Saturday, February 27, 2021

Working for the Weekend

      I may need to work on the weekend-this weekend again. Yesterday was an odd day for work, poorly  planned, or not planned is better. We had a major application closing at 4:00, and while we only post questions and answers, we still respond to technical issues on a one to one basis. This time of year is also when we have  various proposals pop up, and we need people with expertise or depth of knowledge to weigh in. I am a point person on this-either to respond, or get it to the right person and gather their responses. Here's where the poor planning comes in. I had given approved vacation for the team member that leads this application process. She has done a stellar job all along, and really, it would be just technical glitches to watch for in the in-box. I hadn't connected the dates when a month ago another team member, our data base specialist, also requested this day off. While most messages can wait until Monday, I still needed to watch the box for any urgent problems. 



     Then another division supervisor, who is serving in the interim director role since our bosses promotion (but doesn't want it long term) also took vacation days Thursday and Friday, as did two of her direct reports, both of whom had content expertise on several of the proposals that might have landed. You guessed it-two proposals did come to my attention, one on Thursday and the other yesterday. All this is to say, with checking  four email boxes and responding, plus two urgent proposals to route and collect responses on, my "to do" list was barely touched, and I have a couple deadlines for early next week. Job security is how I am going to look at it and I know each of these folks needed and deserved a break. My  midweek day off last Thursday did me wonders.  

     I got a little preachy yesterday complaining about selfish Americans traveling on vacation. I  do feel that way, but I need to remember I can only do for me. I just get frustrated when I know my son's work has been so disrupted, and now with new faster spreading variants (though thankfully it seems the vaccine works for those as well), we still have many months before the people closest to me will benefit from the vaccine. Let it go Sam, breath, relax, and keep doing what I've been doing, is what I am trying to tell myself. 

     So besides putting in a few work hours, my weekend will look pretty much like past weekends. The moonlight hike is actually next month that my daughter signed us up for, with DD2 as well. We decided we are still going to do our own tonight. I have the book club pick to read and a new Guidepost came, though I thought my MIL was going to cancel my and one of the SIL's subscriptions as neither of us were really reading it, but maybe I should to get a little spiritual inspiration. I of course have laundry and  the weekly hosue upkeep that I let go until the weekend, but I don't have the stock pile of last week. I feel like I should bake something-maybe vegan oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies. That way my daughter will be able to enjoy. I'll freeze part of the dough as we just can't nor should we eat the whole batch and we both really enjoy the cookies when they're fresh baked anyway. I still have some TJ chocolate chips from Christmas baking though I'm tight on flour, so making them oatmeal chocolate chip, I should have just enough. 

     I guess my Saturday posts are just a rambling of whatever pops into my head. I'm playing around with a food, kitchen cooking blog-maybe to launch in March.  My hesitancy is how bad a food photographer that I am. I made DH some blueberry pancakes-the pictures prove my point. Who wants a food, kitchen, cooking blog with lousy photos! Whatever or where ever your Saturday takes you, and  I'm not judging (or maybe I am), make your weekend a good one. 


19 comments:

  1. I also get angry when I see people not doing their part to mitigate the virus spread. It's very frustrating, as I am being so careful. I am at the local food pantry now, waiting to be loaded and start deliveries, and so I see how this virus has impacted so many people. Everyone I deliver to does come out with masks, I am grateful for that. I hope you don't have to work too much this weekend. Celie

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    1. What a great support to your community, Celie! I need to let it go as people will do what they will do, but these are the same people that trash talk our governor, the current administration, and think it's government control, so why would I imagine they wouldn't still travel if they feel like it.

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  2. Bailey gets upset at all the resellers who have never stop shopping at thrift stores and are now getting the vaccine and we still have not been able to get one. I try to talk with her about it and tell her to try and not think about it, but she struggles with it daily.

    Vacation days for your coworkers are so needed during these stressful times. Sounds like you handled the problems that cropped up exceptionally well. Kudos to you, Sam.

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    1. Be greatful for those who get the shots. Let’s not begrudge those who have been blessed with. No one is more worthy than another.

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    2. I feel so much more safer but I'm 73. Isn't Bailey really young- like under 25? I would imagine they are the last to be vaccinated beside little kids. My preschool director daughter has not been able to get hers yet and she has a heart condition and has had at least 4 teachers put with covid.

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    3. I like your photography! My sis has a great job- a good salary and she works strictly 8 to 5 from home 4 days a week- one day she goes into her deserted office. Ironically I have been telling her for years she should approach the company about working remotely at least 3 days from home and she said it would never work...but it has!

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    4. I think Belinda's daughters expression of frustration was more about people not taking precautions, living life as close to normal, but now seemingly jumping to the front as an example of selfish behavior. I see each person vaccinated as a step closer out of this for all of us, but there is still lack of clarity so adds stress for many. Yes, work life sure changed, and business adapted to home offices!

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  3. Job security is a good way to look at it. I hope you don't have to do too much over the weekend. I'm with you on just letting go of the way others are handling the pandemic. There are so many different opinions out there. I just know I'm still not taking any chances. I haven't stayed home for a year just to jump back out there now! If you are feeling like doing a food blog, go for it. The photos don't have to be perfect unless you are looking for sponsors. Have a great weekend!

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    1. I'd like the food to look like food not some weird shadowy blob. I'll keep working on the pictures. Sadly, public health doesn't seem to be something for people to have an opinion on if not an expert or studying data.

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  4. I agree with you. Goodness knows I love travelling but I won't be going anywhere except locally, by car, because I am not ready to face those kinds of risks. Like Martha says, I haven't stayed home for a year already just to throw it all away for the sake of a week in the sun. Stay safe and I'm sorry you're having to work so hard!

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    1. Really! The joys of travel will be so much sweeter. I feel privileged to have a good job, so for now, weekends might need double duty.

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  5. Those panckes look delicious! I used to be awful at photography but the more you do it the better it gets, honest!
    Much as other people's irresponsible behaviour annoys me I've learnt to ignore it and just concentrate on making sure we're doing to right thing, it'll send me mad otherwise. x

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    1. Taking my own prevaitiobs is all I can do, and doing my bit for collective good. I'll keep plugging away at photos, food writing is fun.

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  6. Our governor (CT) just changed the vaccine rules and my husband and I are now eligible for the vaccine. I was able to schedule them for March 26th. Considering we thought we were at the back of the line, we're very grateful. We will still double mask and do everything else recommended.

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    1. Yeah, two more people helping the public goal. I hope you both feel well after both doses.

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  7. It is really frustrating, that some people do not take this virus seriously, when it has really affected so many lives. Then when you see your kids suffering it must really make you feel bad. I would be angry and hurt. Your job sounds like it is complicated and I admire that you can do what you do. I would not be good at that.

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    1. Some day when I retire I'll write volumes about my job, lol. It can be complicated but only because there's so many layers of details that people proposing new actions are unaware of, or disregard, without truly understanding unintentional consequences.

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  8. You sure touched a nerve with this one!
    It is comforting to see many people agree/think like you - me too.

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    1. No travel isn't possible-wirk,, life events and needs, neceaart commerce. I just don't get why deferring a vacation is so hard if it means not risking someones health.

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