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02-12-2019 , 04:09 PM
Dilbert story.

We have a ticket system for basically any request you might have. Usually nobody will do anything without you filling out a ticket.

So, about 2 weeks ago I asked one of the users a question via email. I didn't request he actually do anything. I just needed some clarification for something I was working on. He never replied to me (standard) so I just guessed and continued on.

Yesterday, someone in his department opened a ticket for my question. This prompted the person I initially sent the email to, to reply. Only he didn't answer my question.

The request was then marked as resolved.
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02-12-2019 , 04:21 PM
OK, one more.

I've been working on this project to send files to a state agency. It is in a special format that is universally used to pass medical info around. This is one of the super duper high priority projects that had to be completed before January 1. Hmm....

Anyway, we finally created a file that the state accepted. The state then sends back a response file.

Our crack QA staff got the response file from the state and told us they won't approve the file and therefore won't approve the application I'm working on because, well, I'm not sure why.

If you aren't sure where the Dilbert is here - we have no control over what the state sends us.
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02-13-2019 , 10:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by biggerboat
Dilbert story.

We have a ticket system for basically any request you might have. Usually nobody will do anything without you filling out a ticket.

So, about 2 weeks ago I asked one of the users a question via email. I didn't request he actually do anything. I just needed some clarification for something I was working on. He never replied to me (standard) so I just guessed and continued on.

Yesterday, someone in his department opened a ticket for my question. This prompted the person I initially sent the email to, to reply. Only he didn't answer my question.

The request was then marked as resolved.
Perfect.

Quote:
Originally Posted by biggerboat
OK, one more.

I've been working on this project to send files to a state agency. It is in a special format that is universally used to pass medical info around. This is one of the super duper high priority projects that had to be completed before January 1. Hmm....

Anyway, we finally created a file that the state accepted. The state then sends back a response file.

Our crack QA staff got the response file from the state and told us they won't approve the file and therefore won't approve the application I'm working on because, well, I'm not sure why.

If you aren't sure where the Dilbert is here - we have no control over what the state sends us.
Nice, that's nice.

I love these stories (since I am not involved). Hopefully you can just let all that stuff kind of go past you since you seem to have no control over it anyway and get to be free of it all pretty darn soon!
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02-15-2019 , 11:26 AM
Countdown update

I've added a category - commutes. Every day is at least an hour each way. I have to drive over the dreaded Howard Frankland bridge every morning. The official length is 3 miles but that is only the raised portion. It is more like 10 miles. It looks like this every day:




Weeks until bonus check hits - 3
Weeks until last day - 5
Working days until last day - 23*
Daily commutes - 14

* still have a few vacation days to burn

I should find out about my bonus next week, unless my boss waits until the last minute.
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02-15-2019 , 05:05 PM
Our department manager decided to schedule a department meeting at 3:00 Friday afternoon (listening as I type).

It was scheduled for 2 hours. We are 1 hour into it and less than 1/3 through the prepared slides.

Dammit, I have some important drinking to do.
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02-20-2019 , 10:19 AM
Another wrinkle in the retirement saga.

My plan was to go on wife's insurance. I've been back and forth on this because I don't want to be in a spot where I depend on her having a job that would cover me and her feeling like she has to keep a job that would cover me. Because, that is how she thinks.

If I haven't mentioned it, she is an occupational therapist. She is pretty burned out, not only in her current job, but doing what she does. It is not a pleasant job to have. I think occupational therapist would be fine, but she does home health for people primarily on medicaid. There are so many things that make this stressful.

She really wasn't liking the company she works for for quite some time. She's been actively looking for a job but can't find a good fit. There a ton of factors here that I won't go into.

Her company recently got bought out (yet again). From day one they have been nickle and diming her on a lot of things. We both knew it was time for her to get out. Yesterday was the final straw. Their new pay structure will result in a significant cut in pay. This hits her on so many (primarily emotional) levels. I've never seen her so down.

Anyway, it is time for her to go and she knows it. Back to me. That pretty much nixes me getting insurance through her. I'm back to deciding to either not be covered, or having to get a part time job to cover it. Ugh. I was pretty much in a place to not have to work.

As of this writing, I'm still pretty sure I'm going to retire on the target date.
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02-20-2019 , 05:54 PM
A big project that I was working on last year, and dropped, has arisen once again.

My part was to work on some third party software that was mind boggling to me. As usual, I was tossed into it because, well, nobody else. There is another guy that has used the tool that will be helping me and he is just as mind-boggled about it as I am.

Today, we found out we have to be done by the end of the month. I'm assuming that means next month.

I am sooooo glad I'm leaving.
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02-21-2019 , 03:18 PM
Weird little work fact.

My part of the massive cube farm is a goup of 5 desks in a sort of star pattern.

I've been in this group for a little over a year. In that span of time, 4 out of the 5 guys in this group got married. Seems like steep odds for that to happen.
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02-22-2019 , 10:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by biggerboat
Countdown update

I've added a category - commutes. Every day is at least an hour each way. I have to drive over the dreaded Howard Frankland bridge every morning. The official length is 3 miles but that is only the raised portion. It is more like 10 miles. It looks like this every day:




Weeks until bonus check hits - 3 2
Weeks until last day - 5 4
Working days until last day - 23* 18
Daily commutes - 14 11

* still have a few vacation days to burn

I should find out about my bonus next week, unless my boss waits until the last minute. boss waited until last minute- should be next week
Updated
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02-22-2019 , 12:23 PM
Wow, so close!
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03-01-2019 , 11:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by biggerboat
Countdown update

I've added a category - commutes. Every day is at least an hour each way. I have to drive over the dreaded Howard Frankland bridge every morning. The official length is 3 miles but that is only the raised portion. It is more like 10 miles. It looks like this every day:




Weeks until bonus check hits - 1 !!!!
Weeks until last day - 3
Working days until last day - 13*
Daily commutes - 8

* still have a few vacation days to burn

I should find out about my bonus next week, unless my boss waits until the last minute. Still nothing
updated

soooooo close
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03-01-2019 , 09:18 PM
as intense as you are you might find retirement a little slow.

ive been looking at the edgewater boats. about 17 footer with a 115 yamaha seems to maybe do what i want.
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03-04-2019 , 11:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Zee
as intense as you are you might find retirement a little slow.

ive been looking at the edgewater boats. about 17 footer with a 115 yamaha seems to maybe do what i want.
I don't think I'll have any issues. I took a 2 year hiatus a while back and enjoyed the hell out of it.

That's a good boat. I don't think you'll regret it.
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03-04-2019 , 12:00 PM
My drive in includes a stretch where everyone wants to merge into a single lane. I generally just don't worry about it and sit in line like most people. But it does get pretty annoying watching everyone race to the front then cut in.

But, today, someone wanted to cut in and I was at the end of the area where you can cut in. Instead of cutting in, this woman got next to me and just started moving over into my lane. I laid on the horn and she eventually backed off, but damn I can't wait to not have to do this every day.

In other new, I have my performance review this afternoon and should find out about my bonus. Fingers crossed.
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03-04-2019 , 04:10 PM
Review went well. The bonus was definitely worth the wait.

I sort of feel bad knowing that I'm going to put in my 2 weeks notice right after my boss gave me a good review. Sort of.
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03-06-2019 , 04:51 PM
Ship it!
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03-07-2019 , 02:22 PM
Thanks. Feels good.

Projects are starting to pile up again. Project managers wanting daily status. Late afternoon meetings increasing. 9 more days..............................
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03-07-2019 , 03:49 PM
Doing nothing while pretending to do something isn't as easy as one might think.
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03-10-2019 , 04:52 PM
Good thing it seems very few (if any) people have any clue what you're doing in the first place.
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03-11-2019 , 09:03 AM
Just talked to my boss. Gave him my two weeks notice. He countered with allowing me to work from home every day until we get a project done I'm working on.

I'm going to mull over it but I'm leaning towards taking it. The commute is just brutal and a big part of me wanting to quit. I will be able to pay my truck off at minimum, and knock a lot off of the boat debt.
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03-11-2019 , 12:34 PM
Does the project have an actual finish date? Or is it going to be completely slippery?
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03-11-2019 , 01:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Yugoslavian
Does the project have an actual finish date? Or is it going to be completely slippery?
Well, both. Nothing ever gets done when they plan it to be done. I suspect it will end up being another 3 months. But we discussed that I need to have some sort of hard end.

He's pretty cool about everything so I think we'll work it out.
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03-11-2019 , 02:40 PM
I accepted his offer. Also included is an assurance that I get all my vacation time coming, which is not a guarantee.

I'm good with this.
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03-11-2019 , 10:12 PM
get it all in writing that is best. he may not be able to even keep his verbal promise.

see now you get to become your own contract worker and write you own ticket with8iin reason. thats the way to go as long as they need you, and you can keep it that way.
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03-12-2019 , 01:34 AM
Sounds like a great result for you to be able to earn more towards your retirement while avoiding that soul-crushing commute. And if you're actually not going to have health insurance until you're eligible for Medicare, I hope you have a chance to take advantage of your current plan and get things checked out before you retire.
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