Redwolf's Journal (continued)

Yay. So after waiting a couple weeks and nagging through the "chain of command," it looks like I may see some results. I've been told the general manager spoke with the HR director today and agreed on a pay increase for me that amounts to about 20%. That doesn't make me one of the highest paid network techs or anything, but it's better. Most importantly, it's *consideration*. So, assuming that information is correct, I'm happy.

Saw the movie yesterday. I wouldn't call it great, but I would call it good. And after the last couple movies, I'd be happy with any Star Wars that doesn't suck. ;) Some specific thoughts: - Overall issue: My main complaint about the movie is that it feels like those behind it were trying too hard. Too much effort to make Anakin's conflict and choices (which should have been internal) open to view. Too many overt comments by Palpatine when he should be more subtle. Too many short scenes dropped into make obvious that which could have been inferred. Too much effort to fill every gap left open to Episode IV (did we really need to cut to another super-brief scene to see ownership of the droids passed on?). - Order 66: Wow. This is fanfic/extended universe bait if ever I've seen it. You just *know* there will be stories/comics/games that involve ARC Troopers/Commandos that muster the will to disobey the order and stand by the Jedi. - Mace Windu, not-so badass:...

It's been a while since I've written, but that's not what this is about. No, this is about work. As many readers (do I have "many" readers?) may know, my biggest point of annoyance with my job is feeling underpaid. Oh, I'll complain about long hours and hectic days. I'll bitch about computer failures and moving everything for changes to the office. But the one thing that underlies any problem I have with the workplace is looking at my paycheck and thinking "Is this what I'm worth for being on-call to fix just about anything that goes wrong? Is this all nearly eleven years of service with the same company is worth?" Well, just yesterday I had a conversation with someone in another department. I heard a tale of how she had gone to one manager expressing concern that another employee was getting paid notably below peers simply because she'd been there longer. I heard how the manager came back saying, "Whoa, you're right," t...

Got back from our Tucson trip last night. Very nice little getaway, all told. The trip down was a long 12 hours with a trailer. The trip back was under 10 without. Little bit of a difference, eh? I think it covered just about everything a good vacation should. Visit with a friend who's no longer around here? Check. Visit to malls/comic shop? Check. Touristy side trip? Check (the desert museum in this case). Wonderful views? Check (perhaps odd, but I was most impressed with the view from April's apartment). Relaxation? Check. Hot tub time? Check. Minor injury? Check (I put sunburn in this category, but this time something went snap/pop in my side when it really shouldn't have). We even got in a trip to a carnival (Spring Fling). I think I can safely say fun was had by all. I was a bit disappointed with the shopping trips, but I think that's more because my own interests have narrowed some and I feel I can get most 'common' things online for cheaper than off...

Actually, I'm not sure it even warrants that. The dust is settling at work. There were, predictably, a number of problems along the way. Some ordered furniture pieces didn't arrive. Some pieces didn't fit. People wanted to change things at the last moment. Old network cables were removed prematurely. Schedules were completely fouled up. But for all that, things have gone pretty well. No problem has proven unsolvable and I've even managed to get sleep between work shifts. Still, I'd be lying if I said it hasn't taken a lot out of me. For most of the past week, I've been going to bed 2-4 hours early. That's better than passing out while working, at least. Of course, I think I'm a bit nuts to be following this all with a trip to Tucson come Thursday. It'll be nice to get away from work and all, but after all this and a long drive... well, I hate to disappoint, but I suspect my aspirations will be little more than *resting*. This new furnitur...

"Over self-confidence is equal to being blind." So sayeth the unattributed fortune cookie that came with lunch. Such might have been more useful about an hour earlier. Busy moving furniture, I got off to my lunch break a little later than normal. And with a haircut scheduled, I went straight there. That's fine an dandy, but as the cut was wrapping up, I came as close to passing out as I have in years. Close enough to ask them to stop and put my head down while waiting for the lightheadedness to pass. They put me in a reclining chair (usually for washing hair) for a few minutes, and it passed. Still... I know my body pretty well. I'm confident this was a result of lack of food. Or, more precisely, a lack of enough food to equal what my body wanted given levels of physical exertion asked of it. Knowing that might be a concern this week, I started the morning with a bowl of cereal - exactly one bowl of cereal more than I usually have before lunch. It appears that wasn...

"I wonder how much a tattoo would cost..."