2nd Star to the Right :: Neverland. I think I want to live there.

This my neighbor and her two garage stalls full of stuff. She also has two identical Chevy station wagons in which she transports all her stuff.

I love crazy neighbors.

8:11 PM | allison | # |

Moments ago, a co-worker called me into her cube because she had a question about Excel. She’s older and often has software questions. I don’t mind answering these questions. Most co-workers who do ask questions make a concerted effort to listen and learn. Not all, but most.

I stepped into her cube and listened to her question. I showed her a simple first step to start pointing her in the right direction. Before I was able to finish, another co-worker who overheard the question and my first answer, came into the co-workers cube, literally took the mouse out of my hand and proceeded to finish answering the questions for me.

I stood to the side in disbelief first. I wasn’t really sure what to do. After a few moments of utter shock, I quietly slipped away. I’m not sure they even saw me go.

And I can still hear both of them in the co-workers cube trying to figure out the answer to something I already know.

4:37 PM | allison | # |

It’s quiet today. Our corporate offices have closed and been evacuated. We’ve been instructed to contact our service center for urgent matters only. The Disaster Recovery Plan is currently been implemented.

It’s scary to say that. Disaster Recovery Plan. It’s got such a…finality to it.

Most friends and loved ones from the Houston-area have checked in and let everyone know where they’re headed to ride out the storm. I guess all we can do now is wait. And hope.

And help when it’s all over.

11:21 AM | allison | # |

Ahem. Remember this? Yeah. That sucked.

I've been thinking about him lately and I don't really know why. Perhaps I'm just in need of a fantastic make-out session. He was a great kisser and would totally fit the part. Oh, and also, his friend was at my parent's anniversary party on Saturday. Hi, memories.

After a bit of internet sleuthing (stalking is such a negative word, isn't it?), I found an email address. At his job. His new job.

Despite being up for a make-out session with him, I'm still hurt enough to sign him up for some spam at his new work email address.

I was thinking some porn site solicitations might be in order. What do you think?

10:08 AM | allison | # |

My horoscope for today reads:

Narrow-mindedness is definitely not one of your character traits, which comes in
handy when someone from your past pops up unexpectedly with something to say.
You'll definitely like what you hear.

Do you think I'm coasting with enough good karma to pick who pops up from my past? Because I've got a really good kisser in mind.

9:38 AM | allison | # |

There is a lot going on right now. In addition to the job totally sucking ass, there were meetings to attend, unnerving news from an old friend, friends in the hospital, an anniversary party, daddy having surgery, and a season premiere to prepare for.

I'm dealing with a lot of shit right now, people.

8:31 AM | allison | # |

It's a little blurry because I was a little afraid the guy would see the flash.

But seriously. I have my very own Ugly Naked Guy.

It's thrilling and scary all at once.

9:27 PM | allison | # |

She's right. I should be vocal about how unhappy I am.

I am vocal about how unhappy I am.

When I worked in our corporate offices in Houston, I kept my mouth shut. I did my job as best I could and went home and cried. It was my first "real" job and I didn't want to rock the boat.

When I moved back to Chicago I realized I had gotten nowhere keeping my mouth shut and it made me as unhappy as hell. So I started to speak up when I had questions or didn't understand or had suggestions for improvement.

And it made me as unhappy as hell. Not because I wasn't saying how I felt, but because no matter how diplomatic I tried to be, I was told that I need to improve my attitude and just do my job. Think outside the box, they said. But not that far outside the box.

I told all this to the new manager too. I was very, very honest and candid with her. She knows about my time in Houston in Chicago and she knows I've learned everything I can in the position I am in. But she also wants me to stick it out a little longer. There are changes coming, she says. These changes could open doors for me, she says.

I've been waiting for a long time to hear that.

I've worked my ass off for these guys - I've never gotten less than "Exceeds Expectations" on my performance reviews. I routinely get kudos and thank you's and what would I do without you's from my co-workers. I've applied for other internal positions and been turned down. I've worked on a development plan for myself and implemented it.

I've done everything they've asked me to. And I even smiled during most of it.

Just wait a little longer, the new manager says.

It's too little, too late, I say.

9:32 AM | allison | # |

I know it's totally a mis-match in values thing. I know that now. And I'm working on it. My resume is being made all shiny and special and there are new searches and plans being put into action.

But today, during my monthly one-on-one with the new manager, I got asked a question I didn't really know how to answer.

She asked me how things are going.

How do you tell your new boss that your job sucks so much that you would rather go back to working two jobs, including waiting tables for 8+ hour shifts where you're on your feet for eight hours at a time and you spill red sauce on your white dress shirt and funny tie and do telemarketing where people hang up in your ear even though you're really not selling anything and just collecting donations and pledges for legitimate non-profit organizations and really only stay at this job because of the medical plan?

How do you say that?

2:15 PM | allison | # |

They're ok. My aunt and cousin and her kids made it to Michigan safely and without incident.

My uncle remains in New Orleans, living in the main branch of the public library with other staff members. One of the branches is completely lost and they are in the process of salvaging as many volumes as possible.

Miraculously, their house is still standing, and even more amazing, relatively damage-free. They took on quite a bit of water from the flooding, but that was unavoidable. They will have a place to go back to; so many others do not.

What surprises us the most is how lucky they are - their home was directly in the path until Katrina took a turn and headed northeast.

Thank you for all the happy thoughts and encouragement you sent our way. And if you're able, help others less fortuate.

If you already have, thank you.

8:54 AM | allison | # |