Everything Old is New Again!

Today was my first meeting back on the 411 Team for Employee Events & Activities. I was Member of the Year in 2006, but had to leave the team when I was laid off. I just made the application deadline for 2009! WHEW!

It was great to see old friends and new faces. I am really looking forward to all of the events we will do over the year. My only sadness was seeing the people who weren't there because they have been laid off recently.

ML, JD, MD. I missed you!!!

My Magic Kingdom

I take time out from my regular blogging to share this video sent to me today by upper management.

The VERY Semi-finals, mind you!

Don't pass out because this is my third post today. Stay with me here:

Tonight my office softball team, The Wed Sox, was in the semi-finals, the VERY semi-finals, mind you, of the Company softball league. They were short a girl and, rumour has it, I play softball. So they asked me if I would play this one game so they wouldn't have to forfeit.

Today I got an email from the coach/captain, asking me what my experience is and what positions I can play, etc. I manage my church team, The Heat, so I was pretty honest about my ability and skill level. I didn't want them to expect me to be some kind of ringer.

I was also very nervous because this team is made up of nearly everyone in my group at work, including my boss and his boss.

Well, it was touch and go there for a while, but we won 11-9 and, yes, we are in the finals! I made an out at home on a foul ball. I had two base hits (thrown out at second the first time and scored the second time tying the game). My co-workers were very happy that I came to play. They were also somewhat disappointed that I can't make the finals tomorrow night because I will be heading to LAX to catch my flight to Austin. (They were so cute - "We can pay your change fees").

I just hope they ask me back next season!

August 10 - 19, 2008

August 10 - Roomie had to go to the ER with a VERY high fever, but it was just an infection and she is going to be ok. Very good thing because, naturally, a high fever makes you think of all the worst possible things it could be.

August 11 - Nothing much for today.

August 12 - Last day at the Radio station. My department took me to lunch and for complete synergy we went to the same place they took me on my first day and I had the same meal!

August 13 - Joined Massage Envy today. It's a little congratulations to myself for the new job. I had the trial massage today and it was really great. I have a lot of issues with my back and neck since I sit a lot at my job so I love the idea of being able to get a massage every month. Plus the membership price works out to $1 per minute which is REALLY good for LA!

August 14 - Went to Temecula today on the Metrolink to visit the author of GollyBlogHowdy. We had a lovely visit, got our toenails done, did a bit of wine tasting and it was great fun. We decided that we need to plan a whole weekend because these random days just aren't enough time.

August 15 & 16 - I did nothing for two days but watch the Olympics on TV. The amount of Olympics coverage really astounds me. But it definitely makes me want to go and be a spectator too. Maybe London in 2012?

August 17 - Went to a D&L's daughter's second birthday party. It was great to see them. It's amazing how little you see your friends when they get married and have kids and you are single with no kids. Your lives just get to be too different.

August 18 - Today I went to New Hire Orientation! This is a laugh since I formerly worked for this company for 17 years. But their policy is that if you are gone more than 11 months, you need to go to orientation. But the upside is that I was paid for a whole day, got breakfast and lunch, and got to basically do an 8 hour meet & greet with people I knew in my former life here. i learned a few new things too and also met some new people from my division.

August 19 - First day in my new job! One of the folks from yesterday has the cube opposite me. He is on a three year post MBA fellowship so he will be with us for a year and then move one to another group. There are two other guys in that fellowship and they will both come to us for a year as well. The only problem is that he not only went to Dana Hills High but also Michigan. We have agreed to not speak during football season unless it is required for work purposes.

Marian The Librarian

As part of my temp job at WDAS, I am in charge of the Library on the 2nd Flr Concourse.

I have spent two afternoons shelving new and returned books since taking on this gig and there are just a few things that are driving me crazy.

First, the call numbers are not in alphabetical order. This just drives me crazy when I am shelving books because call numbers that begin with C are between W and T. Really! Who thought of this system?

Second, people re-shelve their own books. There is a sign that clearly states to leave returned books on a specific bookshelf next to the check-in computer, but people don't listen. The problem is that they also don't re-shelve them where they are supposed to go. This makes my job harder when it's time for me to re-shelve.

Third, there's no room for the books. Seriously. Today I had to put a book on a shelf two stacks over because there was no room any closer. See above for how irritated I'm going to be next time I have to put something on that shelf.

We have an intern coming for the summer and I think re-organising the Library is the perfect task for us to do together (or for her to do with the permanent person if I have gone by then). I think I will mention that at the next weekly staff.

The funny thing about this job is that I worked in the Library in High School and in College and it is deja vu all over again to be doing it now.

Everything old is new again...

The Return Of The Orange Dot

I am currently temping at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Today is Bring Your Child To Work Day and, as part of my job, I get to help shepherd the kids through the morning program. Yesterday, the woman in charge told me I would have the Orange group who would all have large orange dots on their nametags.

I'm a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and their symbol is an orange dot. My co-worker didn't know this at the time, but I found it quite ironic.

Nearly twenty years after leaving Art Center, I am still in the Orange Dot Crowd.

It's a $mall world, after all

Yesterday, I took a friend to the Happiest Place On Earth for her birthday. She really wanted to go but all her Mouseketeer friends passes were blocked. I had some tickets left so I offered to take her. This was my first trip to the Magic Kingdom since leaving the Mouse House.

The first thing I noticed was how expensive everything was. I had completely forgotten that we would have to pay to park. It was all downhill from there. Everything cost more than I thought it should, except the caramels made by my pal Candy Man at the candy kitchen on Main Street.

How do real people pay for the merchandise and stuff?

Anyway, sticker shock aside, my first trip back was not only pretty painless, but I also got my best score EVER on Buzz Lightyear.

So it was a pretty good day.

Happy Birthday Bunny!