Delay in a software release is to my advantage

This major software release continues to have hiccups. It means that many people are working on the weekend.

It's good news for me. I have one page of updates left. It is sadly the longest update to make, though.

This page lists a number of products that are used in our software itself. The original list had seven products. It is now closer to 1500. It means that I need to add all these products in, including their versions.

It's a pain. I am down to roughly 700 products left to add. It's doable getting this task done by Sunday.

I can't wait to get this task over with.

Happy weekend!

Spreadsheet hell

I have been writing two new documents for work. They are based on two spreadsheets that are horribly designed.

This person interchanges the software product's name and the software company's name. On top of that, she has merged a bunch of columns, so it's difficult to comprehend. Ugh!

Finally, this person repeats the same list of software products for every software release that our company does. Yet, the list is supposed to reflect a specific release. Huh? It's such a waste of time going through each software release because the versions rarely change.

I am nearly done with this set of spreadsheets for the previous release. I am expecting a new set this week. I have a feeling that they will look equally horrible because this person hasn't bothered to make her spreadsheets meaningful and useful. Instead, it's a dumping ground for her data.

Others putting themselves in my old shoes

I am not as stressed out at work, mainly because I don't lead our software release work these days. It's a nice change.

However, I am the one who troubleshoots and makes decisions on my team that either no one has thought about or can't come to a conclusion. It's one many reason why I did everything seamlessly.

I also find that my colleagues whine and complain about minor things that I never did. Perhaps I need to join in and see how that feels.

I still feel that they took what I did for granted. Now that they are enduring what I used to do, I feel like there's a quieter respect that they have for me.

Toilet roll dream

A few nights ago, I dreamt of a toilet paper roll. It was odd.

I looked at what it may symbolize. There are many interpretations.

One interpretation is that it's a warming. Someone is apparently wanting to invade my personal territory or get confidential information.

A second interpretation is the following from dream-meaning.net:

To dream about toilet paper rolls, represents aftermath and cleanup of emotional release. You are ready to heal and recover from your emotional outburst. It should be noted that you will still leave a mark somewhere, but those marks will soon be forgotten.

My guess is that telling my ex that I hate him and that he's an asshole fits this interpretation. Although I don't like saying cross words to anyone, it was time to tell him off. I'm at peace with my outburst. He needed to hear it, as opposed to his thinking that we could continue being friends, even though he hurt me deeply.

Reopening Toronto and Peel region, and planning what to do

On Wednesday, Toronto and Peel regions go into phase 2 of reopening businesses. The former is my hometown. The latter is where I work.

I am excited that restaurant patios are opening up. I'd like to visit one and see how it goes. I hope to try it out next week. 

When I'm on vacation next week, I want to get my hair cut. It's time. I haven't had my hair cut in six months, which is normal for me. I cut my bangs almost monthly.

As far as my panic attacks go, I figure that my not being involved in leading a software release caused it. It's weird. I am thankful that I wasn't in charge of it, as it has not gone smoothly.

My panic attack symptoms are mild now. I have a feeling that once I am on vacation, they will be gone.

Four more workdays to go. Yay!

Just went I thought I was out, I'm back in

It's funny how my previous post described two people who have taken over a portion of my workload. We'll, I'm returning to that world to help them out for the next two weeks.

The woman, who took half my duties, cannot handle the next three software releases. When she first started out with the company, I nicknamed her the diva because she has that vibe. I see it again. So, I will be pulled in for a bit, along with the incompetent woman.

I dislike bailing people out because they are incompetent. Ugh!

Frankly, my manager is worried that these two people can't pull off our major release. I have been told that I won't be there 50% of the time. I pointed out to my manager that I have regular development work that I can't let slide. He understood.

On Friday, my manager confided during our weekly chat that he doesn't feel comfortable giving a specific task to the other person who is taking over my duties. He feels that I am the best candidate. Although it was a nice compliment, I can't handle everything. It explains why I used to always be exhausted after a major software release.

I don't want to be cloned, but it sounds like a fun idea to explore in this scenario.

Appreciation and respect at work

For years, I successfully handled completed every software release containing documentation. As of a few months ago, this main task was handed off to two of my counterparts.

During this entire period, I felt that folks on my team took my work for granted. I wasn't losing my mind. They did.

The woman who has been doing half my role finally realized that I do a lot of work. I had invited her to a meeting on what to do after a release is over. She decided to waltz into this meeting 1.5 hours later.

It just shows that when folks aren't responsible for a task, they don't care. When they are, it matters and they panic when they don't have the answers.

It's happening now.

With my manager,  he makes me the representative for everything. I had a good talk about this issue again this past Tuesday. It needs to be spread around the team. If I'm not available, the knowledge is likely lost when I do not have a backup.

Folks are listening. In a team meeting on Thursday, this woman thanked me for always being there for her when she has questions and I quickly reply. She called me a "data bank," which is a fun nickname.

My manager decided to nominate someone else to represent our team for development work. He said that normally, it would go to me, but he said that I am pretty busy. You think?

My manager also said that for the last seven years, I have been handling all these release activities "quietly and flawlessly." I complete my work. I communicate well. I don't complain, other than when things are completely stressing me out and I need help, or when someone is holding up the process.

Progress is good. It's important to vocalize how you feel. It is also noticeable how valuable you are as an employee when you no longer do a specific task and your manager worries about the folks (yep, plural) who are taking it over.

Trip,Tuesday, and tired

I need to start getting ready for a brief jaunt down to the Twin Cities. I have somewhat packed, but I'm missing a few items.

This week, I only have Tuesday to work from home. I need to get my packing done after work. It's a busy time releasing software out to customers. I have a writer who is taking over some of my responsibilities. We'll see how she does.

I do have plenty to say, but I'm tired. I'll save it for another day.

Take care, everyone!

Good things came in threes for me

The year is winding down at work. I got a bunch of gifts on Thursday.

A project manager thanked me for my hard work recently. She got me a Belgian chocolate cake. I was feeling chilled and not the best yesterday, so I'll eat the cake when I am back to my normal self. I thanked her for the kind gesture.

A colleague got me chocolates. Yum!

Finally, my manager gave me a bunch of points towards anything at our online store. He thanked me for my efforts getting five software releases out the door within the last three weeks.

No wonder I felt under the weather yesterday. Work has just been weighing me down. Today is my last workday before I go on vacation. Yay!

Staycation and work

I am doing a brief weekend staycation. I am packed for the most part, as I just came back from one last weekend.

There is a snowfall warning happening. I had planned to go to work to bail the incompetent woman out. We'll see if I end up working from home instead.

Yesterday, I got our major software release out the door with my intern's help. The other one naturally has issues because incompetent woman can't figure things out.

I'm off to bed soon. I'm exhausted, but happy.

Lonely boss and incompetent colleague - both are October babies

My manager feels lonely working at his desk. I haven't sat next to him for nearly three weeks.

My first two weeks were spent training my new student in a meeting room a few floors down from where I typically work. My incompetent colleague on my team was supposed to work on a software release, but couldn't get her act together. I took that task away from her and trained my student on it. We both split up the work, which went well.

I had a talk with this incompetent colleague. She can't commit to deadlines even though I took off major tasks from her plate. She is simply an idiot.

It's interesting that both our manager and this incompetent colleague have birthdays in October. They are polar opposites as far as personalities and work ethic go.

I get to sit at my desk later on today. It'll be a bit weird, but I look forward to the change in environment.

On Thursday, my manager had to drop by our meeting room simply to chat. Our chat had nothing to do with work. I gave him the tipoff that there was food at another meeting room. He appreciated it. It's nice that he likes our company.

Exhausting week and questioning comprehension

What a long week! I'm exhausted.

I wrapped up a major release and pushed out a minor one. I got my little team consisting of two students and me to train a new employee on our team. It's good that she has been hired to take over some of my development tasks. However, I am still unsure about how I feel about her.

The way that she learns and comprehends puzzles me. She talks a lot. Information relayed to her doesn't register in her head.

She had a question about a feature and what the difference was between the options. I asked if she wanted to try one of the options out. She said with authority, "No!" That's not a good sign if you are all questions, you can retain answers, and you are hesitant to explore.

Yes, she talks a ton. It's to the point where I have to tune out. She also sounds like a little girl and she's nearly thirty years old. It's difficult to listen to her.

I am hoping that next week will fly by. I'm simply glad that the weekend is here.

Deadlines and Christmas market - yay, weekend!

It has been a crazy week. My team got our documentation packaged and uploaded. There are a few issues that need helpdesk support. However, we worked so hard to get our deliverables out the door.

I'm glad that it's the weekend. I am seeing a couple of friends tomorrow at a Christmas market. I am looking forward to seeing them again and what's at the market.

Missing someone that it hurts and dealing with work madness

Have you ever missed someone that it just hurts? That, for a brief moment, a sense of sadness and panic set in? After all of that passes, you're then okay?

I am feeling all of these emotions. I don't know why I am experiencing such a mixed bag, but I do miss my guy a ton.

I suppose that it doesn't help that there are issues with an upcoming, major software release. All weekend, I simply saw e-mails flooding my inbox on various issues, and what needs to be fixed in both the code and documentation.

About that job that I had interviewed for several weeks ago, it turns out that the position is on hold. I frankly didn't think it was a good fit for me. However, I have heard through the odd, contracted human resources woman that they have a different position in mind for me come January.

I don't have a favourable impression about this company. I will hear what they have to say, but I won't hold my breath.

Miracles at work and exhaustion

It has been a busy week. We just finished two software releases. My new students have done well in helping push them out.

I had a rare moment the other day where all three of us attended our team meeting and were actually excused after ten minutes to go back to our software release work. I thought that there was a blue moon. I got up and ran out the door before my manager decided to change his mind.

I'm exhausted. Thank goodness it's Friday!

My guy returns home on Saturday. He hasn't enjoyed staying at his hotel. He tends to stay in there and work after he comes from from work. Otherwise, he is sleeping.

Feeling exhausted from work and not hearing my alarm go off

It has been a crazy few days at work. We have been working towards a major software release.

My small team of three finished our work on Monday. So we thought.

I was so exhausted that I didn't hear my first alarm go off at 07:45 on Tuesday morning. It's unusual for me to not hear my alarm. My second alarm at 08:00 went off. Thankfully, I heard that one.

I had a teleconference at 08:00. I logged on using my phone, rather than taking ten minutes to log in on my laptop. Thank goodness this teleconference was rescheduled.

Anyway, there was a pressing issue with broken links in our content. I don't own this content. Another writer, who was up at the same hour and is responsible for said content, was on a conference call. She isn't as pick-up-and-go as my team is. I just did the update. My mini-me helped with the other part of the task, which took up most of the morning.

My team rocks. We are also exhausted.

We just got word an hour ago that the software release was successful. Yay!

Now, I simply need to get through this week. My going on vacation is within reach.

Sharky, pleasure, and math

It has been a while since I wrote about Sharky, a software development manager with whom I work on various documentation tasks. These days, we have a ton of software releases for existing customers. Naturally, they need release notes and documentation.

Last Friday, we crossed paths. My team was working on a major software release and we had to build our documentation. It's a long story, but it does take some time, even with some tasks being somewhat automated.

He indicated that there would be only one trouble report (it's essentially a bug report in either the software or documentation) to indicate in the release notes. I was good with that.

On Monday, I followed up with him. He had changed his story. There were 21 trouble reports and counting! Okay, being a one-year-old toddler versus a 21-year-old undergraduate student is a huge difference. Why can't he count properly?!

Anyway, this past Monday, he assigned me a trouble report to work on. It was incorrectly dubbed as a documentation issue for our part of the software, when it should go to a different writer. I wrote an e-mail to him to explain things. I indicated that he could reassign it to another writer or I could simply reject the trouble report.

"Cutiebootie, I reassigned the report," he said to me.
"Thanks. I wasn't sure whether you wanted to reassign it or have me reject it, which I enjoy," I said.
"I didn't realize that it gave you pleasure -- that it is pleasurable for you," he said.

Of note, Sharky has a thing for me. My guy and I have discussed various actions that he does or says that supports his attraction. My guy often teased me by saying, "But, Cutiebootie, he lusts after you."

My manager had heard the pleasure and pleasurable references. His eyebrows automatically raised as his eyes got larger. Last year, he went on about how Sharky resembles George Clooney. Although I don't see it, I still tease my manager by saying that Sharky is his boyfriend.

Ah, what fun!

I told my guy about it. Naturally, he takes it in good stride.

"He has good taste in women. Anyone would lust after a cute Chinese girl like you," he admitted.
"You're sweet. He's creepy, though. And, he can't count!"

I don't do well being with someone who can't do simple math. Thank goodness my guy and I are math nerds.

From booze to writing

On Friday, my team completed our documentation work for a major release. We were unwinding by chatting.

Our chat led to going on the LCBO site to look at alcohol. Earlier in the week, I had made the suggestion to go out to a bar, and celebrate by having a drink and some appetizers. They were good with it.

I had the site on my laptop and was sharing it on a huge TV that we had in this meeting room.

Our manager knocked on the door before entering. I quickly changed screens and threw up our editing tool.

He came in to talk. I have a feeling that he came in simply because he had no one to chat. Moments later, he left.

All of us had a good laugh. One of the writers was impressed that I had switched screens so quickly. It wouldn't have looked that great to have various bottles of booze displayed!

Work, concert, and countryside... yee-haw!

It has been a busy week. We have a major software release to get out the door.

My team spent Monday and Tuesday doing test uploads to a software repository. I have a couple of colleagues who were originally tasked with doing this work, but they just didn't get it. Instead, they watched as we did the work.

Today (now Friday), my team does the official uploads for this release. Since we know that the test uploads went fine, we expect the same to occur on repeat.

During all this chaos, I managed to see Jann Arden perform in Toronto on Wednesday night. This show was  different than the one that I saw in October. This show had an orchestra backing her up and it was Christmas-themed. I had a wonderful time. She never disappoints.

My guy is doing fine in Cairo.

"How are things?" I asked him on Skype.
"Good. I'm in the countryside," he replied.
"What's the countryside like?" I asked him.
"It's flat with some shallow buildings. Yee-haw!" he exclaimed.
"I didn't realize that the locals there say, 'Yee-haw!'" I remarked, laughing.

He is good at making me laugh.

Incompetent co-workers are everywhere!

It has been a busy week. My team of students and I had to work on a software release. We got our work done on time, with quality and accuracy, and planned it as far in advance as possible.

There were some hiccups. The main one was with a project manager. She used to be a software build programmer. She was supposed to train her predecessor. She failed.

It was the perfect storm. Her predecessor decided to take a week of vacation during a major software release. If I ever did that, my manager would not be impressed!

Her backup knew absolutely nothing. To make a long story short, our deliverables needed a couple of changes to two build scripts. It was a simple update for the project manager in the past. The backup build person had no clue what to do. The person who went on vacation had to come back and also had no clue how to update these scripts.

All of us asked the project manager to help out. She didn't. I don't get it. Sure, you have moved on to a different role. However, not helping folks who do not have the knowledge to edit build scripts caused even more issues.

This project manager had the audacity to tell me in an e-mail on Wednesday to send a couple of document links to someone. She even copied my manager. I looked at her responsibilities checklist that she had attached. This task was for her to do. I also have never dealt with this person.

What did I do? I sent her the links, copied my manager on my response, and restated her statement to send them to this person.

It is obvious that she can't do her job well. I am not doing it for her. I have plenty of other things to deal with. Moreover, if she can't answer any my questions, I do not owe her any favours in doing her work.