Work | Piss and Moan

Leave me some air!

Posted on January 17, 2019 by backuphill

man and woman talking to each other while sitting on chair

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We all know one. We all probably work with one. You know the one…

You know, the one person in your life (hopefully you only have one) from your extended family or a co-worker that talks a mile a minute and won’t let anyone get a single word in? You know, the person who talks so fast they literally suck the air out of the room so no one else has a chance to contribute to the conversation, which usually ends up being one sided?

Ah, you do have one. You are thinking of them now, and it irritates you even now just thinking about it…

This one is for you today. This one is for you to at least have the chance to get three words in. You don’t have to explain. You don’t have to name names (unless it will make you feel better). All you have to do is leave a comment with their relationship to you. Examples = Brother in law; lady in the cubicle next to me; the boss; my last date; etc.

Go ahead. You’ll feel better. This air is just for you….inhale, exhale….breathe….and release…

Only one thing on my mind

Posted on January 16, 2019 by backuphill

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I know you have heard about it in the news and I am sure everyone somewhere has an opinion about it. Well, as it so happens, so do I and I am gonna tell you about it. Only my opinion is probably not what you think it will be.

If I were a furloughed federal employee, I would be doing what every single working sap in the world wishes they could be doing if they didn’t have to go to work every day…

HOLDING DOWN THE COUCH.

That’s right. I would make for damn sure that couch didn’t go anywhere. It ain’t leaving the room (unless I get evicted) and it ain’t getting occupado’d by someone else’s butt. It is all mine. All mine! I tell you, these workers have the unique opportunity to hold down a couch (or recliner, their choice) for extended periods of time and yet some of them are complaining about it. What gives? You better make the most of it while the sitting is good because pretty soon you are gonna have to get your hustle back on.

Most of us don’t like our jobs that much to be happy about having to work and most of us would rather do something that isn’t productive or taxing. Holding down the couch is perfect in my book.

Sure, it’s an unpaid vacation. Sure, it might make paying bills tough. Sure, food might become a luxury rather than a necessity…but I’ll bet you won’t find those workers cutting other things out of their budgets, like cell phones, Netflix, cable, etc. etc. etc.

So, what’s all the complaining about? At least you have a couch, right?

Red for Ed

Posted on January 15, 2019 by backuphill

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Yeah, I am going there.

It’s about time people listen up and if it takes a strike, then so be it. What I am tired of is that people don’t listen until it takes a strike, then people pay attention.

One reason I am not a teacher any longer is because of the lack of pay, lack of respect, lack of resources, lack of support, lack of (you name it). The thing is, I worked in a school that was pretty good. We had, for the most part, community support and better than average funding. But, it still got to be too much. I was burned out. I didn’t realize it until I found freedom in another aspect of education, but I realized it.

There are a lot of teachers out there, some with more experience than me and lots with less, that have terrible working conditions and barely make from month to month. But, the one thing they do over and over is give there very best for the kids in their classrooms and it is sad that it goes unappreciated and disrespected.

Those kids, people say, are the future. At least that is what they say. However, those same people then tear down teachers, the work they do, and their efforts to do the most with the least amount of resources possible. Teachers aren’t just saints, they are freaking super heroes and it is ridiculous that it has to get to this.

How about we invest in the MOST important resource we have, our kids. That doesn’t mean more testing. That means more funding for buildings, teachers, curriculum, teacher benefits, continuing education, etc etc etc. If you want quality teachers in the classroom, you have to act like it. Silicon Valley (or at least it used to, but tech companies in general) attract the best talent because they invest in it and pay them well. How does that not translate into our kids as our most valuable asset? It just doesn’t make sense.

It just doesn’t.

I stand with the teachers in California ( #LAUSD ) that are striking. They deserve better. The students they teach deserve better. We all deserve a better future and depriving schools and teachers of that doesn’t make things better, rather just the opposite.

Stand with teachers and wear Red for Ed ( #RedForEd ).

abc books chalk chalkboard

A little off the top

Posted on January 10, 2019 by backuphill

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

– Benjamin Franklin

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I am not dying (well, not in the immediate sense of “not”) so you can probably decipher where this post is going…

Here in Washington we now have the pleasure of spending the next year paying into the “WA Family & Medical Leave” super fund. Mind you, we are just paying into it and no one can use the “benefit” for a whole year until the fund is built by every working stiff in the state. It is required by law. There is no way around it. Another new tax to take money out of my pocket so it can be given to someone else.

It is a new state “benefit” that I likely will never see or use. So I am not sure how it is a “benefit” to me. If it doesn’t benefit all, then is it really a benefit? If it COSTS me something, then it isn’t a benefit is it?

So, starting this month there will be a little more off the top of the pay check to pay into this fund. I am really not excited about it. Once again, the government is taking from me so that it can “protect” me. I don’t think I like this kind of protection.

Dress code angst

Posted on January 7, 2019 by backuphill

models posing an and woman standing next to each other looking upward

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Working in an office isn’t so bad, some of the time. However, there are still some things that just don’t make sense and are rather irritating.

One such illogical irritation is the dress code.

I work in software support and thus I spend about 90% of my time working with clients behind the scenes, meaning I am unseen. I answer calls, test software, create training materials, and suggest areas for improvement so that teacher’s lives can be made just a little bit easier instead of having to struggle with software. Anyway, most of my interaction is not directly in the physical presence of the client.

However, I am forced to dress as though I work with clients directly. I have to participate in “business dress,” even though I am unseen and work in a cube all day. Casual dress is only allowed on Fridays. This doesn’t make sense to me.

Anyone else have do deal with this situation? Does it irritate you like it does me?

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Just jump on this bandwagon

Posted on January 4, 2019 by backuphill

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Friday.

Of a three day work week.

Why can’t they all be this way? I mean I could really get used to this since it has been a fairly regular practice of as of late. How so?

Because of the holidays, there have been (at least for me) THREE weeks of three day work weeks. Whew! Say that fast 10 times!

Let’s break it down. In the last 7 weeks, three of them have been three day work weeks. I say we just make that the regular schedule. Like forever.

Now that is a bandwagon I can get on!! Who is with me??

Work Email Syndrome

Posted on January 3, 2019 by backuphill

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I bet after describing this you’ll know you have it too. It should be a real affliction, if it isn’t already. I don’t know. I didn’t look. All I know is that I have it.

I don’t know about your place of employment, but mine uses all sorts of forms of communication. Skype, Zoom, Outlook, video chat, messenger, paper, notes, etc etc. But one thing that I really dislike is going back to work…wait, I almost stopped there. Because, I mean, really, who likes going to work?

But I digress. Anyway, going back to work because of all the email that has filled up my inbox. I mean really!! Do we need to send this much email in ONE DAY? I don’t like being sick because I get back to work and have 300 emails to wade through. It takes me days to catch up!

So, I fear going back to work simply because of email. That’s a syndrome, right? It has to be. I probably need a counselor for this. Maybe I need a doctor’s note to take more time off. Maybe I’ll sue my managers and the company for emotional distress related to email. It’s overwhelming.

I think I better start a support group.

“Hi, my name is _______________ and I suffer from WES.”

Hmmm, why don’t I feel better yet? Oh wait, because I have to work and have 314 emails to go through. DANG IT! If I close my eyes and wait a few seconds, will they be gone?

Can I just stay in bed?

Posted on December 28, 2018 by backuphill

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It’s cold out.

It’s dark out.

It’s raining….still.

It’s Friday.

It’s the last day of a short week and the day before a four day weekend.

Can I just stay in bed and call it a day? OK, I’ll get up and go pee have some coffee just so I can say I got up today BUT really, can I just stay in bed and call it a day?

I’ll phone it in.

I’ll telecommute (as long as I can stay in bed).

How about we just pack it up and quit.

I’ll start again next year. (LOL, like that joke isn’t as old as the ages).

Today, well, today is just dumb.

No one should have to work today.

I hereby grant all of you a day off. Congrats! NO go home and do no work.

Noisy road

Posted on December 27, 2018 by backuphill

If only my commute was this nice to look at. Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

You probably don’t think about it much because you are driving and paying attention to the other drivers around you, which you should be. However, there is probably one thing you don’t notice you’re doing as a result of a noisy road.

The surface of the roadway is kind of an important thing when it comes to highways. I mean, it gets thousands and thousands of cars driving over it every day/week/month/year. It has to be durable, but also something that withstands heat, cold, weight, collisions, rain, etc. So, I am sure there is science behind why they do what they do when they make roads. But, really, I don’t care.

I just want a road that is smooth and quiet. Road noise should be a low hum that you really don’t notice unless something is wrong with the car. Instead, half of half of my commute is across 40+ year old concrete that has been worn down to the pebbles used to make it and it sounds like a jet engine starting up as you drive over it as high speeds.

Thus, I have to listen to the radio really loud. All to hear the traffic report. And if there is another person in the car, well, you just have to yell, even if they are just sitting right next to you. That is annoying.

What small things do you notice as you drive the same route and sit in the car for hours each day? Anything only you would notice and have to point out to others when they ride along with you?

Yes, please, treat me

Posted on December 20, 2018 by backuphill

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Actually, don’t. Stop it already.

Yes, I want all your office treats that you don’t want. No, I don’t want all the office treats that you don’t want. I mean really, it’s a battle that I have been waging for a long time.

Fellow office mates, “Hmm, I am not really into chocolate. I’ll give it to, Grumpy. He eats everything.”

Fellow office mates, “There are leftover cupcakes from the party. Grumpy, do you want them?”

I am trying to lose weight, so why does everyone bring their crap to me? Oh, well, maybe I should actually tell them NO instead of eating it. I just hate to waste food.

I am my own worst enemy.