Today was marginally better at work, though it started off awful.
I was at the bus stop and realized I didn't have my wallet. I ran home (literally) and couldn't find my wallet.
I then panicked and thought it must have fallen out of my pocket at the bus stop. So I ran back (literally). No wallet.
Again I run (literally) back home. I am now sweaty, out of breath and panicked. I was about to start calling credit card companies, when I thought I should check my backpack.
I found the wallet with my iPod. I apparently, absentmindedly, grabbed them both together and stuffed them in my bag.
By now I had missed 2 buses. I got to work a bit later than I like, at 7:55 AM.
My throats still felt/feels like I swallowed razor blades.
I was rushed off my feet.
We have a major project that has gone off the rails, especially in the requirements and testing area. Business people have kept pushing off testing and signing off. It is critical that someone with business knowledge does this. Every time we try to make progress, the goal posts move.
I implemented twice daily "huddle" meetings, at 9:30 and 2:30. These are 15 minute meetings and business people have to attend (there are only about 5 key people in the meeting).
Everyone must report on:
- Completed
- Planned accomplishments
- Obstacles blocking accomplishments
Today was the first day of huddles. We actually made progress between the first and second huddle.
I think they're afraid of me. I am also completely relentless and won't let someone not be specific about an exact date and time for a deliverable. I accept no "ishes".
So, I was doing that, and also trying to marshall another major release into production tonight.
I also had to bring my boss up to date on the major project gone sour. She's fine and was OK with everything I'm doing. It really isn't my responsibility as I am not the project manager, but I think she wanted me to get more involved because she knows from experience that I can be a relentless bulldog.
The talk turned to one of my staff people, who really isn't performing and who I think is coasting. It is getting serious. I hate being put in a position where I have to make tough decisions, but I'm at a point where I have no confidence as to his initiative and drive.
Throughout all of this today, I also had to deal with my bosses boss, the CIO, to whom I also report to for certain projects. Then there's my third boss, who I'm having very little interaction with these days.
I guess I'm just popular.
I did have to correct someone in a meeting today. They said that if their given task was Catholic they would say it's in limbo.
I pointed out that they probably meant purgatory, because there is movement onward from purgatory, and not limbo, which was an eternal state and reserved for unbaptized babies, because in theory they still carry original sin, though limbo was eliminated by the pope in 2005.
The room just looked at me, and someone said, "Aren't you Jewish."
I said, "Ah yes, but you never know when I may have to pass."
(And here you probably all thought I just knew a lot about Edwardian England)
Ian, I'm not laughing about your work stress, but at your sense of humor. I finally figured out that the more stressful your days are, the funnier you get! I suppose it could be sort of a coping mechanism, which is very helpful for such a stressful job like yours. And we all love the laughs you give us! 
Then I hit a couple stores looking for red hair dye, went to get my hair chopped off. Then when I got home I had to clean out my car, get Tyler's bike out of the trunk and put his wagon in for hauling tins of popcorn around tomorrow morning at the tailgating area, and cleaned out the rest of my car while I was at it. Finally, I had a very late supper and then some Peeps ghosts (YUMMY!) and am ready to dye my hair. 
Busy, busy, busy. 
Ok... and a few other layers as well... we're trying to make it to the 15th, but I doubt it... At least we got the gas bill in today and it's actually gone down - I guess didn't heat too much hot water in August...
I think we better all start sending you and your mom slippers and scarves 
