manoah

There has to be a better way.

There are 33 computers in the lab. Each day I have to walk around to each machine and:

1. Turn them on.
2. Enter the initial password.
3. Open the testing program.
4. Enter the program password.
5. Choose the correct test from dropdown menus.
6. Enter the correct student.

Being the tall woman that I am, I have to bend and, obviously now, twist to perform these functions unless I sit at each computer. Which I don't because it takes too much time. At the beginning of each testing day it takes half an hour to get the lab set. I start work at 9am and testing begins at 9:15. I've been going to work early, getting there at 8:30 to set the lab up.

The first twos step just take two walking passes around the room. The next 4, I have to use the mouse and as a result I've tweaked the hell out of my left shoulder. So much so that I could barely move it last night. Owie.

I broke down and took a pain pill last night. Now I'm all fuzzy headed and bleh.

I have the sinking suspicion that I need to go in at 8, sit at each computer or by the end of the third week of testing my left side will be useless.

One day I'll stop using this journal to complain. Or not.

My apologies to Dan Wakefield for the title. (James at 15 was my favorite show of the time). Yes, The Spare is 15 today. He's been bouncing around like Tigger all day. Hee. The Heir got him a Perry the Platypus t-shirt and one of his "lady" friends gave him a box of brownie mix. He says she's a lazy lady friend. *snerk* He requested Olive Garden for dinner and we came home with enough food that I won't have to cook tomorrow night. Red Velvet cake for dessert. I am so full.

My mom called while we were out. She remembered it was his birthday. I'm to give him $50 from her account. Then we got to her current drama. Seems the nice lady she's bonded with who does all the activities was "let go". Mom is devastated. And she's manufacturing drama. She seems to think that because they were friends that she'll be somehow penalized now that she's gone. She thinks that the "big boss" will know if she calls her on the phone. Her paranoia gets worse every time I talk to her. She wants me to call the lady and "just give her a friendly voice". Honestly, I have no idea if the lady was fired, quit or what. I do know that she and I talked about her getting work at the school district, so I know she wasn't planning on keeping this job forever. I'm sorry my mom is so upset, but I'm sure she'll get along with new person. She's also lost her watch but she's sure "no one sneaked in and stole it". Uh huh. I need to go over there this weekend and de-clutter her. She puts things away and then can't remember where they are. I better do it this weekend, as next week at work is going to be a bear.

We have this new online testing program that is supposed to start on Monday, but the file hasn't been uploaded to our server yet. The file with all the student info? Yeah, kinda need it. We are at the mercy of this company. I've been told that I'm looking at about 20 hours of overtime every week we have this testing. And I can only take comp time. Lovely.

( Day 03 - Your parents, in great detail )

( The rest of the Days )

How can it be Sunday? It was just a week ago Friday and my bestest buddy from Alaska was here. Man.

It was a great visit. It had been a good 10 years since we last saw each other. She has relatives in Tucson so when she goes on vaca...she winds up there. Back in the day (before I was married w/children) I'd take the whole week off she was visiting and just hang with her and her family. This trip was very like that. She just hung out with us while we did our thing.

She came alone this year. Last time her partner, H, came as well. H didn't seem to like me very much. Personally, I think she was jealous. Which is ridiculous...I'm happily married and don't swing that way. I've known K for 32 years so, yeah, we have lots of history. Ah well. K needed a break from everyone and I was happy to provide.

We mostly just sat on the couch and drank wine. We did go out to eat, shopping, the Rib Cook-off and she even came and visited my mom. She's making noise about retiring here, which I think would be splendid.

Work has been work. My lab is still all fubar'd and I haven't had the time (unless I give them free OT - which, no) to fix the bugs. I wind up rebooting the whole lab after lunch to keep them from shutting down by themselves. I know it's a setting, but I have to drop the Driveshield and do each one (of 33) separately. Takes time which I won't have until Tuesday. Duty has been fairly pleasant. The 6th grade (what is it about 6th graders?) is snotty as ever and doesn't want to follow the rules. We are all being "Positive" this year. I'm positive 6th graders are the bane of my existence. ;)

Tomorrow night we are "hosting" (read - providing the food) for The Princelings Scout Troop's Court of Honor. This is when they receive their merit badges and rank advancements. The Heir didn't want a solo Court of Honor for his Eagle, so his will be at the end of the Troop's. I've been so busy, it works for me. I'm just glad he finished the thing. More about that after the shindig.

The Little Black Dog and I both have stuffy noses. It's very painful to listen to him snuffle and snort. If he's not better by tomorrow I'm calling the vet. As for me? I'm contemplating a neti pot. The Heir has been bugging me to get one for a while now. He's been stuffed up for a few weeks and he's been having nose bleeds. I think it's the dryness, but hey. It can't hurt. It's gross though.

That's all I've got. Boring and mundane, but it's me!