Bringing the Drama

The last company I worked for is a pretty big deal in the world. You would think someone like that would have suites at the Dome or the Arena, but no, they don’t. In fact, I don’t think they have a local presence AT ALL outside of the work location. My new company has a suite at the Arena though, because they are awesome.

During the Hornets’ mini slump, we got an email asking if we wanted tickets to the suite for the Spurs game in January. It was a week or two after I had gone to the first home game against the Spurs, and the Hornets blew a big lead in the 2nd half and lost by double digits. However, I like free tickets to things, and I like suite tickets, so I requested tickets. I had never been in a suite before, all I knew about going to Hornets games was sitting in the upper deck or being lucky enough to sit in the lower bowl on occasion. Suites were for people other than me. I was excited.

Then disaster struck. A wedding shower was scheduled for that night. At the time I did not realize it, but then two weeks before the game we got an email reminder at work. Awful. I emailed and said I had to give up my tickets because of the shower. I get home that evening and find out the shower has been postponed for a 3 year old’s birthday party. They scheduled then rescheduled the shower without talking to the guests of honor. Not that they knew I had tickets to the company suite at a Hornets game, but still. Luckily I was able to get the tickets back since the guest list had not really changed, so things were back to normal.

We went to the game and parked. We walked to the Arena and entered. We got to go behind some velvet rope to an elevator that brought us to the suite level. The suite had closets for our coats, a private bathroom, and was catered. It was like a mini apartment, with a giant opening to the court. I was able to look down on the non suite people and revel in my good fortune. We even had plastic cups with the company name on them. Take that old company! Then the game was awesome because the Hornets destroyed the Spurs. My favorite part was when Okafor blocked 3 shots on one possession, or at least it felt like 3. I have been amazed by his play this year after watching him all last year. Anyway, the suite, they had hamburgers, chili, stuff to make super nachos, salad, and fruit. Unfortunately the alcohol did not include bloody marys, which is like a thing for CZ and I at Hornets games. Crown and Diet Rite worked for me though. It was definitely the best way I’ve seen a game, similar to seeing Jazz Fest from the Shell Tent.

So at my new job, every employee gets a ham for Christmas. When we first got the email about it at the beginning of December, I thought someone was ordering hams and we would pay for them. No, everyone gets a ham already cooked and spirally sliced. How awesome is that? For a person who came from a cold corporation who gave no Christmas bonus of any kind, it is very awesome. The Tuesday before Christmas, we got our hams. The day was highlighted by the following text conversation with my sister:

Me: (Picture of ham box) Boom!
Her: Lol You know you work for a family-owned company when you get a ham for Christmas.
Me: It is awesome! Ham for everyone Friday!
Her: Stop being a ham!
Me: We will ham it up.
Her: I hope the Hamburglar doesn’t steal it in the night.
Her: Name a Dr Seuss book.
Me: The Cat in the Ham
Me: The Lorham
Her: FAIL! BOOOOOOO.

My family and I ate the ham on Christmas Eve. It was delicious. I still have a lot of it in my fridge. Also great on CE, giving my parents a harmonica playing raccoon.

So the commute to my new job has taken some getting used to. One afternoon there was a truck that stalled at the top of the High Rise. I thought the smart thing to do would be to go out by UNO and get on the interstate further down. It was the worst driving idea I’ve ever made. As soon as I got near UNO, it was bumper to bumper traffic, and thanks to the Corps of Engineers doing work out by the lake, all the traffic was funneling down to one lane. It was horrible and it took me 2 hours to get home.

The sad commuting story does have a flip side though. The next Monday morning there was an accident before the High Rise that shut the interstate down. My mom had given me the phone number to the people in NOLA who supply traffic reports to the radio stations, so I called them instead of waiting to hear a traffic report. The usual talk radio station I listen to (WWL) is not very dependable when it comes to traffic reports, in fact, the every 30 minutes reports are useless when there’s a problem. When they first mentioned the accident, it was mentioned in an “oh, BTW” manner that the INTERSTATE WAS SHUT DOWN. So I made the call, and talked to a nice lady who suggested another route, which I took, and the morning commute drama only delayed me by about 7 minutes. It was so much better than the first time I faced morning commute drama that delayed me 20 minutes.

Driving in around 6 is nice because there’s very little traffic. Driving home is nice most of the time, there are some typical slowdowns, but unless there’s some crazy problem, I still get home in a little less than an hour. Now that I’ve started to carpool with someone, it’s even easier.

To my faithful reader(s), in the eternal words of Michael Jordan….I’m back. It’s been a while since I even started to type an entry. I’ve been keeping the good things posts and all, but over the summer was not very interested in blogging. Most of the stuff that would happen was because I was unemployed, and that was not very fun to talk about. It was embarrassing, and I know it should not have been, but I hated talking about it. HATED IT. So I didn’t type posts, because I felt everything that happened was somehow related.

The anger I had towards my old job has mostly subsided. I really hated working there the last few months. Nothing made sense, managers were clueless, and program directors had no idea of what actually went on. I think I was axed because I was truthful about looking for another job rotation because of the grim program outlook. I even buffered what I said with “I’m just trying to find out all my options.” When it came down to it, none of my managers were helpful trying to find me another job. I’ve learned in recent grad school classes how managers should behave, and none of my old managers did any of that. No wonder the program is on shaky footing.

I went on an interview to ATL (with the same company) over the summer and eventually was offered the job. The job seemed interesting enough, and the guys I interviewed with were cool, but the pay increase was peanuts. I had always felt underpaid, so to move to ATL for a 5% pay increase was not worth my time. I was in touch with a recruiter for that job, and when I showed doubt about the offer, he made me feel like the company was doing me a favor because of all the layoffs in NOLA. Thing was, I was the one who found the job and I was the one who applied. No HR person helped me, even though I had heard people were supposedly doing that. When I turned it down, he asked me what I was going to do, as if I did not have any other options. Of course, that’s his job, to get me in that position, but I just felt most of the people I dealt with whether it be the recruiter, or the worthless people who worked in the ‘transition center’, did not know how to deal with an educated person who knew his options. I explained to the guy that I was dating a girl at the time, and engagement was imminent, also that I did not think the salary was worth me moving away from her and all my friends for a job that was not THAT great. I even told him “it’s not like I’m taking a pay cut because I’m signing with the Yankees.”

I eventually found a new job thanks to a friend at a job fair. The interview went well, and I weighed the pros and cons. The only con was the commute. I grew up at my grandparents’ in Metairie during the day while my parents worked downtown until I went to 1st grade. I remember those long drives in the evenings. I never thought I’d be doing that. I needed a job though, and this one seemed to be giving me a good opportunity I had never had before. I had grown tired of sitting at home and reading books. Not that there’s anything wrong with reading books, but I wanted something to do. (Incidentally, I reached my goal of reading every HP book before the first movie) The commute has not been as bad as I thought. I wake up by 4:30 am, leave by 5:30 am and get home around 5:30 pm. I’ve gotten used to the drive, and the times I am traveling on most days it has only added 15 minutes to my commute. The job has been awesome. So far so good.

So I told you I would be watching the US/England game in Denver, right? I ended up watching the game with a couple of thousand other people in the middle of a blocked off street in the light rain. It was awesome.

Since my friend Jacob ended up not being able to come to Denver, I was determined to show up two hours before kickoff to watch the game at an Irish pub near Coors Field. I walked out of the Hyatt with my American flag bandana on, because of all days to wear my patriotic bandana in public, June 12th would be a day. The Irish pub plans changed after I showed up and saw no empty seats and the viewing angles for the possible areas to stand pretty much sucked. I ended up at this place called the British Bulldog. My mom had actually found out about it in a magazine or something and told me about it. After a phone call and a google search, I had the location and started walking.

I arrived about 11:15 or so, a little over an hour before kickoff. There was a pickup soccer game in the street, and the beer line wasn’t long. They had what looked to be Carlsberg on tap at the truck outside, but I did see someone with a can of PBR. I never went and investigated where the red, white, and blue cans were though. Adriene and Brandy were going to meet me there later in the day, so I got a spot under an awning and started to wait. There were a ton of people there already, but as the kickoff neared, the crowd swelled. I’m not sure how the Irish pub ended up, but this place to watch the game was WAY BETTER. The beer line grew to half a block. I had chosen not to start drinking until closer to the game, but with that long line I just abstained.

The crowd was pretty electric considering we were outside in the light rain. I moved out into the street just before the game started. When Gerrard scored, the smattering of English fans cheered while everyone else stewed. We had been so amped up and it all came crashing down just a few minutes in. It did not help that it began to rain harder too. Dempsey’s goal shot new life into the crowd. It’s one thing to celebrate with some friends, but with a couple of thousand other people it was great.

Adriene and Brandy showed up just before halftime, and the rain stopped. Things were looking up. Everyone collectively was up and down during the 2nd half. No goals were scored, but there were some close calls. It was nice to have the same reaction as other people like when Altidore struck the post. When Rooney missed on a header in the 2nd half, I yelled out something about how he was going to be eating beans in a trailer. I’m not sure how many people got that I was referencing the Nike commercial, but at least Adriene laughed.

Since the game ended in a draw, nobody really went home disappointed. Well, except maybe the English fans. I was kind of hoping for a miracle win or something, but I could live with a draw. It was cool walking away from that place with people wearing flags and face painting with people driving by and honking. It was definitely a game we were proud of, and I got to watch it in the middle of a blocked off street with a couple of thousand fellow crazed fans for free. Can’t beat that.

BTW, that’s my unemployment beard. I stole the idea from Coco.

If you missed the game here’s a 4 min highlight reel.

I’ve been unintentionally avoiding writing this post. Not that I didn’t want to write it, I just never got around to it. See, the last month or so has been CRAZY. I’m talking working till 7 pm almost every night for two weeks straight, including one night till 10:30 pm. I’m talking re-writing papers for my grad school team. I’m talking making plans for my birthday via Priceline, running two road races, and somehow not losing my freaking mind because everyday I have a list of things to do and yet try as I might cannot possibly get each thing done each day. This blog has been neglected except to update the good things post. I will try to correct that soon.

Here’s the big thing, about three weeks ago I got a layoff letter at work. Happy 8 days before my birthday to me. Some of you already know about this, but if you didn’t, there it is. My last day will be 5/28 (Greek Fest Run!).

More easy going posts to return later this week, including one about how Emeril gave me a food coma, and about how Sally finally got awarded a long awaited prize from the Buddy D Dress Parade.

On Sunday I took advantage of the final day of Gap’s Denim Exchange. It had been months since I had bought any new clothes, so this exchange thing where I could get rid of old jeans was able to draw me out. I also hit up the sale rack while I was there and bought two new pair of pants and a dress shirt. One pair of pants was $6. The other pair was a style called Cadet, and they’re khakis. I looked at the label and they were described just like a pair of jeans I had tried on that I really liked, so I bought them. I put them on this morning to wear to work and found out they were button fly. BUTTON FLY! Who wears button flies anymore? Incidentally, when discussing this at work today, I told my cubicle neighbor Kenny about the $5 shirt I tried on that had two buttoned down breast pockets (that I noticed after I tried it on). That jackass designer probably was the one that thought putting a button fly on khakis was a good idea. Anyway, after a couple of minutes this morning I decided to cut off the tags and keep the pants. I like the feel and the fit and the color. I can deal with a button fly, even though I think it’s completely stupid.

Also this afternoon, I got Lady Gaga stuck in my head. I blame the article on CNN about some new video of her’s and how music videos are changing. I don’t really listen to the radio, so I’m behind the curve when it comes to pop music, much to the chagrin of my sister. I heard Poker Face in the gym a few weeks ago, and it was the first time I had heard a LG song knowing it was her. They have video screens now sometimes showing videos, but always telling you what song is playing. Anyway, I liked it, and then later I was able to ID her as the person who sings that song “blah blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah blah” or whatever. Today at work those two songs kept getting stuck in my head. I can’t help but like them. I hope that doesn’t lose me any music elitist cred. (I won’t tell you how I now have a couple of Katy Perry songs on my iPod)

I woke up this morning and the morning talk radio guy was taking calls from people giving their predictions. I didn’t like the host doing that, because really, most people were just spouting off with homer type predictions. Some guy calls up and says “Saints 45, Patriots 14″. I laughed to myself and said “what an idiot”. I mean, I thought the Saints would win, but not by more than a couple of TDs at the most. I thought it’d be a close game, and in the back of my mind thought the Saints might lose.

Work today was rough. I kept thinking about the game. A couple of friends at work who were going to the game left early in the afternoon. I told them to yell loud enough for themselves and me. I on the other hand, was going to do exactly what I did the last MNF game, go to the gym, go to the store, and get home in time for kickoff. I’m a little superstitious about things if you don’t already know.

Sidebar: at the gym apparently now I can be looked at as a regular. This guy asked me in the locker room if I had been going to the gym for a while, and how did I like it. He was apparently shopping gyms. I told him I go to that particular gym because it’s conveniently located to where I used to carpool from, and I just kind of kept going. Then I found a way out of the conversation because I had a football game to watch.

The stop at the store nearly produced everything I went for but I did not find any mascarpone. I didn’t know if it’d be with the fancy cheeses (was going to take too long to look) or with stuff like cream cheese (I didn’t see it). Reason being I have found my next baking goal for this weekend, this Tiramisu cake. I might even make the Bobby Flay biscuits again to use up the buttermilk I bought to make the Coffee Cake.

I got home at 7:28 for a 7:30 kickoff. The game started off as expected, it was back and forth. On my way home I heard Reggie Bush and Jabari Greer were going to be inactive, which I was not excited about. I thought Reggie was going to play a huge part tonight, but I guess his knee is still bothering him. The Saints’ secondary has been banged up, and now we’re going to be relying on backups, including two guys who before two weeks ago were not even playing football. In this game though, those guys stepped up. My aunt’s favorite Saint was/is Mike McKenzie, who played for the Saints until last year. He was one of the guys just recently signed, in fact, signed last week. He made some HUGE plays including a game changing INT. Awesome. Then Drew Brees was just a surgeon out there, dissecting the Patriots at every turn. Did you see the ridiculously accurate throws? I mean, really, they were insane. I was pretty much in disbelief when it was 24-10 at halftime, and then when they answered the Patriots TD with one of their own to make it 31-17. Unbelievable.

Final score, Saints 38, Patriots 17. Maybe that dude who had called the radio station this morning knew something I didn’t. Or maybe he had more confidence than I did. Either way, the Saints are 11-0. WHO DAT!

I did write this yesterday, but didn’t post it. So really I did write yesterday, but technically it probably doesn’t count. I’ll post something else later on Saturday. The title of today’s post comes from the Paramore song I heard yesterday morning, and also fits with the subject.

Dear People who control the thermostat at my office,
When I first moved to my new desk, it was cold. It was August, and yet it was TOO cold. People would call, and yet you would do nothing. Then more people from my group finally moved over here, and felt the same cold that we’ve been feeling for months. They called and complained, and these people are the kind that won’t let things go, much to their own detriment I think. Anyway, now the past couple of days you have turned the heat up, but now it’s too hot. Can you just do your job? How hard is your job? All you have to do is adjust the temperature for people to feel comfortable. I don’t understand your inability to make this happen.

Searching for comfort in my cube

Dear interstate drivers,
The left lane is for passing only. It is most certainly not for going below the speed limit, talking on your phone, or texting someone. Is there something you fail to understand about the rules of the road, or are you just that inconsiderate? Last night on my way home from the Hornets game, I had to deal with at least 4 people who thought the far left lane was their cruise lane. Also, to the lady in the Toyota, I know you slowed down on purpose, after you had cut me off, so I flipped you off as I passed you IN THE CENTER LANE. I know it was dark, but I hope you saw it.

Frustrated driver who wishes people would just practice courtesy on the road

Dear Congress,
Do you think we are all stupid? Please figure out laws that actually work and don’t cost almost 1 TRILLION dollars so you can check off a box before Christmas. I don’t care if the president has a goal. Don’t be peer pressured into voting for ANYTHING. I know this concept may be very difficult for you to understand. How about granting people responsibility for their actions instead of getting involved? I understand not everyone can take control of their lives, but a lot of people in this country can. If they don’t want to do it on their own, then MAKE THEM.

Anxious to vote out all current senators and representatives

I came home from a tough day at work and checked my mail. Tough is really relative because KCOG was not there. I think he was off handling something with his divorce, which I know way too much about. He likes to let me in on his life at random times, even if I am using my headphones. ANYWAY, this is not about him. I got my U2 tickets today! They are just regular TM tickets, nothing fancy. I’m a little sad. Still though, they say FIELD on them, and that’s all that matters. My sister came over earlier so we could settle up on the Jay-Z tickets, and I got to show her the U2 tickets. She was a little concerned with me having to get in line so early, but I told her I’m probably going with a bigger U2 fan than me, so I don’t think it’ll be too hard to convince anyone to get out there early. It will be awesome. I want to fist bump Bono. Can we make this happen Adriene?

I finished up my paper for grad school and uploaded it with about a minute to spare. Since NC State is in the eastern time zone, I have to upload one hour earlier than probably everyone else in the class. It’s probably better off, because I know as a professional procrastinator, if I actually had till midnight, I would probably waste time until midnight. I found a late addition article to add and was able to easily satisfy the 1000 word requirement. Right on.