Holidays | Piss and Moan

Dear Readers

Posted on November 28, 2019 by backuphill

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My Dear Readers,

As I pause a moment to give thanks for all that I have been given (I have not visited my computer this morning), I have to remember you.

It is because of you that we have created a little community where I have a voice to complain about things in my life, life in general, things in your lives, society, people, culture, smart and stupid people, and the list goes on…etc., etc., etc.

Essentially, you have allowed me to be your voice and in turn it has given me a voice too. I can’t always express the way I feel or think to the people who occupy my everyday life, so this has been an outlet for my frustration (and dare I say, anger?)

Some of what we talk about around here is for real and some of it is just for fun. Either way, it gives me something new to do each day in the hopes of entertaining you…or giving you something to ponder…or maybe giving you a silent fist bump knowing someone out there feels a little like you do.

So, I humbly say thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

With gratitude,

The Chief Grump

Friday the 13th

Posted on September 13, 2019 by backuphill

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WTH?

Almost noon and I am just getting to this thing. Bet you thought I wasn’t going to do it, right?

Friday. 13th. Full moon.

Stuff nightmares are made of. There must have been a solar flare last night or something because computer issues and software issues all morning long for clients. Either that or they have forgotten how their stuff works.

Either way it was crazy busy this morning. Hopefully we are in the eye of the storm right now and the backside will be better than the front.

Can I just go home already? I am ready to sit and drink.

Do you notice weird crap going on during days like this or do you think it is just a mental thing?

Ownership

Posted on September 2, 2019 by backuphill

blue and gray concrete house with attic during twilight

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There used to be some advertising out there that said, “Ownership has its privileges.” It was something to that effect. I think it was American Express that used to say “Membership has its privileges.” It doesn’t really matter who said what though.

As I sit here on Labor Day and ponder the long list of “To Do” items I have I am starting to wonder if ownership really has its privileges. The “to do” list that needs to be completed before the Fall weather begins to set in is rather daunting and the house seemingly is in constant need of something – repair, upkeep, upgrade…

It’s tiring. It’s costly. It’s annoying.

I have experience all the living situations. Growing up, of course, and living with my parents we were always asked to do chores and we did them. After moving out, I have had apartments that had virtually no upkeep on my part. The apartment life eventually led to the desire to “have my own place” instead of paying someone for their ownership. I have owned my own home and I really like the yard work. There was something different about it when it was my own yard rather than my parents’ yard. I didn’t mind the work, at least for a while. I have owned a condo where the yard work was all done by the HOA and really there was veery little that needed to be done as far as maintenance goes. But, eventually, that feeling of wanting a yard of my own came back again. Well, I once again own a home and I have tired of work that has to go into it. Just the every day upkeep can get overwhelming but then add the looming big expenses like roof replacement, house painting, crawl space cleanup, landscaping…the list never ends!

Is it really a perk to own your own place when, after all, you still face stupid regulations from the city and county about what you can do with your own property? You may not be able to do what you really want to do, so is it really a perk?

I am starting to question the ownership thing and I am also beginning to yearn for the condo days again.

Some days “adulting” can be a real bummer. I am about to labor all day in the yard and on or around the house on Labor Day.

Happy not really a day off because life keeps up.

Survival mode

Posted on August 30, 2019 by backuphill

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One day. Just make it through the day.

Friday before a long weekend. Will it be busy? The hope is that it won’t be because district employees will be taking advantage of their last long weekend of the summer. Alas, the hope had died on the vine…

We are already running and I don’t think we have hit the ground yet.

The flood of support tickets continues. At one point yesterday, I had six open support tickets and trying to support them all at the same time. Today, I already have two to start with. Hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

Watch out people! The weekend is nearly upon us. Keep your head down today, enter survival mode, and make it through the day. Just one last push to weekend freedom!

Dimples and all

Posted on July 15, 2019 by backuphill

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Well, the early leave on Friday’s work day turned out to be a pretty decent escape.

I figured out I hadn’t golfed in three years, so the rust was a little thick. The front 9 was warm-up, apparently, since I scored better on the back 9, which is more difficult.

It also took me 12 holes to lose the first golf ball, which is a feat in and of itself since I am a pro at hitting the ball deep into the trees.

But, I also ended up finding more than I lost – net gain of 2!

All in all, I could find something to complain about in the golf game but since it’s been three years I’ll just let it be what it is.

Oh, here’s something to complain about…the golf shoes don’t fit like they used to. I could also complain about the overall score (107), but really I can’t complain since I was just shaking off the rust after not having stepped onto the links in quite a while.

I suppose I’ll have to keep the dust off the clubs a little more often.

Why, oh why?

Posted on July 12, 2019 by backuphill

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Half day at the office today.

No, it’s an official work day. I am just taking a half day to go play golf (well, my version of playing it…course destruction, tree hitting, let’s go swimming after the ball golf) with a buddy.

And what do we here at work? There is some sort of “emergency” that requires immediate attention…

Think that is gonna keep me at the office?

Hell no.

Someone else can deal with this crap. Besides, the district doesn’t need to access their data anyway. It’s summer. LOL

Catch you on Monday! FOUR!!

Every experienced an “emergency” on a day where you were looking forward to something else? One of those things that will suck your attention until dealt with?

About last night

Posted on July 5, 2019 by backuphill

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It’s a full pot of coffee kinda drinking day.

I am going to venture a guess that not all who needed yesterday’s PSA, actually read it. I say as much since it was well after midnight when the explosions stopped and the dog stopped cowering.

Sleep. It was hard to come by and this poor guy had to get up early, like usual, for work. I am now sitting at my desk and wishing I could just have an IV of coffee. Last night is going to make for a long day at work…

Have a coffee. Have another. And another. Oh, the next one’s on me (if you find me and use the code, “I’ll have a 4th”). I am fixing to have another…and another…and another…

Perk up! It’s another day.

Holiday PSA

Posted on July 4, 2019 by backuphill

Happy July 4th everyone! Or, Happy Independence Day! Or, Happy Birthday, America!

Or whatever.

I doubt many of you will read this today since you’ll all likely be partying hard and enjoying bbq’d food, liquid hops, and exploding stuff. But just in case you happen to stop by and take a look today, I have one request.

Can you turn off your fireworks promptly at midnight?

Fireworks and Independence Day are technically reserved for July 4 and at midnight (12am) it is no longer the 4th, so you need to stop celebrating then. OK?

Thanks,

This Old Guy

Vacation planning

Posted on June 20, 2019 by backuphill

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There is a reason teachers would rather go to work sick, or skip all professional development. It’s because it is more work than it is worth. Planning takes time and effort and more times than not there is more work to do when you get back. It is just easier to be there than to not be there.

Now that I am not in the classroom, I think I have found the regular working stiff equivalent.

I now understand why Americans would rather work and accrue vacation days rather than actually go on vacation.

Why is using vacation and taking a vacation so much work?

Steps to taking a vacation:

Plan when to go on vacation MONTHS (if not years) in advance.
Save your butt off for vacation (or rack up CC bills while on vacation so you can work your butt off when you return).
Ask for time off and cross your fingers someone didn’t beat you to the dates.
Plan where to go or what to do…this couldn’t probably be 10 mores steps by itself but for demonstration purposes, I’ll keep it at one.
Arrange for pet-sitter/house-sitter/rides to or from airport.
Shop for vacation.
Pack for vacation.
Load up the car.
Worry about forgetting something while you drive away.
Unload the car.
Hustle off to destination.
Unpack when you get to destination.
Do stuff. See stuff. Eat stuff. Drink stuff. Repeat.
Pack to go home.
Load the car.
Worry about forgetting something at the place you just left.
Travel.
Get back home.
Unpack.
Do laundry from vacation (and perhaps a house-sitter).
Catch up on mail.
Catch up on yard work.

Return to work exhausted.

Is vacation really worth the trouble?

Anyone else ever feel like this? Ever needed a vacation from your vacation?

On the horizon

Posted on June 17, 2019 by backuphill

macro photography of black sunglasses on sand

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The longest week known to man is the week before a vacation.

The days drag.

The nights are filled with planning and preparation.

Vacation is on the horizon but there is so much to do beforehand.

While at work the only thing you can think of is what you would rather be doing during the vacation week to follow.

It’s as if vacation is but a mirage in the desert right now. Is it real? Will it provide relief and rest? Is refreshment ahead?

I can see it. I can almost touch it…and yet the horizon feels so far off.

How do you make it through the week before a vacation? Do you have a strategy to deal with the anticipation and distraction?