About this time last year I had gone to visit Jonny, Elizabeth, and Elliot. Just before I left, Elizabeth referred to me as "Uncle Mark". She was the first person to say that to me and it really touched me that she was saying that in reference to her son.
As of last Friday, my sister in-law was three months pregnant. I found out the first week, but it didn't start to really hit me till this week. Mike and Christine went public with their great news, and lots of people at work have called me Uncle Mark this week. It's really cool to think that my brother is gonna be a father. It kinda blew my mind when Jonny was going through this, but for some reason it's crazier to think about MY BROTHER as a DAD. I know he and Christine will be great parents. But this is the guy that used to walk down the hall pretending to be a robot and scare the crap out of me.
Monday, February 20, 2006 Better work environment
Nate: American telemarketers are moving to India because they'll get paid better.....(after some silence)... I don't know where I got that... (group laughs)... I got that from the homeless man in the parking lot that bums ciggerettes off of me.
Me: He gives you some knowledge, you buy him some shoes. (only Nicole laughs)
Nicole: I can't believe you just threw that out there.
Me: Go-head Mr. Wendel.
Cat sitting
I rush up the stairs and fumble with my keys. I get to the door, and let myself in with the alarm code repeating on my lips. I punch in the numbers and nothing happens, so I try again. The alarm goes off and the cats are running and hiding, but they can't escape the sound. I call Matt's cell and I get Lori.
Me: Hey, I don't remember the code and I left my cheat-sheet at home. The cats are going nuts.
Lori: (laughing) it's ...(she tells me the code)
Me: (punching in the code) Sorry to bug you, what do I need to do? Are the cops gonna show up?
Lori: Well, the alarm company is gonna call and you will need to talk to them and then a cop may still come by to check things.
Me: Ok, well (phone rings)... I guess that is the alarm company.
Picking up the house phone, I have the alarm people in one ear and Lori in the other. Lori is feeding me lines to respond to the alarm people. The call ends.
Me: I'll just hang out for a bit to see if the police showup. I'll call you when that happens or in 20 or 30 minutes when I leave.
Lori: Ok, later dude.
I sit down and mess with the remote controls until I am able to turn off the radio, and turn on the TV. As I am switching between Diehard 3 and Abyss, there is a knock at the door. It's been about 20 minutes since I got off the phone with Lori. I answer the door.
Officer T: We had a call that the alarm went off is everything alright?
Me: Yes officer, I am here to feed the cats and I for got the alarm code.
Officer T: Do you have any ID?
Me: Yes, ( getting out me wallet) I have the owners on my phone, want to talk to them? (I hand the officer my NCDL and dial Matt's cell)
Officer: Yes.
I hand the officer the phone as soon as it begins to ring. I here Matt answer and the officer asks if I am supposted to be in thier unit. At this point I being to wonder if Matt will take this opportunity to fuck with me. Matt tells the officer that it's ok. Mean while, the entire time I am playing goalie of the door, trying to keep one of the cats from greeting the officer. The officer hands me the phone.
Me: Do you want to come in to check things out? Or can I come out, I am worried that the cats will get out.
The officer steps in as he makes notes for a minute or two and then hands me my ID.
Officer T: Have a good evening.
Me: Ok, you too.
Monday, December 26, 2005 Early Twenties VS. Early Thirties
It's 11:00pm on a Monday night. While watching a DVD from NetFlix and drinkin' a beer I started to crave a burger. Well the guy on TV was eating a HUGH burger and it looked sooooo good, that I would call it GROOD. That’s GReat + gOOD. Know what I’m sayin'?
So I in my twenties I would have gone out or rather been out with my boyz (yes I know I used a Z, and I'm white) and had a burger with my beer. Now I'm not sayin' that I don't do that now, but back then it would have been a MORE regular occurrence. So tonight as I feel the craving take hold I walk to my fridge for another beer and think about that burger.
I pop the top on a beer and take a drink. I then make a Multi-grain bagel with low fat turkey, 2% cheddar cheese, baby spinach leaves, and a little bit of a ginger dressing, sandwich. It was a DAMN GROOD sandwich by the way.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005 The Cock of the walk.
Since I was give the award mention in the prior post, I have had a few people comment about it at work: "don't let it go to your head", "you can stop sucking up you already won", "he's to good to say hi now", "oh look greatness has blessed us", etc…. It’s just my co-worker ragging my ass, as I would expect.
Today I observed a training session because I am going to be one of the new trainers. As things rapped up I walk around the room with a large trash bag and emptied small trashcans and took trash off of tables. I had tucked my tie into my shirt so that I would not get any cola, fruit juice, or ranch-dip on it.
I come to the table of a woman that I used to see every day, but her office moved to another part of the building a few weeks ago. She looked at me as I ask, "are you done with this stuff?" She replies, "well aren't you all high and mighty now." I just say "what?" She continues with, "Mr. Spirit Award winner, Mr. big shot. Don’t let it go to your head." I hold open the trash bag, and drop her plate of half-eaten cookies, fruit, and chips in. Then I reply "I'll try to keep both feet on the ground."
Friday, November 18, 2005 Nina Lyon Spirit Award
November 11th, all libraries were close for Veterans Day and so that the entire staff of PLCMC could have an ALL STAFF DAY! It's basically a day when we can all come together to hear speakers, have lunch, more speakers, and then recognize various staff member for their achievements.
We recognized staff for there years of service and achievements. I was one of two winners of the Nina Lyon Spirit Award:
The Nina Lyon Memorial Fund was established through the generosity of David Lyon, in memory of his wife, Main Library Services Director, Nina Lyon, who died in January of 1996. Nina was the spirit – some have said "the heartbeat" of this Library. Her passion of libraries and librarianship, her loyalty to this institution and her enthusiasm for life were unique. A generation of library employees were influenced and inspired by her example, one of total commitment to the Library's mission. For our patrons, she was the embodiment of the very best in public service, establishing a standard of excellence to which all institutions should aspire.
Income from the Nina Lyon Memorial Fund supports the presentation of an annual cash award to a member of the PLCMC staff. The award, known as "The Nina Lyon Spirit Award," is presented in recognition of an individual who has demonstrated in the delivery of library service to our public, the spirit, enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment exhibited by Nina Lyon in carrying out the Library's mission.
Eligibility: An employee, other that the director, who has completed one full year of service at the time of nomination; who has not previously been selected for this award or as employee of the year award since 1989; and who has been recognized at least once during the year under the Library's Employee Award and Recognition system (i.e., G.E.M., Continuous Improvement Initiative (RISE), Director’s Award), ie eligible to receive the award.
The recipient of the nina Lyon Spirit Award will receive a $500.00 cash award. The name of the recipient will be added to a permanent recognition plaque that is displayed at the Main Library. The Winner will be recognized during the year's All Staff Day.
Profile of the Nina Lyon Spirit Award Recipient:
Embodies the true spirit of Service Excellence and conveys that in all aspects of their work
Understands the mission of the Library and strives to carry that forward through personal initiative
Understands problems and sees solutions by taking action to accomplish whatever needs to be done to remove barriers and continuously improve service
Is an effective team player, open to taking responsibility and serving as a contributing member of a work team, committee, special project or event group
Demonstrates an exemplary commitment to the customer, promoting a perception of trust and confidence in the Library
Consistently displays a positive attitude and willingness to listen and learn
Is willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction, consistently meeting and/or exceeding customer expectations in terms of valued delivered
So that was me this year. Pretty cool huh?
Monday, October 31, 2005 Busy guy
Friday night I had been out kinda late with friends. So when my alarm went off Saturday morning at 7:30, I was not a happy camper. I was supposed to help my Little brother and his family move, and be at their place by 8:30. I showered to both wake myself, and wash away any of the bar stink that may have lingered.
I stopped for coffee and a breakfast sandwich, at this cool deli down the street. I told the girl I wanted a “Rise-n-shine” and a large coffee. She told me it comes with a small coffee and then paused. I looked at her like she was speaking a different language or something, because she then asks “do you just want to up-grade?” I said “yes please, I like to shake thing ups now and then.”
The move went very well. By 12:15 we were done with all the heavy stuff. As hard as I had been working all morning I had no problem ditching them to go home and do laundry.
For a fresh new scent in your laundry, leave a Burt’s Bees chap stick in a pocket.
I met a friend for a short walk in the park and then I headed home to meet Cindy for dinner and drinks. I got a flat tire on the way home. So I was a bit late. Because of a conversation I have had with her earlier in the week, I knew that I didn’t want to pursue anything beyond “friends”. So we had a quick, but clear talk at dinner and then continued the night with drinking and playing pool.
I came home and opened a netflix, 25th Hour. I watched for a while then when to bed. I had not changed my clocks so the time read 2:15am.
Thursday, October 20, 2005 Tired
There are all of these words throbbing in my chest. Each one is ready to burst out of my chest like an alien. Each one has the possibility to ruin or save me.
Right now I sit at work, knowing that I have a test at 8am, tomorrow morning. I’m not worried it’s just that there is no more I can do to prepare. I just want it over with. Like so many things I want to charge into it and face the outcome. I hate the waiting. Tonight at work I have done 40 push-ups, 100 sit-ups with a 3-count hold on each, and that has not given me any relief.
