greyduck.net

Let me make something crystal clear: If you come to me with a request and I think it’s a bad idea, I’m going to say so. If it’s against policy, I’m going to stand by that policy unless there’s a really good reason not to. If it would be a gigantic hassle, I’m going to resist implementing it. If it’s redundant, confusing, or both, I’m going to fight it tooth and nail.

And above all, if you try to play the trump card of “This comes from high up,” I’m just going to dig in my heels even more… because if there’s one thing I despise most it’s the use of office politics to push through stupid ideas that would never otherwise be implemented.

None of this should have to be said. It’s a sad, sad thing indeed that not only does it have to be said, but also that nobody’s listening.

We’re upgrading the voicemail server tonight. And so, I’ve been here for a bit more than twelve hours. I don’t know when we’ll be done. Even better: I need to be here first thing in the morning, no matter when I’m allowed to leave tonight, because of the general state of panic there’ll be among the rest of the staff about how to access voicemail and faxes.

Are we having fun yet? Huh?

I rolled out of bed much like usual… late and groggy. I made it to work on time, fueled only by a toasted english muffin.

And was promptly hauled down the street for a “little cleaning project.”

You see, the Promotions department(s) clean out their storage sheds about every two years. This involves calling in a dumpster, usually, and this time was certainly no exception. Fired up with inspiration, my boss decided that we, the Engineering department, should also clean out our storage sheds. Woo hoo, fun!

Hurricane (the “remotes guy”) and I hauled stuff out of both Engineering units all morning and a bit into the afternoon, aided by a number of Promotions interns from 94/7fm. We even took the time to sweep the floors and reorganize things a bit.

Did I mention we ended up calling in two more additional dumpsters?

Still, it was not quite the kind of work I’m used to. I’m home now, covered in dust and dirt and sweat, sore in various odd places, and more than a bit groggy. I don’t regret it, though… I can tell my body needed the exercise, and I managed not to overextert myself. (Well, the truth of that will be told in the morning by how sore my back is. Hmm.)

This sort of thing is most definitely not in my job description…