It's been fun...

Well, the project is now over for me.  My last site was Cleveland, and I feel like the last site took the most out of me.  A ton of issues - from user issues preventing us from refreshing their computers, to contractor issues, to flooding issues - I was just exhausted after every day. 

As for the project...I have to say that I enjoyed this project more than any other project that I can remember.  I enjoyed the mix of leadership and technical that is lacking in my regular day to day.  It was a new challenge that I think I needed.  It felt good after a hard day of issues to look back and see what was accomplished.  I was lead to the contractors, so I had to deal with the people issues.  However, when they had a technical problem, I was the person they would come to.  It felt good that most times, I could take care of the technical problem without the need of the help desk.  I have to admit that my morale at work has been continually dropping, and I think this was a good change of pace to put me back where I needed to be.  In all honesty...I'm going to miss the project.  However, I'm NOT going to miss being away from my family so much.  It's good to be home and back to some sort of normal schedule. 

I'm also going to try to maintain my positive attitude towards my regular duties as they return on Monday.  I feel as though I'm going through the motions at work.  There is no challenge at all, and I feel that some of the work is trivial at best.  (Those work requests suck the life out of me like no other)  Without going into too many details, there are other things going on that have been draining.  So, I'm not looking forward to going back to any of those things. 

However, since working with some of these contractors, I'm very thankful that I have a job.  Some of these guys were good at what they do, and they deserve more than trying to come up with a small contract job here and there.  I remember when I got laid off from Barrister, and it was a terrible overwhelming feeling.  I had compassion for all of these guys - Especially for the ones I had to send home because they just weren't cutting it or lack of work.  So, I'm going to try my best to keep a positive attitude about my job.  It provides for my family, and that's the real reason we all work anyhow isn't it?  I've thought about looking for another job, but I feel pretty secure at CompuCom.  I feel like I'm recognized by most people for what I do, and I do work with some good people whom I count as friends. 

So, the project has taught me a few things...

1. Respect and be thankful for your job - Try to maintain a positive attitude
2. The customers at these locations were friendlier than no other - Try to be friendly to everyone you meet (be remembered for your kindness)
3. A change of pace may be just what the doctor ordered
4. Sometimes you need to make "Executive Decisions" (it's what I called them) - decisions that allow for forward movement when no one else could make them
5. ...and never eat a Burger King Jalapeno and Cheddar (spicy puke) Burger

So, signing off with a song dedicated to the working man...Thanks for following along

I needed a boat

Just a quick post to put up some pictures, and then I'll post again tomorrow to share my thoughts on the day and the project as a whole (as it's now over).  I had a hard time getting to the site today.  First I called Dunkin Donuts to order some donuts for the site, but when I tried getting there, the road was closed due to flooding.  So I couldn't get through.  I ended up calling them back and canceling the order because I couldn't get to them.  Then right outside the office there was a lake of water.  The road was closed, so I ended up walking through the woods behind the place to get into the office.  Then I found that if I drove through the parking lot of the neighboring company, I could get my car into the parking lot.  So, back through the woods and finally got my car into the place.  The office went into "emergency closed" status due to the flooding, so not much happened today.  I still had to stay until 5:00PM though.  Here are some pictures of the water in front of the office.

On up the street looking down at the water (before I walked through the woods)

 To the right side

 To the left side

I'll post again tomorrow - I'm very happy to be home!!! - Have a good night!

One more day

Here's the joke for the day:

Q.  Did you hear about the guy who ran through the screen door?

A.  He strained himself.

OK, one more day in the WHOLE project.  Today went pretty well.  We got done a little early, but instead of sending the guys home, I had them call the users and see if they could come in this afternoon to pick up their computers.  It turned out that quite a few came in, so we only have about 5-6 left to pick up for tomorrow.  Then we have a user that hasn't even brought her computer into us yet, so we'll need to do that one completely.  Anyhow, it should be a pretty easy day for tomorrow.  (should be..is the key word there)

I'm really looking forward to getting home.  I feel like there are some issues that have come up (or been coming up for some time) that need addressing.  Anyhow, I think it will be good to have the whole family together for awhile now.  

Went to lunch today at one of my favorite places - Steak N' Shake!  They don't have any in New York, and one was right around the corner from the office.

It was a decent day today weather wise.  It's supposed to be warm again tomorrow, but supposed to rain.  I took a picture on my way back from throwing out some boxes in the dumpster.

Anyhow, I'm definitely looking forward to going home tomorrow night.  Couple of days off for the "weekend", then Thursday conference call in the morning, expense report/paperwork, and then catch up on some training, then Friday I took off for a personal day.  Monday the 7th, I'm back in the field for regular day to day field service.

Can't wait to get home because I'm missing my family...

Cleveland - Take 2

Here's the joke:

Q.  Did you hear about the butcher who accidentally backed into the meat grinder?

A.  He got a little behind in his work.

That joke made me smile...

Today was a pretty good day.  I was a little worried at one point as the first contractor that showed up said the only projects he's done so far with computers was unboxing them.  The guy is a little slow, but not as slow as the guy I worked with yesterday, and he did get it done.  The other guy has worked this customer before, and he seemed like he was OK.  I did have to follow him around at one point because he just threw the user's computer stuff on their desks in a pile.  So, I went around and connected everything and made it somewhat presentable.  We got a decent amount done today, and I'd say we are a little ahead of schedule.  Which is where I like to be.

Went to McDonald's again today for breakfast.  The hotel has breakfast, and it's not too bad.  However, I had McDonald's yesterday, and I realized how much better it tasted than the hotel's spread.  I'm usually no where near my allotment for meals for the day, so I might as well enjoy breakfast a little more.  It's nice that I'm figuring that out just as I'm about done with this project. (a little sarcasm there)  Sometimes I wonder why I try to save the company money... Anyhow, I'm thinking bacon, egg, and cheese on a biscuit for tomorrow (or maybe a sausage McGriddle?)

I've got the thermostat for the room turned up to 79 because I was freezing.  I don't think the thermostat works right because it doesn't feel like 79 in here.  I have been keeping it at 71, but that's when I was cold.  I'm used to keeping our house at 67, so sounds like a broken thermostat to me.

Sorry, no pictures today.  I'm looking forward to going to bed early. 

I AM...missing my family...

Hello? Anyone home?

What a day, what a day...

There's my joke for the day.  I was beat down today beyond words.  First, I get up and there's a huge snow storm.  Then the contractor supposed to arrive at 8:00, decides he's not coming in, but he doesn't call anyone to let them know.  Then the guy sent to relieve him (who shows up at 11:00) doesn't know how to use a mouse on a laptop.  (Hello...we're only working on laptops here)  So, I show him how, but then he's trying to get to the menus, and can't figure out how to click on Start properly.  So, I send him home.  I'm now by myself again here.  So, another guy gets sent in, and he shows up at 3:30PM and works with me until 10:00PM.  He completes a whole 1.5 computers.  The instructions say to put in the server name, so what does he type in?..."server name" - (Hello?...and he wonders why it's not working)  It's like telling you to put in your name, and you put in "your name".  Then the ability for my phone to connect the internet to my laptop suddenly stopped working.  So, I have no way of getting on line anymore unless I'm in the hotel which has lousy, lousy internet.

On the good side, I plugged my way through the day.  At one point I was doing 4 laptops at one time.  We ended up getting a third of the units done today, so we are pretty much on schedule.

I left early this morning due to the snow, and I had extra time, so I went to McDonald's for breakfast.  Here's a picture of the snow as I was coming back out to the car:

Thanks for letting me blow off some steam.   I'm heading off to bed.  Here's hoping for a better day tomorrow.  Hey, it could have been worse, as it's just work.  I sure do feel beat up though.

I'm absolutely missing my family...

Cleveland - Here we go!

Joke of the day:

Q.  What do you call a song sung in an automobile?

A.  A cartoon

Arrived OK today in Mentor, OH.  It was a good trip and it's kind of nice to be in Cleveland.  Sue and I lived in Cleveland for about 10 years, and it feels good to do some work here again.  Sue and I really liked going to Panini's Grill, so I checked them out on line when I arrived.  They used to have only 2 locations, but now have several, and there was one only a few miles from the hotel.  I stopped by there and grabbed a panini.  Here's a picture:

It was delicious.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  The fries and the coleslaw really make it a sandwich like no other.  On the way, I saw a Marc's store.  Sue used to work at a Marc's, and I wanted to pick up some drinks and microwave popcorn, so I stopped in.  At first, I thought it was cool shopping there, and then I remembered that they don't accept credit cards when I tried to check out.  I ended up leaving the store feeling frustrated, and found a Giant Eagle.  Got my stuff there, and ended up fixing their receipt printer on the register.  They couldn't get it to work, and I asked her if I could look at it.  Turned out to be jammed up, and got it fixed.  They should have given me my stuff for free, but I think CompuCom services them?  At least I've heard of Giant Eagle when talking with other CompuCom techs.  So, I may have just saved some CompuCom tech a service call. 

It looks like we're going to get a bunch of snow tonight and tomorrow morning.  The news says about 9 inches, so I'm going to get up early tomorrow and try to get a head start.  Buffalo is supposed to get a lot of snow too.  I think about the same (Accuweather said 10 inches).  Either way, it doesn't sound fun.  Both places too are talking about power outages due to high winds and heavy wet snow.  

Here's a picture of the hotel:

Well, wish me luck for tomorrow.  Friday's are always crazy...

I'm already missing my family...

Dunkirk Done!!

Howdy...Here the joke for the day:

Q.  How many babies does it take to paint a house red?

A.  It depends on how hard you throw them

No...I don't think it's OK to throw babies, but you have to admit, the joke is funny.  

Just a quick post...

Dunkirk is now done.  I have to say the site went pretty well.  However, I've come to the conclusion that 9 out of 10 contractors are unemployed for a reason.  I can think of really one contractor over the last couple of months, that I would have hired as a manager (or wanted to work with on a daily basis as an employee).  I guess that's all I'll say.

I'm glad the site is done.  One more to go.  I'm off to Mentor, OH next week.  I guess we will talk to you then...