I am, at heart, an introvert in the strictest definition of the term. That is, I get reenergized, not from being around people, but from being by myself. At the end of a long work day, I want nothing more than to sit on my couch, eat what I want to eat for dinner, watch what I want to watch on TV, and snuggle up with my fur children. The fact that there are no other humans in my home is usually a good thing.
That being said, I could not do this working from home thing full time. I've been working from home since last Thursday. Our offices are moving, and the move hasn't been completed yet. So the staff that's usually together in the office isn't together.
There are days when I'm working on something and everyone else is working on their things, and there's not much interaction amongst us. And that's fine.
But today, we have a deadline to get something completed. And not being able to see each other and being isolated in my home is not a good thing. In fact, it's a very bad thing.
I have heard much speculation as to whether working from home makes one more productive or less productive. In my experience, most of those discussions center on whether the person working at home is distracted by the home environment - kids, laundry, etc. I'm sure that affects productivity significantly. But for me, today, my productivity in working from home is not affected by me or any home distractions. Rather I am affected by the fact that I cannot walk into my colleagues' office and find out what's going on. Nor has anyone been responding to email. And only limited response to phone calls.
So today, right now, in this moment, working from home stinks.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
30 Years Of Running
I realized today, as I was running in the ridiculously hot May DC weather, that I've been running for 30 years now. And I have yet to experience the so-called endorphin high that I've heard runners experience. Good thing that's not why I run.
I started running in college. My reasons for starting were many. First, my sister was a runner, and being 9 years apart in age, we didn't have much in common when we met up again in the Boston area at 18 and 27, respectively. She was getting a Masters at MIT. I was an undergrad at Boston University. My freshman year, I was her Calculus tutor, having just taken it in my senior year of high school, since she'd never had higher math in her life. I wouldn't say that either of us was ever very good at it, but we got her through the course. Which was the important part. Other than Calculus, we spent the occasional weekend day together and, somewhere along the line, running became something for us to do together. Boston has many paths on which to run, including several around the Charles River - the border between Boston where I lived and Cambridge where she did. So we started running together.
My second reason for running - and probably the impetus for starting, though I don't specifically remember this - is that I was overweight. And my sister was not. She talks about having been overweight at some point in her life, but I don't remember it. I think her version of being overweight was probably 10 pounds over her ideal. I was more like 60 pounds over mine, tipping the scales at over 200 lbs. Not that I looked that fat. But I was in fact that fat, much to my disgust and shame. So running with my skinny sister was an attempt to do something about that.
My sophomore year of college, I was a 10k - the Bonne Bell. Carol ran it too, easily and much more quickly than I did. I did actually finish it at a run, though it was a close thing and mostly through sheer force of will. Up to that point, I think the furthest I'd ever run was about 2 miles. I warned my boyfriend at the time that he might have to carry me up to my fifth floor walk-up dorm room. As it turned out, it wasn't that bad. But it would be many years before I would brave such as distance again.
Interestingly, my running actually started that particular boyfriend running too. He was also overweight (I was still overweight, though perhaps only 50 lbs by now) and wanted to do something about getting in shape. Running for him would become a lifelong passion. He would eventually become a distance runner, something I never achieved. When he and I dated again after college was many years past, just before my 29th birthday, I did try to get my mileage up so he and I could run longer distances together. At that point, I got up to 6 miles. But it was not comfortable, and I abandoned those distances shortly after he and I broke up for the second time.
And yet, running is still my default form of exercise, especially when the weather is at all nice outside. I am much more likely to put on my running shoes at the end of the day and take a 30-minute run, than I am to head to gym after work. And running, and a much stricter diet than I ate in college, has contributed to my being more fit. I gave up weighing myself years ago, but I think I'm not overweight anymore. Or at least not by much. On average, I run somewhere between 2 and 2-1/2 miles. 30 minutes most of the time, at a reasonably slow pace of 11-minute miles. Today, I ran for almost 40 minutes, getting ready for summer when clothes are much less prevalent.
So for 30 years, I've run about that far (somewhere between 2 and 3 miles) at least once or twice a week. Would it have been too much to have experienced at least one moment of euphoria from it? Apparently.
I started running in college. My reasons for starting were many. First, my sister was a runner, and being 9 years apart in age, we didn't have much in common when we met up again in the Boston area at 18 and 27, respectively. She was getting a Masters at MIT. I was an undergrad at Boston University. My freshman year, I was her Calculus tutor, having just taken it in my senior year of high school, since she'd never had higher math in her life. I wouldn't say that either of us was ever very good at it, but we got her through the course. Which was the important part. Other than Calculus, we spent the occasional weekend day together and, somewhere along the line, running became something for us to do together. Boston has many paths on which to run, including several around the Charles River - the border between Boston where I lived and Cambridge where she did. So we started running together.
My second reason for running - and probably the impetus for starting, though I don't specifically remember this - is that I was overweight. And my sister was not. She talks about having been overweight at some point in her life, but I don't remember it. I think her version of being overweight was probably 10 pounds over her ideal. I was more like 60 pounds over mine, tipping the scales at over 200 lbs. Not that I looked that fat. But I was in fact that fat, much to my disgust and shame. So running with my skinny sister was an attempt to do something about that.
My sophomore year of college, I was a 10k - the Bonne Bell. Carol ran it too, easily and much more quickly than I did. I did actually finish it at a run, though it was a close thing and mostly through sheer force of will. Up to that point, I think the furthest I'd ever run was about 2 miles. I warned my boyfriend at the time that he might have to carry me up to my fifth floor walk-up dorm room. As it turned out, it wasn't that bad. But it would be many years before I would brave such as distance again.
Interestingly, my running actually started that particular boyfriend running too. He was also overweight (I was still overweight, though perhaps only 50 lbs by now) and wanted to do something about getting in shape. Running for him would become a lifelong passion. He would eventually become a distance runner, something I never achieved. When he and I dated again after college was many years past, just before my 29th birthday, I did try to get my mileage up so he and I could run longer distances together. At that point, I got up to 6 miles. But it was not comfortable, and I abandoned those distances shortly after he and I broke up for the second time.
And yet, running is still my default form of exercise, especially when the weather is at all nice outside. I am much more likely to put on my running shoes at the end of the day and take a 30-minute run, than I am to head to gym after work. And running, and a much stricter diet than I ate in college, has contributed to my being more fit. I gave up weighing myself years ago, but I think I'm not overweight anymore. Or at least not by much. On average, I run somewhere between 2 and 2-1/2 miles. 30 minutes most of the time, at a reasonably slow pace of 11-minute miles. Today, I ran for almost 40 minutes, getting ready for summer when clothes are much less prevalent.
So for 30 years, I've run about that far (somewhere between 2 and 3 miles) at least once or twice a week. Would it have been too much to have experienced at least one moment of euphoria from it? Apparently.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Moving, Moving
Tomorrow and Saturday, my office is moving. Not far, just across the street. But that doesn't mean that we didn't have to pack up everything. It's amazing how many boxes six people can generate. Most of the furniture is staying - it wasn't ours; we inherited it from the previous tenants, as the new tenants will inherit it from us - so that helps with how much has to move.
Other than boxes, the major challenges associated with our move is setting up the IT infrastructure - networks, email, computers, phones, etc. In our old offices, we had these things, but only minimally. After all, there were only six of us. But now that we are more than six and need to be able to communicate easily with our colleagues around the country. So we are getting videoconferencing and VOIP phones.
As of Monday (possibly Tuesday), move #1 will be done.
Move #2 is well underway. Or at least the ducks are being lined up in a row. Moving company came today to give me an estimate. Roof is fixed. Phones, internet, and cable have been notified. Alarm company is ready to cancel service here and set up service there. Lawn and maid services have been canceled in time for move. Still trying to find a handyman for the other repairs, but am hopeful that will come together.
Both contracts need only the appraisals to be finalized. Closing dates have been set. Funding is in the works.
Less than 5 weeks to go.
Other than boxes, the major challenges associated with our move is setting up the IT infrastructure - networks, email, computers, phones, etc. In our old offices, we had these things, but only minimally. After all, there were only six of us. But now that we are more than six and need to be able to communicate easily with our colleagues around the country. So we are getting videoconferencing and VOIP phones.
As of Monday (possibly Tuesday), move #1 will be done.
Move #2 is well underway. Or at least the ducks are being lined up in a row. Moving company came today to give me an estimate. Roof is fixed. Phones, internet, and cable have been notified. Alarm company is ready to cancel service here and set up service there. Lawn and maid services have been canceled in time for move. Still trying to find a handyman for the other repairs, but am hopeful that will come together.
Both contracts need only the appraisals to be finalized. Closing dates have been set. Funding is in the works.
Less than 5 weeks to go.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
MCC and the "Spirit of Americana" Award
"Praying to the Father
And calling for the cavalry
Look at all this water
And somehow not a drop to drink
Now did you ever hear of nightmares
Coming in the light of day
Once we get to Houston
Maybe they'll just wash away
Roll on Mississippi, goodbye Crescent City
Les Bon Temps New Orleans
Never coming back to stay"
Last night, I went to a truly entertaining and exhilerating event. The Americana Music Association and the First Amendment Center of the Newseum co-present an award to an artist who uses their artistic platform to say important things. Whose art is thought-provoking and topical.
Last night, the award was presented to Mary Chapin Carpenter. A friend of mine noticed the announcement in the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) newsletter and invited me to join him to go to the event.
Last night, the performers that came out in support of her included Rodney Crowell, Eric Brace (who used to write for the Washington Post before he moved to Nashville to pursue music full time), and a 70-year-old Judy Collins. Ms. Collins said her voice was affected by the lovely pollin that we live with in the spring in DC, but her voice still had those crystal tones from when she was 20. Each of them sang three songs, and not surprisingly, the performances were remarkable.
Last night, Chapin was interviewed by Ken Paulson of the First Amendment Center. He asked about her inspirations for her songs - like "Houston"quoted above - and she said she gets her inspiration all over. From newspapers. From PBS. From the evening news. I had never really thought before about how many of her songs are inspired by actual events. But it's true that she has used her music to spread the word about events that need to be talked about.
Last night, Chapin was joined at the end of the evening by two of her longtime collaborators: John Jennings and Jon Carroll. It was a great cap on a fantastic evening.
Last night was an amazing evening.
And calling for the cavalry
Look at all this water
And somehow not a drop to drink
Now did you ever hear of nightmares
Coming in the light of day
Once we get to Houston
Maybe they'll just wash away
Roll on Mississippi, goodbye Crescent City
Les Bon Temps New Orleans
Never coming back to stay"
Last night, I went to a truly entertaining and exhilerating event. The Americana Music Association and the First Amendment Center of the Newseum co-present an award to an artist who uses their artistic platform to say important things. Whose art is thought-provoking and topical.
Last night, the award was presented to Mary Chapin Carpenter. A friend of mine noticed the announcement in the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) newsletter and invited me to join him to go to the event.
Last night, the performers that came out in support of her included Rodney Crowell, Eric Brace (who used to write for the Washington Post before he moved to Nashville to pursue music full time), and a 70-year-old Judy Collins. Ms. Collins said her voice was affected by the lovely pollin that we live with in the spring in DC, but her voice still had those crystal tones from when she was 20. Each of them sang three songs, and not surprisingly, the performances were remarkable.
Last night, Chapin was interviewed by Ken Paulson of the First Amendment Center. He asked about her inspirations for her songs - like "Houston"quoted above - and she said she gets her inspiration all over. From newspapers. From PBS. From the evening news. I had never really thought before about how many of her songs are inspired by actual events. But it's true that she has used her music to spread the word about events that need to be talked about.
Last night, Chapin was joined at the end of the evening by two of her longtime collaborators: John Jennings and Jon Carroll. It was a great cap on a fantastic evening.
Last night was an amazing evening.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Cat's Meow
I am a fan of finding out the origin of expressions. A quick Internet search, though, indicates that there is no definitive knowledge of where the expression "the cat's meow" came from. It appears that it originated in the '20s and means something that is very cool.
Whoever came up with it, though, must not have had cats. Because, in fact, the cat's meow is the least cool thing about a cat.
To me, the coolest thing about a cat is a cat's purr. Truly one of the most soothing sounds in the world. The ultimate sound of contentment and happiness. So it would have been more logical to use the expression "the cat's purr" for something cool.
The next coolest thing about a cat is that it loves to rub up against the things it loves, including its owner. Purring and rubbing, curling in and around your legs. These are the cat's way of asking for attention.
The cat's meow, really, is more often than not, a complaint. And so not very cool.
Whoever came up with it, though, must not have had cats. Because, in fact, the cat's meow is the least cool thing about a cat.
To me, the coolest thing about a cat is a cat's purr. Truly one of the most soothing sounds in the world. The ultimate sound of contentment and happiness. So it would have been more logical to use the expression "the cat's purr" for something cool.
The next coolest thing about a cat is that it loves to rub up against the things it loves, including its owner. Purring and rubbing, curling in and around your legs. These are the cat's way of asking for attention.
The cat's meow, really, is more often than not, a complaint. And so not very cool.
Friday, April 23, 2010
What Happened To Thank You?
I make a point of telling people that I work with that I appreciate their work, even when they are doing the job that they were hired to do. Somehow that seems to be a lost art.
Most of the time, it's a simple response. An acknowledgement that I had asked for something to be done, and it was done. Preferably as I asked.
But it doesn't seem to happen to me very often. I'm not asking for an effusive thank you. Just a simple "thanks" would work well. That's what I try to provide. And perhaps, when going above and beyond, something more that. Perhaps a note of thanks that includes more than just me - a public thank you. And if it includes a "you did a good job" all the better.
I've heard it said that if you have to ask for a compliment, then it's not a compliment. While I'm not sure I actually agree with that, I would also say that that's not all I'm talking about here.
I'm talking about appreciating that someone did something for you. Just as in life, we say please and thank you. Those skills should not be left behind just because we are in a work environment.
Most of the time, it's a simple response. An acknowledgement that I had asked for something to be done, and it was done. Preferably as I asked.
But it doesn't seem to happen to me very often. I'm not asking for an effusive thank you. Just a simple "thanks" would work well. That's what I try to provide. And perhaps, when going above and beyond, something more that. Perhaps a note of thanks that includes more than just me - a public thank you. And if it includes a "you did a good job" all the better.
I've heard it said that if you have to ask for a compliment, then it's not a compliment. While I'm not sure I actually agree with that, I would also say that that's not all I'm talking about here.
I'm talking about appreciating that someone did something for you. Just as in life, we say please and thank you. Those skills should not be left behind just because we are in a work environment.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mixed Emotions
Several months ago, I started using a cleaning service. They come every three weeks, which I've determined is about when the amount of cat hair has built up to be intolerable.
It's been a mixed blessing. I love having the carpets deep-vacuumed. The kitchen looks great. The bathrooms are clean. All good.
It was particularly good when the house was being shown. Much easier to keep up with just tidying things up and not having to do a deep-down cleaning job to get ready for the open house. That was really why I kept the service going these last few months. Because other things are a problem.
For example, the first four or five times they came, they put the scoop for the cats' litter in the litter when they were cleaning the floor. And then didn't take it out again. Rendering the litterbox unusable by the cats until I got home. Not good.
They also can't seem to pay attention to where things go. Every surface is rearranged. I'm reasonably AR. There are reasons for why things are where they are. Though I will admit that I did move a couple of things based on where they had been moved to. However, I don't think the service moved them for function. I think they moved them to clean and just didn't care or pay attention to where I usually put them. Which I find annoying.
They also broke a clock. Well, I think what happened was that dusting the hands bent them just enough that they got caught on each other. Making the clock stop working properly. Again, annoying.
But today, tonight when I got home at 8 from a long, painful day at work, it was awfully nice to get into a bed with clean sheets. Yawn! Time to sleep.
It's been a mixed blessing. I love having the carpets deep-vacuumed. The kitchen looks great. The bathrooms are clean. All good.
It was particularly good when the house was being shown. Much easier to keep up with just tidying things up and not having to do a deep-down cleaning job to get ready for the open house. That was really why I kept the service going these last few months. Because other things are a problem.
For example, the first four or five times they came, they put the scoop for the cats' litter in the litter when they were cleaning the floor. And then didn't take it out again. Rendering the litterbox unusable by the cats until I got home. Not good.
They also can't seem to pay attention to where things go. Every surface is rearranged. I'm reasonably AR. There are reasons for why things are where they are. Though I will admit that I did move a couple of things based on where they had been moved to. However, I don't think the service moved them for function. I think they moved them to clean and just didn't care or pay attention to where I usually put them. Which I find annoying.
They also broke a clock. Well, I think what happened was that dusting the hands bent them just enough that they got caught on each other. Making the clock stop working properly. Again, annoying.
But today, tonight when I got home at 8 from a long, painful day at work, it was awfully nice to get into a bed with clean sheets. Yawn! Time to sleep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)