1002am
Just finished my Awake.
Stayed alert on the train via su doku this morning. I cannot say whether it's directly responsible for enabling my problem-solving abilities. It could be that things are a little calmer, or that I have reconciled and am being proactive. Maybe all that plus the weather is better. All possibilities.
The walk this morning (normal route) had me pass through the Etsy "Etspo" -- har har har -- and the first person I saw was an old co-worker. I take that as a sign, too. Things will continue to happen if I gently push.
I'm wearing my greenshirt and tie combo b/c I'm meeting with AKA SW and our director about some awards and surveys. I'll bring my cup downstairs with me since we'll be going there anyway. I'll have a really stimulating conversation with AKA SW about coffee.
1030am
Found out my 18th floor meeting was pushed to the afternoon and I wanted my Pike fix immediately. On my way I realized I wanted some cookies or something to go with the coffee and to my absolute delight half a box of DD was waiting for me, along with what appeared to be sliced homemade poundcake. I had some cake, cut a slice of a choco-frosted donut and took a white-cream filled donut up with me. I actually dunked my donut. This will get me through the remainder of the morning and keep my mood up.
338pm
I had a Green Tips tea earlier. I just finished a Pike that I'd been nursing for about an hour. I will have more work to do and meetings to attend. Work's kind of a drag, now. Though it was fun to watch AKA SW get ready to explode.
That's all. Thank you for reading.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
and it begins...but I'm trying to stay positive
953am
As I take my first Awake sip, rather than dwell, I'll be thankful for a morning that was actually quite pleasant.
Miri awoke right after 7am and I took her out of the crib. She was pacified when I gave her the plastic orange slice on the floor (which she calls "peach") and we stood and hugged for a minute or so and then she let out little toots and we both laughed at each one.
She came down and hung out with me during breakfast (a 21-month-old who eats grapefruit) and was even amiable when I put her in the crib (so long as I played the Elmo CD).
Now I'm transported back to reality though, and AKA SW is in decent spirits, so I reckon that's good. I've got some tidying to do and such. Needed a coffee-free night so I should be in good form today.
1042am
I've got my Pike so that it cools down just enough in the next 10 min so that my conference call won't be so daunting. I've got a bit of a headache in my eyes but it's likely from erratic sleep. I can plow through this.
1135am
Phone call over. Coffee has been imbibed. I'm actually feeling the effects of the java. Or is it the freedom of the call's end?
250pm
Did my 60 curls of 35lb (each) and I think the blood rush took effect. Went down to 18 with GW to get ice (not exactly iced) coffee and chill out for a bit. He noticed that my 'tude is far more positive now than it was 8 days ago and we talked about the importance of networking and all that. AKA SW's absence also contributed to my mellowed demeanor. I am making it less about her, though, and more about enhancing my contacts and getting where I'd like to get. I saw a quote the other day that spoke to me: "Frustrated employees stay."
I don't want to be that guy anymore.
I think that might do it for me and caffeine for the day. I've got some su dokus I can do on the train but I'll actually try to nap. I have not missed the 555 at all but I only have to take it today and tomorrow this week.
Thank you for reading!
As I take my first Awake sip, rather than dwell, I'll be thankful for a morning that was actually quite pleasant.
Miri awoke right after 7am and I took her out of the crib. She was pacified when I gave her the plastic orange slice on the floor (which she calls "peach") and we stood and hugged for a minute or so and then she let out little toots and we both laughed at each one.
She came down and hung out with me during breakfast (a 21-month-old who eats grapefruit) and was even amiable when I put her in the crib (so long as I played the Elmo CD).
Now I'm transported back to reality though, and AKA SW is in decent spirits, so I reckon that's good. I've got some tidying to do and such. Needed a coffee-free night so I should be in good form today.
1042am
I've got my Pike so that it cools down just enough in the next 10 min so that my conference call won't be so daunting. I've got a bit of a headache in my eyes but it's likely from erratic sleep. I can plow through this.
1135am
Phone call over. Coffee has been imbibed. I'm actually feeling the effects of the java. Or is it the freedom of the call's end?
250pm
Did my 60 curls of 35lb (each) and I think the blood rush took effect. Went down to 18 with GW to get ice (not exactly iced) coffee and chill out for a bit. He noticed that my 'tude is far more positive now than it was 8 days ago and we talked about the importance of networking and all that. AKA SW's absence also contributed to my mellowed demeanor. I am making it less about her, though, and more about enhancing my contacts and getting where I'd like to get. I saw a quote the other day that spoke to me: "Frustrated employees stay."
I don't want to be that guy anymore.
I think that might do it for me and caffeine for the day. I've got some su dokus I can do on the train but I'll actually try to nap. I have not missed the 555 at all but I only have to take it today and tomorrow this week.
Thank you for reading!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Up On The Downside
10am
In a pretty good mood b/c I know no one will stress me out today. This is still in my head from my walk. Will hit the gym pretty early so I can do a webinar later.
I just downed an Awake tea post-blood orange so I should have my nutrients and caffeine in check for a bit. I'll see if I can hit PF sans Pike Roast.
There's not a lot to report yet but I will update my ladders.com profile tonight and maybe draft some letters today. I may reach out to the mging editor of SN pubs.
115
At the powerpoint seminar, I had a cup of some blend. My palate is not sophisticated enough to know which it was, but it was post-gym. Not sure if it had any effect.
330
I have Pike in a mug and my stomach has basically deemed itself unable to ingest any more coffee. Even with cream, it's just not making the cut. I'm tired but not so much so that I need it that badly.
Really wish AKA SW never returns b/c I'm actually getting work done but I know tomorrow will not be as easygoing. I have a feeling I'll crash by 11 tonight. I have to get some resume/after-work work done but that's all. Miri will go down by 830. I'll wrap everything up by 10 and get ready to lay my head down.
Thank you for reading this.
In a pretty good mood b/c I know no one will stress me out today. This is still in my head from my walk. Will hit the gym pretty early so I can do a webinar later.
I just downed an Awake tea post-blood orange so I should have my nutrients and caffeine in check for a bit. I'll see if I can hit PF sans Pike Roast.
There's not a lot to report yet but I will update my ladders.com profile tonight and maybe draft some letters today. I may reach out to the mging editor of SN pubs.
115
At the powerpoint seminar, I had a cup of some blend. My palate is not sophisticated enough to know which it was, but it was post-gym. Not sure if it had any effect.
330
I have Pike in a mug and my stomach has basically deemed itself unable to ingest any more coffee. Even with cream, it's just not making the cut. I'm tired but not so much so that I need it that badly.
Really wish AKA SW never returns b/c I'm actually getting work done but I know tomorrow will not be as easygoing. I have a feeling I'll crash by 11 tonight. I have to get some resume/after-work work done but that's all. Miri will go down by 830. I'll wrap everything up by 10 and get ready to lay my head down.
Thank you for reading this.
Monday, April 13, 2015
So Much Easier When....
When AKA SW is out, things are so much more tranquil.
I have had an Awake with honey and now am on to a 'Bucks Breakfast Blend. (1030) I notice that the bubbles are different from a dispenser as opposed to the Pike coffee maker on the 18th floor. Also, it's not nearly as hot from the dispenser and the bubbles almost make it look carbonated.
There's still a honey-tinged aftertaste in my mouth that is inhibiting my enjoyment.
This will be another week of setups and networking.
Thank you for reading. See you in the afternoon.
I had another half-cup of the Breakfast blend at around noon. Not a great brew. It's either b/c it comes out almost-hot or it's been sitting there too long or the dispensary itself. Either way it's doing a disservice to the brand.
At 2 I went down and got a Pike (after swiping a RB & Bacon ciabatta sandwich). That has the handle you press down and even though it bubbles up also (almost like a beer) the taste is far superior and is much darker.
We were catered with high-quality cookies today so I'm using it to "wash it down" -- snoogans.
I have a couple of cool co-workers who are now colleagues, I reckon. If we didn't have a common mgr, work would be tolerable and borderline-exciting.
I have had an Awake with honey and now am on to a 'Bucks Breakfast Blend. (1030) I notice that the bubbles are different from a dispenser as opposed to the Pike coffee maker on the 18th floor. Also, it's not nearly as hot from the dispenser and the bubbles almost make it look carbonated.
There's still a honey-tinged aftertaste in my mouth that is inhibiting my enjoyment.
This will be another week of setups and networking.
Thank you for reading. See you in the afternoon.
I had another half-cup of the Breakfast blend at around noon. Not a great brew. It's either b/c it comes out almost-hot or it's been sitting there too long or the dispensary itself. Either way it's doing a disservice to the brand.
At 2 I went down and got a Pike (after swiping a RB & Bacon ciabatta sandwich). That has the handle you press down and even though it bubbles up also (almost like a beer) the taste is far superior and is much darker.
We were catered with high-quality cookies today so I'm using it to "wash it down" -- snoogans.
I have a couple of cool co-workers who are now colleagues, I reckon. If we didn't have a common mgr, work would be tolerable and borderline-exciting.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Awake
It's easier for me to get things done with certain co-workers out of the office. That's just the way things are. I'm more motivated when I'm not micromanaged and all that stress isn't projected toward me.
I am drinking Awake and delving in to a grapefruit. I had a cup of Hazlenut Creme at home this morning.
This week had a lot of ups and downs. I'll likely remember Monday night for a long time. It was Liz's second nightshift and I had not had a great day at work. I'd returned from a lunch workout. Stephnie Weir Look-A-Like Manager ("AKA SW" from here on out) made it clear that I am not her golden boy, nor am I an individual, and that a go-getter who wants to take ownership of his role is not encouraged.
I am a cog in a very big, old wheel.
How I react to this is up to me.
I will admit it was a bit of a pity party at first. I had the bike with me and went straight to RVC to crank out benchpresses since i knew i couldn't later this week. I did my 200-lbs for about 26 reps. I just couldn't do the rest at that weight. I finished the next 6 at 180. After Miri went to sleep I made a LaVazza espresso (possibly double espresso) in my Bodum french press and drafted a letter and updated my resume to a nicely-styled format.
I then couldn't sleep to save my life. I paced a lot. I cleaned out my work bags and got rid of some crap. I watched tv. I stopped watching tv. I thought about Liz at work. I did more thinking. I went on to linkedin and did some networking and scoured the job posts. I finally knocked out around/after 4.
I woke up on time and was getting ready for my day when Liz walked in. I probably shouldn't have been so blunt with her but she needed to know that it wasn't about my disillusionment with the job, it was that it could be in jeopardy.
I was too exhausted to be spiteful by the time I got in to work Tuesday. I couldn't believe I didn't sleep on the train, though. Even "Us and Them" couldn't trigger it. Anyway, it wound up not being so bad and I promised myself that the pity party was over. I resolved that I'd make the next day work to my advantage. A better night's sleep was due, too. I made my way to the coffee dispensers often enough. I listened to a lot of Ha Ha Tonka's Lessons Mon and Tues. The album is great. Especially the first 3 tracks. The topics are tough and morbid but the music and voices are very uplifting. It's a fine balance but I started to get a little too sad and it made me pine for the "Inside Llewyn Davis" songs. (which I'm listening to right now).
I wore a suit weds. We had a big mkting meeting where we're all on camera and also I wanted to show that I take things seriously. Most importantly I had to project success and positivity. So I did. Smiles. Proactivity. Efficiency. It all happened. I had to convince myself I had a job interview during lunch and thought of it as an acting scene. Had to leave the office for the whole hour with briefcase in hand. I had a conversation with a contact about how to handle my predicament outside Planet Fitness. Then I went in to the gym, put my coat and bag in the locker and hit the floor. Amid cranking out some biceps curls, this jacked dude asked if he could take my picture b/c it would inspire him and his buddies in a chat group. I said sure. They were impressed. It was funny.
I was also contacting old co-workers for some help in the way of leads. They responded and seemed positive. I'll have to stay on them a bit, but it was a comfort nonetheless. I felt so good about one lead though that I wrote 90% of my cover letter on the train ride home.
Thurs: Funny little note. On the walk toward the 34th St exit in Penn, I passed the Starbucks and oddly, samples were available. I got the last Caramel Flan sample and the barista gave me a Kind bar. I was groggy and it perked me up a bit I even wrote to the corp office about the positive experience.
I used the same "interview" mentality when I donated blood at night. I very much want to work at South Nassau CH so that I can do good work (which I believe in) closer to home. The external affairs dept doesn't get many openings but when they do I wanted the HR Manager to remember me. I have met with her several times at the Blood Drives and figured she needed an 830 boost so I walked in with a Dunkaccino for her. She was grateful. She is a nice lady who works a long, lonely day on the day of the drives. She deserves acknowledgment. All people do. I didn't mention my desire for working there once. I wanted to, of course, but that's for another time (and I'd spoken with her about it in Jan). Projecting politeness and dressing well was more important. Doing a mitzvah, also, was more important. I was also feeling good that some of this stressed out blood was exiting my system. AKA SW would not be around for a few business days and my head would clear out. Perhaps I was correct. Upon my return home, my old Herald editor e-introduced me to someone at Galvanized whom I'd really like to get to know. I'd asked him to do that Monday PM/Tues AM amid my pacing.
The grapefruit is long gone. I have finished my tea. I'm listening to "Fare Thee Well" for the 3rd or 4th time. I checked out the soundtrack from the lib last night.
I have made some progress with my personal stuff. Dress well. Take care of the people around you. Get as much work done as possible without knocking yourself out. If you're miserable, purge it at the gym.
Yesterday I treated our Marketing Assistant (who basically trained me) to a nice lunch. This morning I hand-delivered my sister's birthday card to her with a small gift on my way to work and in an hour I'm taking one of our PR writers for a caffeinated beverage downstairs. Maybe I'll get a Caramel Flan.
130 - Had a Grande Caramel Flan Latte whilst my writer had a tea. Nice to speak with a colleague about something other than work. I threw some extra cinnamon on it b/c it always helps. The drink itself is certainly tasty and sweet. It's a meal unto itself.
330 - Sipped away at a LightNote Blend from office. I haven't eaten all that much today but I'm actually not that hungry probably thanks to the Flan.
Thank you for reading this.
I am drinking Awake and delving in to a grapefruit. I had a cup of Hazlenut Creme at home this morning.
This week had a lot of ups and downs. I'll likely remember Monday night for a long time. It was Liz's second nightshift and I had not had a great day at work. I'd returned from a lunch workout. Stephnie Weir Look-A-Like Manager ("AKA SW" from here on out) made it clear that I am not her golden boy, nor am I an individual, and that a go-getter who wants to take ownership of his role is not encouraged.
I am a cog in a very big, old wheel.
How I react to this is up to me.
I will admit it was a bit of a pity party at first. I had the bike with me and went straight to RVC to crank out benchpresses since i knew i couldn't later this week. I did my 200-lbs for about 26 reps. I just couldn't do the rest at that weight. I finished the next 6 at 180. After Miri went to sleep I made a LaVazza espresso (possibly double espresso) in my Bodum french press and drafted a letter and updated my resume to a nicely-styled format.
I then couldn't sleep to save my life. I paced a lot. I cleaned out my work bags and got rid of some crap. I watched tv. I stopped watching tv. I thought about Liz at work. I did more thinking. I went on to linkedin and did some networking and scoured the job posts. I finally knocked out around/after 4.
I woke up on time and was getting ready for my day when Liz walked in. I probably shouldn't have been so blunt with her but she needed to know that it wasn't about my disillusionment with the job, it was that it could be in jeopardy.
I was too exhausted to be spiteful by the time I got in to work Tuesday. I couldn't believe I didn't sleep on the train, though. Even "Us and Them" couldn't trigger it. Anyway, it wound up not being so bad and I promised myself that the pity party was over. I resolved that I'd make the next day work to my advantage. A better night's sleep was due, too. I made my way to the coffee dispensers often enough. I listened to a lot of Ha Ha Tonka's Lessons Mon and Tues. The album is great. Especially the first 3 tracks. The topics are tough and morbid but the music and voices are very uplifting. It's a fine balance but I started to get a little too sad and it made me pine for the "Inside Llewyn Davis" songs. (which I'm listening to right now).
I wore a suit weds. We had a big mkting meeting where we're all on camera and also I wanted to show that I take things seriously. Most importantly I had to project success and positivity. So I did. Smiles. Proactivity. Efficiency. It all happened. I had to convince myself I had a job interview during lunch and thought of it as an acting scene. Had to leave the office for the whole hour with briefcase in hand. I had a conversation with a contact about how to handle my predicament outside Planet Fitness. Then I went in to the gym, put my coat and bag in the locker and hit the floor. Amid cranking out some biceps curls, this jacked dude asked if he could take my picture b/c it would inspire him and his buddies in a chat group. I said sure. They were impressed. It was funny.
I was also contacting old co-workers for some help in the way of leads. They responded and seemed positive. I'll have to stay on them a bit, but it was a comfort nonetheless. I felt so good about one lead though that I wrote 90% of my cover letter on the train ride home.
Thurs: Funny little note. On the walk toward the 34th St exit in Penn, I passed the Starbucks and oddly, samples were available. I got the last Caramel Flan sample and the barista gave me a Kind bar. I was groggy and it perked me up a bit I even wrote to the corp office about the positive experience.
I used the same "interview" mentality when I donated blood at night. I very much want to work at South Nassau CH so that I can do good work (which I believe in) closer to home. The external affairs dept doesn't get many openings but when they do I wanted the HR Manager to remember me. I have met with her several times at the Blood Drives and figured she needed an 830 boost so I walked in with a Dunkaccino for her. She was grateful. She is a nice lady who works a long, lonely day on the day of the drives. She deserves acknowledgment. All people do. I didn't mention my desire for working there once. I wanted to, of course, but that's for another time (and I'd spoken with her about it in Jan). Projecting politeness and dressing well was more important. Doing a mitzvah, also, was more important. I was also feeling good that some of this stressed out blood was exiting my system. AKA SW would not be around for a few business days and my head would clear out. Perhaps I was correct. Upon my return home, my old Herald editor e-introduced me to someone at Galvanized whom I'd really like to get to know. I'd asked him to do that Monday PM/Tues AM amid my pacing.
The grapefruit is long gone. I have finished my tea. I'm listening to "Fare Thee Well" for the 3rd or 4th time. I checked out the soundtrack from the lib last night.
I have made some progress with my personal stuff. Dress well. Take care of the people around you. Get as much work done as possible without knocking yourself out. If you're miserable, purge it at the gym.
Yesterday I treated our Marketing Assistant (who basically trained me) to a nice lunch. This morning I hand-delivered my sister's birthday card to her with a small gift on my way to work and in an hour I'm taking one of our PR writers for a caffeinated beverage downstairs. Maybe I'll get a Caramel Flan.
130 - Had a Grande Caramel Flan Latte whilst my writer had a tea. Nice to speak with a colleague about something other than work. I threw some extra cinnamon on it b/c it always helps. The drink itself is certainly tasty and sweet. It's a meal unto itself.
330 - Sipped away at a LightNote Blend from office. I haven't eaten all that much today but I'm actually not that hungry probably thanks to the Flan.
Thank you for reading this.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Clarity
Something is certainly happening/changing today. A confluence of occurrences yesterday led to this wave of clarity I'm feeling. I might have slept for 5 minutes this morning on the ride in listening to Dark Side. During my walk, I listened to the first few tracks of Ha Ha Tonka's Lessons -- especially the first 3 (plus the free track I had from a sampler) are extremely affecting.
I overslept and had a rough morning and was a little bummed because yesterday saw the spontaneous combustion of my shower wall in to a million little pieces. Then Chickie wouldn't sleep. I wonder if it was all caused by the daylight savings. Anyway, a state of the finances meeting with our financial advisor last night was also a tough pill to swallow.
Now that I've had one Awake and I'm halfway through Pike #1, I can feel my real "self" coming back to the forefront. I feel like Chief Bromden in Cuckoo's Nest when the smoke/fog disappears.
The cookie cake in the fridge and up-for-grabs oatmeal cookies on my floor are a bonus. There are issues waiting for me no matter where I turn, I just have to fill out some forms and get 'em done.
145
Second Pike was dispensed and followed me to PF, where I cranked out 60 reps of 35lb (each) curls, + 20 reps (each arm) of the standing pulldown (don't know the actual name of it). Drank the coffee on the return walk, which was in glorious, sunny 50degree weather. Bought 2lbs of vanilla Marked and sorta regretted it since I didn't get the Binder discount but w/e I'll need it for lunch workouts which may start tomorrow. There was Mrs. Fields cookie cake waiting for me today in the fridge hopefully there will also be some tomorrow, too.
I'm finding that this amt of coffee needs to cool/go untouched for 15-20 minutes before it reaches its optimal drinkability.
Thank you for reading.
I overslept and had a rough morning and was a little bummed because yesterday saw the spontaneous combustion of my shower wall in to a million little pieces. Then Chickie wouldn't sleep. I wonder if it was all caused by the daylight savings. Anyway, a state of the finances meeting with our financial advisor last night was also a tough pill to swallow.
Now that I've had one Awake and I'm halfway through Pike #1, I can feel my real "self" coming back to the forefront. I feel like Chief Bromden in Cuckoo's Nest when the smoke/fog disappears.
The cookie cake in the fridge and up-for-grabs oatmeal cookies on my floor are a bonus. There are issues waiting for me no matter where I turn, I just have to fill out some forms and get 'em done.
145
Second Pike was dispensed and followed me to PF, where I cranked out 60 reps of 35lb (each) curls, + 20 reps (each arm) of the standing pulldown (don't know the actual name of it). Drank the coffee on the return walk, which was in glorious, sunny 50degree weather. Bought 2lbs of vanilla Marked and sorta regretted it since I didn't get the Binder discount but w/e I'll need it for lunch workouts which may start tomorrow. There was Mrs. Fields cookie cake waiting for me today in the fridge hopefully there will also be some tomorrow, too.
I'm finding that this amt of coffee needs to cool/go untouched for 15-20 minutes before it reaches its optimal drinkability.
Thank you for reading.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Checking Headwires in Times Like These
Got a Pike early today (930) b/c of an incomplete night's sleep and Chickie's rude awakening, detailed here. I'm helping a co-worker get some stuff done which normally would be a bummer but it gives me the reason to shut my door. I have some research to do.
I brought the VSQ Tribute to Foo Fighters this morning, which I haven't listened to in quite some time. It warms the heart.
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