Layoffs and canned presentation

I normally work from home on Wednesdays. I changed things up due to my two medical appointments and went into work yesterday.

It was an interesting day to be in the office. The good news is that I had a massive full rack of ribs for lunch. There was a deal going on at a local restaurant. I took advantage of it.

The downside was that a snap meeting was held while my student, manager, and I were out having lunch. It's ridiculous to call a meeting fifteen minutes before it starts and during the lunch hour.

It turns out that six people were laid off in my department. It's difficult to tell whether it was due to performance or that they had been with the company for eons. They were gone. Just like that.

One person was on my team. I didn't expect him to be turfed. This person's manager was also let go.

My manager was candid with me during our regular biweekly meeting. He though that he would be the one to go. It was an odd statement. He said that I would be fine.

It's difficult to say whether I am truly safe. That being said, I do my job well. Folks know that if I leave for whatever reason, my department will suffer.

I am hoping that things get better.

In the meantime, there is great news. I was supposed to do a five-minute presentation on Monday with two other colleagues in front of our entire department. That presentation has been scrapped. Yay!

Back home with a luggage search at border security

I got back on Monday night. I was too exhausted to post anything.

My arrival at the airport was odd. First, I was asked to go to a customs/border security line after declaring that I had only brought back $90 worth of goods. The customs woman was pleasant, going through my luggage and rolling computer bag. I had nothing to hide. All went well.

My guess is that it was the long Thanksgiving weekend. Perhaps it seemed odd that I wouldn't splurge while in the States. I truly didn't go to shop. I was there for a hockey game.

Within the last year, I have been asked to go over to this special lineup twice. I'm not sure what makes folks think that I need additional questioning. I just know that I am honest and everything checks out fine. Perhaps I should have a flag in my record that I'm good!

There's more to this story regarding getting a taxi. I'll save that for another post.

Honesty about anxiety and depression at work

I had a decent talk with my newest addition to my team. One of my students and I were training her on Monday. At the end of the session, what I didn't expect was this woman sharing that she has been depressed and anxious for two years.

It hit home for me. I have been there. So has my guy.

The good news is that she is on medication, which has put her back on track. She feels good. It shows. She is funnier during our team meetings.

I was impressed that she trusted us to share what she has been going through. Add to that mix the fact that her past two team leads have said negative things about her with little justification and my manager asking her to submit weekly reports (she is the only person on our entire team doing this task) can add to that depression and anxiety.

I thanked her for sharing all this information. I told her that I'm happy that she is on my team. She seemed to be absorbing the information well. She also asked thoughtful, intelligent questions today. She has potential. It probably hasn't been noticed by others.

I'm optimistic. I let her know to leave the baggage and negative past work experiences behind her. We are working with a clean slate now. She appreciated it.

Reflections - ex-hubby's birthday and love for my guy

Today is my ex-hubby's birthday. It's strange that he has been out of my life for several years now. Yet, I still remember dates that I should forget.

Our wedding anniversary was June 5th. I thought about it briefly earlier this month. I remember how happy I was that day. Sadly, things did not work out.

He died over three years ago. It seems longer. He died too soon. However, I am at peace.

He wasn't upfront and honest with me during the first few years that we dated. That foundation of our relationship was cracked right off the bat.

I am in a much better place with my guy. I am thankful that he dropped into my life. He is my best friend and the love of my life.

It's true that through rough times, happier times ultimately prevail.

Unwrapping my guy after shopping

My guy and I had a quick conversation about where we wanted to shop the other day.

"What are you planning to do after we visit this store?" he asked me.
"I'd like to unwrap you," I said.

He liked that answer. I did, too. It was exactly how we both felt.

How to log off from the work network to access porn

When my guy was still in Rome, we were chatting on Skype. He asked me what seemed to be a work-related question.

At work, if we are not in the office, we need to connect to the company's network through secure channels. Naturally, with most of our work tools, the method isn't exactly user-friendly. For instance, it isn't obvious how to disconnect from the network once you are connected.

My guy asked me that question. He knows that I ultimately figure out such things. After much trial and error, I figured it out. I showed my guy how to disconnect from the network.

"How come you're asking me?" I asked him.
"I know that you're better at such technical details as I am. I also need to know how to log off the network so I can access porn," he admitted.

I bursted out in laughter. I wasn't laughing at him. I simply wasn't expecting that answer. The company does block porn sites, as you'd expect.

He's sweet and he's honest.