#304 Stress-free Work-week CompleteShawn

Miracle of miracles!

Today went smoothly. All documentation to our Air and Ground Carriers was filled out correctly on the first try and completed before 3pm. 

If there's such a thing as a Samhain Gift, this was it! 

I can go home (hopefully before sundown), Smudge the house, welcome friendly spirits and cast out any negativity for the new year. 

If today was an indication all will be well tonight.

#303 Managerial RepatriaShawn

The Eagle has landed.

And by 'Eagle', I mean my 'Boss'.

And by 'landed', I mean 'he came into the office, for the first time in 2 weeks. After all the mess ups, bumbles and fuck ups. And after the letter I  sent last Friday."

Surprisingly it went well...  

But like the past few weeks, Fridays are the most unpredictable and incendiary...  AND it's all Hallow's Eve...  so... yea... I will be wearing a ward of protection.

#302 Tunnel ViShawn

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Or at the very least the current tunnel.

Thankfully the mistakes seem to have come to an end, as the one good employee we have at of shipping dock is back from vacation.

Of course he’s SWAMPED!   Not only trying to clean up the near endless mess-ups from the past few weeks, but also stay afloat with the daily tasks, and training his new manager, and the Boss….

His Boss is my Boss….who it should be noted was already trained once already from the two people that he fired for making a mistake. Back in August.  One. ONE mistake, you know… compared to the countless mistakes HE made over the past two weeks…   And it’s not that  his original training was not good, it’s because he seldom if ever listens to anyone that points out anything. Offers input, direction or help. He’s got it all figured out. Everything is calm and good. No worries here.

…but back to the light….

It’s almost as if I can just do my regular job.

#301 Perfect ImperfecShawn

You have to wonder about the length of a noose one requires to hang themselves.

Of course there were more shipping issues over the weekend. The fall-out which is still in play.   Incorrect documents, poorly packaged boxes and missing tracking info.

All in all  a marked decrease in issues, but issues nonetheless.

Consistent inconsistencies. Seems to be the new normal.

If there is a method to this madness, it’s clear I am far too sane to decipher it. 

#300 ContinuaShawn

Well, so far so good.

The Boss is still working remotely (presumably still cleaning up the messes from the past two weeks), but any interaction, email / phone has been extremely cordial.   Not sure if that's because he's been addressed by HIS Boss, HR or both.  But I am still interested to see how it will be upon his return to the office proper.

In the mean-time we're all enjoying his absence. 

One day at a time.

#299 Work Week SalutaShawn

So long peaceful weekend....  

Monday will be here very soon. It's gonna be an interesting week!

Giddy-Up, Work Week, can't wait to meet ya!

#298 RedempShawn

So I have to do work on Sat and Sun, every weekend, unless I'm on vacation.  IT is only a few minutes here and there. A couple hours total over the weekend,, but I don't mind because I can bank that time, cash it in or use it as time off... 

I don't typically check my Work Email however, because if any issues might arise, I'd receive a phone call. But given the last week I thought it prudent.

Well, I could not have been less surprised, and giddier than a school girl at a One Direction Concert...  We received an email from our Primary Transport with a scathing review of the last 3 weeks, how health regulations, and required documentation has been abysmal and unacceptable. It also included CAP LOCKED segments.

But yea...  what I reported yesterday was over exaggerated and there's no problem, and all the issues were ironed out before yesterday.

Ha and Double HA!

I will sleep very well tonight, and look forward to any back-lash that might be headed my way.

Bring. It. On!

#297 DocumentaShawn

Okay... so I just can't keep on saying "See Yesterday". Well, I could, but things gotta change.

After more than a week of absolute bullshit, I and my co-worker composed an email to our Boss, and cc'ed 2 Directors and the VP. (With the VP being our Boss' Boss.)

This 6 page email documented - in point form, mind you - the myriad of errors created by our Boss and or his employees from our Distribution depart, including, but not limited to lost sales, delayed shipments of goods to Hospitals across the country, spoiled product and need of replacing goods, routing and packaging errors, lost stock and costly shipping mistakes.

Clearly my Boss was none to impressed, but then I have no doubt that otherwise the vast majority of these errors would have gone unreported. 

What was a little disappointing (but not entirely unexpected was that his Boss does not seem to care). Fortunately, the others included in the email do. 

Ultimately we cared about the company, our reputation and image, and not losing sales and having to write of  thousands of dollars in wasted stock. 

At the end of the day, I'm glad that it's out there now. Because if the mistakes continue, (And for the record 3 have since reporting) the only people that can be help responsible are our Boss and his.

#296 ONE MORE TIME!

See: Yesterday.

#295 Unwanted RepetiShawn ContinuaShawn

See: Yesterday.

#294 Unwanted RepetiShawn

See: Yesterday.

#293 Weekend Crapfest ContinuaShawn

I don't even want to talk about today.

Fall out from the weekend continued throughout the day, and seemingly will continue tomorrow.

MEH!

#292 The "This is how my Company Works" EquaShawn

Incompetence begets uber-incompetence. 

If Middle and Upper Management were at all practical, there should be a departure or two this week... but knowing how they do things, all will be okie-dokie.

If you're a Manager and know that someone you put in a very high stress and point critical position was unable to get through the week, one might suppose that you'd be on site for the weekend when the busiest most important part of our business is dependent...  and not just phone in every couple of hours. I mean it's not like hospitals all across the country are depending on our products to diagnose and treat their patients.... oh wait, yeah they do.

Tomorrow is NOT going to be a good day.

#291 #@$&! ExclamaShawn

Damn it!

Damn it all to hell!

I was supposed to start wearing a GPS Pedometer today, as part of the Tests from yesterday. I'm supposed to wear it from the time I get up in the morning, until I go to sleep. 

It works great... if you remember to put it on at 9am, when you wake up, but when you recall at 1:30pm... not so much!

Tomorrow is another day. (I've already set up a reminder in my phone)

#290 Stress Test ExerShawn

Well I spent nearly 3 hours at the hospital today.  Tons of Blood Pressure Tests, Blood Samples, Ultrasounds of my veins and arteries on my neck, wrist and groin,,, yea... that's always fun. And of course the treadmill (while you're set up with electrodes, blood pressure and pulse meters, and a face mask to monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide that I breath in and exhale...

Well I did pretty good. Better than last year which made me happy!   Last year I managed just a little over 15 minutes...  this time, I clocked 19 minutes and one second! (And yes! I'm counting that second! lol) When you consider the protocol they are following has a max of 21 minutes, I feel Like I did a great job!  I have to say I impressed myself... AND I'm down a kilo and a half over last years test...  Only downside to the results... I've apparently shrunk 1/2 cm in height!!!

And now to wear a pedometer for the next week and then send that in, and I will gets the results comparing me stats from last year.  Should be interesting...

#289 Stress EquaShawn

I'm no Math wiz, but I know this equation:

St=SoW x 1000

Or for the non-mathematical amongst you...

Stress = Shortness of week x 1000

Or to put it more succinctly, the shorter the week, the more stressful it is.

I had a 3 day work week this week, so yea, this was hell week!

And to cap it off.... I have to go to the Montreal General tomorrow for, yup... a Stress Test.

And no, the irony is not lost on me.

*sigh* 

#288 Gift AnticipaShawn

I 'M SO EXCITED!  

I JUST CANT HIDE IT!

...but I gotta....

I just ordered a gift online, and I can't wait to see it! and even more, I can't wait til the recipient sees it... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

But wait we must!

I HATE WAITING!

#287 Call Center InstructShawn

I've been working in Retail / Customer Service / Call Canters since I was 16.  That's nearly 30 years.  Here's what I know without a doubt.

In  Retail greet your Customers / Clients. But let them come to you.

In Customer Service / Call Centers when the phone rings... ANSWER IT!

So help my god, but there's a new employee that was hired a little over 3 months ago. She came from the Same previous employer as out Boss. (Can you say RED FLAG?!)  Now we are a dual Call Center. Two sets of lines, two sets of products.  When things are busy we'll help out with the lines we are not responsible for, if only to tell the caller we will be with them a in another moment (we don't have a fancy menu and hold message that repeats a canned message of how important you are to us, yadda yadda yadda) 

I will place your calls on hold when you're busy, but it's up to you to answer the calls. I will inform you once and ONLY once that I have placed one of your lines on hold. You're not a child, I will not treat you as such. Be an adult, do your job. When you fail to take the line because you're too busy chit-chatting with the even newer employee (instilling a shit poor work ethic) it's going to come back to you, not me..

Don't come back to me when they tire of holding and hang up, as was the case today, asking me:

"Why didn't you tell me there was a call on hold. I just got off the phone with a client that was upset that they were on hold and no one got back to them; what happened?", 

"Who was it, they hung up?" and 

"Was that a call for me?"; because my replies will continue to be:

"I DID tell you you had a call on hold, you just kept talking instead of taking the call. I'd be pissed off too if I was waiting 5 minutes"

"I have no idea, maybe you should have taken the call instead of continuing to chit-chat."

and

"Yes it was for you, that's why I said, [insert name], you have a call on hold. Shoulda stopped chatting and taken it."

As it was, today I was doing the work of my desk, my co-worker who took the day off, and helping another co-worker cover the desk of someone who called in sick.  I neither have the time nor inclination to do your work as well.

The kicker here:

When these clients ask her "Was that Shawn? we miss him." (I've been working on the other desk for over 3 years) It brings me such pleasure.

#286 All Hail our HabitaShawn

The best thing about going away, is coming home.  

All I can say is that no matter where we might temporarily roam, we will always come home to where the water pressure is strong, and the PVR is full recorded programs, and the AC is ready at a moments notice.

#285 More Weekend PerfectShawn

I shouldn't be surprised. I mean, ever day we're at the Cottage on PEI oe in the Townships, well, they are pretty damned perfect!

Another fitful night's rest, and a lazy morning.  And then Prep prep prep for today's dinner.  Marcel's Mom and Sister came down and we had a lovely Thanksgiving Feast.  Turkey and Leek Pot Pie, Roasted Root Veg Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Glaze.  And for dessert an old fashioned White Cake with Raspberry filling for Sally's Birthday.

I don't know why, but I absolutely MUST have seconds at Thanksgiving and Christmas. To not do so seems sacrilegious. Lunch was at 2 PM, it's now 7 PM and I'm STILL FULL!

Afterwards we had another nice visit, then when they left, we tidied up a bit and then went for a drive.  We ended up seeing about a dozen White Tail Deer (there's plenty in the area)  We looked at them, they looked at us. We all went on our way.  

We Parked the car at a location where there used to be an old Covered Bridge, hoping there might be a photo op or two. Well there was nothing left of the Bridge, but there was an absolutely pristine woodland stream with little waterfalls, pools and calm water and moss covered slate cliff faces.  Old Trees and fallen leaves.We both took photo after photo.  Hopefully they turned out wel. (Fingers crossed)

Then back to the cottage, and the last of the post Thanksgiving meal clean up and now we veg for the rest of the evening.

Like I say, another perfect day in the townships...

#284 Weekend PerfectShawn

Today was an awesome day.  Practically perfect!

Slept in,  had some delicious home-made Pumpkin Waffles with Sauted Green Apples for breakfast. 

A walk under the fall colours with the dogs so we could all get some fresh country air. 

Then picked up Marcel's Mom and drove up Mont Orford to see more fall colours and have a delicious lunch at Auberge Quatre Saisons. Then back to her house for a bit of a visit.

And before we got back to the cottage we took a little drive and stopped off at a Native Artisans shop in Eastman.  They carry good and handicrafts from Tribes and Nations of First Nations People from all over Canada and the US.  Marcel picked up Shirt, and a pendant of his Spirit Animal (Sea Turtle) and I got him a small Wood Inlaid trinket box (also with his Spirit Animal) to store it. And I got a new Smudge Set (after having displaced an earlier one) a New Abalone Shell, some White Sage and a beautiful Raven's Feather. All the more special to me because the owner doesn't usually sell anything Crow/Raven there as it is his Tribes Sacred animal, so he didn't charge me what most of the other large Feathers were going for in the shop ($10.00, $15.00 or more) But I explain the Crow was my Spirit animal as well and so a fair trade price of $5.00.  I shook his hand when we left and said I appreciated the gesture. 

We'll be back to trade post because it's wholly owned and operated by Natives and quite frankly it's nice to be able to purchase their work and products directly from them and not some third party site on the web, or touristy shop in Old Montreal.

Back to the cottage and time to relax with the dags on the sofa and just relax and hear all the geese as the honk in the twilight hours as they rest on the lake before continuing their flight south in the morning.

#283 Autumnal Rest and RelaxaShawn

As regular as the Swallows returning to Capistrano, here we are at the Chalet on Lac Massawippi, in the Eastern Townships.

It's a long weekend; Thanksgiving Weekend to be precise. We may have missed the full brilliance of the Fall Colours by a couple of weeks, but there's still a lot of beauty about.

The weather will be on our side: Sunny with highs of 14'C and lows of 3'C. And to be truthful we love travelling the roads in the Townships. There's always something to see, places to go, things to do. We' NEVER be this active in the City! lol But in the Townships it's nice to just go out without a plan or an agenda... just let it be what it's gonna be.

Add into the deal a great meal out (for Marcel's Mother's Birthday) and even more delicious, our Thanksgiving Dinner.  Tack on some sleeping in, walks down dirt roads with the dogs and the sounds water lapping at the shore and of Geese flying sough for the Winter.

This is a recipe for a great weekend.

#282 Musicial ObsesShawn

Okay, I knew I’d like Paloma Faith’s new Album. But I didn’t think I’d madly in love on my first listen.  

Oh me of little Faith.

(pun intended)

Honestly, I really feel an addiction forming between my ears and her voice.   It can’t be healthy, but I don’t care.   Between my Morning Commute, Lunch and Evening Commute I’ve listed to the album 4 times from start to finish, and now I have ♫ ♪ Only Love Can Hurt This Way. ♪♫  on repeat. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Without exaggeration, it’s an 11 out of 10.

I originally bought her 2nd album after hearing her perform live on the Graham Norton Show. (one song)  Who does that anymore? But a foll CD based on one Song?  I don't even do that... but I did then, and I don't regret it!  

And then after receiving an iTunes certificate last Christmas, I bought her original first album after sampling a few tracks.   

The purchase of her third Album was a long drawn out wait, and was purchased without listing to one sample. 

I now know, going forward any time she has a new album. I will purchase as soon as possible (if not sooner!!!)

#281 Musical AppreciaShawn

About 18 months ago we discovered the music of Paloma Faith.  I was hooked from the first time I hear her.  Admittedly she does fulfill a gap left when Amy Winehouse passed away, but that said Paloma has  the musical backbone to enjoy a long healthy career.

Problem is, her latest album (A Perfect Contradiction)  was released back in February, well in the UK.   And then soon after in the US.  But in Canada… no dice!  There have been the odd singles released on iTunes Canada, but the album was just no where, no where, no where.

Well I happened to be transferring photos and changing the music on my iPhone last week and I thought I’d take a look to see if the album was released yet.  Well, it wasn’t released but it was FINALLY in a Pre-Order for release on Oct 7 2014.  Well I promptly pre-ordered that sucker!  And I would hae downloaded last night, but quite frankly after the Tech Support to Mother, I just did not even have the energy to open up my laptop.

Well tonight, after 8 months wait, I am downloading the album now!   Guess what I’ll be listening to on my commutes to and from work for the next few weeks, non-stop?

#280 Technical Support FrustraShawn

So Last night was part two in the (near guaranteed) ongoing over Technical Support for my Mom on her Tablet.

If you’ll recall, back in August we got my Mom an Nexus 7 tablet.  Well the learning curve continues. 

Tonight was a 90 minute phone call to have her set up her email… Not sure EXACTLY way, because she’ll do her email on her desktop computer anyway… she just want so have it… just in case…. 

Surprisingly I was able to get her up and running faster than getting her connected to her home WIFI (back in Sept)

And she promises me she’ll keep a notebook , where she’ll write down any questions she has, and will save them for weekends.

Oh joy!

#279 Man on a MisShawn

This coming weekend is Thanksgiving, and in preparation I am making the following (with Pumpkin) for the weekend:

- Waffles (Easily reheated in the Toaster as required.   They stay fluffy inside and get a nice toasty coating on the outside.)

- Chocolate Chip Cookies 

- White Chocolate Snickerdoodles.

- and my world famous turkey stuffing (actually there's no pumpkin in this one)

This is going to be the easiest and most stress free Thanksgiving ever! 

#278 Hallowe’en DecoraShawns

Okay, I know I just posted yesterday about the Christmas Shop at the Bay, but today we decorated for Hallowe’en.

The place is over-flowing with Skulls, and Crows, Owls, and Bones, and Severed Hands. Spiders and Snakes, Flies and Centipedes. 

We really are kids at heart. Big bloody, disemboweled hearts…  

(I blame Supernatural for that last part)

#277 Pre-Mature Holiday JubilaShawn

So I took a trip down to The Bay today.  

Not newsworthy, you say? 

Au contraire, mon ami....  The Bay has opened up it's Holiday Trim Shop.  Christmas is very much there! Not that I'm complaining.

And the place, for obvious reasons was pretty much empty, so I was able to browse about without the annoyance of the crowds.

I didn't buy anything yet. Not that there wasn't tons that I'd like to have gotten, but because everything is full price.  I shall await the sales. And if anything like last year, they start in early November anyway.  And now at this point, i know exactly what I want, and where to go.

So, The Christmas Shop is open very early this year; am I upset about it?  Hell, to the no!.  As two friends posted today on my Facebook wall, I have OCD.  

And I'm good with that.

#276 Jealous of my RelaShawns

My parents made their way back over to PEI 2 weeks ago, with the intentions of closing it up for the season; to return home in about a week. 

Well, two weeks later and they keep extending their time there, due to milder weather and the simple fact that Life is Better at the Cottage.

They were to have returned this past Tuesday, then Yesterday, then Today, but at this point they realize they’re only fooling themselves.  They will head home only on Sunday o Monday, and that’s simple because they have appointments back on the mainland that cannot be postponed.

I am both unabashedly happy and jealous that they are still there.

*sigh*

#275 Week Day DepresShawn

Happy Friday’s Eve everyone.

Okay, I'm grasping at straws here to keep my sanity (or a close facsimile thereof). Why is it some weeks go by SOOOOOOOOOO SLOWLY,  even with a break in-between (I was home sick on Wednesday) essentially making for two tiny little 2-day work weeks…

I mean It really feels as though last weekend is as long ago as our summer vacation -(we've been back 23 days now, but who’s counting? (Me clearly)

UGH!  Slow Week Days (and conversely, fast moving Weekends) why do you curse and torment me so?

It’s all I can muster to make it through tomorrow…  

…and so with that depressing thought,  I will say good night.

#274 Photographic DistribuShawn

Working on cleaning up folders on my lap top today.

Honestly, all the photos on my computer... I cannot imagine the money it would have cost to take them as 'regular photographs'... the cost of film, processing, and then all the albums?!?!!? I do a back up regularly, because I'd hate to lose them. 

I tend to get a little obsessive about sorting images on my computer...  Not just those I take, but others from friends, or those I save from the web.   Folders after folders after folders.  It's a job in itself sorting and maintaining them, but I can generally find a picture in under a minute, so it has it's advantages.

But after 3+ hours today.  It's time to walk away from the computer... my eyes are going all buggy.