Snowday

It's snowing. We are expecting anywhere between 25 to 35 cm of snow today. 

It's definitely pretty to look at from indoors. Here's to a snowy Monday!

Rare Monday night outing

On Monday night, I went out to get a free meal at a cool Mexican-Latin-America eatery. The food was amazing. I'll definitely need to return for more.

The place is owned by a husband-and-wife team. They were so warm and welcoming.

It was raining all night. It felt soothing driving through the rain heading over there and then home.

I did stop to get some bubble tea after eating dinner. It was the perfect way to end my outing.

Long weekend coming up and asleep during an online meeting

I found out that this weekend is a longer one. Yay! I am thinking about extending it by taking a vacation day next Tuesday.

I didn't sleep all that well last night. I had foot pain thanks to doing more driving than I had anticipated on the weekend. I actually fell asleep during an online meeting on Monday morning and I'm pretty sure that no one noticed!

My foot is much better now. I should be able to sleep better tonight.

Vaccine and an early meeting

On Monday afternoon, my friend shared the news with me that she got her COVID-19 vaccine. I was so happy for her. It lifted her spirits up.

I was thrilled that she reached out to me. We had talked about my experience last week when she asked me how I felt after getting my shot.

It was great news to the start of the workweek.

I'm off to bed soon. I have a 7 am meeting that occurs every five months. It's that four-hour meeting that it way too long.

Shorter workweek

I like a shorter workweek. It makes me look forward to a longer weekend. I am extending it by taking next Monday off.

My busiest workday is Friday. Yay to not having to deal with it this week!

A different kind of Monday

I am taking Monday off from work in lieu of working the hours late last week. I have a relaxed, yet somewhat adventurous plan.

I do need to vacuum my car. Here's hoping that I can do it safely. I suspect that it won't be all that busy.

Last week, I was hoping to venture into the city. I never made it. Instead, that's my goal for today. I'm now picking up two food orders. I also hope to take in the new Toronto sign that was recently installed.

After that, I may visit either a cafe that is offering a free beverage or visit my old neighbourhood where I grew up to reminisce.

My manager can ruin a perfectly nice day

I have an interesting working relationship with my manager. Sometimes, I dig what he does. Other times, I shake my head.

Our team has these brief chats at the end of the workday. Last week, he suggested that each person lead a chat with a topic. I was the first person to say that I liked how casual and natural it flows. We think of topics to discuss as if we were in the office, chatting in the lunch room. It should not be a structured meeting. It's a chat.

Yesterday, a colleague congratulated me on my ten-year work anniversary. Naturally, my manager ruined it by saying that in our human resources system, my start date working for the company is September 24 and that I should contact HR to have it fixed.

Why? I told him that I know what my start date is. Obviously, my three colleagues in this chat knew what my start date was, because they signed my virtual card. He dropped the ball by failing to sign it. He got the e-mail. He chose to not act on it.

Anyway, I contacted HR and spoke to a nice guy. I know that my manager won't and wouldn't do it. As noted, in the system, my start date is correct. However, my signed contract date is September 24, 2012. It's practically two years after I started working for the company, which obviously makes no sense! Anyway, he has a separate department who will fix this issue.

It's always nice when my manager ruins such a lovely occasion. It's not every day that one hits a milestone like what I just did. He could have been more attentive. That's just my take on it.

Anyway, my colleagues left me nice messages in my virtual card. They made Monday far more cheerful.

I got to select a gift to commemorate this occasion. I got a fancy tea steeper. I drink lots of tea, so it will come in handy. It will take a month to ship, which is the downside. Luckily, I am patient.

Reminders of a severed relationship and looking forward to travel

My ex-guy's car is parked at work again. This time around, seeing his car doesn't hurt as much.

He broke my heart. I find it difficult to have him in my life. It is far easier to sever ties with him. It is too painful to relive being happy in our relationship and having the plug pulled on a Monday -- likely the worst day of the week to break up. Then again, any day to select as a break-up day isn't great.

I have a few days before I fly off to the Twin Cities. I am excited to be back after nine years. It'll do me some good.

Do normal colleagues exist?

It was a busy Monday at work. My colleague who joined my team almost two months ago showed odd signs of incompetence.

She has been with the company for a good three years. She completely messed up a procedure and insisted that "everyone" updates these pages the same way as she. I actually had to disprove her. Even my manager got into the conversation.

Weird. I sometimes have to wonder whether there is something different about the way that she is wired. Luckily, I get a break from seeing her for a couple of days. I am working from home. It's a distraction to have her approach me a couple of times an hour when I am in the office.

I miss having normal colleagues.

Early for breakfast - getting to the truth with a kiss

My guy asked me on Monday whether I wanted to grab some breakfast. I had already eaten, so I wasn't hungry.

"It's strange that you have time to have breakfast with me. Normally, you're running late when you head to the airport," I pointed out.
"I've changed. It's the new me," he said boldly.
"There isn't a full moon. You love sleeping in. I don't buy it," I said to him.
"Here's the truth," he explained.
"Ah, ha! I knew it!" I exclaimed, which made him smile.
"My friend needed a ride downtown, so I woke up early and now I'm here with you," he said.

He had finished eating his fried egg breakfast sandwich. He walked over to dispose of the wrapper, but ended up groping my breasts and kissing me down my neck before getting to the garbage recepticle.

After getting rid of his sandwich wrapper, he approached me from my left and kissed me. I love when he does that.

"You look especially cute and sexy this morning," he said, sitting down.
"You're pretty good to look at on a Monday, too," I noted.

I like when he stops by the office, especially to perk up a mundane Monday.

Teleconference vs. my guy's call

Every Monday, I have a conference call at 08:00. This past Monday, I had a different meeting, but at the same bat time. I drove into work on the call.

I had about ten minutes left of this conference call. My guy called me on my cell phone. I had to decline it. He was determined to reach me, so he called me again. I had to take it.

"Hey, do you realize that you are interrupting my conference call?" I said.
"I'm sorry. I'm driving into work. Are you there?" he asked me.
"Yes, I am. Can I call you back in five minutes or so?" I asked.
"Sure. Take your time," he replied.

Well, I ended our call and tried to resume my conference call. I couldn't reconnect. It was frustrating, as I didn't know what the final outcome was. I called my guy back.

"I couldn't get back into the call, so it's a mystery to me what was decided," I noted.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I just wanted to hear you voice and see you before I fly off," he said.
"Where are you going?" I asked him.
"Cairo," he replied.
"That's pretty short notice," I indicated.
"Yes. I just found out about it on Friday. I'm gone for nearly three weeks. Did you want to do breakfast?" he asked.
"That's a long time. I already ate, but thanks," I replied.
"I'll call you when I fetch some breakfast and take it upstairs," he said.
"Sounds good. Drive safely and I'll see you soon," I replied.
"See you," he said.

Mondays are generally blah. Seeing him always perks me up, even though things weren't exactly smooth on this particular morning.

Monday surprise - eye candy

Every Monday, I drive to work and participate in a conference call. The one this past Monday was pleasant and productive. We finished the call in half an hour.

I had fifteen more minutes to get to work. I finally made it.

The parking lot at work requires a bit of care. There is a pedestrian crossing, so you are expected to yield. Sure enough, a good-looking guy started crossing the lot. He looked at me. I waved at him. He smiled. I reciprocated.

I pressed the button to roll down my car window.

"Oh, my gosh, you're early!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, I am," my guy turned back and smiled.
"I'm super impressed," I admitted.
"Me, too," he chuckled.

I wish that all Monday mornings started off with eye candy.

New writer, new technology challenges, and new success

I survived my first day training with my new colleague. She doesn't have a laptop due to a human resources screw-up. Nothing can be ordered for her until HR decides to create her e-mail address account. Ugh!

HR has known about her arrival for a couple of months. Yep, it can't get its act together.

I am doing something that sort of makes me cringe. I have a loaner laptop for her. My Windows password expires in a couple of days. I am changing it to something generic so that she can log in as me. I will be logged in to my own laptop with the same credentials.

It works. It can be done. It is odd from a security standpoint. I simply hope that she doesn't mess up any of my network settings.

The good news is that she can't access my work e-mail and a bunch of other applications. I don't have anything confidential. I simply get creeped out about folks reading my e-mail.

Yep, it's my manager's idea. We'll see how long this routine lasts.

I'm not sure how I feel about this new writer. She asks questions that are about the products that we ultimately document, but they aren't really geared towards what she will do. When she knows the topic, she'll say so. It's a hint for me to move to the next slide.

I am hoping that she is as good of a writer as she is advertising. Only time will tell.

On a good note, I managed to introduce her to almost everyone on our team, except for two people who were away from the office. That's pretty good for me, considering that I forget about doing that tour in the afternoon when everyone is in a lull on a Monday.

Q is for questions and questioning #AtoZchallenge

It has been an interesting Monday. I'm beat, but I'm still going.

At work, I get a bunch of questions fired at me from various folks. My co-op students take some coaxing, though. I have to ask them whether they have any questions for me. They seem more comfortable asking me through e-mail. It's a different generation, I suppose.

Tomorrow, I am attempting to get my tourist visa for China. I have spent some time filling out forms. There are a few questions that confuse me, so I'll need to ask someone about them. Ah, the joys of figuring out what people truly mean.

On Monday, I also spent some time creating documentation builds with my students. I like how everything we did worked and made logical sense. The problem was working with the software build person. She wanted the old documentation build, to be safe. Luckily, I am the type who plans everything. I had archived the old version. For me to quickly recreate the old documentation build was straightforward.

I am working from home tomorrow, which allows me to visit the Chinese consulate and relax. I do tense up more at work these days.

I am waiting for a free, new blood pressure monitor to arrive at my doorstep. It's one of the benefits of being on blood pressure medication, being the optimist. Still, I'd like to see how my blood pressure is doing these days.

D is for downstairs seeing my guy #AtoZchallenge

Mondays are typically blah. The countdown for the weekend kicks in immediately.

I tried to keep my work-related stress down. The morning went pretty well, even though I was in three meetings. It's nice that half the day blew by.

I had just finished eating my lunch. I was unwinding by watching a video podcast on my phone. My phone rang. It was my guy.

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Where are you?"
"Hey, I'm downstairs in the lobby. I am here to fetch my car, but I have some manuals for you," he said.
"You just came in?" I asked him.
"Yes, I had to spend an unexpected couple of days in Frankfurt due to flight delays and cancellations," my guy explained.
"Sorry to hear. I'll come downstairs," I replied.

It was nice seeing him. Although he travelled a fairly good distance to get home, he was happy and in good spirits.

"Do you like my new coat?" he asked me, modelling a grey coat.
"It's woolly!" I exclaimed, caressing the fabric around my guy's chest area.
"It is," he confirmed.
"It suits you. It's the perfect length," I stated.
"I agree," he said.
"It's nice to have the real woolly. I cuddle up next to purple woolly. I love him," I told him, which made him smile.
"Do you hump him?" he teased.
"No, he's a plush! I'd rather hump you," I replied.

He nodded. He obviously approved. It was such a nice pick-me-up to see him.

Black Friday - ugh!

Happy belated Thanksgiving for all celebrating the day! I loved living in the States for a couple of years, mainly because I was thankful twice each year. I got to celebrate Canadian and American Thanksgiving.

Black Friday makes me cringe, though. I do not understand why an American trend is now alive and growing like the plague in Canada, other than for commercial reasons. Last year, I refused to participate. I am in the same boat today.

I think I am turned off by these alleged deals in Canada because I don't have anything to buy. I plan my gift-buying so well that I have been done my Christmas shopping since October!

If I do get the itch to buy at discount prices, I will either give Cyber Monday a shot, or wait till we have Boxing Day sales in December.

My rant about Boxing Day sales getting extended in recent years to Boxing week sales merits a new blog post down the road.

My guy, who is an avid shopper, doesn't mind Black Friday. However, he feels the same way that I do about the prices. He hasn't found decent prices on items that he wants. Meanwhile, he loves Boxing Day sales as much as I do.

Skype chat with my guy in the office and both of us getting off

Last Monday, my guy was on Skype and sent me a message. He wanted to chat with me. It was around 15:00, so I went to find a mini meeting room.

My guy had a good day and didn't fall asleep while working, which is pretty good for a jetlagged guy.

He was horny and wanted help getting off. So, I helped, being the helpful person that I am. I joined in on the fun.

I wish Mondays were always this exciting. It was nice, considering that we have a six-hour time difference.

I wished my guy sweet dreams. He was fortunate to doze off. As for me, I didn't exactly do much work after that!

Eating lunch, groping, and threatening to spank me - a good Monday!

My guy asked whether I wanted to do lunch. Of course! I wrote back to him on our corporate instant messaging application.

He was running a bit late at our agreed time of 12:30 pm. I indicated that I needed to be back at 2 pm for a meeting.

We both got out of separate elevators simultaneously, which was nice. We then walked over to his car. He found it, which was miraculous for a directionally challenged guy. He parked in the underground lot for the first time on a weekday.

He drove us to our usual Chinese restaurant. He held my hand and remarked how pretty the pink nail polish looked on my hand. I love holding his hand.

He parked and we walked over to the restaurant. We immediately placed our orders. We missed each other. My guy rubbed his leg against mine under the table. He told me that he wanted to kiss me badly. He's sweet.

We ate and chatted, and basically crammed everything into a 45-minute lunch. He paid for lunch and we promptly left the restaurant.

He groped my butt as we walked out. He told me that I was a bad girl and he'd deal with me later. I got turned on. We held hands walking to his car. We got in.

I got my guy some Belgian chocolate-covered ginger from Ottawa. He asked me to open the box. We both took one of the yummy goodies. So good!

My guy drove briefly. He quickly pulled into a side lot. We kissed. It was so sweet and nice.

We held hands. I rubbed his thigh, admiring how nice his new wool slacks felt.

Mondays should always be like this one.

Mondays are better with a sweet guy

We typically dread Monday morning. Its arrival signals the beginning of the workweek for most adults.

Today, I had a different outlook. It was the first day seeing my guy again.

The feeling was mutual. He sent a message on our internal instant messaging system, saying hi during his course break. He indicated that he'd break for lunch at 12:30 pm. I was good with that.

He pinged me at exactly 12:30 pm, asking whether I was ready to go. I was. We met downstairs in the lobby.

My face lit up in a smile as soon as I saw him. He reciprocated. He noticed my blue jacket on and liked it. It is one of the best, cheap purchases I have ever made at Walmart. My guy and I were both impressed at how good it looked.

I threatened to drive his new manual car as we walked towards it in the parking lot. It's fun teasing him. His car looks nice. It was my first time in his car, moulding my butt in the passenger-side seat next to my guy. Yes, he worded the moulding-my-butt comment when we last spoke.

His car drives smoothly. My guy had his hand on his car's stick shift. He strategically placed his right hand on my left thigh. That was nice. We held hands for a bit on his car's stick shift, with mine on top of his.

"I hope you don't confuse the car's stick shift with your own," I teased.
"The question is whether you will get them confused," my guy grinned.
"Let me see," I remarked, running my hand down the car's stick shift. "Hard to tell. Get it?"

He liked my pun, as corny as it was. We continued to enjoy each other's company as he drove us to our usual hangout for lunch.

Mondays are better when you get to spend it with your loved one.

Driving my guy to the airport on Monday - part 1

Last Monday was the day that my guy was to fly off to Charlotte, NC on a business trip. I had offered to drive him to the airport, which he accepted. We both like the fact that it gives us time to chat and to send him off on his trip on a good note.

My guy said that he would leave at 11:30 am. I had misinterpreted that fact by thinking that he would get to the office by that time. Instead, he called me just after 09:00. It's a good thing that I tend to get to work on Mondays by 08:30.

"Man, you are early," I said.
"I know," he admitted. "You can still take me across the street, right? If not, I can take a taxi."
"Yes, I can. I will be there in a couple of minutes."

Sure enough, he was parked next to my car and was beginning to transfer his luggage from his car's trunk. It was good to see him. He had a huge smile on his face as our eyes met.

He moved his goods into my car's trunk and we got in my car. I showed him the Magic Mount that I got for my car, which holds your cell phone securely with magnets. To make a long story short, he had debated whether to get the Magic Mount Window for his car. He has a curved cell phone, which doesn't sit flush against the Magic Mount Window. I encouraged him to bend the magnet and knew that my guy was creative enough to do it. He actually took the encouragement to heart and did it. I was impressed and proud of him.

Anyway, he liked the version that I had, but told me that it was his job to get me it. I told him that I still wanted the Magic Mount Window for my GPS, so he could still get me that. He seemed fine with that response. He's like a sweet boy sometimes.

We talked and joked as I drove him to the departures level of the terminal that he needed. I found a decent spot to park. I asked him if I could kiss him. He didn't hesitate and we did. I also got to caress his head. He told me after we unlocked lips that it was the best way to start his day.

We got out of my car and got his belongings from my car's trunk. We hugged. I wished him a safe flight. He told me that he'd call me, he thanked me, and walked into the terminal.

I drove back to work, happy that I got to send him off well. It made my Monday a whole lot better, too.