Whoa! He really listened to me!

It’s a little tense in our department. It’s no one’s “fault” but there have just been some issues that have popped up and they weren’t handled spectacularily. People don’t know the whole story, so they’re angry. So … I suggested to my boss that we have a department meeting.

Me: I know you’re really busy, but do you think we have time for a department meeting?
Him: Why?
Me: (thinking - really? you don’t know why?) well … it’s just a little tense around here and I thought it would help if we all sort of talked about it.
Him: I don’t think meetings help get rid of tension, I think that it just makes it worse.
Me: I don’t agree with you… just think about it and let me know.
Him: I’ll think about it.

I’ve just heard that he was walking down the hallway asking people if they thought we needed a meeting. Wow. He listened to me. Can’t believe it. Now, all I have to do is convince him that he needs to leave his ego at the door, apologize for not handling the situation properly and lead us to figure out how we can become a team again.

By the way … any good links to team building after a yucky tense time?

What would you ask?

If you could ask me anything … what would you ask?

Thirtysomething

I’m not sure how old you all are, but did you ever see the show “thirtysomething”? I watched it in my early 20’s and I really wish I could find the DVDs for it.
Now that I’m fortysomething (well technically, just “forty”) I wonder if my reaction to it would be the same as it was when I was twentysomething. I think the thing that I liked most about that show was Michael and Hope’s house. I’ve always wanted a house like that.

Let me know if you know how to buy the DVD set!

Music

I was just listening to my James Taylor CD. Geez I wish I could play “You’ve Got a Friend”. Does anyone know any good easy chord guitar books that have that song in it? Do you know how to play guitar? Maybe, if I can learn it, I’ll post a video of myself singing and playing … of course, I’ll have to be extremely drunk first.

Last Lecture

This man is an inspiration. I’ve just found his website that gives updates on his health
Randy Pausch

I am the April Fool Master!

Boy, did I ever get some people at work today! I told them that I was going to work for a different department down the hall. They totally fell for it! The best was my boss — he read my email at home in the morning, and then had to rush off to a doctor appt. He sat through the whole appt. worried and wondering if he did something wrong to make me leave. He was planning to take me out for lunch to have a talk with me.

It was the afternoon when he finally got to work. I sort of wasn’t thinking about the joke - I had already zinged a couple of people and had a good laugh - so when he came into my office, I thought that someone had died because of the look on his face. When I realized why he looked so awful I said “it’s okay … april fool, april fool”. He said “really???? is it really april fool???” I said “yes, don’t worry, it’s okay”, to which he let out a big breath of air in relief.

I’m glad I work with such good sports. We all had a great laugh! At least I know that I’m loved! HA HA HA!!

Guitar music and figure skating

On Friday night, a friend and I went to watch my guitar teacher play at a local bistro. There is something not only about the music, but actually watching him play that is very relaxing. I felt my shoulders go down and I just slowed down and enjoyed listening to the music. I also really appreciate the talent that he has — I have a hard time moving my fingers between C and F in “You are my Sushine” — he sounds like he’s playing three instruments at once.

As for the rest of the weekend, we went to go watch my little niece in a figure skating competition. Very cute! She was SO glad we were there. She made eye contact with me and her little face spread into a huge smile. This is a little girl who is skating purely because she likes it and has a good time. She was excited because she got a new skating outfit and because her mom let her put on a little bit of blush and eye shadow. She did her very best, smiled a lot and was disappointed for about one minute because she didn’t win anything. She was excited that we were taking her out for a hot dog and that she could come play at our house while her parents went for groceries.

And now, alas, it’s Monday. Blah. Oh well … I’ll learn from my niece and look at the positive - it’s a beautiful fresh day outside, I’m having pizza for lunch, and I might go look for a new car this week!!

Really … thank GOD it’s Friday

Wow. Do I need a weekend. Work was … well … weird this week. I actually felt like I was sent back in time to grade 8 in junior high. It’s hard to say what happened — I don’t want to give anything away just in case they come across this blog. I just can’t believe how some of these well-educated people are so socially inept.

The good news is that I’m finally going to watch my guitar teacher play tonight! He’s unbelievable. It will be the perfect way to end the week. A couple of good friends, a lovely girly drink, some good music and some girly gossip. Sigh! Can’t wait!

Texting and “Remember Me?”

Do you text? I’ve just figured out how. It takes me f o r e v er to make a word! My nieces click a hundred miles an hour!

I read Sophie Kinsella’s book “Remember Me?” this weekend. Loved it! Those are my favourite kinds of books - and she’s one of my favourite authors. Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding, Louise Rennison, Susan Juby, Cathy Hopkins, Ann Brashares. Love that teen fiction.

Um yes … this will NOT be me.