... the IT man in LibraryLand
Good things have continued to happen as, not long after making my last post, Mr Prada finally released his vice-like grip from Doctor Who series two and allowed my reservation to allocate. I recommenced catching up with the good doctor that very evening.
Friday night's good thing was a movie outing with Rugrat Twin and Alecto in celebration of the Rugrat Twin's birthday. The Twin chose a double of both X-Files movies at the Astor (pronounces Ass-toor by the staff, I mean staaaff). It had been a very long time since I'd graced the venue with my presence and I was pleased to see that she hadn't changed a bit. My bum was a bit displeased that they hadn't changed the seats one bit though.
Rewatching the first movie - now 10 years old - gave me a weird sense of deja vu as things happened that I vaguely recalled. Obviously it was an unforgettable experience the first time I saw it.
The new movie vindicated my expert search skills when Skully, conducting doctory research into stem cell treatments, used Google - and only Google - and found exactly what she was looking for. I believe that since I do not go beyond the big G, that makes me eminently qualified to be a reference librarian.
Saturday's good thing was, of course, the Grand Final BBQ.
This year it was organised to be at StumpyRudolph's chalet in the hills - the scene of my rather unfortunate run in with BestFriendSincePrep's idea of a good nights drinking. Everything was much more sedate this time however I did have some nam-like flashbacks on visiting the rest-room I had spent so much time in.
The game itself went well and for once Legion2 and I were supporting different teams so we had a legitimate reason to abuse each other. My team won of course.
Leaving the BBQ early - i.e. the same time as everyone else - I rushed back to civilisation to join the festivities at Rugrat Twin's birthday slash flat-warming party. This kept me up until pumpkin time listening to the verbal acrobatics of Evil Twin.
Sunday was a prearranged get together with Tuck to go through our musical memorabilia from the band we were in together, oh, FOURTEEN YEARS AGO! The pictures were the most interestingly scary. Unfortunately my scanner was misbehaving and, not having anyone IT savvy enough around to fix it, I won't be able to show you any of them for a few weeks so forget I even mentioned them. In any case we unboxed many fascinating relics from those Malaclypse III times and whiled away the afternoon in reminiscent conversation.
The most recent good thing to happen was everyone believing me that I was working from home today. A few strategic emails and phone calls and the rest of day was mine.
My luck may have turned though. I unthinkingly used my bountiful non-work time to have my flowing locks trimmed so I could look all spiffy and suchlike for this weeks conference - ignoring that Svetlana has decreed that my locks must stay at least a certain length (I think so that they are easily used to guide me towards her side of any discussion we may have).
I may be forced to have hair extensions installed in order to escape her wrath when she lands in, oh, 15 more sleeps!!
.
... Getting Back on Track
After recovering from my recent serious illness I've spent my time catching up on the things that I let slide.
I'm sure you all know how illness lowers the body's resistance to obsessive compulsive behaviour and, unfortunately, the click-reward, click-reward cycle of the internet has brought new dimensions to time spent home sick and before you know it - it's Monday and you're back at work. Suffice to say not much was done about the flat being knee deep in cat sheddings and other detritus.
However as of last Sunday morning I woke feeling much more my manly self and proceeded to recommence the exercise regime with a wonderful walk/jog along the 'river'. This left me feeling invigorated enough to get things done all afternoon and even carried over into this working week.
My new-found attitude also managed to influence Fate itself as the wireless hotspot install at several branches, and an ADSL switch-over, and some RFID fix-ups all went without a hitch. In fact I even managed to organise myself for the conference next week and actually fulfil my role as an organiser of other people for the event in question.
Phew, I think I need a lie down now, and I better think some more to come up with a FridgePower approved plan for Operation Svetlana Anchor (thanks to Gavman for the obscure code name)
I'm sure you all know how illness lowers the body's resistance to obsessive compulsive behaviour and, unfortunately, the click-reward, click-reward cycle of the internet has brought new dimensions to time spent home sick and before you know it - it's Monday and you're back at work. Suffice to say not much was done about the flat being knee deep in cat sheddings and other detritus.
However as of last Sunday morning I woke feeling much more my manly self and proceeded to recommence the exercise regime with a wonderful walk/jog along the 'river'. This left me feeling invigorated enough to get things done all afternoon and even carried over into this working week.
My new-found attitude also managed to influence Fate itself as the wireless hotspot install at several branches, and an ADSL switch-over, and some RFID fix-ups all went without a hitch. In fact I even managed to organise myself for the conference next week and actually fulfil my role as an organiser of other people for the event in question.
Phew, I think I need a lie down now, and I better think some more to come up with a FridgePower approved plan for Operation Svetlana Anchor (thanks to Gavman for the obscure code name)
... The New Word
Footcuum foot·cuum [v. foot-kyoom, foot-kyuh-m]
–verb
1. usually of a bachelor; to vacuum a carpet or rug by rubbing one's feet, or shoes with grip, across the surface; with Svetlana's imminent arrival Phill decide to footcuum the living room earlier than normal this year ..
–verb
1. usually of a bachelor; to vacuum a carpet or rug by rubbing one's feet, or shoes with grip, across the surface; with Svetlana's imminent arrival Phill decide to footcuum the living room earlier than normal this year ..
... Mr Sniffles
I've been laid low with a most vicious strain of man-cold for most of this week, however I dragged myself out of my deathbed yesterday in order to fulfill my duties as Mr Secretary and host the local chapter of SPUN, the LMS group, at Brighton library.
I arrived early in the morning to find a Sister Serials Sniffles Survival Pack of tissues and canned soup awaiting me on my desk. I knew I was still sick when I caught myself thinking about how nice that was and how it would all be very handy during my recuperation.
After a quick and easy room set-up (with loads of help from The Administrator) the meeting went well and the morning tea was fantastic - a selection of cakes and biscuits from a local bakery. Dubrovnik Hater was in attendance in her new guise as "one of them" as were many of the other usual attendees.
Most stayed around afterwards to watch my demonstration of the all-consuming RFID system including real live borrowers and minor bugs.
After the main meeting there was an executive meeting with Madame President and our late arriving new, us yet un-blog-named treasurer. In the pub. Hefty decisions were made and after those drinks were sorted out we moved on to official business.
On returning to the library for a good half-afternoon's work (halfternoon?) I was greeted by Lord of the Small Fries who was giddy with glee over my new workroom moniker of Mr Sniffles. I'm sure this was the cause of my making a mess of some updates to the RFID kiosks and having to stay until closing time to straighten it all out.
Returning home I had some lovely soup for dinner and then promptly went to bed, and sleep, at the early hour of 11pm for the beginning of what turned out to be 9 hours of sleep.
Such rest invigorated me with enough strength to face work for a second day in a row and I pottered through the day today before coming home for an end of the week quiet night at home tonight.
I arrived early in the morning to find a Sister Serials Sniffles Survival Pack of tissues and canned soup awaiting me on my desk. I knew I was still sick when I caught myself thinking about how nice that was and how it would all be very handy during my recuperation.
After a quick and easy room set-up (with loads of help from The Administrator) the meeting went well and the morning tea was fantastic - a selection of cakes and biscuits from a local bakery. Dubrovnik Hater was in attendance in her new guise as "one of them" as were many of the other usual attendees.
Most stayed around afterwards to watch my demonstration of the all-consuming RFID system including real live borrowers and minor bugs.
After the main meeting there was an executive meeting with Madame President and our late arriving new, us yet un-blog-named treasurer. In the pub. Hefty decisions were made and after those drinks were sorted out we moved on to official business.
On returning to the library for a good half-afternoon's work (halfternoon?) I was greeted by Lord of the Small Fries who was giddy with glee over my new workroom moniker of Mr Sniffles. I'm sure this was the cause of my making a mess of some updates to the RFID kiosks and having to stay until closing time to straighten it all out.
Returning home I had some lovely soup for dinner and then promptly went to bed, and sleep, at the early hour of 11pm for the beginning of what turned out to be 9 hours of sleep.
Such rest invigorated me with enough strength to face work for a second day in a row and I pottered through the day today before coming home for an end of the week quiet night at home tonight.
... Scheduling Svetlana's Sojourn
The only important thing that happened recently was the confirmed booking of Svetlana's visit to these fair shores.
It is now booked in and paid for (on my credit card, see how generous I am, and I expect nothing in return) and I have only about 40 sleeps to go until I collect her from the airport.
Of course that's not nearly enough time for me to clean up the apartment - some things are still boxed up from the move a year ago!
I figure I can get away with it if I say "it was cleaned yesterday but The Tiger went crazy and messed it all up". If that doesn't work, well, she needs something to do while I'm at work...
Now, more importantly, I have to work out how to make her stay permanent.
Naturally my first thoughts turned to some sort of basement internment. However the closest thing to a basement my block of flats has is the communal laundry, and there may be awkward questions about the woman chained up in the corner - not to mention the reams of paperwork involved in getting Body Corporate permission to install said chains.
Plan 'B' is the trickier "knock her up ploy" which I suspect may fail due to her being several months back in Svetlanaland before realising her knockedupedness and therefore likely to nest where she is.
Plan 'C' is currently percolating half-formed in the back of my mind but I know it involves flying monkeys in some way.
Oh and there was a total system crash this weekend as well
I suspect it was orchestrated by Sister Serials as she was the first to interrupt my weekend.
It is now booked in and paid for (on my credit card, see how generous I am, and I expect nothing in return) and I have only about 40 sleeps to go until I collect her from the airport.
Of course that's not nearly enough time for me to clean up the apartment - some things are still boxed up from the move a year ago!
I figure I can get away with it if I say "it was cleaned yesterday but The Tiger went crazy and messed it all up". If that doesn't work, well, she needs something to do while I'm at work...
Now, more importantly, I have to work out how to make her stay permanent.
Naturally my first thoughts turned to some sort of basement internment. However the closest thing to a basement my block of flats has is the communal laundry, and there may be awkward questions about the woman chained up in the corner - not to mention the reams of paperwork involved in getting Body Corporate permission to install said chains.
Plan 'B' is the trickier "knock her up ploy" which I suspect may fail due to her being several months back in Svetlanaland before realising her knockedupedness and therefore likely to nest where she is.
Plan 'C' is currently percolating half-formed in the back of my mind but I know it involves flying monkeys in some way.
Oh and there was a total system crash this weekend as well
I suspect it was orchestrated by Sister Serials as she was the first to interrupt my weekend.
... The Well Deserved Day Off
I don't want to be a martyr but boy have I suffered lately for this RFID project.
So to make use of some of the hundreds of extra hours I've worked over the past months I decided to take a single day off.
The first complication was cancelling my IT Team meeting - which wasn't in my calendar(not my fault, honest) - so that they wouldn't scheme against me without me there.
The next wonderful thing that happened was The Tiger deciding to wake me early because she felt the need for company while she ate the bountiful food I'd left out for her the night before. I tell you I'm looking forward to Svetlana's coming visit so I'll be able to kick her out of bed with orders to look after the little one.
This wakeup was followed by a call from Torchwood's temporary successor continuing the harassment that I'm sure Torchwood herself included in the position handover instructions.
Once my day proper had begun it was quickly spoiled by The Beaumaris Ballerina, who decided to make a Sister Serials-esque support call about - you guessed it - an RFID problem.
One of the benefits of being home was being able to fianlly have a phone conversation with Svetlana herself after a few weeks of mixed up weekend schedules.
So to make use of some of the hundreds of extra hours I've worked over the past months I decided to take a single day off.
The first complication was cancelling my IT Team meeting - which wasn't in my calendar(not my fault, honest) - so that they wouldn't scheme against me without me there.
The next wonderful thing that happened was The Tiger deciding to wake me early because she felt the need for company while she ate the bountiful food I'd left out for her the night before. I tell you I'm looking forward to Svetlana's coming visit so I'll be able to kick her out of bed with orders to look after the little one.
This wakeup was followed by a call from Torchwood's temporary successor continuing the harassment that I'm sure Torchwood herself included in the position handover instructions.
Once my day proper had begun it was quickly spoiled by The Beaumaris Ballerina, who decided to make a Sister Serials-esque support call about - you guessed it - an RFID problem.
One of the benefits of being home was being able to fianlly have a phone conversation with Svetlana herself after a few weeks of mixed up weekend schedules.
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