eggwards | Feb. 25th, 2003

Well, I've scrapped the so called-creative journaling of today's events. It's too long and to boring. It was a nice try, but I just can't, and shouldn't try to script my life like an Ayn Rand novel. It was just a bit of wrong inspiration. I've been reading the Fountainhead for a while now. It's a tough read, but I like the message. It's also plodding. Get to the message, Ayn.

Still, I got to read a lot due to the car repairs. First there was this morning, dropping off the car. They couldn't give me a expected time that the repairs should be finished, so I had to call Jeff to give me a ride to work. I absolutely hate being in that position. Not being able to take care of myself, and having to rely on others. It always makes me feel like a complete failure.

I owe Jeff a lunch or something.

Work was crazy enough without someone finally figuring out that the phone queue was backed up because THEY CLOSED THE AUSTIN OFFICE DUE TO THE ICE. Oh my god, when did that happen? It's like at 10:00 am someone finally noticed that Austin wasn't answering calls! Good grief! Doesn't anyone watch the news? Or Live Journal? Damn it, planning, folks it's not that hard!

My team loses two people to the phones, and no one but me seems to care that we are 3 days behind in work. And despite Kevin's "help" more problems are popping up than solutions.

So here's the kicker. The office decides to order lunch for everyone since we need to stay at the office and become more stressed out. Pizza from Pappa John's, and you only get three (3) slices, buddy. Naturally, they order late, so lunch isn't around until 12:30. I woke up early, so I've been hungry for a while.

So they give out times for each team to come pick up their three (3) slices. My team draws the short straw and guess what...by the time we get to go, at 1:30, NO PIZZA.

I was pissed, and shouted a rather loud "God Damn It!" to no-one in particular. I grabbed my coat and left in a huff from the building (yes, There was a contingency for getting the others fed-I'm not that bad). I walk-so heated from my anger I didn't notice the cold until later- to the Taco Cabana in the shops under the Renaissance Hotel. I munch absently on some fajitas and begin the return to the office.

In the chill, I decided to have one of those Stuart Smalley moments. I said to myself, “This day will not defeat me, and this company is not going to drag me down."

And so forth. I was able to laugh through most of the rest of the day, as absurdity after absurdity hit. Nicely, My sister, Laura and Matty

mattycub emailed me during the day helping me keep my sanity above water.

Now, I had to get Jeff to drive me back to the Brake Check so I could pick up the car. I had only one phone call from them to authorize replacing the brakes and to re-align the car. Strangely, this takes hours, and they weren't finished by their 6:00pm closing time. They were still working on it. They said that they would finish it for me, so I stayed there, reading the aforementioned Ms. Rand until the car was finished at 8:00pm and $375 dollars had left my wallet.

I pray for a better day tomorrow. Someone better be on I-35 in Austin blow-drying the ice off that damn freeway...