Five on Friday #234

EINS - Random Shit

Me: Alexa, play Top Country on Amazon Music everywhere.
Alexa: Playing Top Country on the everywhere group from Amazon music.
Spot starts playing Lady Gaga - Stupid Love.
Me: Alexa fucking cancel.  What the fucking fuck?

________________________________________

Gentle Readers, I am not a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan.  I'll admit it.  BUUUTTTT.. Josh Gad has been doing these Reunited Apart videos and he brought most of the LOTR main cast together via Zoom and it was a fabulous way to spend an hour of my life.  And at the end Pippin sang us out and I actually teared up.  They were all so excited to hang out together (abet in a virtual setting) and it was just so great to see that.

________________________________________

Now, the reason I found the LOTR Reunited Apart video was because I was letting the "Stream to Donate" video play while I was working and I forgot to check it.  I'm not sure if it actually works, but I figured it couldn't hurt.

________________________________________

I have decided that the meaner I am when I review your personal documents (resume/cover letter/paper/etc), the more I love you.  I show my love in strange ways, Gentle Readers....

________________________________________

I'm not sure I'm going to keep playing WoW because it is such a time commitment.  I know, that's kinda the point, but I'm mostly playing alone and that isn't nearly as fun as playing with other people and finding groups to do difficult quests is annoying 90% of the time.  There are some other tasks that I would like to take care of, so maybe I just need to be very specific with my time and play WoW last.  It's just hard because playing is enjoyable for the most part.  It feels comforting, as weird as that is/seems.

This fucking shit happened and I almost lost my mind.
Player1: Fort buff!
Player2: NOW.
(I buffed both being nice before I saw these comments in the chat)
Player2: GOOD GIRL.
Me to Player2: How about you go fuck yourself with your demeaning bullshit.
Player2: I love you more.

I had to tell myself that a few assholes aren't all assholes and move along.  It was EXTREMELY difficult because a button was HULKSMASHED and I knew that was a fight I wouldn't win because it's the internet.

But later I ended up running an instance with a decent group of goofs and we managed to 2/3/4 man a 5 man instance at different points, soooo ya know, adventures.

TL;DR: I'm a nerd.

________________________________________

My brain loves sequences of numbers.  So the fact that this post #234 makes me smile.  When the clock says 12:34, lurve (btw this only happens once a day in this house since we run on military/German time).

________________________________________

I guess people at work thought I haven't been doing work and I finally had to break down the process of doing technical writing/editing to the scrum master so the people complaining about a project's documentation not being complete would STFU.

I had to explain that:

• I translate technical into human with absolutely ZERO reference to what is being discussed.  This means making assumptions and doing research and having to sometimes ask the technician who wrote the garbildy-gook wtf they are talking about and they have no idea because they wrote it potentially more than 6 months ago.  Oh yeah, and sometimes, what they wrote doesn't even apply anymore because of the things that have changed in that 6 months.
• I am correcting their lack of proper English skills. Capitalizing proper nouns, putting in periods.  All shit that these people with college degrees should know how to do and if they'd actually DO IT, it would save me a LOT of time.
• Adding in the markup formatting for the Asciidoc format we are using, in addition to learning Asciidoc, is also time consuming.. Because... the techs definitely don't know this markup language, but they know potentially another, different markup language and they used THOSE rules for THIS markup and it doesn't work... AND it's inconsistent since the documents were written by several different techs all using whatever markup they "thought was best", which makes all the documentation look like garbage.
• Our review was at the end of April and technically I'm not finished with those corrections because... the techs ADDED MORE DOCUMENTATION AFTER THE REVIEW.  Cooooooooool.  (and because of some fuck-off-ary due to the fact that I'd rather clean all the toilets in my house every day than have to deal with one of the tech's writing.)

________________________________________

I'm trying to get on the self-education train and read these books about race that I've had for over a year.  Reading them isn't the difficult part.  It's the carving out time to sit down with a book that is the problem.

________________________________________

So I've decided that I'm not allowed to play WoW until my to-do pile in the office is handled. 
That includes:

• Getting rid of my GTMO conch shells that I do not intend to keep (or at least determining new homes for them).
• Determining photos for frames that have been empty since.... we moved into the house.
• Editing necessary photos for frames.
• Ordering said photos for frames.
• Ordering a shadowbox for my Navy I *heart* me box.  This is made more complicated and expensive that it needs to be because the flags flown for me in GTMO were 4x6 instead of the standard 3x5. Fuckers.
• Determining what to do with the 25+ Princess House lead crystal figurines that I discovered under the conch shells.
• Getting rid of my old glasses (what does one do with old prescription eye glasses?) and empty cases.
• Tossing or donating this Manic Panic bleach kit.
• Getting rid of my non-kept Citadel school papers/work.

________________________________________

Know what I hate?  Waiting.  For all my years in the military, everything was always "hurry up and wait" and I don't do well in that circumstance.  Granted, I learned how to endure it, but I'm in another of those seasons and it's difficult for me.  I graduated and I want to use my degree NAOWWW, or more like yesterday, but I have to be patient for things to fall into place/to get my Sec+ cert/get some technical experience.

In my rage of job applying, I updated my LinkedIn so recruiters have been finding my profile and emailing me.  My BIGGEST fear is leaving the safety and security of current Company only to find myself in a similar situation wherever I go. 

That said, I also applied for federal positions, so if I actually make it to the interview/hiring stages of any of those positions, I'd have to debate whether to leave the probable higher pay of the contracting world for potentially less pay but more security for a government position.

I acknowledge the privilege I have of even having options like this, but I did also work my ass off to get here, so I'm grateful and proud of where I am.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Sunglasses.. because I have fucking problem.
-Heartworm prevention for the beasts.  I give up on this liquid/topical application shit.  I'll donate it and it will be gone.  I'm horrible about NOT giving it to them because it was topical and well, that's no bueno.
-Groceries (ok, it was only almond milk and juice, but they might kill us because I forgot them in the car for 6 hours, but they were in my insulated bag sooo meeeyyybbeee not?  IDK, if we die we die.)
-Hairs did. (*Praise hands*)
-McGriddle + sweet tea = fatty.
-2020 Graduation virtual run registration.
-This spray that I shouldn't have wasted my money on for 2 hot spots on Sandy that are healing, but the vet talked me into it saying it might be viral or ringworm....

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Floofernoodle and I explored the grassy field beside the vet's office before her acupuncture appointment.
She would sniff and sniff and explore all day if I'd let her.

This goof.

#AlumnaeLife

When you need a little boost.

This bite from a mysterious creature was hard and swollen and HUGE and I did not like it one bit.

When Husband raves over a helmet because it's the same color as his bike and "how cool would it be?!"
And soo you file it away as a future Christmas/Bday gift (because for $600, it would definitely be a combined gift).

You can almost kinda see just how much longer/bigger Sandy is than Pax in this photo.

And this floofy Monkey-Doodle. Lurve her.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

Ya know what, I'm not gonna bother because this space would be filled ways to better yourself to fight a long fight that people have already been fighting without us (us being white people).  You need to find some resources that are NOT your friends of color and enlighten yourself in the ways you ARE privileged and how seeing color is far more effective than NOT seeing color.

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Running an instance with individuals who were fun and it was complicated and irritating but it was fun, so I didn't hate it.
2. A good networking lunch.
3. Someone reviewing my resume in asshole form and their inability to find actual problems with it other than shit they don't like because they are a self-admitted MS Word nazi.
4. The smell of my laundry detergent/softener.  This makes me happy every time I do laundry, but I just wanted to point it out.
5. Runner friends and accountability partners.. because without them, these miles wouldn't be getting done.  And we each admitted it this morning.
6. Sandy floofs.
7. Meri butt scratches.
8. Pax chicken cutlet scritches.
9. Potential Cmas/Bday gift idea for Teh German.
10. Being able to step back and critically think about things that are going on and help my friends through with words of logic and encouragement.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Weekend Review {6/1}

Even I, who often consider myself as "living under a rock", could not avoid the shit that went down this weekend.  My heart hurts.  My SOUL hurts.  My brain hurts.  I can't sleep.  My stomach is upset.  I want to find comfort in anything but that feels like cheating.  So I sit with my discomfort and gnaw on it. I want to find ways to BE BETTER.  I want to find ways to soothe my soul and comfort my heart and make my brain quiet, but this isn't the time for that.  This is the time to remind people to acknowledge your privileges and your differences and be kind to each other and support each other. 

FRIDAY

Friday was fRUNday!  As I mentioned on Friday, I met my personal goal of 50 miles for the month.  Woot.  After my run, I put Sandy's boots on her and we went on a neighborhood stroll, then I took Meri and Pax out for their stroll as well.  They had a special walk since we got to walk with Roux and his Mom!

After walks was shower then work time.  I actually ended up going to Commonhouse for Lunch Beers with some coworkers.  I'ma be honest.  Some people being on video and some people being in person did not work.  Because if anyone is on video, only one person at a time can speak and some of my in-person coworkers (who haven't really socialized since March) don't comprehend the idea of SHUT THE FUCK UP so people can hear and be involved in the conversation.  Ugh.  I was over it.  Also, it was a mabillionty fucking degrees outside and I had sweat trickling down all my nooks and crannies and I did not like it.

I spoke with someone about my work woes and confidently explained that the management idea of "documenting the process" is NOT going to solve the problem for me, nor will it solve the problem for the next unfortunate soul who has to do the job.  Later I realized that documenting the process may also have something to do with the fact that I updated all my job site profiles/resumes.. soooo an intelligent individual could have deduced that I'm open to opportunity.

I ended up taking my sweaty ass home at 2:15 and came home to shower and check on work emails one last time (since I took half days WHF) and then signed into WoW (World of Warcraft) and enduring grinding out levels for the evening.  Teh German ordered Chinese for dinner, which didn't hurt my heart, and it was delivered.  We spent the evening on our screens.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning I woke up with a pressure headache from hell and went right back to sleep.  I slept until 1030/11 and finally decided to get up and medicate.  I went downstairs for breakfast lunch with Teh German and checked the internets.  It's good I did this, as I was reminded when I looked at my calendar that I had a hair appointment I had forgotten about.  Oops. 

Teh German had put on the SpaceX/NASA launch on the TV, so we watched that while we scrolled.  When it was time to go, I headed out, picked up sweet teas for myself and my lady, called Teh Bestie to poll her about if I should go back to blah blah brown or continue with the blue (I had already polled Teh PT Wife and Teh German).  When I sat down, my stylist and I discussed the fact that soon I would have to lighten my hair again if I wanted to keep doing the blue and I explained to her that was the point at which we would definitely be going back to blah blah brown.  Soooo, we did the blue again. 

Let me just say, I LOVE the blue.  LURVE IT.  BUUTTT I hate the expense and I hate feeling like I shouldn't wash my hair because of the blue and how it's literally wasting money to wash it too often because it strips the blue out and then I have to go more.  I mean, it's a classic over-thinker situation.  Blah blah brown might be boring, but it's at least stress free.

I stopped at Walmart on the way home to pick up a hair brush and raised feeder for Sandra Dee.  I couldn't find the $5 feeder and I didn't pay attention to the cost of the only other option because I had to pee sooooo bad.  When I checked out, the feeder I had picked up was $25, soooo that will probably be getting returned because that's ridiculous.

When I walked in the house, Teh German announced, "15 seconds till launch!  Come on!  You're gonna miss it!!"  I had to pee sooooo bad, but I didn't want to miss it, so I stood in the living room literally holding my pee in by pressing my hands to my crotch while I watched the rocket take off.  It was worth it because it was soooo cool.  IDK why, but everything about going to space is cool. 

After I peed, I set about the task of brushing Sandy.  Lawd, I should change her name to Tingle-Tangle Bob.  First, I used the hair brush on her, which she didn't love, but did tolerate... BUT THENNN, I used a rake on her after reading somewhere that was a good idea for Irish Wolfhounds.  She hateeeeeedd it and kept switching couches and walking away from me, but I just kept going.  We had almost half a trash can of Sandy when I was finished/gave up.

Also, I have to admit that I blatantly lied to Husband when he complained about me brushing Sandy while she was on the couch.  I told him I'd vacuum and it was a LLIIIIEEEEEEEE.  Actually, at first it wasn't a lie.  I did intend on vacuuming the couches, but then I had to fight with her for 45 minutes to get her all brushed out and then I wasn't in the mood to vacuum.  Also, fun fact, Teh German is a capable adult and if he's really worried about it, he, too, has the ability to run the vacuum cleaner!  Crazy concept, I know.  I'm not sure if he's aware, but I didn't want to scare him off, so I didn't mention it.

While I groomed Sandy, Teh Dad messaged me that one of my young cousins, who I didn't actually know, but have watched grow up via Facebook, had died in a motocross accident. 

After getting Sandy semi-defuzzed, I went to the computer and grounded out some more levels in WoW, because I lead a real riveting life. 

In the evening, Teh German went over to Teh PT House for socializing and came home at 11 to announce, "The Apple Store is empty!" 

Gentle Readers, I have to tell you something.  I don't deal well with people trying to vaguebook me or try to make me inquire about a topic they obviously want to discuss with vague statements.  You see, I took an editing class, which included a period on headline writing.  I know how it works.  I don't like it being used on me.

I responded to Teh German, "What are you trying to say to me?"
Teh German, "They broke all the windows and there's nothing left in the store."
Me, with zero patience, "Are you trying to tell me that there are riots and looters?"
Teh German, "Yes."
Me, "Then say that."
He was exasperated with me, expectedly, but we did ultimately discuss the riots that were happening in downtown Charleston.

We went to bed and ended up having a conversation about privilege before we fell asleep.  To his credit, Teh German acknowledged that in Germany, the minority population is so small that it never really affected him in anyway.  So we had to have a culture lesson about how, yes, non-white members of American society have the "same opportunities" as white members of American society... in theory.  Teh German argued that there are successful people of color (doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc) and I had to explain that they are more like the exception.  Maybe this wasn't the most accurate way to describe it, but it was almost midnight and I needed to make a point about cultural opportunity disparity.

To drive the point home with an example, I took it back to 2004 Sociology 101 at NC State style.  I asked him, "When you go to the store and buy band-aids and you don't want cartoon characters, can you get something that matches your skin tone?"  He said, "Yes."  I said, "Now, let's say you were black and you wanted something that matches your skin tone.  Can you go to any store and find matching skin tone band-aids?"  He said, "They have to make those."  I explained, "They do now, but they didn't used to.  Someone had to be like, 'Why are there no 'flesh colored' band-aids for people of color?' and then someone made them.  But I bet they aren't easy to find.  There is NEVER a shortage of 'flesh colored' band-aids for white people." I also explained how self-perpetuating some part of low income society are, in relation to people of color.  I can't attest that my explanations were 100% accurate and didn't make some generalizations, but I am going to tell myself that Teh German went to sleep chewing on our conversation and having some light shed on his ignorance.  Or maybe he just went to sleep.  Either way, I shared my favorite sociology lesson with him and tried to explain why people of color protest and how being color-blind is less helpful that being cognizant and aware of your privilege because of your skin color.

While Teh German fell fast asleep quickly, my heart was hurting for people that are hurting and my anxiety over the riots plus my toes being cold kept me WIDE-AWAKEEEEEE.  So, I dragged my ass out of bed, took a Xanax and tried sleep again.  It was a success.

SUNDAY

Sunday I woke up with the beasts and went back to bed after breakfast.  We slept in and woke up about 15 minutes after Dragon had docked at the International Space Station (ISS).  I was kinda disappointed, but oh well.  We got up and Teh German loaded the space stream on his laptop so we could watch while we ate breakfast. 

Teh German ended up going on a ride with a friend, which I turned down going because 1- he needed man time, and 2- it was too fucking hot for me to go sit on an engine with a helmet, coat, jeans, and boots on.  Instead, I gamed until Teh PT Wife invited us over for pool time.  Teh German left on his ride and after taking care of the laundry, I headed over to Teh PT House for socializing.

These beasts.

Teh German came home around 5:30 and came over to socialize.  I headed home at 6:30 for doggy dinner time and to take a shower.  I was gaming when Teh German came home and gamed until about 11, when it was finally bed time.

Again, I couldn't sleep from the anxiety of watching Charleston protesters for most of the afternoon.  I didn't end up falling asleep until after 1, ugh.  At 0545, I was up for my run with Teh Running Advisor.

______________________________________________

It was a roller coaster of a weekend.  Good things and absolutely heartbreaking things happened.  I sat at the computer/TV just thinking, "That is soooo cool!" over and over and over in my head during all the space things.  It doesn't matter that we've done space things before, every.single.time it's awesome.  This is my hill.  If it hadn't been for space things, this weekend would have crushed me.

I hope that lessons from this weekend are taken to heart and that white people begin to be better advocates for people of color, to include myself.  I cannot say I've been the best advocate, but I do at least try to be cognizant of my privilege.  I know this is not enough, but sitting with my discomfort is also something that I'm adjusting to as well.  I'm like a deer, I can't look directly at me, or I might get startled and run off.  What this really means is that I'm definitely going to make it a priority to read these books about white privilege that have been sitting on my bookshelf for a year (maybe more, can't actually remember when I got them, but it was while I was in school).

Unrelated to that, I'm back to work this week and it's depressing.  A weekish of vacation was delightful.  I miss it already.

Oh yeah.. and it's JUNE.  DAFUQ happened?  It was like yesterday it was March and we were facing never ending days of staying at home.. and while 1 of those 2 things hasn't changed.. we're magically in June and I cannot comprehend so much time passing since I was in Denver catching snowflakes with my tongue.  But here we are.