That Explains It

The main topic of discussion last night at supper happened to be me. Bits of my childhood, anyway. I even learned something about my past that earily foreshadows the way I function today.

I knew that when I was three months old, my parents brought me along to a family reunion. At this reunion, my great-great aunt Emily (for whom I am named) held me on her lap so my parents could take a picture of us. (I've seen the picture.) But there's one detail my parents failed to tell me... until last night. When she held me, she exclaimed, "Somebody better put some clothes on this child! She's shivering!" And thus explains my need to have layers of clothing on when most people around me claim to be just fine with less.

TurboNote Curse

Remember the fun I had with TurboNote a week or so ago? Now Karl is having trouble with his. Except he can't even open it up. Whenever he tries to, it won't let him. And he was on the phone with a rep for a while trying to figure it out. Maybe there's a curse in the office... What could we have done to anger the TurboNote gods?

Blog Poll Response

In regard to my last poll... Most of you voted for more posts, even if they are short, simple, and random. I am making no promises to assure this happens, I just wanted to see where you fall on preferences. And to the loner who said it's perfect as is, thank you!

2 > 1

For a couple of months now I've had two computer screens at work. When I first found out my boss was buying a second one for me, I thought the second would be unnecessary and annoying. But within little time I have come to love my new setup. Here's why.

1) It allows me to look at two different things at the same time. This leads to less time switching between screens (and also less frustration due to memory loss of what I was just looking at.)

2) It automatically makes me look more technologically savvy. Always a good thing.

3) Why have one of something when you can have more?

However, there is one main drawback. If I have the urge to glance out of the window, I cannot see everything, for my second monitor blocks part of the view. I have to move from my slightly slouched position to an upright and slightly out-of-chair position to see. But my three reasons for far outweigh my one reason against.

Grocery Shopping

A week ago Sunday I went to the grocery store. If that's all that happened, I wouldn't have much of a story. But as I parked and walked inside, I noticed something: one of the few cars in the parking lot looked familiar... too familiar. After grabbing a cart I immediately started scanning for someone, and I found him. Ken was just inside the entrance glancing at a magazine. Of course I had to spout some unintelligible mess about us being there at the same time.

And so the two of us proceeded down the cereal aisle, the coffee/tea aisle, the frozen food aisle, etc. Each of us studied the other's picks, questioning when surprised by a choice. For instance, when we passed the boxes and boxes of tea, Ken wondered why I hardly glanced at them. I explained that I tend to buy a bunch of tea at the same time and store it at the house, taking a few out each time I run out of my current selection. Since I still had several unopened boxes at home, I didn't need to buy anymore just yet.

After gathering all of our items, we checked out... self-checkout style. Arriving at the same time gave us a chance to race each other. (I was racing him, but I don't think he cared.) Even though I had several more items than Ken, I still won by a few seconds. He claimed his slow time was greatly affected by the fact that some of his lighter items were not recognized as being "placed in the bag." Excuses, excuses.

What might this occurrence prove? That Warsaw is a small town? That Ken and I think alike? Or did this prove nothing?

Oh My!

They look like they're having fun, they bring a smile to your face, and you've got to admire their confidence. But I feel sorry for their families. Embarrassment!

Dead to Me

I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't feel my left arm. I mean nothing from my shoulder to my hand. When I used my right hand to touch it, it was freakish. Alarmed, I immediately got up, causing my left arm to swing around and hit my floor lamp and my left hand to then smack my face. Within a minute the tingles started, I could feel my arm again, and I fell back asleep.

TurboNote Gods

A Mr. Jonathan Erdman requested I blog about a work occurance. I deliberated, thinking the occurance quite bland and uninteresting. But then I thought, Hey, so's everything else, so...

There's a program we use at work called TurboNote. It's basically a way of instant messaging someone through their computer in our office. Don't feel like getting up to tell your boss something? Send him a TurboNote! You can also set one to pop up at certain times for a reminder or just use them to store information that you'll want to look up later. It's a very handy system... if it works.

If it doesn't work, you can go crazy. From Tuesday of last week through Monday of this week my TurboNotes just refused to show up three different times. Three times! A few measly ones hung around, but the others were BLANK. Nothing on them. It's not an "Oh my goodness the world just ended and I'm left behind" situation, because there's the option of restoring them and then deleting the extra blank notes that are left. This works okay. But doing this three different times in less than one week is frustrating. Especially when you tend to keep over 100 notes around on your computer.

So now I am trying to remember to close out of the program before I restart my computer or leave it alone for the night/weekend, hoping this appeases the TurboNote gods. And I'm making Jon do the same.

For those of you who don't know, Jon and I used to work together. He left, but has returned to plug in some time during the annual festival called "tax season." The times he comes in are when I'm already gone, so he gets to use my computer. His help is much appreciated!

This Just In!

I woke up happy this morning. This never happens. Most days I will eventually get in a decent mood, but since I don't consider myself a morning person, the first thoughts in my mind when slowly drifting into consciousness aren't normally positive.

I will blame this unusual occurence on one thing: prayer. I went to bed praying last night. I even fell asleep praying. My requests included that God bless my sleep, my night, and my morning. I prayed for peace and joy. And, oh my goodness, I think I got it! I just find this encouraging and had to share...

Florida

This morning as I was sitting at the dining room table eating breakfast, I watched the morning news/talk show that my mom had on. They were interviewing synchronized swimmers who had just performed in Florida. Spectators were wearing shorts and t-shirts. I looked out of the window at the newly fallen snow and then at my mom and said, "I wouldn't mind taking a trip to Florida." She smiled at me and replied with something like, "You can." I followed with, "Yeah, but it's tax season." The time of year that I most want to go to Florida to see my grandparents and aunts also happens to be the time it would be highly inconvenient. Blaaaaahhhh!

Duh!

My new musical discovery: movie scores! Duh! They're moving, entertaining, and yet not too distracting. Perfect!

Who I Am

I can get so caught up in contemplating where I'm supposed to be. But I've been reminded recently that the real question is "Am I who I'm supposed to be?" This directly ties to my relationship with God, and it trickles into all the little (and big) paths that I stress about. And the fact that I tend to stress about things makes me wonder if I'm truly trusting God...

Let There Be Light!

The sun's actually been out a bit this week! And the darkness doesn't set in until well past 6 p.m.! Now if we can just get rid of some of the snow and make it a little warmer...

Influence

My life's goal is complete. I have used the word "silly" around the office enough that my boss has now used it at least once. I have influence in world! (albeit small)

And my computer's being nice to me again... so far.

Computer Troubles

I got in an argument with my computer today. It would have been okay if the argument lasted a couple minutes, but it lasted a large part of the day. It went something like this…

Me: Okay, let’s get some work done. I’m clicking on this, now open.
Computer: That’s what you want to do? I’ll pretend that I’m starting to open, but I’ll just take my time.
Me: What’s with you? Maybe I need to get rid of a virus or something. I’ll just pop this anti-virus software in, let it do its thing and get back to work. So there.
Computer: If you say so.

Later…
Me: Oh, you stupid thing. You’re getting slow again.
Computer: Fooled ya!
Me: Fine, I’ll restart you. Can’t argue with me now!
Computer: No, not that! (with a sarcastically evil laugh)

Still later…
Me: You’re still as slow as ever! Even slower actually!!!
Computer: All will be mine!!! First I will gain full control over every computer in Warsaw. Then Indiana! And eventually the world!!! Hahaha!!!

Me again. So I felt like doing something very mean to my computer today. Maybe tomorrow I (or my boss) can figure it out. The thing is, my computer and I are normally best buds… It plays me my music, lets me check my email and the blogs of all you wonderful people, and especially lets me get work done. Sniff. I need a new best bud.

Zimmer Announces Expansion Into Ireland

This is the article my eyes fell upon when looking over the paper yesterday evening. I found it interesting....


Zimmer Announces Expansion Into Ireland
Staff Report

Zimmer Inc. soon will expand to Ireland.

According to information from the company, Zimmer Inc. will expand its manufacturing facilities to a 100,000-square-foot location in Shannon, Ireland."

We are delighted to be adding a new Ireland facility to our global network," said Zimmer President and CEO David Dvorak.

"We are constantly assessing our worldwide operations and logistics network to maximize efficiency and customer service, and this project is a result of that process. We are grateful for the cooperation and encouragement of the national and local officials in Shannon and look forward to establishing a facility that utilizes the tremendous skills and expertise of the workforce to produce high-technology medical devices."

The company considered several locations, including existing sites and other worldwide locations, before deciding on Shannon. Zimmer Inc. expects to invest $70 to $75 million in the Shannon plant in the next two years.

Manufacturing at the Shannon facility is projected to begin late this year. To begin, the plant will employ 25 to 50 people, which will expand to about 250 employees in five years.

The facility will make knee replacement implants at start-up, and other product could be added in the future. Shannon Development and Irish Development Agency officials gave Zimmer Inc. tax rate adjustments, training grants and incentives to locate in Ireland. Actual amount of the grants, tax adjustments and incentives were not released."

Zimmer's decision to establish Shannon Free Zone adds significantly to Ireland's profile as a leading location for medical device companies in Europe," said Michael Martin, minister for enterprise, trade and employment in Ireland. "This investment is welcome news for Shannon and was secured by Shannon Development with the assistance of IDA Ireland. Zimmer can be confident of finding highly skilled professionals and infrastructure of international standards in this part of the country. More and more companies are discovering the benefits of locating in regional centers throughout Ireland."

Shannon Development's Chief Executive Kevin Thompstone said, "This is a tremendous boost for Shannon; it is one of the largest projects to locate at the Shannon Free Zone in recent years. We are delighted that Zimmer have chosen Shannon. The Zimmer decision is the result of Shannon Development and IDA Ireland working to secure this project for Shannon. One of the key economic benefits of a project of this scale is the employment opportunities it presents for Irish graduates and professionals at all levels."

In the past several years, Zimmer Inc. has added approximately 600 new jobs by expanding its Warsaw manufacturing, research and development and distribution facilities. Zimmer currently employs about 2,400 people in Warsaw.

Internet Radio

I'm adding variety to the music I listen to at work so I don't go crazy from jazz overload. I've been listening to a bit of classical guitar and baroque recently, and today I started with a relaxing music channel. I am blessed to listen to songs like "Emerald Forest," "Springtime Wholeness," and "Zen Peace." Oh, yeah. Next time you see me, I'll have an expression of complete and utter serenity on my face. And maybe I'll be hovering over the ground an inch or two.

Sweet Talk

Have you seen the commercial where a guy is ordering inside of a fast food restaurant while talking on his cell phone to his significant other? He says something into the phone, but the lady taking his order thinks he's talking to her. I was reminded of this commercial today.

A guy called the office asking to set up an appointment. No problem. I can do that. When I start questioning him as to what day and time would work best for him, he pauses and says, "Sweetie, are you going to be working then?" When he said this, he sounded muffled. However, every other word he had said previously was also muffled. I pause, thinking him strange, but not wanting to make a big deal out of it, I say, "Yes." He then says, "Oh, I was talking to my girlfriend."

I felt silly finding this out. But this being the case, he should have put his hand over the phone, preceded his change of direction with, "Let me ask my girlfriend," or some other distinction. Then again, I should have known better. Ah, well. At least he wasn't some creep who called me "Sweetie."