Back at work. Reported in and got another job posting from my supervisor to look at. Just peachy. Finally become resolved that my old team is no more. Bummed.
Came home early and mapped all my electric service to be ready for the electricians tomorrow. I knew most stuff was on a single circuit, but now I know which ones.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Home Day 2 - Monday, March 30
Spent much of the day getting electrical bids to fix the wiring. Called six electricians, spoke with three, hired one.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Home Day 1 - Sunday, March 29
Ah, great to be home!! But so much to catch up on.
First order of business - out computer had crumped while I was gone. Diagnosis - Windows was hosed. Oh, well, almost a year without a reload is pretty good. Just got the key parts of Windows loaded when - wham - the power goes out.
Power problem wasn't the neighborhood because some lights were on. It wasn't the circuit breaker - the were all on. Yikes, a short in our wiring. Bummer. And we know our fuse box needs to be replace and we have like the whole house on one fuse so after five years of ignoring the problem, time for some electric work! Meantime, I ran some extension cords to get operational.
Sob Story
When I left for Germany, I was the manager of the FeedPipes team with 7 reports. We had lost our main contract and were trying to find coverage (paying projects) for everyone until the expected replacement contract came in. I went to Germany to get off overhead until the contract came in.
While I was in Germany, our SAIC division was split in two. In February when the new organization chart was announced, I was dialed into the public meeting. The slide did not have my group at all!!! So I asked, "What happened to the FeedPipes Team?" Response was a basic "oh well". Great, I'm in Germany trying to help out and my team disappears.
While in Germany, I continued to manage the team and do status reports hoping I could reverse this when I got back and waiting for the bureaucracy to catch up to the new organization chart.
So I decide to log in and check my emails to see what's up this fine Sunday afternoon. One of the new emails today was from another manager - basically "your manager said you'd be perfect for this position I have". Great!! I guess I really don't have a job. Welcome back!!
First order of business - out computer had crumped while I was gone. Diagnosis - Windows was hosed. Oh, well, almost a year without a reload is pretty good. Just got the key parts of Windows loaded when - wham - the power goes out.
Power problem wasn't the neighborhood because some lights were on. It wasn't the circuit breaker - the were all on. Yikes, a short in our wiring. Bummer. And we know our fuse box needs to be replace and we have like the whole house on one fuse so after five years of ignoring the problem, time for some electric work! Meantime, I ran some extension cords to get operational.
Sob Story
When I left for Germany, I was the manager of the FeedPipes team with 7 reports. We had lost our main contract and were trying to find coverage (paying projects) for everyone until the expected replacement contract came in. I went to Germany to get off overhead until the contract came in.
While I was in Germany, our SAIC division was split in two. In February when the new organization chart was announced, I was dialed into the public meeting. The slide did not have my group at all!!! So I asked, "What happened to the FeedPipes Team?" Response was a basic "oh well". Great, I'm in Germany trying to help out and my team disappears.
While in Germany, I continued to manage the team and do status reports hoping I could reverse this when I got back and waiting for the bureaucracy to catch up to the new organization chart.
So I decide to log in and check my emails to see what's up this fine Sunday afternoon. One of the new emails today was from another manager - basically "your manager said you'd be perfect for this position I have". Great!! I guess I really don't have a job. Welcome back!!
Germany Day 81 - Saturday, March 28
Flew back home. A long boring and happily uneventful flight. Gerhard passed the time chatting with an International business student from Baltimore who was born in the Czech Republic.
Germany Day 80 - Friday, March 27
Had breakfest at place recommended by hotel the M&M. This was almost a joke on Ann since she could not find M&Ms (her favorite candy) in Paris to save her life. (Gerhard looked everyplace he could find for over an hour but no luck.) Breakfast was OK at best with the eggs being a little undercooked. I don't think french are famous for breakfast.
Left Justin & Martha after breakfast - they headed out for touring, we headed back to the hotel. We packed and headed for train station. We took ICE to Frankfurt. Got to Inter City Hotel and did watched German TV. Had a very nice dinner at hotel.
Left Justin & Martha after breakfast - they headed out for touring, we headed back to the hotel. We packed and headed for train station. We took ICE to Frankfurt. Got to Inter City Hotel and did watched German TV. Had a very nice dinner at hotel.
Germany Day 79 - Thursday, March 26
Had a nice breakfast at a local place today - but then discovered they when next door to a bakery to actually get whatever pastries they needed!
On the way to breakfast, we passed a small butcher with some fine chickens on display. Yum! I just love chicken's feet!
Ready to cook!
Took the subway to Versailles - only 2 transfers.
Justin, Martha and Ann at subway station
At Versailles we walked until we dropped and that was just the indoors! Finally we called it quits and found a nice place to eat just outside Versailles (only a short hike), then back to the subway.
Ann and Gerhard went back to the motel, but could not get subway card to let us exit correctly - so we wound up one stop short and took a taxi.
Justin and Martha keep going heading to see the crypts - which advertised being open until 5pm, but the last tour leaves at 4pm. Of course they get there at 4:05.
What is that in the distance?
Crazy Horse
For the evening entertainment, Martha wanted to see Dita von Teese (a famous Burlesque dancer) who was playing at the Crazy Horse. Justin and I certainly approved so the all four of us went. After the show we ate at a near by restaurant while it rained and then took cab home.
On the way to breakfast, we passed a small butcher with some fine chickens on display. Yum! I just love chicken's feet!
Ready to cook!Took the subway to Versailles - only 2 transfers.
Justin, Martha and Ann at subway stationAt Versailles we walked until we dropped and that was just the indoors! Finally we called it quits and found a nice place to eat just outside Versailles (only a short hike), then back to the subway.
Ann and Gerhard went back to the motel, but could not get subway card to let us exit correctly - so we wound up one stop short and took a taxi.
Justin and Martha keep going heading to see the crypts - which advertised being open until 5pm, but the last tour leaves at 4pm. Of course they get there at 4:05.
What is that in the distance?
Crazy HorseFor the evening entertainment, Martha wanted to see Dita von Teese (a famous Burlesque dancer) who was playing at the Crazy Horse. Justin and I certainly approved so the all four of us went. After the show we ate at a near by restaurant while it rained and then took cab home.
Germany Day 78 - Wednesday, March 25
Hoped on subway at Argentine station - 1/2 block from hotel - and headed for the Louvre. There is a mall between the Louvre subway and the museum entrance. We stopped there and had coffee and a croissant just before going in. (I like my croissants warm, but never got one that way in Paris. Someone should teach these French folk the right way to serve a croissant.)
Justin and Martha at Louvre
At the Louvre, we saw the Mona Lisa (from about 30 feet away in a crowd of about 200), winged victory, and bunch of other stuff. Not a bad place if it weren't so crowded.
Walked and walked and walked up and down stairs many time. Got real hungry, so finally wandered off to find a nice little cafe nearby but on the other side of the river. Nice place to eat, but cafe was extremely cramped.
Walked to Notre Dame which was huge and high with some beutiful stained glass windows with magnificant red hues.
Ann in front of Notre Dame
Took subway to the Eiffel tower. Took about 40 minutes to get in and up. Had to fight through gypsies (beggars) and peddlers to get to queue to buy tickets. We picked a cold very windy day to go - the tower even swayed noticeably at the top. Oh joy!!
It's interesting walking the streets here. Honestly, I've never seen so many french restaurants all in one place in my life.
Random Structure
Justin and Martha at Eiffel Tower
After all the walking and standing, we just took a taxi back to the hotel. Then we rested a while and ate dinner at nice small restaurant across street from hotel. Martha stayed in and had room service. Good for her - Gerhard wound up with about a pound of raw Salmon as the "appetizer". (Someone should teach these French folk how to cook.)
Justin and Martha at LouvreAt the Louvre, we saw the Mona Lisa (from about 30 feet away in a crowd of about 200), winged victory, and bunch of other stuff. Not a bad place if it weren't so crowded.
Walked and walked and walked up and down stairs many time. Got real hungry, so finally wandered off to find a nice little cafe nearby but on the other side of the river. Nice place to eat, but cafe was extremely cramped.
Walked to Notre Dame which was huge and high with some beutiful stained glass windows with magnificant red hues.
Ann in front of Notre DameTook subway to the Eiffel tower. Took about 40 minutes to get in and up. Had to fight through gypsies (beggars) and peddlers to get to queue to buy tickets. We picked a cold very windy day to go - the tower even swayed noticeably at the top. Oh joy!!
It's interesting walking the streets here. Honestly, I've never seen so many french restaurants all in one place in my life.
Random Structure
Justin and Martha at Eiffel TowerAfter all the walking and standing, we just took a taxi back to the hotel. Then we rested a while and ate dinner at nice small restaurant across street from hotel. Martha stayed in and had room service. Good for her - Gerhard wound up with about a pound of raw Salmon as the "appetizer". (Someone should teach these French folk how to cook.)
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