The cage is open and I am ready to fly

So as I alluded to in previous posts I was wondering what was happening to my job and now it is over.

I was laid off today.

And I am ok (so far), it is a kind of relief I am no longer waiting to see what was going to happen. I am no longer jumpy every time my phone rang or got an email notice. It is going to be so weird not having job to go to tomorrow morning after all I have been working since I graduated college.

Hubs thinks that this is a great thing and that good things that will happen. He, my family and some friends are thinking that I will find another job that will appreciate me and my skills. So I have polished up my resume and am looking at networking opportunities. (If anyone knows a good headhunter/recruiter let me know.)

Tomorrow I plan on getting some things organized and I have a long list of things to do at home and classes at the gym that I want to take advantage of.

So sure I am a bit freaked out but, there will be good things happening. I got plans, I will be ok...all will be well.

Fingers crossed.

Nine lives

I think that I have nine lives and right now I am in life five. Last week, we had a round of layoffs in my office. I knew they were coming and I knew who would be given the pink slip. I wasn't "in the know" as a manager or was told by somebody but I read the writing on the wall. See, I have been in this position before when you know that things are bad, you know that they are letting people in different offices go, you see the public financial reports and then whoop, here is another acquisition. This particular acquisition had a catch, it had a number of people who did the same thing and a few jobs that would not be relevant. We were warned that the top brass was looking for the best of the best. And last week, those who did not make the cut were let go.

It sucks to watch this unfold, seeing HR call people one by one and seeing them come out in tears and packing up their desk and heading out in less than 10 minutes start to finish. I have seen it four times before and probably will see it over the life cycle of my career. It sucks, survivor guilt I suppose.

Then to top this all off, our senior management was shaken up and the results have wrecked morale and stirred up the rumor mill. And thus began the chain of events, after the all of the layoffs; a few people quit. Our office when from a lively place a few months ago to a very quiet one. We lost staff to the other office and the lay offs. I

So where do I stand, I am safe for now and probably will be for a few more months. I hold a unique position in the company and right now I am busier than ever. It is not to say when I am done with my projects, they won't show me the door. It does say that I have to get a few ducks in order so that I am prepared to do what needs to be done for me. It has given me time to reflect on my job(s) and what I want to be when I grow up.

But at the same time, the opportunities are endless.

Have you been through a lay off? How did it affect you?

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Hubs is doing much better, he saw a top notch cardio last week who thinks that this was an isolated event give the fact that Hubs is healthy. However, he does want to rule out a few things so the Hubs will have to undergo a stress test, wear a heart monitor and have a sleep study over the next few weeks. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts!

My head hurts

I rarely discuss my job in the blog. I never mention the company nor specific details about what I do. However, work has become such a pain in the ass for me. It is not the job per say, it is the people. Here are some highlights from the past week:

-Yesterday, the whole company got a spam email. I did not open it, it went straight to my trash box. However, a few did and then people started to "reply to all". We have about 12,000 employees around the world. Our email was clogged for 2 1/2 hours. The sad part, most of the reply to all and then the emails telling people not to reply to all, were written by managers. At last count it was up to 300 emails!

-Would you tell your co-workers that you are on an anti depressant? Would you tell you boss? Would you start crying at your desk (and some of your co-workers desks) complaining about menopause, your doctor and insurance? Yes, this was the same person!

-I am trying to wrap up a project. A project that was to be completed by the end of 2009. then was pushed back to the end of January and is now pushed back till March. Why the hold up? Well the team leader has decided to "check out" and is not being as active as she was in the beginning. So as the project leader I pick up the slack and all I hear are crickets. People don't get back to me, they do not get back to my boss. It is beyond frustrating. What kills me, is that this project has affected my 2009 performance review. Thankfully, my boss is very understanding and has supported me through out. Which is a good thing otherwise I would have flown out east to kick some ass.

-IT is overworked and not communicative. So they do not respond to my requests for info and updates.

-Our office is overdecorated for Valentine's day. I am a fan of a few things here and there, but it is over the top. Not as bad as Christmas, when Ms. Prozac wrapped all the pictures on the wall.

-I am over the passive aggressiveness.

I need a drink.

What is giving you headaches?

Like a dog chasing its tail....

I feel like I am running around in circles. Most of the projects that I have been working on this year projects have been halted mid way through or at the end and shelved, split apart, on hold or discarded. It has been extremely frustrating to say the least. I spend days setting up meetings to have them post punned or forgotten about. I work on a certain topic only to be told that is not what I should focus on but rather change my direction completely.

I am just frustrated and have been asking myself, is this what I really want to do?

Noodles

One of the downsides of my trips out to the east coast (besides the flight delays) is the fact that my credit card bills are due before I receive my expense reimbursements.

Ramen noodles anyone?

Overwhelmed

I am feeling so overwhelmed and insignificant at the same time on so many levels.

Kind of ironic but they are making me feel like crap.

Ick

This Saturday I head out east for a two week work assignment. That is two week straight, I am not coming home on the weekend because there is no point flying out late Friday night only to leave on Sunday afternoon. So I am staying there but I will get to see my parents and have the 1, 239 "discussion" about some aspect of the wedding and what they think we should do. The only reason I a seeing them is because I need three pants tailored and my mom sews (Note to self-learn how to sew) so that is the only reason. Next weekend I am seeing my friends and causing all sorts of havoc all over NYC but more than likely I will be too pooped to do anything crazy. At least I got booked at the good hotel not the creepy hotel so I can use the gym without any excuses. Plus I plan on being frustrated at times and it would be a good way to work through it.

I have an intensive schedule with meetings from 8-5 each day. Some meetings I will be more like a facilitator, others I will lead and yet others I will just be in attendance. One the one side, I am so glad to have gotten the green light and the green bucks to proceed with the project but on the other hand it is going to be a intense few months and I get stressed thinking about it. Plus the whole wedding is another project in itself.

Thankfully the BF has stepped up to the plate and has checked off a few things on our list and plans to tackle a few more items when I am gone. I am so glad because I can’t imagine doing two projects next week. Like me, is not too keen with me being gone, a few days is not a probe but after a two weeks it will be tough. the babies get a wee bit needy and do not like it when things are not the same. He can handle it but I will miss him and that is what is on my mind the most these past two days.

There is never a dull moment and I am glad to have a job in these times.

A mellow merry

We spent the day with the BF's fam yesterday. We finally got out of our iced in parking spot and headed west for the day. It was very mellow and quiet, the girls got a Wii so they were busy with the games and their toys so they were kept very busy. The food was delish and I made two dishes

One was this easy cheese puff appetizer that was just made with butter, flour, Guyer cheese, salt and some Cayenne pepper. It was so easy, if anyone wants the recipe let me know. The second was the chocolate crinkle cookies that I made this past weekend. Both were hits.

Before Christmas I went to the Chopping Block and it was one of the best, the food that they made was so delish. They made awesome margaritas, this cheese Focaccia bread with a three cheese spread, salty Carmel brownies, truffle fries and steamed mussels. It was the highlights of some popular restaurants and they were all so wonderful.

Today we went to a local mall and I finally bought a pair of jeans! I also got another pair of pants, a cute sweater and stocked up on some refills of my sephroa favs.

We are getting ramped up for more wedding to dos. It is easier said than done. Guess who has to spend two weeks in NJ for work?

Now that the holidays are over, we have a lot of wedding things to do.

Travel Gods

And now I am back!

Wasn't Blog Secrets a great set of reading. I checked out some new blogs and had some new comments. It was well worth it.

I was in the east coast office yesterday for another project meeting and the travel gods were not happy with me for whatever reason. I spilled hot water on my foot, then spilled ice cubes, broke two nails and stayed in a really creepy hotel. (thank you new expense rules)

Today, I sat next to a toddler on my way back to O'Hare. Who thankfully, fell asleep but kept kicking me when he stretched out.

So I am glad to be home.

Hangin tough

So I am heading out east again for the take two meeting. Ya know the one that had me in the office a few weeks ago, the one when I got up at 3:30 in the freaking morning ,the one that got canceled! Yeah that one! So I have to head back for a meeting on Monday morning. The one good thing is that the COO has made it perfectly clear that all must attend and in my passive aggressive way, I mentioned that I will not be conducting a web based meeting which means there better be butts in those chairs!

Before said meeting I get to spend a few days with my parents. They have not seen me since the summer and not since the engagement. My mom can't wait to see the ring even though they've seen photos. Plus the negotiations er discussions have to begin and Mom wants to look at dresses.

There is a chance that I have to head out there in a few weeks again for another meeting that could be done via webinar. But nooooo, they want me to come out to east to go to this small town in a battleground state. It is hours away from the nearest airport and I do not want to go.

The only upside is that I am getting me some frequent flyer miles. So that means we can fly first class to our honeymoon destination. Spain or Italy anyone?

Oh and tomorrow I am going to the NKOTB concert....so I am reliving my pre-teen years with a few adult beverages.

The babysitter?

I have to head back to the east coast for work next week. I am not pleased about it but this trip is due to the fact that my meeting last week (while I was in the east coast office) had to be canceled. the reason was that some of the directors who had accepted the meeting invite forgot about the meeting including the champion of this project. My next phase is critical that I have their approval to move on because after the meeting no changes will be made.

I hate babysitting middle aged men, come on people! My boss was madder than I was and sent a few emails expressing his disappointment, how respect works and a veiled threat if they miss the next meeting. My boss is awesome. We have this cool working relationship that is very easy and supportive.

So I get to do this all again. The upside is that since the meeting will be in the morning on a Monday I can fly out on Saturday and see the parents for the weekend. My mom especially is wanting to sit and discuss all things wedding. (she has emailed me some pictures of the dresses that she is wanting to wear).

I went to work out last night. I have found my motivation and decided to try and work out at least 2 times a week. The girls and I did our bootcamp on Saturday and Capt. Zen (our nickname) had us work on arms and legs the whole time. It was a long hour! Yesterday, my arms and legs remembered Saturday and they are killing me today. But I am seeing tiny changes in the body so that is what the purpose is.

I was in the gym at the hotel last week to work off the anger I had about the meeting being canceled. So I am getting it in. I hope to keep the momentum going.

Is anyone else having issues with google reader? Mine is no loading and I can't cope with not having it. I am getting the shakes!

A stay in bed day perhaps?

So tomorrow I get to head out to the east coast (again) but this time I will be taking a 6:30 flight. Yep, that is 6:30 AM (!) so that means that I have to be up at 4 and out of the house by 4:30. I am debating whether I should drive to the airport or take a cab. Both have their pros and both have their cons. I don't necessarily feel like driving at 4 something in the morning so the cab is looking more realistic.

But....my first email this morning was from one of the major key players in my project and while he accepted the meeting he now has to decline due to another meeting that his boss called. So he can't make it. He is the only reason that I called this meeting and will be heading out east. He is the only one who can formally approve the project and while others will be at the meeting. His viewpoint is the only one that really matters. So in essence my meeting will not be as productive as I want it to be. I am currently in a holding pattern and I just want to move forward.

So it is frustrating. I just want to get this trip out of the way and all the points we need to be approved to get approved.

In other news, I already spilled on my white sweater. So it is so far a stellar day.

TGI home

I like working from on on Fridays.

I can wear yoga pants and "not work appropiate" tee shirts
It allows me the opportunity to sleep in an extra hour
I can take a :pet the random beast break"
I am saving wear and tear on my car
I am saving on gas
I am not subjected to mindless chatter at work

But the best reason, the greasy spoon a few blocks away makes a killer burger!

Lift off

I got to launch one of my projects this week and start to work on another.

I love my new job, it is interesting and I am in the know.  My boss is awesome and lets me do my thing and supports my ideas.

My previous boss is also cool (she always was) but we are on different levels now so we are both able to help in different ways than before/

I get to tell sales what to do and when they complain, their VP hands their asses on a silver plate to me.   Yea, I make them suffer by asking them to do their damn job! 

Plus I may get to work from home a day or two a week which will save some of my damn hard earned money in gas.  

Tapas and tape

So sure enough when I left work on Friday guess what I saw sitting on IT guy's desk...my laptop.  He had "disappeared" and I was out the door!  But I will be sure to see him tomorrow!  I will make it a point!

On Friday night, Diana and I went out for tapas.  They were so great, we went to this place in Boystown and it was so much fun.  We ordered sangria and some different types of tapas.  Which included bacon wrapped dates (it was like a bacon covered jelly doughnut), a blue cheese/cream cheese spread in tomato sauce, tomato bread with serrano ham and chorizo and chicken coquettas.  We polished them off and savored every bite.

She brought me some treats from her recent trips to the Big Easy and Minneapolis.  She is so awesome!

Yesterday, the BF and I went to brunch with my friends and their two little ones.  The kids were so well behaved and they all finally met the BF after so long.  It had been a while since I saw them so it was good to catch up.  Then we did our errands and packed some things at home.  I treated the BF to dinner for his b'day and then we met up with a few of his friends for drinks.

Today we did a lot of packing especially in the kitchen.  When we moved in together we had two sets of pots and other items so this time we eliminated the worst and got rid of a lot of kitchen things that seen better days.  We also cleaned out the pantry and tossed.  I also packed some more glasses until we ran out of bubble wrap.  I still have not gotten the chance to clean out the closet yet.  I am dreading that task.  But we will be moving on the 21st (pending that the developers are done by that time with the painting and granite installation) so three weeks to go!

Tidbits

It freaking snowed again yesterday. One day it is lovely in the high 40s then the next it snows. Mother nature is being menopausal!

I am patiently waiting for my new lap top to be delivered. It was sent a few days ago and I still do not have it. So it could be that
-it was not sent
-it got lost
-Magician IT guy has it but is to occupied flirting with the receptionist to give it to me and get it set up.

Come to think of it, the latter is probably the reason!

Work has been so different for me. I am used to the fast pace and constant phone calls. Now I do not have the phone ringing off the hook and most of my day is waiting for people to get back to me. It is definitely not as quick pace and my other job.

In exactly 3 weeks we have the closing. This weekend I plan to do the pack and toss. Pack the things I want to keep and toss the things I don't. On the agenda, the closets. Yep, I have to be ruthless and get rid of some clothes that I no longer wear. It can be hard because I am sentimental at times and there are articles of clothes that remind me of a memory but they don't fit or they are older than dirt. So that is the plan, that may change due to laziness!

The reveal

Well as a few of you guessed here are the correct answers:

Distant Haze-sage green

Ethereal-light blue-grey

Parchment-warm beige

Una Tuba-Black with green and white specks

See told you that was fun!

I just got back from NJ after meeting my new boss and getting lost in that freaking state.  I was so glad to get back home to my Honda (I heart my car) and logical roads and highways!

Odd duck memories

I was thinking last night of my post below and then I remembered one co-worker from about 4 years ago. I will call him Kevin because that was his name and he only lasted a month.

Anyway, Kevin was absolutely fascinated with the fact that I was from NY and that I lived in NYC. He was so amazed to meet someone from NYC. I was like a rare creature in a modern zoo to him. He kept asking me questions about what was the subway like, is the pizza good etc. Well one day he asked if I have ever been to Madison Square Garden for a concert. I told him I've been to many. So the following conversation occurs:

Him: "Wow that is soooo cool, I've always wanted to go there all the best played the Garden. So who did you see in the 70s"
me: Blinks "The Capades"
Him: The who?
me: The Capades, I think it was Smufs on Ice.

Moron, but by the time it took him to comprehend my answer I walked away. He quit a few days later. My friends died laughing when I told them this story!

It is an oldie but goodie!

Odd duck

We have a new IT guy who is a "know-it-all" and just brings up the weirdest things in conversation, her are some examples:

-He was complaining about the weather and said that in 1972 was the worst record in Chicago (ed. note um it was 1979 but whatever). So then he proceeds to announce that he was not even born yet so he then asks random people if they remember, which insults a good amount of them because they were not born until the mid to late 70s-80s. Oh he is in his early 20s and did not comprehend that he actually insulted people.

-He is a magician, so give him a pool (or a lake) and chain him from head to toe. Add a weight throw him in the and watch out! Oh and David Copperfield is a fraud!

-When talking to another co-worker about his recent trip to China, he was mentioning that he has been very jet lag. IT boy proclaims "I've never experienced jet lag and I've traveled to Las Vegas and California". To which the two of us looked at him weird so he corrects himself and says "maybe if I ever travel for a longer period of time I may get a twing but I live on 4 hours of sleep so it won't matter"

-Oh If I ever want a tattoo to let him know, he knows people.

-He used to sit in our dept for a week before they moved him and so he has developed an attachment to one of my teammates and at least once a week will "visit" her and regale her with his girl troubles.

-I tend to read during my lunch and he constantly asks what am I reading and what is it about. My recent book was "Loving Frank" and he saw it and asked what it was about so I told him it was about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress from her point of view. He kept asking what it was about and at one point I put the book down and told him that I did not know that is why I was reading it.

Ahhh the joys of working in the office. At least everyone else is sane.

Who are the odd characters in your office "the Miltons"?

Being professional

My manager hired a new person to start in another department. This young woman (she must have been 22) started on Monday and my boss was thrilled because that department is understaffed and it is a very niche job to do. Well this woman went out for lunch on Monday and never came back.

My boss was frantic because she was thinking was this girl in an accident, is she lost? My boss called her on her cell phone, her home phone and then called the girls mother (she lived at home) no answer. Apparently she quit.

Come on, I know the job may not have been what you wanted but you could have waited until the end of the day and then tell my boss that it is not for you and you are sorry but you are leaving. Where is the element of professionalism.

In speaking to friends this has happened to many of them. One of the BF's friends store hired a mutual friend girlfriend. She showed up late often and did her job half assed. One day she never came back not saying a peep to anyone including the person who recommended her. But she wanted her check so she called the boss and asked her to mail it. The boss would not do it, she had to go in and get it from the boss.

Hey I know not all jobs fit or seem right but at least do it in a decent way.