The Joys of Tech Support

[mb99usa]

I was going to start this off by telling you a little about myself but if you are curious you can read my profile or ask me .

I was inspired to start this by reading several of the other postings. I discovered the site from Playboy's review of Ali Davis' journal. I have also wanted to start writing again, something I enjoyed in high school, but have not pursued in a long time.

I started an offline journal which I will insert to catch myself up.

Time to start something new and a journal seems like a great idea. I’ve been reading several online journals and got inspired, not to mention B(my wife) has started writing in the one I got her for Christmas.

Let’s start with how January has gone this year and move on. Auto problems abound, more than we have money to cover right now. The heat went out again and cost over $100 to fix. My birthday was not bad but it has long since been an important day for me.

Ok, now time to look forward. I’ve had trouble getting motivated to do anything productive lately. Yes, we’ve been able to get some things done around the house, but work has been boring and more of a chore than I would like. We have a temporary reprieve from lay-off worries, or at least that has become the general feeling. I know I should focus more on work than surfing the net but it has become very difficult.

I would like to move on to something different but with the new baby arriving soon now is not the time. Maybe I don’t need a new job but a new focus. Something outside of work I can pour myself into. Something that I can also work on in the slow times at work. B has started selling stuff on E-bay and although she is not making a lot of money at it, she does have a little hobby now that she enjoys. I have always thought of writing and maybe starting this will help get me back in the writing groove again. We’ll see, my grand ideas usually last for a day or 2 and then fizzle and die.

I have really slacked off on learning the guitar. I feel bad because I know R(my father-in-law) spent time and money on the guitar for me. It is just tough with the work schedule, commute and trying to find time to spend with B. Maybe instead of just lying in bed while she works on E-bay I can start practicing again and maybe write a little too. Nothing too ambitious but a short story or some poetry to submit to some magazines could be fun.

I have some more but I think that's enough for now. Feedback/criticism is welcomed and appreciated.

 

[mb99usa]

Yesterday's happenings

Did I mention B runs a daycare out of our home? Extra income and a way for her to stay home with M(our daughter). I help out with this when I can (usually when I work the late shift 11am-8pm). This entails me getting up and watching the kids while she sleeps in. Not a big deal since she is 8mos pregnant.

Along with E-bay my wife is also sells Avon. Lucky me, I get to be known as the Avon lady around work since I got her a few customers there.

So here are yesterday's notes (nothing spectacular):

A fun morning had by all. I let B sleep in and took care of the kids as they arrived. Always a learning experience with these kids. I did well with not getting too upset at any one of them. M has now taken to eating only an orange for breakfast. At least it is something healthy. The youngest B watches usually eats a few bites of oatmeal and then refuses the rest.

We watched the movie Signs last night. A very well done alien movie. The best I have seen in a long time.

Delivered Avon orders and books this morning. Nothing exceptional happening yet. Handled a few simple calls, we’ll see how the rest of the day goes.

Went to ship another sale B made on E-bay. I think my truck is getting worse. I really need to get these vehicles fixed. First thing that will be getting done once we have a positive cash flow again. Oh well….

Reading some more on-line journals. These can get addictive, especially to someone like me who will read almost anything. Like I said, they have inspired me to start this and we’ll see where it leads.

Nothing of note last nite.

 

[mb99usa]

Uneventful

Today has been remarkably uneventful so far. The only thing remotely interesting was that my truck would not start this morning. I tried several times, B tried several times and nothing. Sounded like it wanted to start but would not. Last time this happened I changed the spark plugs (about 2mos ago). My truck has a manual transmission so I figured if I couldn't get it started I'd pushed it out of the driveway and pop the clutch heading down the hill we live on. Go the truck halfway across the driveway and thought I'd give it another try while I took a break from pushing. Wouldn't you know it? Started on about the 5th try.

Now, the question is what will happen when I leave work tonite?

Obiviously a slow nite at work for me to be able to put up all these postings. Been that way this week, at least this gives me a constructive way to pass the time.

Let me get a little personal here. I love my wife and do not want to embarrass her in any way but I need to vent a little on our sex life. Yes, we still have one even with her 8mos pregnant. Her being pregnant does something for me and I find her really sexy. Physically the act becomes a gymnastic routine for me but anyone whose been pregnant or with someone pregnant can probably sympathize. I think the main problem is (and this goes back to before she was pregnant) I'm always horny and B isn't. Another thing is she has trouble reaching orgasm. I know I definitely am involved in this but she will make me stop just as she is about to.

I have almost gotten my head ripped off while tonguing her when this has happened. Without warning legs have closed and she rolls to her side while I am still working her.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

I've got plenty of great experiences to share , but I'll save those for later.

I'll keep you posted as best I can as things go along in my life.

 

[mb99usa]

Taking a Step Back

Sorry I dove right into the sex thing there. Just needed to get that off my chest.

So let's take a step back.

I work for a telecomm test equipment manufacturer in the TAC, technical assistance center. This position can be a blessing or a curse depending on the day and mood. When the economy was booming we were extremely busy and the phones were ringin off the hook. Now; no thanks to Worldcom, Winstar, and Global Crossing, we are what you might call less busy.

In the last 2 years the department has been cut in half. I'm one of the lucky ones to still have a job for which I am unbelievably grateful. The problem now is how to keep busy for 8 hours a day when the calls are not rolling in. Surfing the web is only fun for so long.

I wonder if anyone finds what I'm writing even remotely interesting. I did have several views within 30min of my first posting so maybe someone is. Let me know if you are out there, and what you want to hear more about.

I'm not sure where I want to go with this but nothing is off-limits or out-of-bounds so we'll see where I wander.

More ramblings to come.

 

[mb99usa]

Let the Car Saga Continue

Thanks for reading everybody.

Back in my cube again for a fun filled Friday of handling phone calls.

Morning started off with B having a doctor appointment which leaves me in charge of the daycare kids for a few hours. Wasn't too bad this morning. We have 2 of the Baby Einstein DVDs so I put on the Vincent Van Goat one. After that we watched the Monster's Inc. DVD for the 100th time since Christmas. An excellent movie but I did not expect to be a ble to quote every piece of dialogue this quickly.

Got to work and there was a voicemail from my Mom. Called her and was invited for dinner Saturday evening. Accepted the invite since we haven't seen them since the weekend after Christmas.

I have orders from B to call another garage in town and get their estimate on the van repairs. She then wants me to schedule an appointment for the week after I get paid. We are just going to suck it up, get it fixed, and figure out how to pay the other bills later. I'll let you know how all this turns out. Should be interesting.

If you remember I was having trouble with my truck starting. Last night I had to push it across the parking lot and pop the clutch to start it. This morning it started on something like the 5th try. Go figure. Last night on the way home I noticed a violent shudder whenever I had to turn the wheels more than a little. Today that is completely gone.

I have a love hate relationship with vehicles. I'll explain more later.

 

[mb99usa]

Car Saga Update

Called the second garage and got an estimate $150 more than the first garage. A little depressing but that's car ownership for ya. Gonna call the first garage Monday morning and make an appointment.

 

[mb99usa]

Been a quiet Friday at work . Only 3 more hours to go.

I have a little hobby here to pass the time. I watch webcams. Some are boring, some are fun. Watching them is like reading the journals here, addictive.

I also read a lot, both online and in hard copy. I have 3 magazine subscriptions (Playboy, Razor, and Discover) which I read cover to cover every issue as well as always being in the middle of a book. Today I have a Razor I'm almost finished and the new copy of Discover that just arrived today. I'm in the middle of John Grisham's The Brethren but I left that at home today.

I spend a lot of time driving. 3-4 hours a day just commuting to and from work. For anyone familiar with the PA/MD area I live about 20min west of Harrisburg, PA and work about 20min north of Washington DC. My choices are the one major highway or a succesion of 2-lane "backroads". I use a coin flip to determine which I take. Let fate decide my traffic destiny.

All this driving means I have a lot of time to listen to the radio. I save my CD listening for at work and home. I will listen to pretty much anything which makes the radio so much more painful to listen to. There are basically 4 choices 1) rock 2) country 3) top 40 or 4) talk. The first 2 are fine but every station plays the same songs in a different rotation. The 3rd just sucks because they all play the same songs in the same rotation and the 4th is hit-or-miss. There are other stations but they are very regionalized and usually not very good either. That's my rant about radio play.

Check out Punchbaby for some great video clips and games. I won't regularly plug websites but this is a daily stop for me on the web.

 

[mb99usa]

Slow Friday & Weekend Plans

1 call all day. That makes for a slow work-day. Good thing its almost done.

No plans for tonite. Hang-out at home and veg infront of the TV. Maybe we'll be able to find some boxing on the tube. Haven't seen a good fight in a few weeks. B loves boxing as much as I do. Come to think of it B loves watching all sports as much as I do.
She is just as knowledgeable or more so than me when it comes to some of them.

Saturday looks like tax preparation day and then dinner at my parents'. Nothing too special. Want to get those taxes in so we can get our refund as quickly as possible. Pay off some debts, put some money away for M and us, and then get B her laptop. If any is left over I want to get cable internet and do away with our lowly dial-up service.

No plans for Sunday except watching the Pro Bowl. A good day to catch up on things around the house. Always something to do.

Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get some lovin' this weekend. Early Saturday and Sunday mornings seem to be the best times for us. Maybe I'll even be able to work in a little anal action (yes B likes it, has even asked for it on occasion).:worm:

Hope everyone has a great weekend and maybe I'll make a posting or 2. If not look for a weekend update on Monday.

 

[mb99usa]

Quick thanks

Oldlady - thanks for the support.

Thanks for the messages and ideas everyone.

 

[mb99usa]

Weekend Update

OK, so it was a fun and interesting weekend.

Friday nite was low key. Just hung out and watched TV with B.

Saturday things started picking up. Got B in the mood Sat. morning and got my wish for anal answered in a big way:up: . Visited my parents in the afternoon and had an OK time there. Nothing special. Got the usual you don't call or visit enough but nothing new.

B had been having contractions and leaking a little (not related to our early mornign fun) all day. Decided to stop at the hospital and have it checked out. We've got M along and its about 10pm, already an hour after her bedtime. Got B all hooked up to the monitors and me and M are going back and forth between the waiting room and where B is to check on her. B suffers through the worste vag exam she has ever experienced and at 1am they give her something to stop the contractions and tell us they want to monitor her for another hour.

Now I've already spent the last 3 hours with an extremely over-tired 2yo and have just been told I've got at least another hour before B can leave. Needless to say B, M, and me are not happy about this. So at 1am I decide to take M and drive around for awhile to get her to sleep a little. This works and she gets about 20min sleep before we head back to the hospital. Get there and M wakes up and is not happy about this. About 45min later weget out of the hospital after they take their time signing B out and having hertake a sleeping pill.

Get home around 3am and put M to bed, take care of the dog and finally crash into bed with B. B is extremely horny. We start making out and she has some kind of attack. She starts shaking uncontrollably. I calm her down and we talk for awhile. We then end up making out and fooling around til 6am. Best time I've had in bed with her in a long time and there was no intercourse.

Shout to Sugar-snit - B is into spanking too.

Got up Sunday and took M to the grocery store with me and let B relax at home. Spent the rest of the day watching sports and doing laundry. Trying to recover from Saturday night. M and B spent most of the day sleeping.

So that was the weekend. I'll let you know how today goes as I wade through it.

 

[mb99usa]

Taxes

It's tax time. We were prepared this year and all ready have our Federal taxes sent in and are awaiting our return . Need to get this back quickly as it covers some other taxes and yearly dues which always pop-up this time of year.

Also made the appointment to get the van fixed. I was hoping for Friday or next Monday but the best the garage could do was next Wednesday. At least we'll have it back for B's next doctor appointment.

Co-worker S has a habit of coming in late or leaving early to handle personal business. Now I do this as well, but I don't think he worked a full day last week and he is coming in late today. B thinks I should get upset but I don't see the point. Our supervisor knows what is going on and we joke about it. Oh well gotta get some work done.

Updates later.

 

[mb99usa]

Ramble On

When I started this I a few days ago I had hopes it would help get me back into a writing mode. I have used it to journal my life over the past few days and have gotten a few responses from people. I thank you.

I have not started writing more than this though. I do look forward to posting updates and reading some other peoples updates. I have been pretty dry though in my postings giving a blow-by-blow account but not much in the way of color commentary. I think I will change the way my entries go from now on. I'm going to provide more color and comment more on how I feel and things I observe instead of presenting a timeline of my day.

Work has remained slow and even though my colleagues seem to enjoy this it worries me. A few weeks ago we were all trying to justify our presence to avoid being laid-off and now... It's hard to put into words but I think I'm just confused at the apparent joy in the free-time now that the lay-off bug has gone away (at least temporarily).

I should probably spend more of my free-time at work trying to better my position but I've had trouble motivating myself. I've made mention of my long commute and I had not realized how much of my time it was taking from me until M arrived. Unfortunately with the second child on the way it is not an ideal time to look for another job. Insurance is a huge decision factor there.

We'll see what happens after he is born.

I know everyone has heard or seen about the Columbia disaster. I just can't seem to feel too upset about this. I am concerned about the future of the space program more than I grieve the astronauts. They knew the risks. I feel for their families but there is danger inherent in the job just like firemen and police.

 

[mb99usa]

New Computer

I'm looking at upgrading my PC with some of my tax return. I won't have enough to purchase a nice new shiny system so I was looking at purchasing a remanufactured one from Dell or Gateway.

If anyone has purchased a refurb from them please let me know how the experience was?

Bored today. Absolutely nothing happening. Seriously questioning how much longer I want to keep working here. Not exactly the best job market to go hunting in though.

Need to start working on my resume and deciding what I want from a new job so I'm ready to go when the time comes.

Mother-in-law and bf are supposed to be coming for a visit today. Not sure what to expect. Like my m-i-l and her bf just that B is not feeling the greatest and the house is a bit of a mess. Cleaning was going to be our evening project for this week. Oh well, guess I'll just go along for the ride.

 

[mb99usa]

Family!!

Just talked to B and now we don't know if the m-i-l is coming. B tried calling her and could not get a hold of her.

Now we have no idea of what is going on tonite:exp:

Just gotta deal with it I guess.

 

[mb99usa]

Last Night

Last night ended up working out OK.

M-i-l and bf showed up with pizza and beer about 45min after I got home. We hung out and watched Fear Factor which was really cool because it was the gross-out episode.

M got to stay up way past her bedtime again and is now sick. I feel bad for B cause she gets stuck home dealing with this and I can't help her.

Emailed my boss today asking him to set aside some time to talk to me. I want to discuss my plans for when B is going to be having the baby so we are on the same page. I also want to discuss what I need to do to get a promotion. I've been in the group for 3 years now and I think its time to see what I need to do make the next level. Boss is a pretty easy going guy so this should all be painless.

Have a meeting this afternoon that Boss needs to decide who from the group should be going. I'm gonna lobby that me and him attend this time.

Guess I should get some work done.

 

[mb99usa]

Webcams

I'm giving up webcams at work. I'm going to focus on bettering my position and need to eliminate distractions. I will continue with this as it is a good way to keep my thoughts in order as well as illicit help and suggestions from other intelligent people.

 

[mb99usa]

Meeting with Boss

Meeting with the Boss went as I expected. Got our scheduling set for when the baby is born. Now I just need to get the baby to follow the schedule.

As for the promotion, Boss was already thinking about it too. That is really cool:up: . Need to focus on getting some certifications and training a colleague. Both of these I've already been working on. He said I'm already doing everything else he is looking for.

I need to get my SUN Solaris System Admin certificates. I went through the first training class about 2 years ago and never took the certification exam. As soon as I take the exam we will try to get me into the second training class and then I'll need to take that exam. Fun stuff. Expensive too, good thing work pays for the classes up-front and I get reimbursed for the exams as long as I pass.

Things are looking good. Now if the company would let us know what they are doing about pay increases this year. No raises last year because the company wasn't doing good. We all understand but are in agreement we do not want to go a second year. We used to get really good raises and we do not expect the type of increases as in the past but give us a little something.

I'll focus on what I can do and hope the rest takes care of itself.

 

[mb99usa]

Rough Morning

Damn, got up 2 hours late this morning . Felt like dumbass , I set my alarm for 5pm instead of 5am. Oh well only 2hours late to work.

B picked out a new PS2 game last nite. Got Ready 2 Rumble Round 2 . Much fun and good times will be had. It's a cartton like boxing game with great characters and easy game play. Plus B can beat me at it which makes her want to play as well.

Get to work this morning and have to deal with a moronic customer right away. Worked with the guy yesterday and determined he needed some parts repaired. Sent him to our customer care department to get processed and he tells them he has no idea what they are talking about. I call the guy this morning and he acts like he never talked to them. I explain what he needs to have repaired again and then refer it back to our customer care department. Told them to conference me in if the guy plays dumb again.

Oh well, S (my partner) got to deal with another of our regulars. The guy has repeatedly been told not to power cycle our equipment and yet continues to do so.

The job can be fun sometimes. Just got off the phone with customer care and my customer, he needed clarification on the parts again. He's good to go now.

Gotta go catch up with my journal reading and the instruction booklet for the new game (so I can give B a spanking, Suagr-snit).

 

[mb99usa]

Toilet question

Here's a question for everyone:

What are your feelings about taking a dump at work?

Personally I hate doing it. I thought of this because this morning I was in such pain that I had to. It is not traumatic or anything for me. I just prefer the home bowl. I think this may be more of a guy thing since we are not forced to use public toilets for every function.

Oh well, just thought I'd throw it out there.

Much fun to everyone:loopy: !!!!!!!

 

[mb99usa]

I Hate Incompetent People

Damn debt consolidation company(CC). B and I realized we had some credit problems about 18months ago and signed onto a credit consolidation program. It has worked like advertised. Saved us some money, lowered our payments, and eliminated the creditor calls. Much fun and good stuff.

Now the shitty part. Back in December one of our accounts was going to be paid off with that month's payment. Yeah for us. So I call to have the account with the CC updated. All was worked out I thought and I was told what the new monthly payment would be. We have the automatic withdrawal set-up so we just subtract the amount from our checking account. Well January rolls around and B subtracts out the new amount. Check the bank account and they had withdrawn the old amount.

What sucks is this means we were running on the assumption of having more money in the account and will now get uncollected funds charges from the bank. Major bummer:wishy: .

Called CC today to get the account straightened out and better believe I'll be checking it again tomorrow.

Just needed to vent.

Much fun to all!!