An Interesting Mix of Relief and Fury

This will be a post about work so read it now because when I am struck with better judgement like a lightning bolt the post will be deleted in fear that some piece of published truth might get me in trouble with those who prefer to bury their head in the sand.

I started working from home about a year ago and part of that deal was that I had to work nights for my first year at home. I gladly took the position not knowing the extent of the challenges that I would face. I work in sales and subsequently have a goal that I must meet to make any real money. Without going into too much detail, suffice it is to say that I struggled quite a bit over the last year. I presented ideas and arguments accompanied with spreadsheets to management in attempt to lower goal for myself and my fellow night time workers, but they refused to recognize that work at night was any different than work during the day.

I started an earlier shift this week and have immediately started doing significantly better. Doing well feels good, but on the flip side, it's incredibly upsetting that all of my arguments are immediately validated and still ignored. I am no longer the victim of working nights, but it doesn't make me feel better about the way the company handled or is handling the situation. I know that I should feel relieved that I am no longer suffering (and I am relieved believe me, my wife says that she hasn't seen me this happy in a long time), but doing well actually upsets me because the rift between days and nights is so clear that it's obvious that the management in my company must have seen it and just said about people working nights, "screw 'em."

The worst part of this whole thing is because I was so vocal about the large chasm in between days and nights and did so poorly when working nights, and am now doing so well working days, I will be told that it's just psychological. Now that I believe I will succeed, I will.

Let me tell you a secret Mr. Manager. My psyche was not making 16 year olds with 3 DUIs call in from New Jersey at 1:00am to laugh at me when I give them a $10,000.00/year rate for liability only on their 1990 Chevy Cavalier, but every time you invalidate my legitimate objections it does help me realize how completely out of touch you are and stain every piece of advice you may offer, no matter how helpful.

But what do I know, my thoughts and actions are so easily influenced that I could never develop my own opinions or ideas.

(Sorry for the Mr. Angry McAngerson post today, I promise to be funnier tomorrow, I just need to have someone tell me so.

Vacation And Continued Bed Rest

Next week I will be on Vacation and man do I need it. I spend more time in front of a screen than any reasonable human being should. In between writing and work and Netflix to go to bed, chances are if I am not in front of a screen, I am playing with blocks with the man-child.

I am going to go screenless this vacation, bring a book and see if I am still literate. No TV, no phone games, and no computer (sounds boring, but my poor mind and eyes deserve it.) So enjoy the week without me because I know I will.

Although that reminds me, I need to charge the old MP3 player because while going without screens won't be too horrible, if I have to drive without music I am liable to throw the car and everyone in it off an embankment. (That might have been a bit harsh, I will be super bored and/or tired.)

I recently changed my desktop picture on my computer. I had a great picture of Abe smiling and I switched it for a Banksy painting.

I don't like feeling guilty about it, but is there some parental law that states that I must have a picture of my kids on the desktop of my computer? It would certainly seem so as it is the social norm, but no there is no law (probably is one in Alabama). So I changed it, and I will change it again, and again and again when I see awesome art or pictures and if one of those pictures happens to be of my child/children then so be it. I apparently couldn't get away from a family related background though. Even anarchists have moms that love them.

A Quick Question

Does anyone else flush the toilet before they get done peeing to see if they can time it just right so that you finish up as everything gets flushed?

If not, give it a shot. Take it from a pro.

I am not sure whether to apologize for the brevity or the topic, but you are welcome for not having a picture with this post.

This May Be Why I Take Breaks

I have had a hard time being consistent in writing in the blog, and that may be because I need a month or two to un-repress some memories to share with you.

The wife is on bed rest, and not the kind of bed rest that means that she can go out and do what she wants, just take it a little bit easier. She is on, get your butt back to bed sort of bed rest.

We are getting immense support from the ward and there is not enough that can be said to adequately express our gratitude to my mom who is making us dinners and to our ward that is baby-sitting Abraham for a few hours each day. Abe doesn't do great with other people. He is used to having one or both of his parents around all the time, so when we try to leave him at my parents' house for example, he flips the crap out. He eventually accepts that we are gone, but needs to be entertained to keep his mind off his missing parents.

The babysitter today has two or three daughters who kept him occupied. Abe seems to really like to be with other kids even if he doesn't play with them directly. When the babysitter said he did well, I incredulously asked, "really?" Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled, just surprised.

Good job buddy.

Funny Stuff

I thought I would share a couple of the funny things I have come across this week. The wife has had a rough couple of days. Her brother was here which means that she exerted a bit more energy than a 7-month pregnant should; so she is a bit cramped up. We filled her up with calcium supplements and will be getting a massage which hopefully help her out, but it doesn't do us any good to dwell on discomfort.

Let's get on with the funny.