2007... Changes and such

So here we are, another new year.

What's going on in SCSI land.

Promotion:  Years ago, after a merger, we were re-orged.  My director was demoted to dept manager, and shipped off to the boon docks.  I was demoted from team lead to senior analyst/developer.  I had asked for early retirement, but I had critical knowledge and could not be released. The new boss even admitted I was demoted because there were too many leads in Philadelphia, and under the new structure they needed more diversity.  Even though I had 10 years of quality assurance/control under my belt, it was felt that a woman in Chicago could run the operation better than I could.  She had no QA experience at all.  A few months later she took maternity leave, and when she came back transferred to another department.

Anyway, years later I transferred out to the boon docks to take a senior developer spot under my old director.  A year later, I am now getting my bump back to team leader, after managing a few projects (like relocating a datacenter from IL to PA) and providing some innovation.  So that makes me happy.  No pay raise, but it raises my pay ceiling and my bonus has a larger potential maximum.  Mostly, it justifies the extra work I do, and proves that I was screwed over back in 2003.

The Christmas and New Year holidays were pleasant in SCSIland.  We stayed local.  Friends came over for Christmas eve and K the fiancee and I made a fried turkey, sweet and white potatos, stuffing and cinnamon cake.  My parents came over for Christmas day, whence we ate leftovers and watched a wonderful Eagles victory over the Cowboys and T.O..  K's mother and sister flew to England to visit K's sister and new nephew, Alexander.

New Years, also pleasant and spent at home.  Weather was nasty, so we just relaxed.  K finished a puzzle while I watched DVDs and played with the dogs.  Fibber McGee, the 80lb terrifying Pitbull, needed to be cuddled and comforted because the fireworks at Penn's Landing were just too scary.

This year was the year of kitchen supplies.  I now have silicone bakeware, collapsing measuring cups and Alton Brown measuring plungers.  Combined with the laser thermometer and the turkey frier, I am a happy little chef.  BUT, there is a dark side...

Being the new year, and getting married this year, means some resolutions.  And the cooking gear may be of help or hindrance, depending on how I use them

Resolutions:

1. Eat Better
   This is not a full blown diet, but a change in how things are done
1. No more than 2 fast food type stops/meals in a week.  Friday nights at the Knights hall pretty much means 1, and I have another opening for the weekend.
2. Bring lunches to work.  Either a home made meal, or a decently balanced pre-made.  Failing that, leaving the office to hit the grocery to procure said pre-made.
2. Get back into the gym.  Minimum 5 days in a week.
3. Spend less time at work.  This means fewer 11 hour days, and also means less work being done at home on the couch.
1. Spend this liberated time with K and the pups.
4. Cut back on the cigars.  After the 2 or 3 I have left are gone, cigars are only for special occasions.  Births, New Year, weddings, 4th of July, etc.
5. Cut back on the Scotch.  Nope, not a drunk, but it can get expensive, esp. if one's tastes consider anything less than 12 years old to be akin to statutory rape of spirits.

Other things are afoot, but by 15 minute blog allotment is up.  Yeah, time management is another thing I am working on.  But that was before the new year and not on the list.

Comments

[Tom Blogical]

How are the resolutions coming? Scotch and cigars calling your name? ;-)

Many, many moons ago, I used to smoke 2 packs of Marlboro reds per day. Quit many times, threw them in the trash...pulled them out of the trash...finally just said no more.

After 21 days, the habit of not smoking stuck.

Almost two years ago, I made a resolution to exercise at least 2 times per week that year. I ended up starting in May 2005 (better late than never?), but I've kept up on that. I made myself go 21 days and it stuck. I even made a career change to keep up on that one! (:-D)

[chris Muir]

Diets are tough. But you should continue the cigars.

[Tom Blogical]

I've seen you commenting over at Wizbang occasionally. How ya doin'? Still outrageously busy?