Configuring a new work laptop

On Tuesday, I went into the office to pick up my new laptop. My current one is four years old and its lease is about to expire. The company leases all laptops.

I spent a couple of hours configuring my laptop and getting software updates installed. I then finished things up at home. So, perhaps I had spent three to four hours getting my new laptop configured.

I used my new laptop all day on Wednesday. I love it. It's much faster to open up applications.

I was exhausted on Tuesday. It was a long ten-hour day.

There's only two more workdays left before the weekend is here. I can't wait!

Company-wide laptop issue

I'm glad that I took Monday off. My company had a worldwide laptop issue. It makes you wonder what the IT department loads that causes every single laptop to flicker and die.

I got my first work broadcast text. I don't have my cell phone number listed publicly in our company directory, but it is there for emergencies. It worked.

I did boot up my laptop tonight and it works fine. It's just in time for my returning to work later on today.

Posting from my new Chromebook

Yesterday, I got my new Chromebook. Setting it up was easy.

I like the look and its performance so far. The keyboard is noisier than my other laptops, but is comfortable to type on. I'm loving how straightforward everything is.

It's the lightest laptop that I have. It's cool.

First day back at work

In a few hours, I head back to work. Vacation is over and I need to pay for all the outings that I did over the past two weeks! It's nice working from home and not commuting.

I will be in a supporting role training a new colleague. I tend to do the training on my team. However, I went on vacation and my manager had no choice but to give that task to my colleague that I have trained twice. He was an intern and returned as a full-time employee in May.

I have a feeling that I'll be going through my inbox for half the day. Here's hoping that it's not a crazy first day back and that my work laptop is operational!

Super glue and poor design

For a while, one of the rubber feet on my work laptop constantly falls off. As a temporary solution, I glued it back with nail polish. It works for a few months before I need to reapply it. I knew that I needed to get some super glue soon.

I went to the dollar store on the weekend and picked up a tube. The rubber foot is drying nicely as I type.

The weird thing about the super glue is that it came in a cylindrical container. The glue and the tip were separate when I got them. After screwing on the tip with the lid and using it, the glue does not fit in the container anymore.

Poor design. I'm not about to unscrew the tip and have super glue all over me. Instead, I had an empty mason jar that is now the super glue's new home.

My former intern returns as a contractor

Yesterday, my former intern joined our team as a contractor. It's great having him back.

The downside was getting his laptop up and running. We had several obstacles, including not having a password for him to log into said laptop. Crazy!

We did manage to get what we wanted to work. There's more to come later on today.

The disaster that is a Windows update

On Monday, after I was done work at 4 pm, I had a Windows update on my work laptop that was pending and had it installed. I left my laptop on for another hour before I turned it off for the day.

I started my workday on Tuesday just after 7 am. I woke up too early. In a way, it was good.

I booted up my work laptop. I could not get Microsoft Teams to launch. I needed it to train the new hire. Rebooting and relaunching Teams did not work. I absolutely dislike whenever there's a Windows update. Ideally, it should work. When it's bad, it's incredibly bad.

At 8 am, I started training the new hire. I noticed that no matter what site I was trying to access, I had to enter my username and password, and my credentials could not be authenticated. I then saw a Windows message saying to lock my screen. I did it. Guess what? I was completely locked out of my laptop. Great.

At work, there's a self-serve password reset. I tried it and couldn't connect to the server. Lovely.

I then called the IT helpdesk. The folks there suck. The woman I spoke to said that she couldn't unlock my account and had to pass it over to her colleague. He would call me back. I asked at what number. At my Teams phone number. Um, no. I have Teams on my locked laptop. You can't automatically assume that the phone number on record is accurate. I gave her my cell phone.

I tried logging in after fifteen minutes. Success! I was able to log into my laptop and train. Sadly, I lost an hour of productivity.

The male helpdesk guy called me half an hour after I had logged in. Such a crazy delay! Apparently, since this Windows update happened, many folks have been calling the helpdesk for assistance.

Such a horrible update!

The insensitive jerk called, but didn't leave a lasting impression

The insensitive jerk, also known as my ex-guy, called me just after 21:00 last night. I looked at the number displayed on my phone and let it ring.

As expected, it went to voicemail. He didn't leave a message.

I didn't call him back. I was getting reacquainted with my old mini laptop that has Windows 7 loaded. I haven't booted it up in years. Yes, this old laptop took precedence.

I figure that he has second thoughts about his decision last year to end our relationship. The problem is that he thinks that we can pick up from where we left off. We can't. I can't.

Computer eyeglasses - do they work?

I am contemplating getting computer eyeglasses to reduce eye strain. I've noticed it more since I came back from vacation and have been back to the grind.

Do these computer eyeglasses help? Is it better to get something similar, but as a screen protector for a computer monitor or laptop screen?

I need to do some research. I haven't got a clue. I do know that I'm much happier not looking at a computer screen for hours.

Work laptop issues - ugh!

I have had a couple of issues with my laptop since returning to work. Tuesday consisted of my laptop screen going completely dark. I have a feeling that looking at that screen for a bit caused my eye strain, which I haven't felt in years.

Yesterday, I spent half the day with the IT helpdesk to get me connected to the corporate network. I had a Windows update, which screwed up the corporate connection.

It's enjoyable to be back at work. I need to go back on vacation, where I didn't spend a ton of time looking at a screen and dealing with technology issues. Ah, memories!

Transfering music from Google Music to YouTube Music

Plans for Google Music to become YouTube music have been in the works for at least a year. I have been a fan of the former for a while and have a subscription. I like that I can upload my entire iTunes library to Google Music and storage is free.

Yesterday, I got word to transfer my music from Google Music over to YouTube Music. I have a lot of music. It has been transferring for over six hours. It's down to the last task, which is to transfer uploads and purchases. This final task also happens to be the largest.

I started this task on my work laptop. I stopped it and it's now running on my Mac mini. I'll have it run overnight and see how it's doing when I wake up.

My Tuesday started early. I had a conference call at 7 am that lasted four hours. It was nice calling it a day just past 3:30 pm.

The downside is that I'm ready for bed now.

Weather, laundry, and closing off 2019

We had rain, freezing rain, and snow on Sunday. I hope that it will be safe for me to drive to work in a few hours. Otherwise, I'll need to work from home and dig out my laptop from my car's trunk.

I got back home yesterday and decided not to bring my laptop in with me. I had my luggage and groceries to haul home that I didn't think about my laptop at all.

I spent last night doing laundry. It's relaxing, as the machines do all the work.

It's December. I am looking forward to wrapping up this year. It hasn't been the best, but I'm doing well under the circumstances.

Bumpy first day of training, but all worked out well

My first day training my new student wasn't the smoothest, but I tend to get through things as best I can.

I arrived at work safely. I found the room where I'll be for the next two weeks. I powered up my laptop and it switched off immediately.

I then play around with the power outlets in this room. Half of them don't work.

My manager typically gives the security person and receptionist a heads-up e-mail that we are expecting a new student. He sent out nothing. I sent out an e-mail to them at around 9:05 am. The security guy is away on vacation till May 6 (what?!) and the receptionist wasn't there.

I decided to simply drop down to the waiting area after I plugged in my laptop and managed to power it up at 1% battery power.

My new student and I connected immediately. He didn't check in because the receptionist wasn't there. Instead, we checked him in with the security guy, who didn't seem like he knew what he was doing.

Then, there's his laptop. We went to our IT department and there was a sign saying that it was closed for the day. Ugh!

I contacted my helpful co-ordinator. She was pretty busy with a batch of students. She found the IT guy and let me know that my student's laptop was there. Yay!

On top of all this chaos, my manager decided to take the entire day off to run errands. Weird. It was like he was asking me if I'd be okay with that. Well, he really didn't need to be at the office, other than to greet our new student. I am fine training my student. It's not like he can or will.

Anyway, we both survived. Here's hoping for smoother training sessions ahead.

First day of a new work term and a dream about French kissing

Last night, I dreamt about my ex-guy. He said that he wanted to not only French kiss me, but to put his tongue down my mouth.

It was a strange dream. I'm not sure what it signifies.

Several hours from now, a new work term begins. Last Friday, I was given the news that our new student starts today. I wasn't prepared for such a quick start. Here's hoping that his laptop is available. Otherwise, it will be my doing a bunch of demonstrations during my training sessions.

I had a great weekend. I am looking forward to my next long weekend in over a month.

Back in the training saddle again

Monday was my first day training my new student. All went well, except that her laptop didn't arrive at work on time. We had to get a loaner.

She's fitting in well. I am pleased.

My manager treated her to lunch. I was invited, but had to pay for my own meal. Hey, it could have been much worse.

I am looking forward to the rest of this week.

Mac mini is happy again as I prepare for bloodwork

My Mac mini has good and bad days. Yesterday was bad. Today, my Mac mini is operational and happy.

I know that it's time to get a new Mac mini. I just don't want to shell out for one. They aren't exactly cheap. I can always use my laptop, which works fine.

I'm currently fasting for bloodwork. I had a decent salad for dinner from Chipotle. I am oddly still full from it. However, I am planning where I want to get breakfast after I'm done with my bloodwork.

Dopey conversation at the office

My guy told me what had happened to him once he got back to the office. We had just had lunch and I had given him a handjob afterwards.

"I met your colleague's husband when I picked up my new laptop," he said.
"Yes. How did it go?" I asked him.
"I was so dopey that I was talking slowly and he problem thought I was high on weed," he recounted.
"I'm glad that I did a good job. He probably thought that you were tired," I noted.
"I hope so. I was dopey. I probably didn't make much sense. I didn't want to talk," he replied.
"You still had cum on your black slacks, right?" I recalled.
"I did. Luckily, my coat was long enough to hide it," he said.

I love when he's dopey.

Productive day with a new laptop

Monday was quite a busy workday. It was nice that my manager was away, which should be the norm!

I had a conference call on my way to work. There are three of us on this call. Two of us have something meaningful to contribute each week. Our third colleague has little to contribute that is of value on any given week.

At the office, I spent my first half an hour on the phone with my cell phone provider. I got my employee discount applied and got reimbursed $32 CAD for the difference this month. Yay!

Moments later, I spent time collecting money towards a farewell gift for a colleague who is leaving the company. I find that if I don't organize such events, no one does it within our department.

Twenty minutes later, I received an e-mail indicating that my replacement laptop had arrived. I went to turn in my old Windows 7 laptop for a new Windows 10 one. The IT folks were helpful and pleasant under the circumstances. Every employee is getting a new laptop, so to orchestrate such a massive change takes a ton of patience.

Naturally, my configuring everything ran into bumps. I needed a new cable to connect one of my existing monitors to the new HDMI port on my laptop. The folks who had those cables were unavailable. Luckily, I bumped into my colleague in the washroom who had an extra cable. It made a huge difference trying to do work on a 14" screen for most of the day to a larger 32" one!

Of course, I couldn't download all the software applications that I needed from our company portal. I spent some time with an IT person over the phone to troubleshoot the issue. Ah, fun!

Tonight, I let my laptop run, sync, and sort itself out at home. Magically, everything works now. I can download the software programs that I need. My connection to the company's intranet works. I'm almost shocked.

I also managed to spend an hour late this morning reviewing documents and answering questions that my students had. We also had a relaxing lunch together with good conversation.

I love a productive day, especially when I chat with so many different folks.

Meeting my guy for lunch, hugs, kissing, and groping

On Tuesday, I got a call from my guy as he was heading over to the office. I had to break the news to him that I was working from home.

He went into the office to pick up his new laptop. He had to get the IT guys to make sure that everything was transferred properly on his new laptop. He decided to give me a phone call and do lunch. We met midway.

We went back to a Chinese restaurant that we have frequented a handful of times. I had to text him the address, as he is directionally challenged.

I got there and tried calling him. My call immediately went to voicemail. To me, it was a sign that his cell phone was dead.

He knocked on the glass of my car's door. It startled me. I got out. We hugged. It was one of the best hugs. It's the kind of hug that quietly says that I miss you and love you.

We must have been in that embrace for a good minute. He groped my left buttock.

"That's my butt," I whispered in his left ear.
"I know," he said, continuing to grope my buttock.

We then locked lips. I have missed kissing him. Again, it seemed like we were kissing for a good minute.

I like that we block out the world when we are together. It's nice.

Missing my guy and postponing an interview

I miss my guy. I am waiting for him to visit the office these days. Unfortunately, he isn't the most prepared person as far as making sure that his files are backed up on his current laptop before handing it over and getting a new one.

The wait continues.

My interview that was scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed. I said that Friday would work best. I am losing interest in attending. The more that I think about the position, the more I don't think it's the right fit. I am still interested in seeing what questions will be posed, though.

It's an interesting position to be in.