Journey & Adventure

First the Public Service Announcement: The opinions expressed here are my own. I’m not saying all men experience these symptoms, there are a few in my life that do, so I speak from experience. Whether real or perceived symptoms, they are a problem for me. If you are a sensitive man (or woman) – get over yourself, as I’m tired of dealing with your hissy fits. So, I’ve noticed a trend… just like women, men experience PMS. My boss is a perfect example of this – his severe monthly mood swings, outbursts and hissy fits for no apparent reason, coupled with moments of over the top cheeriness and random acts of thoughtfulness. I’ve been working here for almost five years now and although, it’s not at necessarily the same time every month, it happens just the same. This is not a segregated sensation sweeping the nation - I’ve also noticed this trend with the other men in my life. J and The Boy are prone to this behavior as well, as I’m sure many other men. Men just don’t realize it’...

I don’t know about any of you with children, but when my son was little and was having a melt-down, being disrespectful or just plain out of control, we would put him in a “time-out”.   The time-out was typically done away from others, in a quiet spot, with no outside stimulation.   For us, the bottom step on our staircase worked wonders since there was nothing around, and nothing to look at except a wall.   The time-out period usually only lasted 5-10 minutes, but in extreme cases it could last longer. Today, I wish someone would put me in a time-out.   I’d happily find a secluded staircase somewhere in the building where I could refocus my energy and have a moment to myself, to readjust my attitude. I woke up from a good sleep and was ready for the day.   AND THEN…I got to work.   Duhn, duhn, duhn, dunnnnnn!    I wish I could say the rest of the day will get better, but alas – it won’t.   I have a “team” lunch meeti...

June is upon us, but the weather is still cooler than normal.   Maybe global warming does have something to do with it, or maybe it’s just because I live in Canada and Mother Nature hates me. I’m still faithfully plugging away at my jewelry making, shows and online sales, but I have to say I’m getting slightly tired of it.   Lately, I’ve experienced a few shows that have left me wondering why I bother.     I’m not planning on giving it up any time soon, but I think I need to re-evaluate what makes me happy to make and not just make what people will buy.   Because in all honesty, people are picky and you can’t please them all.   I’d rather please myself. Let’s talk about food.   Do you ever get in a food rut and get tired of making and eating the same thing every week?   I’m in a food rut right now.   I like to try new recipes, but my family can be “selective”.   I can typically please either The Boy or J, but not usually both tog...

Do you ever have those days when you feel overwhelmed and feel like punching the next person that passes your way in the throat? No? So, it’s just me then. Well, today is one of those days for me. As I write this it is actually October 31st – Halloween. It should be an uneventful day, except that it’s “dress-up” day in the office. I’ve never been one for theatrics of the dress up kind. I’m happy for people that enjoy costumes and make believe, but I’m not one of them, so I respectfully ask to be left alone and not chided by co-workers I don’t even like for the fact that I’m not in costume. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone – I don’t enjoy my job and putting a costume on for a day is not going to make having to come to work a pleasant experience. It began on Monday – the questions and comments – What are you dressing up as? Do you want to be part of the 7 dwarfs team? How about catman from Kiss? Even today – I have a cape you can wear since you’re already wea...

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed here are my own and are based solely on my life experiences. I will say that I’ve worked with some fantastic women, but recently my bad experiences have outweighed the good. Can I just say how much I dislike working with women? Yes, I realize I am one; however I’m more of a “tom boy” type of gal. For the most part, I have great working relationships with my male co-workers. The women – not so much. They are an entirely different story. Don’t get me wrong, I can tolerate them, I just don’t enjoy interacting with them. My male co-workers for the most part, are minimalistic. You ladies out there might disagree but I find that they don’t need as much babysitting. I can ask them to provide me with information and they don’t whine about it. Guys get shit done. My female co-workers will do EVERYTHING in their power to avoid taking responsibility for anything. They will not simply respond to an e-mail request. Nooo, they insist of calling to “discuss ...

I’m constantly perplexed at how I could have possibly made so many bad career choices over the years that I am now once again sitting at the crossroads of disconbobulation and quagmiredness. Yeah, I don’t know what it means either, but it pretty much sums up how my job has been making me feel for at least the last six months. Oh well, life goes on and I’ll manage to get through this. It helps knowing that it’s only a means to an end… Perplexed Definition: (i) filled with uncertainty; (ii) full of difficulty; Disconbobulated Definition: when something odd happens and you get an indescribable confused feeling. Quagmire Definition: (i) soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot; or (ii) a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position;

There’s an old saying “Know what you don’t know”. There’s also a saying “know when to keep your mouth shut”. Today, I’m surrounded by people that have obviously never heard these sayings. Everyone is offering up their opinion on how things should be handled. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times “if I were you…” I’m all for taking advice when I ask for it and I’ll even accept it when I need it and haven’t asked for it. I’m not one for unsolicited opinions on topics that these so-called “experts” know nothing about. There is nothing wrong with simply smiling and walking away – it makes you look intelligent and keeps people guessing what your next move will be. “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” – Mark Twain

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted and I don’t really have an excuse, except that my blogging mojo has been in hibernation. I’m still not sure that I’m fully back to where I need to be, nor are my writing skills finely tuned to perfection, but I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of something. I will apologize in advance for it’s depressing nature, but sometimes we need these reminders… Life is short, unpredictable and precious. Never take that for granted. I understand we all get consumed with our daily lives and the grind can wear us down and fog our perceptions of what is truly important. Having said that, we all need to take a step back and re-focus on what we already have in our lives and not worry about those things that are truly unimportant and bogging us down. I have been reminded of this a couple of times already today. The first is when I heard the news of the sudden passing of a co-workers wife. She was 37, went for an aft...

I’m feeling out of sorts this Monday. I don’t know why, I just know that something’s not right with my world at the moment. Probably, just the Monday blues. I should start feel better by 5:00 pm - I usually do. My boss is on holidays this week. Thank goodness for small miracles. Another week like last week and I might not have been able to contain myself or the rage he creates within me. I had dinner with an old co-worker last week. Our meeting reminded me of how much I miss working with her. We could be silly together, laughing about anything, everything and everyone that crossed our paths throughout the day. It was nice to have a funny, carefree co-worker. I don’t have that here and I miss it. I wish I could go barefoot in the office. I hate wearing shoes. I’m constantly kicking them off under my desk only to have to scramble to put them back on when I need to go to meetings, the printer, supply room or the restroom. This morning I was reflecting upon “what I did th...

I don’t usually hate Mondays, but I do today. I would prefer to come to work and do my job without drama – especially on Mondays. Alas, it’s not meant to be. Instead, I get to deal with internal sales people. Let’s just say, sales people and the legal department cannot possibly live cohesively. I’ve tried and failed - miserably. All I want to do is do my job.  My job is to point out legal risks and all the sales people want to do is sell product and they could not give a rat’s-ass about legal risks. They want to make their commission. Honestly, they’d prefer if I was not allowed in the building – it would make their job easier. Believe me, I’d prefer if I was not allowed in the building – it would keep my blood pressure lower than it is at the moment. The worst part is - they are cowards. If they have a problem, it would be so much easier to call us and talk about it, but instead they play stupid games and call meetings to discuss the legal department behind...

Dear Co-Workers,   In an effort to save some time and frustration on both our parts (okay, mostly mine), I’m providing you in advance with this office etiquette list.   Don’t tell me to do something. If you ask, you will likely get a better response. If you tell me, it will likely go to the bottom of my priority list. Similarly, don’t tell me something is mandatory – especially meetings. I don’t do well with the whole “do it or else” mentality. Regardless of how old you are - if you are my co-worker, you shouldn’t be calling me “missy”. This missy gets mighty pissy when that happens.   Don’t ask me how my weekend was or how I’m doing if you’re not intending to listen to my response.   Don’t cut me off mid sentence. I appreciate your opinion regardless of what it is, so I would appreciate if you listened to mine.   Unless you want to see a very cranky person, kindly refrain from piling files on my chair when I’m out of my office. I h...

I’ve always been perplexed by that phrase, but now that I have a specific goal in mind, that phrase holds new meaning to me. “A means to an end” is exactly what my job is…something done to achieve something else. My current job is simply a way to facilitate my disappearance from North America culture. I’ve always done well with my career, but I can say with 100% certainty that I don’t enjoy what I do and I haven’t enjoyed what it for probably the last decade. I’ve come to the realization of late that this latest job, while the most financially fruitful has left me feeling like I’ve sold out – money for happiness. My previous jobs left me counting the hours down until the end of the day. I was always bored and unfulfilled, but I seemed to find a way to make it work. At least I had the freedom to come and go as I pleased, I was able to freely surf the internet, to blog, or to just laugh with co-workers.   Here, there’s none of that. Every hour of the day, I’m monitored ...

Yes, this is me today...  My boss and co-workers are extremely grumpy today and their mood is spreading.

I don’t know a better way to explain it, but I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed by life at the moment. Perhaps it’s the fact that reality is setting in again and I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m not actually an international jet-setter, living the high life of luxury in exotic places around the globe. Since getting back, I’m having a hard time adjusting. My sleep patterns are off, my eating patterns are off, my thought processes are off, work makes me want to jam a fork in my eye on a daily basis. In order to avoid the overwhelming urge of throwing office products, spewing profanities and screaming “you want a piece of me” at my co-workers, I have to sit in my office with the door close and try not to make eye contact when anyone walks by. It’s bad. I have plenty to be thankful for, but I’m not feeling any love at the moment. Instead I’m feeling bitter and resentful. To what? I have no idea – I just am. I think I need some time to regroup and get my act together,...

I’m feeling in a bit of a “mood” today and I can’t put my finger on the cause.   I just know I’m feeling “off”.   I like my new job, but I miss the people from my boring old job.    I miss my old boss – at least we laughed about things.     I miss some of my old co-workers – especially the one that would bake me cookies.   I miss being able to surf the internet.  Oh, how I miss the internet (insert longing sigh).   Yes, I’m well aware how much I complained about that old job and about having nothing to do, but at least I had people to talk to, to laugh with, commiserate with and to make fun of.   Here, there is no one.  I’ve been here over 6 months and not a single person has grown on me yet.  I’ve tried to engage them, but to no avail.   I don’t know how to explain it, but they’re an odd bunch.  We have absolutely nothing in common, but that’s not what m...

I’m in the midst of the power struggle at work and I’m not even an active participant.   Although I’m in the Legal Department, I sit in the area of the Finance Department.     The Chief Financial Officer likes to believe that he will be the next in line to become President, so he has this God complex about him.   I stress the word “believe” because I would bet my salary on that not happening.   He’s just not smart enough or enough of a people person for that to happen – he’s not liked at all.   He’s arrogant and self-absorbed.  Need I say how I really feel?  I don't think he likes me either, so we're even.   The in-house lawyer, who I work for doesn’t want to become the next President, but technically he is viewed as being in “second in command” by the current President of the company.   This in itself pisses the Chief Financial Officer off to no end.   The lawyer is wound pretty tightly, but other than hi...

As many of you know, I switched jobs a few months ago – in November to be exact.    After being under-utilized and bored out of my mind in my previous job, this new job is a welcomed addition…mostly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to start ranting about how much I hate this job – at least not yet.    The position is still new, so I don’t have any real complaints – yet.    I say “yet” because we all know the world is not perfect and neither am I.   I’m being realistic - the rants will come, just not today.   Today, I bring you an observation… I’m generally an organized person.   I’m not OCD about it, but believe organization brings productivity and productivity brings profitability – to both the company and me.   I’m a firm believer that if you work hard, someone will notice and you may receive recognition for it.   I know this may be delusional, but nonetheless, I try hard.   I’m not an over...

With A Friend Contrary to popular belief, you DO NOT know it all.   I know this is a hard reality pill to swallow, but as a friend it needs to be said.   I know you believe yourself to be an authority on places you haven’t been and things you haven’t done; however just because you read about it on Facebook, doesn’t make it true or make you an expert.   Shocking isn’t it?    With Another Friend If you want to get ahead in the workplace, stop being so stupid and getting drunk at company functions.   Seriously, you won’t make any friends by acting like an idiot and barfing in public.   Just saying…you’re an ass and I’ve lost interest in your career aspiration work woes.   With a Co-Worker Just because you work for the President of the company, does not give you the right to freak out at others when the photocopier runs out of paper in the middle of your copy job.   I know yo...

Sorry I don’t have anything entertaining to write about these days.   What can I say?   My new co-workers are boring.   Nice people, just not the firecrackers and nut jobs I’m used to working with. I do have some news on the old job front.    Keep in mind that I left the old job at the beginning of November; however my replacement was not scheduled to start until January 3rd.   Apparently she wanted to take an extended vacation or whatever before starting. Anyhow, by January 7, she had quit.   No one knows why.    He’s an easy guy to work for, so it’s my belief that she intended to quit before she even started.   She likely got a “we’ll give you anything to stay offer” from her old place of employment. Anyhooo, being the kind person I am and not wanting to rub salt into his wounds right away, I waited until this past Monday and then I sent him an e-mail disguised “Happy New.   How are things?”    Well, to say that...