cool beans

A work update - my company, Jefferson Wells, has me in the office working on a team engagement that deals with a business continuity plan, so a bit different work than I've been doing since starting here. BCP is interesting - basically a lot of "what ifs" - ie, if a tornado goes thru your facility, is there a plan that allows work to continue, perhaps at a different location? Are there backups of computers and data offsite? Lots of variables.

This will only be for a couple weeks because one of the team members is shifted temporarily to different work on the same engagement and I'm taking over what he's been working on. Then he'll shift back to his role, and I'll go back to my last client when another budget deadline is coming up and they have more work for me.

So yay! - I don't have to deal with first day at a new client jitters. I have work to do and am billable. And I get to go back to my last (peaceful) client and learn more about Retrieve and essbase while working on budget/forecast, which I enjoy. So this is a cool, rockin' win/win/win/win - for me, Jefferson Wells, and two clients!

is there such a thing as being too efficient at work?

I was really enjoying my work at my new client... I was learning a bit about Hyperion Retrieve and Essbase, great skills to have. I was working a lot with budget and forecast spreadsheets - fun stuff also.

But I kept surprising them by finishing my work/projects so quickly. (and still accurately!) And they just never seemed to have enough work to really keep me busy.

So they let me go this week.

I'm sad, because I enjoyed working there, in a quiet peaceful environment without shouting and f-bombs flying around faster than mosquitos in a swamp at dusk, doing interesting (if not overly challenging) work. I'm puzzled, because there is usually a bit more notice than just a "sorry we don't have enough work for you, please don't come back tomorrow." I'm nervous, because I don't know yet who my next client will be - where I'll be driving and what type of work I'll be performing. I always get first-day jitters, wondering if the new manager and co-workers will like me and my work, if I'll be proficient at the work (I can't handle being only mediocre, I must excel! lol).

But I have to remember that I took my job with Jefferson Wells over eight (yes EIGHT) years ago because I like to job hop, have lots of variety, learn new things. And wherever I go, it's only temporary - there is always a light at the end of that tunnel. So I'll be fine. I will be ok.

the Olympics

omg, I have been spending almost every spare moment watching the Olympics... gymnastics, volleyball, beach volleyball, synchronized diving, and of COURSE - swimming. WOOHOO Phelps!! Show those naysayers up! I am in absolute awe of Phelps' ability. And way to go to our guy gymnasts who pulled off the bronze after both Hamm brothers pulled out of competition. And yay to our stellar gal gymnasts going one, two in the all-around. Of course our gal beach vball players May and Walsh are phenomenal, so fun to watch.

I am so proud of our U.S. Olympians, doing so well against all others in the world, including the Chinese. I abhor the practices of the Chinese - in particular, how they take 3 year old toddlers away from their homes to train in gymnastics. That is their life, that's it. No family. No friends outside of their teammates. No playing like children should. From the age of THREE. The Olympics committee should put an end to this barbaric practice!

I have supreme respect for our U.S. (and other countries) individuals who train intensively for the Olympics and other huge competitions OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL. To have a goal that they are so focused on that they spend hours upon hours every day practicing, exercising, etc... whatever they can do (legally) to enhance their performance - amazing, absolutely amazing.

You Olympians set a shining example for the world!