25. So at any given time, after about 3:00 in the morning, I get to sit here and go *twitch* until I get a call. Which could be half an hour… could be an hour. At least I used to keep myself entertain keeping track of people's stats and the like–but we're apparently not doing that anymore. So now, it's *twitch, twitch, flop* until someone goes and calls me. And with 20 people waiting for calls… I could be waiting a while. Just another day at the office, and another dime earned. Can I go home yet?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/14/im_dyin_over_here_of_boredom.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/14/im_dyin_over_here_of_boredom.html James Happy June! 'N such. This is what happens when I can't come up with a more creative title. But… who's counting? Ordinarily I'd be up to my eyeballs in calls… but… thank the gods for system outages, now it's "we're updating, call back tomorrow". And I get paid to just sit here and be all kinds of cute. Or… at least… all kinds of lazy. Lazy is good. Coffee is good. I have no coffee. Entertainment is good. And speaking of entertainment…

Recently the following undocumented Windows 95 error codes were found. Microsoft forgot to explain them in the manuals, so they will be spread via the Internet.


WinErr: 001 Windows loaded - System in danger
WinErr: 002 No Error - Yet
WinErr: 003 Dynamic linking error - Your mistake is now in every file
WinErr: 004 Erroneous error - Nothing is wrong
WinErr: 005 Multitasking attempted - System confused
WinErr: 006 Malicious error - Desqview found on drive
WinErr: 007 System price error - Inadequate money spent on hardware
WinErr: 008 Broken window - Watch out for glass fragments
WinErr: 009 Horrible bug encountered - God knows what has happened
WinErr: 00A Promotional literature overflow - Mailbox full
WinErr: 00B Inadequate disk space - Free at least 50MB
WinErr: 00C Memory hog error - More Ram needed. More! More! More!
WinErr: 00D Window closed - Do not look outside
WinErr: 00E Window open - Do not look inside
WinErr: 00F Unexplained error - Please tell us how this happened
WinErr: 010 Reserved for future mistakes by our developers
WinErr: 011 Window open - Do not look outside
WinErr: 012 Window closed - Do not look inside
WinErr: 013 Unexpected error - Huh ?
WinErr: 014 Keyboard locked - Try anything you can think of.
WinErr: 018 Unrecoverable error - System has been destroyed. Buy a new one. Old Windows licence is not valid anymore.
WinErr: 019 User error - Not our fault. Is Not! Is Not!
WinErr: 01A Operating system overwritten - Please reinstall all your software. We are terribly sorry.
WinErr: 01B Illegal error - You are not allowed to get this error. Next time you will get a penalty for that.
WinErr: 01C Uncertainty error - Uncertainty may be inadequate.
WinErr: 01D System crash - We are unable to figure out our own code.
WinErr: 01E Timing error - Please wait. And wait. And wait. And wait.
WinErr: 01F Reserved for future mistakes of our developers.
WinErr: 020 Error recording error codes - Additional errors will be lost.
WinErr: 042 Virus error - A virus has been activated in a dos-box. The virus, however, requires Windows. All tasks will automatically be closed and the
virus will be activated again.
WinErr: 079 Mouse not found - A mouse driver has not been installed. Please click the left mouse button to continue.
WinErr: 103 Error buffer overflow - Too many errors encountered. Additional errors may not be displayed or recorded.
WinErr: 678 This will end your Windows session. Do you want to play another game?
WinErr: 683 Time out error - Operator fell asleep while waiting for the system to complete boot procedure.
WinErr: 815 Insufficient Memory - Only 50.312.583 Bytes available

Exposed! Now the mystery of the later operating systems has been uncovered! Too bad they didn't do much better with the ridiculousness of the OS's until XP. Ahem… *cough cough* I'm getting paid to say the exact opposite. But if you're reading this blog, you probably weren't on the phone with me as a Dell employee so… um… deal with it. ;)

Yes, I was bored. Again… blame the fact I can't actually help people with 95% of what they call me about. Go tool outage!

]]> This is what happens when I can't come up with a more creative title. But… who's counting? Ordinarily I'd be up to my eyeballs in calls… but… thank the gods for system outages, now it's "we're updating, call back tomorrow". And I get paid to just sit here and be all kinds of cute. Or… at least… all kinds of lazy. Lazy is good. Coffee is good. I have no coffee. Entertainment is good. And speaking of entertainment…

Recently the following undocumented Windows 95 error codes were found. Microsoft forgot to explain them in the manuals, so they will be spread via the Internet.


WinErr: 001 Windows loaded - System in danger
WinErr: 002 No Error - Yet
WinErr: 003 Dynamic linking error - Your mistake is now in every file
WinErr: 004 Erroneous error - Nothing is wrong
WinErr: 005 Multitasking attempted - System confused
WinErr: 006 Malicious error - Desqview found on drive
WinErr: 007 System price error - Inadequate money spent on hardware
WinErr: 008 Broken window - Watch out for glass fragments
WinErr: 009 Horrible bug encountered - God knows what has happened
WinErr: 00A Promotional literature overflow - Mailbox full
WinErr: 00B Inadequate disk space - Free at least 50MB
WinErr: 00C Memory hog error - More Ram needed. More! More! More!
WinErr: 00D Window closed - Do not look outside
WinErr: 00E Window open - Do not look inside
WinErr: 00F Unexplained error - Please tell us how this happened
WinErr: 010 Reserved for future mistakes by our developers
WinErr: 011 Window open - Do not look outside
WinErr: 012 Window closed - Do not look inside
WinErr: 013 Unexpected error - Huh ?
WinErr: 014 Keyboard locked - Try anything you can think of.
WinErr: 018 Unrecoverable error - System has been destroyed. Buy a new one. Old Windows licence is not valid anymore.
WinErr: 019 User error - Not our fault. Is Not! Is Not!
WinErr: 01A Operating system overwritten - Please reinstall all your software. We are terribly sorry.
WinErr: 01B Illegal error - You are not allowed to get this error. Next time you will get a penalty for that.
WinErr: 01C Uncertainty error - Uncertainty may be inadequate.
WinErr: 01D System crash - We are unable to figure out our own code.
WinErr: 01E Timing error - Please wait. And wait. And wait. And wait.
WinErr: 01F Reserved for future mistakes of our developers.
WinErr: 020 Error recording error codes - Additional errors will be lost.
WinErr: 042 Virus error - A virus has been activated in a dos-box. The virus, however, requires Windows. All tasks will automatically be closed and the
virus will be activated again.
WinErr: 079 Mouse not found - A mouse driver has not been installed. Please click the left mouse button to continue.
WinErr: 103 Error buffer overflow - Too many errors encountered. Additional errors may not be displayed or recorded.
WinErr: 678 This will end your Windows session. Do you want to play another game?
WinErr: 683 Time out error - Operator fell asleep while waiting for the system to complete boot procedure.
WinErr: 815 Insufficient Memory - Only 50.312.583 Bytes available

Exposed! Now the mystery of the later operating systems has been uncovered! Too bad they didn't do much better with the ridiculousness of the OS's until XP. Ahem… *cough cough* I'm getting paid to say the exact opposite. But if you're reading this blog, you probably weren't on the phone with me as a Dell employee so… um… deal with it. ;)

Yes, I was bored. Again… blame the fact I can't actually help people with 95% of what they call me about. Go tool outage!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/02/happy_june_n_such.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/02/happy_june_n_such.html James Yep, it had to be Friday. So I'm standing at the bus stop on my way to work tonight, and sure enough, I think those same people were there tonight who were a couple weeks back. I kinda recognised the voices, anyway… at least a couple of 'em. And again, they were complaining because the bus just so happened not to be there when *they* wanted it to be. They had to be not much younger than me, but seriously, I've seen more patient/grown-up 6-year-olds. Quarter to 8 in the evening is not the time to start complaining because the bus isn't here when it shows up at 5 *after* 8 in the evening, oh people of much brilliance (read: morons of the year 2007). Bah. I never thought I'd look forward to getting off the bus and coming to work… but guess what? I was. Thanks a lot, brats. Here's the wambulance's phone number.

]]> So I'm standing at the bus stop on my way to work tonight, and sure enough, I think those same people were there tonight who were a couple weeks back. I kinda recognised the voices, anyway… at least a couple of 'em. And again, they were complaining because the bus just so happened not to be there when *they* wanted it to be. They had to be not much younger than me, but seriously, I've seen more patient/grown-up 6-year-olds. Quarter to 8 in the evening is not the time to start complaining because the bus isn't here when it shows up at 5 *after* 8 in the evening, oh people of much brilliance (read: morons of the year 2007). Bah. I never thought I'd look forward to getting off the bus and coming to work… but guess what? I was. Thanks a lot, brats. Here's the wambulance's phone number.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/05/05/yep_it_had_to_be_friday.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/05/05/yep_it_had_to_be_friday.html James Just how awesome is my boss? I've been off the phone for the last like… 5-10 minutes, conveniently 20 minutes before my shift ends, to update my timecard for lack of a better thing to call it. I've no intention of going back on the phone, and even if I did… I leave in 5 minutes. I'm so not getting a call between now and then. I love my job… way too much. Is that a bad thing? Hm… I think not. Correct me if I'm wrong, o'course. ;)

]]> I've been off the phone for the last like… 5-10 minutes, conveniently 20 minutes before my shift ends, to update my timecard for lack of a better thing to call it. I've no intention of going back on the phone, and even if I did… I leave in 5 minutes. I'm so not getting a call between now and then. I love my job… way too much. Is that a bad thing? Hm… I think not. Correct me if I'm wrong, o'course. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/04/15/just_how_awesome_is_my_boss.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/04/15/just_how_awesome_is_my_boss.html James Hey look, an update! There's a whole hell of a lot to update yall on, and I have no idea when my next call's coming in, so let's see how much I can cram into a small piece of downtime.

*****************

I never noticed teenagers were quite that whiny when I was one. And, well, I know for a fact I wasn't the slightest–I was too busy not really caring. I bused to work last week, like I almost always do, and wouldn't you know, some chick decided to pick that particular night to complain about the bus schedule, and how the bus was taking too long to get here. Keeping in mind it was about 20 minutes at most. Now, just for comparison, had it been, say, sunday–or, say, good friday (rant on that one to come later)–there'd of been an hour, count it, an hour, between buses going where she needed to be. And I, personally, did *not* want to listen to her cry about it for any longer than I absolutely under any circumstance had to. It was bad enough the bus she was taking just so happened to be the bus I was taking. First thing that came to mind: call a wambulance. I run that route daily–get over it. I did.

*****************

Okay, next up. Parents who want to name their daughter 'Metallica' (link to come when I get back to the computer that has it)? What. The. Fuck.?!?! I'm sorry, but um, ignoring the fact that's almost off the wall as naming your kid 'Legacy' (I've seen it), their excuse for doing it is pretty flimsy. "The name suits her" and "There's already someone with that for a middle name" wouldn't fly with me. It doesn't make sense… it's like me saying I should be allowed to let my 6-year-old drive because people do it in Texas. And your point, exactly, would be… what? One jumps off a bridge, they all jump off? News flash, folks. "Because they're doing it" is what gets kids to smoke. I almost question their parenting skills at this point.

*****************

Why, oh why, dear lord, do you insist on surrounding me with idiots? It's just not fair. People in Ottawa have got to learn what "I'm blind, not an invalid" means. No, fellow passengers who apparently don't know better, "I know where I'm going" does not mean "Please, grab me by the arm and attempt to drag me off the bus". My trip home on Friday morning velry nearly resulted in someone losing their arm because, put plainly and simply, they didn't listen. I don't like people who don't listen. They make my head do hurty things. Hurty things are bad for me.

*****************

It's April. It's baseball season. It should not be raining on Tuesday, snowing on friday, and freezing most the week. Spring has sprung, for crying out loud. Winter's on vacation. Extended. Preferably permanently. People get all uptight about global warming, I say bring it on. No freezing while waiting for buses. Suh. Weet. How can anyone be upset with that? You're all on crack, you are. All of you. I know none of you. None. Environmental issues be damned. I'm sick of freezing. MWA!

*****************

Disclaimer: If you buy any of this crapola, you belong in the category of moron. I will personally make sure you get there. And send a public farewell with you.

]]> There's a whole hell of a lot to update yall on, and I have no idea when my next call's coming in, so let's see how much I can cram into a small piece of downtime.

*****************

I never noticed teenagers were quite that whiny when I was one. And, well, I know for a fact I wasn't the slightest–I was too busy not really caring. I bused to work last week, like I almost always do, and wouldn't you know, some chick decided to pick that particular night to complain about the bus schedule, and how the bus was taking too long to get here. Keeping in mind it was about 20 minutes at most. Now, just for comparison, had it been, say, sunday–or, say, good friday (rant on that one to come later)–there'd of been an hour, count it, an hour, between buses going where she needed to be. And I, personally, did *not* want to listen to her cry about it for any longer than I absolutely under any circumstance had to. It was bad enough the bus she was taking just so happened to be the bus I was taking. First thing that came to mind: call a wambulance. I run that route daily–get over it. I did.

*****************

Okay, next up. Parents who want to name their daughter 'Metallica' (link to come when I get back to the computer that has it)? What. The. Fuck.?!?! I'm sorry, but um, ignoring the fact that's almost off the wall as naming your kid 'Legacy' (I've seen it), their excuse for doing it is pretty flimsy. "The name suits her" and "There's already someone with that for a middle name" wouldn't fly with me. It doesn't make sense… it's like me saying I should be allowed to let my 6-year-old drive because people do it in Texas. And your point, exactly, would be… what? One jumps off a bridge, they all jump off? News flash, folks. "Because they're doing it" is what gets kids to smoke. I almost question their parenting skills at this point.

*****************

Why, oh why, dear lord, do you insist on surrounding me with idiots? It's just not fair. People in Ottawa have got to learn what "I'm blind, not an invalid" means. No, fellow passengers who apparently don't know better, "I know where I'm going" does not mean "Please, grab me by the arm and attempt to drag me off the bus". My trip home on Friday morning velry nearly resulted in someone losing their arm because, put plainly and simply, they didn't listen. I don't like people who don't listen. They make my head do hurty things. Hurty things are bad for me.

*****************

It's April. It's baseball season. It should not be raining on Tuesday, snowing on friday, and freezing most the week. Spring has sprung, for crying out loud. Winter's on vacation. Extended. Preferably permanently. People get all uptight about global warming, I say bring it on. No freezing while waiting for buses. Suh. Weet. How can anyone be upset with that? You're all on crack, you are. All of you. I know none of you. None. Environmental issues be damned. I'm sick of freezing. MWA!

*****************

Disclaimer: If you buy any of this crapola, you belong in the category of moron. I will personally make sure you get there. And send a public farewell with you.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/04/08/hey_look_an_update.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/04/08/hey_look_an_update.html James I definitely should have done this ages ago. I always thought the walk from my place to work and back was actually kinda nice. Even when it was upwards of -25 degrees and I'd spend 15 minutes after getting here bitching to no end about the cold. But it actually *is* rather enjoyable, in spite of that. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about working here. I'm all for just randomly going for a walk wherever… I mean, it beats the hell out of sitting at home watching TV, and it's apparently doing me some good. But until this week or so, I've always been tossing around the idea of cabbing it instead. Of course, taking the bus and the resulting necessary walk to the office wins out always anyway, both for the cost and… well, because I'm doing something. Today, though, I actually enjoyed my walk home this morning. At least, I think I did–by the time I got home I was probably too whiped to really care. I know for sure, though, it was relaxing making the trip to work tonight. Not for any one particular reason… except that it's actually above freezing, and I'm not spending longer putting layers of clothing on than actually getting out the door. It probably hellps that for the second time this year I was able to open every window in the place. Summer's fast approaching, and that means lots of baseball, pizza, caffinated cold beverages, and leaving that apartment as wide open as I possibly can without making it a security risk. How can you possibly go wrong with a plan like that? Too bad it's only for a couple months out of the year. But, what're ya gonna do? I'm sure not complaining.

]]> I always thought the walk from my place to work and back was actually kinda nice. Even when it was upwards of -25 degrees and I'd spend 15 minutes after getting here bitching to no end about the cold. But it actually *is* rather enjoyable, in spite of that. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about working here. I'm all for just randomly going for a walk wherever… I mean, it beats the hell out of sitting at home watching TV, and it's apparently doing me some good. But until this week or so, I've always been tossing around the idea of cabbing it instead. Of course, taking the bus and the resulting necessary walk to the office wins out always anyway, both for the cost and… well, because I'm doing something. Today, though, I actually enjoyed my walk home this morning. At least, I think I did–by the time I got home I was probably too whiped to really care. I know for sure, though, it was relaxing making the trip to work tonight. Not for any one particular reason… except that it's actually above freezing, and I'm not spending longer putting layers of clothing on than actually getting out the door. It probably hellps that for the second time this year I was able to open every window in the place. Summer's fast approaching, and that means lots of baseball, pizza, caffinated cold beverages, and leaving that apartment as wide open as I possibly can without making it a security risk. How can you possibly go wrong with a plan like that? Too bad it's only for a couple months out of the year. But, what're ya gonna do? I'm sure not complaining.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/03/22/i_definitely_should_have_done_this_ages_ago.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/03/22/i_definitely_should_have_done_this_ages_ago.html James Insanity: my life summarized. A whole shitload's happened since I last had time to breathe, let alone post here, so I'll try to squeeze it all into the half hour I have to write before my shift starts. Lessee… where to start.

  • It would have been so much less confusion with a phone call. But, o'course, Purolator doesn't think quite that far in advance. So they showed up with one of my presents to me from me on Saturday morning, presumeably between 9 and 10. When, of course, I was already on my way here. Which meant now I had to reschedule the delivery. Good job, morons.
  • I've said it before, and I'll say it again. An average of 30 minutes of downtime may be boring, but one call after another non-stop except lunch break and meetings? Brutality. All manner of brutality. Breathing time would be awesome.
  • And again, at least one bus driver needs to be educated on how to follow instructions. I think I end up getting dropped off at the wrong stop more often than not lately. Ah well, on the up side if it happens a couple more times, I'll be able to walk home from any nearby stop on Baseline.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, even if you do not like the Bare Naked Ladies' music, go to one of their concerts. Tickets for the Wednesday night show cost me $60 a pop before taxes, and I'm telling you right now the crap that went on between songs was pretty damn near worth the money by itself. Or maybe that's just because they made fun of Ottawa a little. That's always good in my books.
  • And again, to the individual(s) who decided to turn off my hot water, can you pretty pretty please go right to hell? Thank you and goodbye.

There was more, but I forget. If I think of it later it'll get posted. Maybe.

]]> A whole shitload's happened since I last had time to breathe, let alone post here, so I'll try to squeeze it all into the half hour I have to write before my shift starts. Lessee… where to start.

  • It would have been so much less confusion with a phone call. But, o'course, Purolator doesn't think quite that far in advance. So they showed up with one of my presents to me from me on Saturday morning, presumeably between 9 and 10. When, of course, I was already on my way here. Which meant now I had to reschedule the delivery. Good job, morons.
  • I've said it before, and I'll say it again. An average of 30 minutes of downtime may be boring, but one call after another non-stop except lunch break and meetings? Brutality. All manner of brutality. Breathing time would be awesome.
  • And again, at least one bus driver needs to be educated on how to follow instructions. I think I end up getting dropped off at the wrong stop more often than not lately. Ah well, on the up side if it happens a couple more times, I'll be able to walk home from any nearby stop on Baseline.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, even if you do not like the Bare Naked Ladies' music, go to one of their concerts. Tickets for the Wednesday night show cost me $60 a pop before taxes, and I'm telling you right now the crap that went on between songs was pretty damn near worth the money by itself. Or maybe that's just because they made fun of Ottawa a little. That's always good in my books.
  • And again, to the individual(s) who decided to turn off my hot water, can you pretty pretty please go right to hell? Thank you and goodbye.

There was more, but I forget. If I think of it later it'll get posted. Maybe.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/23/insanity_my_life_summarized.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/23/insanity_my_life_summarized.html James Thank the gods it's Friday. Yes, I know, calendar-wise it's Tuesday. But so far as my work schedule's concerned, today be Friday, folks. And it didn't come a moment too soon… this week has been completely and utterly insane. And it's still not over yet. I start work again in 10 minutes, and I'm expecting to have just as much relative overall insanity to go through. If I'm lucky, I may get 15 minutes to half an hour today to breathe… between phone calls, I mean. When I get home and subsequently have more time to actually do things, I'll summarize my week. Which translates to there will be an essay. And now, I get my crap together 5 minutes before my shift starts.

]]> Yes, I know, calendar-wise it's Tuesday. But so far as my work schedule's concerned, today be Friday, folks. And it didn't come a moment too soon… this week has been completely and utterly insane. And it's still not over yet. I start work again in 10 minutes, and I'm expecting to have just as much relative overall insanity to go through. If I'm lucky, I may get 15 minutes to half an hour today to breathe… between phone calls, I mean. When I get home and subsequently have more time to actually do things, I'll summarize my week. Which translates to there will be an essay. And now, I get my crap together 5 minutes before my shift starts.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/20/thank_the_gods_its_friday.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/20/thank_the_gods_its_friday.html James So much for downtime. Apparently there's lotsa people waiting. And I don't start for another half hour, give or take. Sucks to be them! Of course… you just know when I start I'll have 15 minutes to wait before my first call. Blarg and such…

]]> Apparently there's lotsa people waiting. And I don't start for another half hour, give or take. Sucks to be them! Of course… you just know when I start I'll have 15 minutes to wait before my first call. Blarg and such…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/16/so_much_for_downtime.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/16/so_much_for_downtime.html James Something unfair about this shift change... I've been here since 9:30 or so. I start at 11. 'Nuff said? I think so. Don't get me wrong, I love the play time… but, um… that's way too early for my liking. Particularly since I leave at 8:30 to get here, give or take walk time. Um, eww. I want 2-11 back, dammit to hell… Or, at least, a bus that doesn't give me the choice between here way too early and here just barely on time. *shakes fist*

]]> I've been here since 9:30 or so. I start at 11. 'Nuff said? I think so. Don't get me wrong, I love the play time… but, um… that's way too early for my liking. Particularly since I leave at 8:30 to get here, give or take walk time. Um, eww. I want 2-11 back, dammit to hell… Or, at least, a bus that doesn't give me the choice between here way too early and here just barely on time. *shakes fist*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/12/something_unfair_about_this_shift_change.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/12/something_unfair_about_this_shift_change.html James I knew working at Dell would be bad for me. Tonight went well enough that I 1: had lots of free time during my shift, 2: got off my shift on time for a change, and 3: had time to kill afterwards while waiting for people to get done so a rather large group of us could get a ride home–by the way, fitting 5 people in the back of one supervisor's car does not a comfortable ride make. Just so you're aware. So, I took half an hour of said time to kill, and finally went and bought my late Christmas present from me to me. And then I decided I needed an early birthday present, so took real good care of that, too. That small situation remedied, I can now rest easy tonight, knowing both occasions have been selfishly provided for. Which… just means I'll have to do more shopping when my birthday comes around. Gotta buy early for next Christmas, you know. ;)

]]> Tonight went well enough that I 1: had lots of free time during my shift, 2: got off my shift on time for a change, and 3: had time to kill afterwards while waiting for people to get done so a rather large group of us could get a ride home–by the way, fitting 5 people in the back of one supervisor's car does not a comfortable ride make. Just so you're aware. So, I took half an hour of said time to kill, and finally went and bought my late Christmas present from me to me. And then I decided I needed an early birthday present, so took real good care of that, too. That small situation remedied, I can now rest easy tonight, knowing both occasions have been selfishly provided for. Which… just means I'll have to do more shopping when my birthday comes around. Gotta buy early for next Christmas, you know. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/08/i_knew_working_at_dell_would_be_bad_for_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/08/i_knew_working_at_dell_would_be_bad_for_me.html James A game worth calling in sick for. Okay, I didn't call in sick to watch the hockey game, but rather because I'd of ended up going home tired today if I didn't. I got in at about 2:00 this morning, and would have had to get up again at 9 or 10 to be ready to leave for work, which starts at 2 in the afternoon. Now, keep in mind I didn't actually end up falling asleep 'til 4 or so, so this morning and most of today would have been rough if I'd actually gone in. So I didn't. And in doing so, I discovered just after calling in that my beloved team would be playing the enemy, and my calling in sick just inadvertently allowed me a golden opportunity to watch them do something I've only ever seen them do maybe once–win in a shootout. And they did. Somehow, by a rather unusual stroke of luck, they did. And suddenly, I don't feel quite so bad for calling in sick today. Of course, that might just be because I've nearly finished this beer sitting on the desk next to me. Oh well. They won, I deserve it.

]]> Okay, I didn't call in sick to watch the hockey game, but rather because I'd of ended up going home tired today if I didn't. I got in at about 2:00 this morning, and would have had to get up again at 9 or 10 to be ready to leave for work, which starts at 2 in the afternoon. Now, keep in mind I didn't actually end up falling asleep 'til 4 or so, so this morning and most of today would have been rough if I'd actually gone in. So I didn't. And in doing so, I discovered just after calling in that my beloved team would be playing the enemy, and my calling in sick just inadvertently allowed me a golden opportunity to watch them do something I've only ever seen them do maybe once–win in a shootout. And they did. Somehow, by a rather unusual stroke of luck, they did. And suddenly, I don't feel quite so bad for calling in sick today. Of course, that might just be because I've nearly finished this beer sitting on the desk next to me. Oh well. They won, I deserve it.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/03/a_game_worth_calling_in_sick_for.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/02/03/a_game_worth_calling_in_sick_for.html James Easiest evening I've had in ages. In 2 minutes, I will be off, unless my phone goes off. I haven't had a call in 10 or so. I think I'm gonna be safe for getting off at 11 tonight… sweet, freakin, jesus. Saturday night means pizza, garlic bread, and hopefully not staying at work 'til 1 in the morning. Not that I don't want to, but… this is my weekend, dammit. I wanna go home. And now, I can.

]]> In 2 minutes, I will be off, unless my phone goes off. I haven't had a call in 10 or so. I think I'm gonna be safe for getting off at 11 tonight… sweet, freakin, jesus. Saturday night means pizza, garlic bread, and hopefully not staying at work 'til 1 in the morning. Not that I don't want to, but… this is my weekend, dammit. I wanna go home. And now, I can.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/27/easiest_evening_ive_had_in_ages.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/27/easiest_evening_ive_had_in_ages.html James I officially need more blogs to read. It's damn near 1 in the morning, I technically don't *have* to be in bed for another hour, and I'm bored as hell. Not to mention I need something to read during down time at work… and hardly anyone on my current llist of blogs actually blogs regularly anymore! … Not that I really have all that much room to talk lately but we're not touching that with a 50-foot pole. Besides nothing exciting happens around here anymore.

Speaking of work, though, for the first time since my first day I actually managed to be considered off as of 11:00, as opposed to the typical 11:30, 12, or 12:30 that's been the norm. I'd actually forgotten what it felt like to be off when I'm supposed to be.. pretty sad considering it'd only been, like, 3 or 4 days. It was nice, though, to just get home before midnight (like I'm busing in -27 degrees C temperatures) and actually relax for a bit, rather than get through the door, get crap ready for the next day, then head for bed. Hm… I get paid this week. Rent comes out next week. Crap. Well, I tried. And I've run out of things to say. Dammit people gimme something to read!

]]> It's damn near 1 in the morning, I technically don't *have* to be in bed for another hour, and I'm bored as hell. Not to mention I need something to read during down time at work… and hardly anyone on my current llist of blogs actually blogs regularly anymore! … Not that I really have all that much room to talk lately but we're not touching that with a 50-foot pole. Besides nothing exciting happens around here anymore.

Speaking of work, though, for the first time since my first day I actually managed to be considered off as of 11:00, as opposed to the typical 11:30, 12, or 12:30 that's been the norm. I'd actually forgotten what it felt like to be off when I'm supposed to be.. pretty sad considering it'd only been, like, 3 or 4 days. It was nice, though, to just get home before midnight (like I'm busing in -27 degrees C temperatures) and actually relax for a bit, rather than get through the door, get crap ready for the next day, then head for bed. Hm… I get paid this week. Rent comes out next week. Crap. Well, I tried. And I've run out of things to say. Dammit people gimme something to read!

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/23/i_officially_need_more_blogs_to_read.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/23/i_officially_need_more_blogs_to_read.html James I somehow survived my first night on the phones. Don't ask me how, because I have absolutely no idea. A couple calls I took ended up making me feel somewhere between awkward and stupid, and… I was… more than a little nervous taking them, but I managed. Somehow. Through some twisted maneuver of fate… or something. It was definitely a different experience, but I think a good one. I ended up improvizing my way through a couple calls, just because the guide they have that I have access to… well… didn't cover the problems I was handling. At least, not directly. Except for one or two, but I couldn't help them out anyway. All in all it wasn't quite such a bad experience. Now, hopefully I can keep doing it and get a little less nervous about it. Gawd, if I coulda made myself think I'd screw up, I would have. And then it would have probably happened. *twitch*

]]> Don't ask me how, because I have absolutely no idea. A couple calls I took ended up making me feel somewhere between awkward and stupid, and… I was… more than a little nervous taking them, but I managed. Somehow. Through some twisted maneuver of fate… or something. It was definitely a different experience, but I think a good one. I ended up improvizing my way through a couple calls, just because the guide they have that I have access to… well… didn't cover the problems I was handling. At least, not directly. Except for one or two, but I couldn't help them out anyway. All in all it wasn't quite such a bad experience. Now, hopefully I can keep doing it and get a little less nervous about it. Gawd, if I coulda made myself think I'd screw up, I would have. And then it would have probably happened. *twitch*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/17/i_somehow_survived_my_first_night_on_the_phones.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/17/i_somehow_survived_my_first_night_on_the_phones.html James One more reason to love my job. I'd originally planned to skip breakfast. But with free coffee and doughnuts floating around, ya think that'll last long? Hell no. These people with whom I work are awesome. And… hey, I even get paid today. Suhweet.

]]> I'd originally planned to skip breakfast. But with free coffee and doughnuts floating around, ya think that'll last long? Hell no. These people with whom I work are awesome. And… hey, I even get paid today. Suhweet.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/12/one_more_reason_to_love_my_job.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/12/one_more_reason_to_love_my_job.html James People amuse me. I sat here and listened to a recording of a phone call wherein the guy that called in was just plain trying to bate the tech agent into an argument, and all I could think is "I know at least one person who does that for fun". Fortunately she doesn't own a Dell computer. Unfortunately, I still pity whoever she gets a hold of when her laptop goes caput. Those people amuse me, and I can deal with them way too well… but someone's gonna end up in tears. Maybe that's the amusing part.

]]> I sat here and listened to a recording of a phone call wherein the guy that called in was just plain trying to bate the tech agent into an argument, and all I could think is "I know at least one person who does that for fun". Fortunately she doesn't own a Dell computer. Unfortunately, I still pity whoever she gets a hold of when her laptop goes caput. Those people amuse me, and I can deal with them way too well… but someone's gonna end up in tears. Maybe that's the amusing part.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/09/people_amuse_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/09/people_amuse_me.html James They're letting me listen in today. Meaning in a few minutes I'll be getting paid to let someone else take a phone call or few. Awesomeness galore.

]]> Meaning in a few minutes I'll be getting paid to let someone else take a phone call or few. Awesomeness galore.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/04/theyre_letting_me_listen_in_today.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/04/theyre_letting_me_listen_in_today.html James Different year, same routine. I've said it before, and probably on here, but it deserves being said again. It's a *really* good thing it's just me living here–I couldn't come up with the time to clean up after anyone else. I got home again today at about quarter to 6, or there about, which is pretty much the usual for me now. That gives me just over 3 hours to go through a to do list of varying lengths depending on the day and what I didn't get done the day before, and then it's time for bed, and we do it all over again the next day. Don't get me wrong, I like what I'm doing–at least I'm never bored, but if I had roommates, knowing my luck they'd be lazier than I ever used to be, and well, like I said I just don't have time for that. My day starts between 3:30 and 4 usually, except for this morning but we'll just ignore that because well, I was dead tired coming on noon. And unless it's a weekend, my day ends at about 9. I dunno when it'll end on the weekend, because I haven't actually had a weekend to myself since I moved up here, what with Christmas related things having gone on.

Ottawa's bus system's apparently running some kind of new schedule, so I'm left to figure out a whole new set of drivers. And I was just getting used to the newbie with the accent, too. Ah well, these ones at least give the appearance of being fairly decent, so we'll see. I'm usually an extreme critic of people in general, so I give it maybe 24 hours and I'll have an entry brewing about how brainless at least one of them is. But for now, they seem fairly decent. One even borders on cool… impressive for a bus driver in this city. He will never actually *be* cool, though, until he can magicly remove the need to wake up insanely early to get to a less insanely early but still insanely early shift.

I probably shouldn't complain too much about the shift I've been stuck with for training–I mean, yeah it's early, okay… fucking early, but then again, I get home between 5 and 6 too. If I had a typical 8-5 shift, I wouldn't get through the door 'til about 7-ish, give or take… maybe closer to 8. Suddenly, a quarter to 7 shift isn't so horrible. But I still don't wanna wake up at 3:30 to get there. As I've said often, I love the job, I hate the shift. But I should probably clarify… I like the shift, I hate needing to take a bus to that shift. But, I bus, so I shall now move my lazy self to bed, so the wake-up call doesn't kill me. And… hey, I actually managed not to jump all over the spectrum of thought in this entry, as opposed to the one at dark o'clock this morning. Go me.

]]> I've said it before, and probably on here, but it deserves being said again. It's a *really* good thing it's just me living here–I couldn't come up with the time to clean up after anyone else. I got home again today at about quarter to 6, or there about, which is pretty much the usual for me now. That gives me just over 3 hours to go through a to do list of varying lengths depending on the day and what I didn't get done the day before, and then it's time for bed, and we do it all over again the next day. Don't get me wrong, I like what I'm doing–at least I'm never bored, but if I had roommates, knowing my luck they'd be lazier than I ever used to be, and well, like I said I just don't have time for that. My day starts between 3:30 and 4 usually, except for this morning but we'll just ignore that because well, I was dead tired coming on noon. And unless it's a weekend, my day ends at about 9. I dunno when it'll end on the weekend, because I haven't actually had a weekend to myself since I moved up here, what with Christmas related things having gone on.

Ottawa's bus system's apparently running some kind of new schedule, so I'm left to figure out a whole new set of drivers. And I was just getting used to the newbie with the accent, too. Ah well, these ones at least give the appearance of being fairly decent, so we'll see. I'm usually an extreme critic of people in general, so I give it maybe 24 hours and I'll have an entry brewing about how brainless at least one of them is. But for now, they seem fairly decent. One even borders on cool… impressive for a bus driver in this city. He will never actually *be* cool, though, until he can magicly remove the need to wake up insanely early to get to a less insanely early but still insanely early shift.

I probably shouldn't complain too much about the shift I've been stuck with for training–I mean, yeah it's early, okay… fucking early, but then again, I get home between 5 and 6 too. If I had a typical 8-5 shift, I wouldn't get through the door 'til about 7-ish, give or take… maybe closer to 8. Suddenly, a quarter to 7 shift isn't so horrible. But I still don't wanna wake up at 3:30 to get there. As I've said often, I love the job, I hate the shift. But I should probably clarify… I like the shift, I hate needing to take a bus to that shift. But, I bus, so I shall now move my lazy self to bed, so the wake-up call doesn't kill me. And… hey, I actually managed not to jump all over the spectrum of thought in this entry, as opposed to the one at dark o'clock this morning. Go me.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/02/different_year_same_routine.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/02/different_year_same_routine.html James Happy after New Year! No, this isn't going to be one of those regular occurances wherein I blog about things 2 or more days after they happen, or at quarter after 2 in the morning. Okay, scratch the second one. That one's already a regular occurance. The new years party was awesome. A little dancing, a little alcohol, a lot of good food… all that was missing was a very special person, but unfortunately you just can't drive from BC to here and expect to make any kind of short-term appointments. I did have plenty of fun, though, even if for all the alcohol that was consumed I still felt sober. I dunno what they were serving, but oh my god if it got any more watered down it wouldn't be alcoholic. Aside from that, though, the week I spent in Pembroke, some of which got blogged about already, was… eh… so-so. It was nice spending Christmas and new years with my parents, but I coulda done without the sister-in-law. And probably so could they, to be honest, but eh, 'tis life, no? Only having to work for a day last week and getting paid for the whole week was rockin. And I'll get some nifty little $$$ for not working yesterday either. You can tell I've never actually been employed before… the idea of getting paid to not work amuses me. And… hm. I'm a lot more all over the place with this entry than I'd thought I'd be this early. That's not good. I go wake myself up now.

]]> No, this isn't going to be one of those regular occurances wherein I blog about things 2 or more days after they happen, or at quarter after 2 in the morning. Okay, scratch the second one. That one's already a regular occurance. The new years party was awesome. A little dancing, a little alcohol, a lot of good food… all that was missing was a very special person, but unfortunately you just can't drive from BC to here and expect to make any kind of short-term appointments. I did have plenty of fun, though, even if for all the alcohol that was consumed I still felt sober. I dunno what they were serving, but oh my god if it got any more watered down it wouldn't be alcoholic. Aside from that, though, the week I spent in Pembroke, some of which got blogged about already, was… eh… so-so. It was nice spending Christmas and new years with my parents, but I coulda done without the sister-in-law. And probably so could they, to be honest, but eh, 'tis life, no? Only having to work for a day last week and getting paid for the whole week was rockin. And I'll get some nifty little $$$ for not working yesterday either. You can tell I've never actually been employed before… the idea of getting paid to not work amuses me. And… hm. I'm a lot more all over the place with this entry than I'd thought I'd be this early. That's not good. I go wake myself up now.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/02/happy_after_new_year.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/01/02/happy_after_new_year.html James They're not making me get up early! I'll just get home at the crack of midnight instead. But, I'll take it… why? 'Cuz I likes my sleep, and 3:30 in the morning sucks uber royally. I'll be done my training completely by February, give or take… then they'll probably be all curel at me and make me get up early again. But, for now, I'll take it. If only it started next week…

]]> I'll just get home at the crack of midnight instead. But, I'll take it… why? 'Cuz I likes my sleep, and 3:30 in the morning sucks uber royally. I'll be done my training completely by February, give or take… then they'll probably be all curel at me and make me get up early again. But, for now, I'll take it. If only it started next week…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/21/theyre_not_making_me_get_up_early.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/21/theyre_not_making_me_get_up_early.html James It's amazing what 5 minutes in trafic can do to your time table. Usually, which translates to like… 2 or 3 days so far, I manage to actually catch my connecting bus to get me the rest of the way home from work at 5:00 or so. I think I mentioned it takes me 2 buses to get me there and back. Ah well, if I didn't, I have now. Today, though, thanks largely to Ottawa's rush hour trafic, I missed that bus by about 2 minutes. Now, ordinarily I wouldn't give a rip–the next bus pulls up in 15 minutes–but, *that* bus is apparently the one driven by our apparent newbie. This time, though, he actually didn't miss the stop I need… but only because it was pointed out to him rather blatantly by another passenger as we were coming up to it. I still say this guy is either new or stupid, or both, but I'm again digressing. That aside, though, this time I actually didn't have to drive an extra 40 minutes, meaning I actually got through the door before 6 tonight. Just barely, but can't have everything. I suspect that's going to be an every Tuesday thing, what with the trafic and all… God I hope not, though. I really don't want to have to curse out the transit system again. And to jump the track a little, I may only be 1 person, but after working a 9 hour shift, I still *really* don't want to come home and do dishes. Nor do I want to watch my team get their ass kicked, but the game's on, so I may as well go and do that.

]]> Usually, which translates to like… 2 or 3 days so far, I manage to actually catch my connecting bus to get me the rest of the way home from work at 5:00 or so. I think I mentioned it takes me 2 buses to get me there and back. Ah well, if I didn't, I have now. Today, though, thanks largely to Ottawa's rush hour trafic, I missed that bus by about 2 minutes. Now, ordinarily I wouldn't give a rip–the next bus pulls up in 15 minutes–but, *that* bus is apparently the one driven by our apparent newbie. This time, though, he actually didn't miss the stop I need… but only because it was pointed out to him rather blatantly by another passenger as we were coming up to it. I still say this guy is either new or stupid, or both, but I'm again digressing. That aside, though, this time I actually didn't have to drive an extra 40 minutes, meaning I actually got through the door before 6 tonight. Just barely, but can't have everything. I suspect that's going to be an every Tuesday thing, what with the trafic and all… God I hope not, though. I really don't want to have to curse out the transit system again. And to jump the track a little, I may only be 1 person, but after working a 9 hour shift, I still *really* don't want to come home and do dishes. Nor do I want to watch my team get their ass kicked, but the game's on, so I may as well go and do that.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/19/its_amazing_what_5_minutes_in_trafic_can_do_to_your_time_table.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/19/its_amazing_what_5_minutes_in_trafic_can_do_to_your_time_table.html James And a small order of progress, please? Training officially gets underway this morning. In fact, I leave here in… about half an hour to get there. And, somewhat surprisingly, at least to me anyway, I'm not as nervous about being there as I was yesterday. Not as excited either, but… still, not as nervous. Now, I think, I'm more nervous about screwing up the new route I have to take, since the bus I just yesterday actually figured out doesn't run as early as I need it to, so now we get to do all manner of improvising. I wonder if I can end up just bumbing a lift off someone tomorrow. It'll be cheaper, me thinks.

]]> Training officially gets underway this morning. In fact, I leave here in… about half an hour to get there. And, somewhat surprisingly, at least to me anyway, I'm not as nervous about being there as I was yesterday. Not as excited either, but… still, not as nervous. Now, I think, I'm more nervous about screwing up the new route I have to take, since the bus I just yesterday actually figured out doesn't run as early as I need it to, so now we get to do all manner of improvising. I wonder if I can end up just bumbing a lift off someone tomorrow. It'll be cheaper, me thinks.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/12/and_a_small_order_of_progress_please.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/12/and_a_small_order_of_progress_please.html James I got badged! Unfortunately, that was the most excitement I saw the whole 9 hours or so I was there. Pretty snore first day, really. A little frustrating trying to get from here to there and back again, but when you take into account that I've done that particular run a grand total of… 3 times, frustrations are going to crop up. Ah well, like all things new, I'll be bored of the walk to my bus inside of a week. And on that note, sleep. Because 3:30 (my wake-up call for the next month or so) is gonna come way too fucking early.

]]> Unfortunately, that was the most excitement I saw the whole 9 hours or so I was there. Pretty snore first day, really. A little frustrating trying to get from here to there and back again, but when you take into account that I've done that particular run a grand total of… 3 times, frustrations are going to crop up. Ah well, like all things new, I'll be bored of the walk to my bus inside of a week. And on that note, sleep. Because 3:30 (my wake-up call for the next month or so) is gonna come way too fucking early.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/11/i_got_badged.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2006/12/11/i_got_badged.html James