Hey Estrip, I've missed you. Wrote two journal entries the old fashion way with pen. Was without power for two days and still don't have cable back (irony). Hope everybody is safe, warm, fed, showered, etc.

The Civil Service is trying my patience. I'm applying to take the test for the Deputy Director of Telecommunications. Twice now, I've received vaguely worded requests for more information for on monitoring cable systems. They don't really specify what further information they are looking for, so I'm left to my own devices as towhat they are looking for. You ever ask a question? The civil service office is a lot like social security, they really don't want to see you. I have a good vibe about it as I pulled my car behind the credit union behind City Hall and found a space with 25 minutes left on the meter, so hopefully that is an omen of something good.

Course, the slow change of lights nearly had our light rail car slam into my slow roller if it wasn't for my quick brake foot. That could be an omen as well.

Pretty sure, somebody got fired today and I think I had something to do with it. I blew her in for blowing off a customer while the boss was away. I think my blowing her in was the cherry on the top of a bitter cake. She wasn't an especially nice woman and could be harsh when talking to people, so I shouldn't miss her. I don't really, but I have a little guilt pang that I pushed her off.

Went to a staff meeting where the supervisors basically outlined these sheets that we have to fill out, accounting for all your time and then launched into a look at all the other opportunities currently available -- There are good omens and these are not among them. Something is going on.

Couple of strange conversations of late. My ex asked her partner to leave the house. Both were stressing over work and school and something had to give. They are together yet separate. My eight year old told me about it. He took it kind of hard as the partner is a good soul. I found myself in the unusual position of letting him know that she isn't gone, she's just next door, will still be around, and it will be okay. My daughters went the other way. They're strong will folks and were often shocked that I was often in agreement with the partner is terms of house rules. They were of the opinion that something was going to change. I was compelled to tell them that things keep on keepin' on. I think my son was worried that I moved up the street and the partner moved next door, nobody was staying put. We talked for a little while and he seemed to be okay with me always being as close as I am and the partner just an open window shout away.

As a divorced guy, I guess I'm lucky in one sense. The friendship I had with my wife before we were a couple has reemerged. It's good, not only for the kids, but for each other as well. Some many people I know just flat out implode when the "relationship" goes south. I'm feeling fortunate that we didn't meet that fate. While we're never going to be couple, we salvaged being friends, which is pretty good. So, I told her I'm in her corner for whatever she needs, "you know, strong back, weak mind, empty wallet..."

Strange days......

Ever wonder how/why you turn up on some people's radars and not at all on others?

Just wondering...

Stuff........

took the youngins to Voelkers Friday night and had an absolute blast. They all had a great time. The joke I'm telling is that I bowled a 300....if you add all three games together. Our "beer" frame turned into a pitcher a pepsi but what the hey, the spirit was there. Right next to our digital scorecard was a tv with the Sabres game on, so it was win win all the way around.

Dad's birthday was cool as I received his hand-me-down digital camera as well as copious chicken finger leftovers. It's an interesting coincidence that a place called Pizza Supreme makes such craptastic pizza, but produces such awesome chicken parts.

Went to church this morning and saw the woman I went out with a few times in August. She introduced me to her new beau. She told me all about how busy she was when school started. I, being gullible, tried to respect that and didn't pester her. Didn't realize I was just getting blown off.....again. What's one more punch in the gut when you've had others.

The youth group there has me on the short list for teachers and it's intriguing. I don't know if they see me as a pushover or what, but it's nice to rate well with one demographic even if the reasons are less than sincere.

Nice day outside, got invited by the ex, her partner, our kids to ride up to Becker Farms in search of pumpkins and pie.

pie, yum

Sigh....

It was one of those days. I put in extra time working saturday night, thinking the comp time would let me go early every day this week. My boss approved this plan as it would have sprung me at 7 yesterday and 6 today. Yesterday morning, she tells me no go. You have to use it all within the same pay week or it becomes OT. This mystifies me a little as we get paid in two week intervals so 40 is less important than 80. Pissed me off as I was hoping to get sprung early as the kids want to bowl at Voelkers. I was hoping to get an earlier start, but whatever.

It set the tone for the day. Yesterday was a big todo internally. I sit right behind the front counter space at Chicago st. If you're ever paying your cable bill, say hi. Anyhoo, the Dispatchers share that space and they got a buttload of food from LaNova for lunch. Smelled awesome. Right at the same time, my lovely, yet balloonheaded supervisor dispatches me to our Amherst office to help out the rest of the day. As I'm leaving, I pass the la nova guy bringing my departments munchies

Sigh, I eat too much pizza anyway.

After a nice trip down the 190 and the 290 out to Maple Road, I got there to help with customers and it was like I was running the complaint department. First guy spent 15 minutes haranging me about his price increase since I (it was me) took away his NFL network. I'm such a bastard.

The afternoon went that way. The pc I was on was tied into the company VPN which kept crapping out. Nothing like working for a world class communications firm. Connection kept dropping out. I lost my early time because the young buck who was there had school.

I had an appointment that I very much wanted to keep too and it had to be pushed back. Appreciate being understanding about that friend.

I got home only to find that my DVR betrayed me and forgot to tape Greys. Thank god for the moneygrubbing bastards on ABC because they show it again tonight. My DVR has a chance to make it up to me.

My point being I guess is that for a Thursday, it felt like a Monday. On the bright side, my paycheck was finally accurate and should be that way going forward.

Can't wait for the mellow work free weekend. The kids were asking me about bowling, so we might do that tonight. Tomorrow, my dad turns 70 so we need to go pay homage and watch the unveiling of the new camera I helped purchase. Go to love a septugenarian (sp) who wants an ice cream cake and has the good sense to go to Antoinette's in West Seneca to get it. Sweet Tooth could learn a few things from those folks.

Think I've ranted enough. Have a great Friday and beyond ya'all.