Is It Just Me?

Am I the only one who...

• Can't seem to get those comment verifiers on the first try? You know, it's one of these:
  
  And those aren't even the hard ones with the letters all merged together with an overlaid grid!
  
  
• Uses Google to spell-check? I love the "Did you mean..." feature!
  
  
• Hates any embedded video that doesn't allow you to pause it until it's fully loaded? Nothing ruins a funny video more than pausing every 2.3 seconds for buffering.
  
  
• Uses Wikipedia as a culture guide or to "get the joke"? Anytime I ask myself, "what's the deal with (whatever)?" I just look it up on wikipedia.org. The best and most informative ones so far have been "badger badger badger" and "Flying Spaghetti Monster". The only time it's failed me is when it offered no insight into the crazy Scientology brain of Tom Cruise and his many acronyms.
  
  
• Goes to snopes.com (or other websites that combat spam email and urban legends) to verify what's in a forward BEFORE I send it to 85 of my closest friends? (I know I'm the only one who does a "Reply to All" with the snopes.com entry... but we've got to stop the insanity!)
  
  On a related note, I found this page the other day and will be sending it when appropriate.
  
  
• Is confused, baffled and bothered by the prevalent use of an apostrophe to pluralize a word? (For example: "All entree's come with a side of rice" or "I put my photo's and video's online" and the more common 80's or CD's.) Why do people do this? Can anyone explain?
  
  
• Plays a song 100 times in a row when I love it? For instance, that Michael Bublé video I posted the other day... I played it about 15 times in a row.
  
  
• Doesn't think it's a huge deal when someone sings a 'Christian' song on American Idol? The New Girl was in ecstasy two weeks in a row because someone sang 'This Little Light of Mine' and then 'Shout to the Lord'. Heathens have been singing gospel music for years.
  

Just checkin'.

Side note: check out my newest gig! (Thanks, Terri, for the referral.) Those are my designs. I'm working with a realty photographer to design templates with his photos. Very cool.

Things I've Been Meaning to Say

Nauseatingly Nauseous
I own The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations. For those of you who have seen it on my coffee table and thought I bought it: it was a gift. Thanks so much to all of you who ruined my life with this pestilence. Like I don't have enough grammatical pet peeves without having to know that the correct way to pronounce short-lived is with a long i sound. Now I do it. I can't help myself. Even if I'm the only person in the entire American-English speaking world who does.

My point? I'm getting there. This book told me that people misuse nauseous to mean "feeling queasy" when the word actually means "causing nausea". This has made me nuts ever since. (Although, apparently, even the experts differ on this, and many dictionaries accept both definitions.) I try to make a difference in my tiny sphere of influence, but I hear it in books on CD, on movies, TV and even the news.

Again, my point? Well, one: to educate you all a little, I guess. And two: to inflict a little of my own mental anguish on you. Maybe the next time you hear someone (allegedly) misusing nauseous, you'll get a little queasy yourself.

Of course, if you use there and they're interchangeably, and have never used their, then this probably won't significantly impact your life. Wes.

Say My Name, Say My Name
Does it bug you when people use your name? I know that How to Win Friends and Influence People advises that one of the Six Ways to Make People Like You is to "Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language", I have to disagree. Granted, if someone doesn't remember my name after having met me several times, that's a problem. But it's the usage of my name that bugs me.

I think my boss has read this book. He loves to use names as a tool in business. I hear him leaving voicemail all the time, just like this: "Tom. Hi, Tom, this is (my boss' name). I'd like to follow up on the email I sent you earlier today. Tom, please give me a call when it's convenient for you. I'd love to hear from you, Tom. Thanks." Seriously.

The New Girl is even worse! I'll bet she says my name 25 times a day. It's not a tool for influence, either. That's just how she talks! We were both at the hairdresser the other day, and I swear, in 3 sentences, she used the girl's name 4 times! It's crazy!

When I hear someone use my name, unless it's to get my attention, I always hear negative connotation. If Martin calls me by name, instead of using "Honey" or whatever nickname, I think, "Oh, no. He's irritated with me." When the New Girl says it, it feels demanding. I was online chatting with a Customer Service rep about an invoice discrepancy today, and he said, "Betsy, let me explain it to you." and it was so condescending to me that I almost cut off the chat!

Am I crazy? Am I the only one who hates it when people use my name?

Natural Hair Color
I'm blonde again, and I was going to say something in the previous post about how both Martin and my mom like me better that way, but I couldn't remember how my mom phrased it, so I didn't mention it. Then my dad commented that it was my natural color and reminded me.

My mom always says I'm a natural blonde, because I was when I was a baby. (And how cute was I?)

But my blonde hasn't been natural since I was about 12! (And no, I will NOT be posting any pictures of that stage in my life. I went through a very, very ugly-duckling-mates-with-horse phase that needs to not be commemorated, ever.) I've been using Sun-In or getting highlights or just plain going all-blonde-from-a-box for years.

The closest to my natural hair color is the dark brown I've been sporting the past few months. That's got a hint more warmth to it, but it's basically the same shade of brown.

My point? I don't have one, really, except to say thanks to all of you who tell me how beautiful I am when I'm blonde. Just don't tell me it's natural: I pay a lot of money for this color!

That's Why God Invented target="_blank"
This is mostly for techies and geeks and those of you who occasionally venture to the HTML side of your blog. In other words, you and you.

Why do you not take the time to make your links open in a new window? You often complain that no one comments on your posts, but it's because you send us off your blog with a link, and then we're either so interested that we never come back or we're so uninterested that we close the window without hitting the back button to tell you that your links suck.

Or is it just me? Does everyone else like having to hit the back button to leave comments?

A New Post!!!

OK, Terri gave me a hard time about not posting tonight while we were feeding the homeless. I haven't even had time to READ blogs, much less come up with something funny and relevant. Oh, the pressure!

Life is good... Martin came home this afternoon from several days in San Francisco, and he leaves again on Friday for Hawaii. So we are trying to get as much face time as possible, and get the laundry done so he doesn't have to go commando in Maui. :)

Work is great. Busy. The new girl, as I have said, is fantastic. Very smart. She still needs help, though, and I've fallen so behind on my work with training her and then going to Orlando and then catching up from being away. I think in about another 3 or 4 weeks, I'll be completely caught up, in a new rhythm and back to goofing off at work.

I've been sick a lot lately. Since January, I've either had sinus trouble or sore throat or serious stomach trouble. And I'm tired all the time. NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT. I just haven't felt myself for a couple months. That hasn't helped with catching up at work, either, since I've come in late a couple mornings. It could be stress, although I don't FEEL stressed. I don't know.

Alrighty, then, I've posted. Thanks for sticking with me, and I promise that I'll be more faithful in April!

In both senses... I've been lost to the blogging world the last few weeks, and I am excited about the return of Lost.

This Wednesday, Lost returns with 16 new episodes! Although the weak have lost heart (Martin), the true believers are elated.

As for blogging, I have been busy at work training the new girl (the third generation of "new girl", for those of you who are keeping track), and it means I've had no down time at work. I promise, in a few weeks, I'll be back to my normal blogging self.

10. Laying flat on my back on a heating pad for three days... I think the pain is stress related, because I don't recall lifting anything heavy.

9. Working, working, working at work. Mostly catching up on filing and getting ready for another new girl. (Thanks, Cristin, for helping me out!)

8. Finally getting my windshield replaced. I've had a crack in it for 14 months! It is now a shiny sore thumb on my filthy car. Maybe once it stops raining, I'll clean my car up to match.

7. Watching a marathon of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on Bravo. Matthew Perry is fantastic, and Amanda Peet, who I usually hate, is wonderful. It's on my DVR lineup now.

6. Making travel plans, rentals, purchases, schedules, etc. for the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Orlando. This is my least favorite part of what we do. I enjoy going to the NRB, but I hate all the work that goes into getting there. My boss keeps saying every year that this is the last year we exhibit... I hope he means it!!!

5. Checking out the brilliance on indexed. (Thanks, Matt, for the link! I love it!) This one is my favorite! >>>

4. Designing the graphics for our booth at the NRB. You can take a peek at them here.

3. Trying to get our January budget caught up with reality. I always procrastinate things I think are going to be complicated. It didn't help that the files were on my flash drive, which Martin left at Noelle's house for a couple weeks.

2. Wishing Martin were home to keep me warm! He's in Michigan with Brad and Wes at Rob Bell's Isn't She Beautiful conference. I can't believe how cold it's been here! Thank God we have heat now.

1. Waiting for the return of Lost. Oh, Jack, where art thou?

On Lacuna

Main Entry: hiatus
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: interruption
Synonyms: aperture, blank, breach, break, chasm, discontinuity, gap, interim, interval, lacuna, lapse, opening, rift, space
Source: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1) Copyright © 2006 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.



Rather than just not post something for several weeks, and leave it on some inane post that you all will be sick of, I thought I'd give you a heads up.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, we lost "the new girl" and are in the process of hiring someone, again. I'm excited about the 5 or 6 prospects that we do have, as well as my increased involvement in the selection process. Hopefully, in 2-4 weeks, we'll have someone in place and trained enough that life will return to normal.

Until then, I have a lot on my plate (at work) and really can't afford the time to blog.

Help! Wanted!

The latest update on the situation at work:

After three months, it was apparent that the new girl is not a good fit for the job. She just isn't getting it, and I'm still doing a good portion of her job for her. My boss spoke with her about the situation, and she gave notice. It isn't a bad leaving... she's as frustrated with herself for not picking it up more quickly, and she feels like she's not the person for the job.

If you know anyone with strong computer skills who would like to work in this wonderful environment, please send them my way! This is an awesome place to work, and all the job requires is a good working knowledge of Excel and great telephone interpersonal communication skills.

Shhhhh! It's a secret!

No, there's no secret. So don't get all happy about a possible baby or whatever it is you think I'm about to reveal here.

I really should pay attention to my own posts. Just a week ago, I mentioned how surprised I am who reads my blog. Yet I continue to act like it's just me and my closest friends sharing our thoughts.

Someone (thanks... you know who you are) mentioned that perhaps some of the things I mentioned in yesterday's post might be a little confidential (work-wise), and that if my boss or the new girl read it, they wouldn't be happy. And it was true, so I edited it.

This isn't the first time someone has suggested I edit my online diary/rant/venting. And they're always right.

I think I have the same problem in "real life", too. I tend to say what I think. I think I've developed more tact since I was 15, but you're more likely to hear from me what I really think than something diplomatic or polite.

I go back and forth between feeling like this is one of my strengths and realizing it can be a huge liability. I will never be the quiet, demure, tactful and unfailingly polite person that I used to think I needed to be. But as Brad always says, your strength is usually also your weakness.

So, thanks to all my readers and commenters who keep me in line. And be assured... if you want an honest opinion, I'm usually good for it.

Got Margin?

First of all, let me say, "Wow!" and "Thanks!" to all of you who commented on the last post. Very helpful.

I also had a breakthrough on my part. Very clearly defined in my head were "my job" and "her job" - because I had worked both. I was waiting for her to take all of "my job". Then I realized - there's no rule that says what is "mine" and "hers". I decide. Just because that's what worked for me and my previous business manager doesn't mean that is what will work best for me and the new girl.

I like what my dad said about a sponge... I do tend to hit that point and lose everything I know! This may work out after all.

(Edited 1/14/06)

But back to the reason I was writing this post. The Life is about to do our "relaunch" in our new (shared) facilities on February 4, 2006. Almost 2 years to the day from our first service. And we're going all out to promote the series that will launch us. The funny (ironic?) part is that the series is called "Got Margin?" and is all about getting away from the edge in our relationships, finances, time, etc. and finding a place where we have margin. Balance. Peace. But in the process to prepare to launch this and get everything ready for it, we've all lost our margin. Our minds, really. I haven't been this pushed since... the Verge. All of you who participated in that know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I'm really excited about the relaunch, but I'm also ready for this phase to be over so I can get a little bit of my life back.

In the next few weeks, we'll launch the website and even better, our newly redesigned church website (still in the design process). I can't wait for it all to come together!

So... got margin? Or are you on the verge of insanity, too? From reading everyone's blogs (which I have to read once a week instead of every 10 minutes), I don't think I'm alone.

Learning Curve

frustration (n) ::
1: the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals [syn: defeat]
2: an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts [syn: thwarting, foiling]
3: a feeling of annoyance at being hindered or criticized

Brad always says that frustration is unfulfilled expectation. Or something like that. And I'm feeling it right now at work.

Learning Curve :: A curve reflecting the rate of improvement in performing a new task as a learner practices and uses her newly acquired skills.

What is the process of learning (and will be resolved in time) and what is mental incapacity to grasp an idea or system?

I am in the second week of training our "new girl" and it has not been a fun process for me. I expected that when we finally got help - someone to fill my old position - that it would be helpful. It has not been. It's not just that I have to take time to train her on the job. I expected that. It's that I have to show her something multiple times.

I've tried verbal instructions, written instructions and flow charts. I've tried demonstrating, then doing it together, then supervising as she does it on her own. Nothing's working.

I'm more than willing to admit that I could be a lousy teacher. I realize that my brain works differently than most - which is an asset when working by myself, but often a liability when trying to explain WHY to someone. Sometimes, I don't know how to explain why. It just is. It just makes sense. Why can't she see that?

I'm trying to be kind and patient and above all, respectful that she's older than my mother. And I know that some things will take time to learn. But there are some things that I expected her to understand by now. And she still doesn't get it.

Augh.

Any suggestions? I'll take anything.

Who's Reading?

Over the Christmas/New Year holiday, I heard from two completely unexpected people that they read my blog or Martin's.

The first person was Martin's old high school girlfriend. She doesn't read regularly, but she mentioned that she had found it and seen our Halloween carving pictures. Then one of Brad's friends mentioned that back when Brad was blogging, he had followed a link to my blog and read it for several weeks.

I guess I just assume that my readers are the 15-20 people here in AZ and across the country that comment. But there are others. Oh, the pressure.

Anyway, to whoever is tuning in... I apologize for the slackness of late. It has been a busy, busy new year for me. The "new girl" started on this week and it's wonderful to have help. However... I have been unable to get anything done because I'm training her. I actually stayed late (the first time in 2 years!) so that I could get some work done today!