FourBux

Yes, I’m still alive

Been a busy week since I was here last - I haven’t been able to get back to the blog. My wife and I are visiting friends in Columbus, Ohio, where it’s currently raining and muggy, two things that we desert dwellers are not all that comfortable with. It’s pretty here though, if you like the color green.

On Saturday, my wife and I went to the hockey game that we got the free tickets for, and since it was a pre-season game against the Dallas Stars, the game wasn’t all that well attended. It was fun, and of course, my wife got to ride the zamboni. Which makes sense, because we were obviously the ones who didn’t belong. We were sitting there quietly, drinking coffee and cocoa (twelve dollars’ worth!!), just taking in the game amidst a sea of red and black, and the Coyotes dance squad came up and asked Wife if she would like to ride the zamboni during the next break.

Classic response: “Sure!! What’s that mean?”

They came down with the camera crew at the next period break, and told everyone that we were the craziest fans, so my wife had to ham it up for the camera, then they whisked her away.

At the period break they brought her out on the zamboni painted like a Bud Light beer box. Surely her proudest moment.

And, in the end, the Coyotes won. Pretty good night considering the only thing we had to pay for was warm beverages.

This doesn’t bode well

Well, crap. We all know what this means.

I guess I can expect a visit from management.

Sheesh.

Eh, congratulations?

So, yesterday, I emailed the guy I consider to be my best friend about coming with me to the Diamondbacks Dodgers game this coming Friday (I got some tickets for a suite), and the email I got back was:

Thanks for the invitation, but I have to pass. We are expecting a baby in November so I have some projects that need to be completed this weekend. I hope you guys are doing well.

WTF!?!?

Turns out they’re due in the beginning of November, which puts them about 8 months along. Seriously? And we somehow didn’t get the note? This guy was my best man at my wedding, and was my best friend all through college. I dated his wife’s roommate through most of school as well. He and his wife now live fifteen minutes from me.

I was so peeved. How do you not give someone who is a close friend that information? Either that, or I’m considerably farther down the friendship scale than I think.

Creating a personal mission statement

I was challenged by Chuck over at I Hate Your Job to develop a personal mission statement. To be honest, it’s something I’ve tried in the past, but I can never seem to buckle down and do it. Well, maybe what it took was being called out on the internet, in front of the world, to make me realize that it’s a good idea, and that I should take it seriously.

In the past, every time I’ve tried to put one together, it has been based on my career, rather than my person. This time, I’ve made the effort to make it more about me than my job, and as such, it will be constantly evolving. So, if you pop back on here and it looks different, maybe I’ve grown and changed my outlook. Or, perhaps I’ve cheated, and decided that this is too hard, so I’ll change the rules. Only time will tell.

And away we go:

I will view the world with an optimistic perspective. Because my attitude is the only thing I can truly control.
I will utilize my sense of humor to brighten others’ days and, if possible, alleviate distress.
I will work to encourage my wife in her interests and try to make her pursuits my own.
I will strive to make sure my family understands their importance to me.
I will have fun every day. Even if it kills me.
I will work hard and work to save more.
I will not make work my life.
I will be active – in body and mind.
I will not take my freedom for granted, and will reflect often on what it means to be free.
I will talk less and listen more.
My glass will be half full. At least.
I will make the choice to be happy even if I don’t feel like it, without being insincere. My happiness is my choice.
I will work to be good toward others, through compassion and empathy.
I will work to emphasize the good in my fellow man, and give others the benefit of the doubt.
I will work to become stronger, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I will be honest, without being hurtful.
I will become a lifelong learner, and not just as it pertains to my career.
I will take the time to read for enjoyment.
I will spend time with friends.
I won’t view the world through a 19-inch LCD.
I will manage my time.
I will manage my finances.
I will manage my relationships, without controlling them.

I will be intentional.

That wasn’t so bad. Unless somebody holds me to those things, and then we’ll see.

Join the Explosion

Since this started out as a movement so to speak, I am to send out the BlogSignal to others I know, in an effort to push them to develop a personal mission statement too. As a general rule, I don’t do forwards or memes, but since this is really more self-enriching than entertaining, what the heck. So, let’s see: Emon, Brian, Nicole, BabyChaos, Laurie K., Jason, and Nils.

If you aren’t on the list above and stumble across this, and are so inclined, try to take the time to create your own. It really gives you a chance to pause and think about who you are and what you want to be in life, not just in the office. Chuck also made a reference to the Stephen Covey Personal Mission Statement generator, which I think is a funny idea, but it does work, and gets the juices flowing.

Suddenly, my day isn’t such a big deal

Well, I feel like a shit. Singular.

Yesterday, I had my day planned around an appointment with a long-time acquaintance, whom I also happen to be doing some work for. It was one of those days that events were planned down to the minute, and everything had to fall into place exactly or it would fall apart.

Of course that’s the day I left my lights on when I got to the office, subsequently draining my car battery. It took me a half an hour in the afternoon sun trying to find someone who could give me a jump start. When I finally did, just to make sure I could start it again later, I shut it off, and tried to restart it. Nothing. I knew the battery was on it’s way out, and today was the day it decided to go. Of course.

After getting it jumped again, I drove immediately to AutoZone, bought a new battery, and put it in, using the limited tools I had in the car. It was easily 110 degrees outside, and I’m in my meeting clothes working under the hood of a hot car…sweating like nobody’s business. I get the new battery in, no time now to get anything to eat, so I race over to a print shop to pick up some printed samples, and then race over to where I’ll be meeting my client.

Once I got there, frustrated and still sweating profusely, and he’s nowhere to be seen. After 10 minutes of waiting in the coffee shop, he calls me up and tells me he’s going to have to cancel on me. Something has come up, and can we do it later? My day was already circling the bowl, so sure, why not. I wasn’t rude to him, but made no effort to hide my irritation.

At home that evening, going through my seemingly frequent ranting session about the day, my wife asks me how so-and-so was doing.

“He stood me up, after I raced all over town, had to buy and replace the car battery, got grease on my shirt, skipped lunch….” I was aggravated all over again.

“You didn’t say anything to him, did you?” she asks, looking horrified.

“I was pretty torked and having one of those days, but I wasn’t a jerk to him. I still have to work with him, but he can’t be leaving me hanging like that. I have things to do. Why?”

“I ran into his son this evening. He told me the “something’s that come up” is pancreatic cancer, and they’ve given his dad six months max.”

Shit.

So, take a lesson from a “Grade A” Ass: there is always someone having a worse day than you. Take it easy on people - you never know what they’re going through.

Cheers.

10 Commandments of Cubicle Life

Since I spend a good portion of my (loosely defined as) awake time in this fuzzy box, I’ve decided that there are some things that are just poor form when it comes to life in Cubeville. And, since lists with names that contain the words “The 10 Commandments” seem to be relatively popular, I’ve put together one of my own. Or rather, wrote down what was given to me. Since I couldn’t find any stone tablets, and frankly, they look cumbersome, so I chose the web.

1. Thou shalt not speak to your doctor about the results of your colonoscopy on your cubicle phone, or break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend on same. The “walls” of a cubicle are designed for the impression of privacy, yet in reality, all those around can hear everything thou sayest. Just keep that in mind. If you really feel that a private conversation must be had, find thy way to the nearest area that actually has a door. And close it.
2. Thou shalt not use an annoying musical ring tone on they mobile phone, and by annoying, I referreth to any musical ring tone. Like unto the idea of an “inside voice,” thou shalt keep your phone’s ringer at a reasonable volume. Whilst I am on the subject, thou shalt also take thy mobile phone with thee when thou goest to lunch, or to a meeting, yea, even unto the can. Even though you don’t have to answer it if it rings, at least it isn’t sitting on your desk, blasting “La Cucaracha” at your coworkers. Blessed are they that mourn your choice of ring tone, for they will inherit your office supplies upon your smiting.
3. Thou shalt not break wind in your cubicle. One would think this could be left unsaid, but, alas, I was wrong. Thanks for ruining My perfect record. Just because your cubicle may be the same size as a bathroom stall and have a similar wall structure, does not mean that it is a restroom. Unless your chair is the type that flusheth, of course, in which case, thou shouldst probably seek new employment anyway.

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