Getting Hair Done

I hate getting my hair done because it takes so long. I have been putting it off for ages but decided today that I would do it. I left work at 3PM so that it wouldn't take all night to accomplish. So I have sat here for 3 hours and counting. I brought a Chai tea with me and had a full Blackberry charge. I am now down to one bar.

First hour: Hair Cut and 40 minute break while drying of which 25 minutes was spent outside on a conference call

Second hour: Complete dark brown dye, wash and dry. 18 emails sent, 22 (no kidding) emails read. One HR issue addressed, 3 Sametime conversations, 4 Blackberry messenger conversations, 2 phone calls

Third hour: Complete set of highlights and waiting period. 3 phone calls, one set of dinner instructions to David via blackberry messenger and 14 emails. Several text messages sent including urgent request to boss, drafted 2 blogs

Fourth hour: Wash, Dry, trim of bangs, drafted another blog, approved a communication and discussed Pearl memory problems

Finished at 6:49PM (And I now have bangs)

The Happy IT Room

KT

One Man's Treasures....

Ever since my visit to Andrea Braun's I have been trying to better organize my house and have looked to all sorts of avenues for tips. Jane has this organizer where she keeps all types of paper supplies. I always thought it was efficient so this morning I took a picture of the outside of it (with the labels) so that I could take some good categories home and see if I could do something similar.

As I was looking at the supplies I saw one little bin that attracted my attention. Believe it or not, I am generally not a snooper but was compelled to look inside the bin marked "LRY's Treasures". What a surprise I had in store for me!










Jane collects plastic buttons? And she refers to them as her treasures? The funny thing is she has given me two buttons in the past. She had picked up to free matching buttons at home depot, and she had picked up two free matching buttons at the nursing home. Silly me, I thought these were one-off's but apparently they are part of a greater collection of treasures that I didn't know anything about.

Follow-Up On First Movie Since 2005

NOT TRUE! Two people have reminded me that I was at the movies with them after 2005's Batman Begins.

In 2006: One afternoon a technician (who will remain nameless because it may be embarrassing) and I went to the movies on a Friday afternoon. We saw "The Devil Wears Prada"

In 2007: Jane, MJM and I went to see Blades of Glory while on a trip to Pennsylvania

and TONIGHT I went to my 2nd movie this week! I already forgot the name but it was the one with Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe.

The Transformation Continues....

First there was scrapbooking, then there was card club and now my latest purchase:

An autographed copy of Martha Stewart's latest book; the "Encyclopedia of Crafts"

You Can't Catch the Swine Flu from Eating Pork

Earth! (First Movie Since 2005)

Tonight, I went and saw "Earth" with Becca, Jason, Mom, Dad and the kids. This was the first movie I saw in the theater since 2005 when we saw "Batman Begins". It's too bad, I had seen "Earth" before. While watching it I noticed several scenes that looked strikingly familiar, it looked just like "Planet Earth" which I first wrote about on April 28, 2007. Mom and I discussed several scenes that reminded us of Planet Earth but I insisted it couldn't have been the same footage. That was until I got home and looked on the Internet:

As this article says it should be called "Planet Earth-the remix". Bottom line: Same footage just condensed from 11 hours to 1.5. Different narrator, they went from Sigourney Weaver to James Earl Jones. (I thought Sigourney did a great job). If you haven't seen Planet Earth or even if you have you will most likely enjoy it. The footage is spectacular.

So the first movie I saw in 4 years I had seen before and by the way, we had front row seats to the movie and Sydney and I spent a size able amount of time outside the theater. LOL

First Time With the Hose

Last week Sydney had her first experience playing outside with the hose. In 2008, I wrote about Growing up without a pool and how fun it was to play with the hose. Here are pictures from her first experience (which she loved)

IT Geeks In San Francisco

Make Sure You Listen Good

This morning the following conversation occured when I was dropping off Sydney at moms:

Kim: Everybody have a good day, I have to leave now
Joshua: Why
Kim: Because I have to go to work
Joshua: Have a good day, Aunt Shi. Make sure you listen good

Happy Birthday, Laura....I Mean Ruth!!!

For Ruth's birthday I will tell a story that happened a few weeks ago. Laura came to Sydney's first birthday party. I was busy getting ready when she arrived so I gave her a quick hug hello and went back to chopping some herbs for the dip. She was standing at the island and when I looked up at her for a split second I said "Welcome to Sydney's birthday party, Ruth!" Followed by a "You look exactly like Ruth today". Laura's response? "Thank You, I told someone earlier today that I didn't look like myself. They said that I did look like myself but I knew that I looked like my mother or Ruth". Note that when told she looked like Ruth today, her first response was "Thank You".

Please vote in the side bar for Ruth's honorary 1 name. (Please note: All HCBC members will be featured for their own honorary 1 name soon) Ruth goes first since it's her birthday.

Ruth you are a such a special person and I wish you nothing but blessings and love in year 30!!!!!!! Love ya!!!!!

A Follow-Up To Room Service

Remember, it would have cost me $14.95 if I had ordered a continental breakfast to be delivered to my room. That continental breakfast would have included ONE juice, ONE pastry (toast, danish, English muffin or croissant) and ONE hot breakfast. Instead of ordering room service, I pulled out a coupon given to me at check-in. It was good for one FREE continental breakfast downstairs (Since I am a Hilton Gold member), I opted to use it.

At the continental breakfast downstairs they had all you can eat pastries (not choice of), all you can eat fruit, smoked salmon, 5 cold cereals, and oatmeal with 5 toppings. In addition, as many beverages as I want. That certainly was a deal! I had the oatmeal with brown sugar, granola and peaches. YUMMY!!!!!

I Was Tagged

So I read the note on Jane's blog that said I was required to stop whatever I was doing and take a picture of myself and without altering, share it.

I read it at 3:07 PM while in flight from Oakland to Burbank. I am on a WI-FI plane so I stopped blogging and took the picture. It's just too bad that it zoomed in by accident before taking it. See how happy I am to be going home to my husband and baby girl? I missed them! (OH BOY-MAJOR TURBULANCE JUST HIT)

Room Service = Not PS Smart

Tonight, I really haven't felt well. I have been fighting something for weeks, I've been tired and sick off and on and tonight while I was at dinner with Jeff and the San Francisco leads I really began to feel sick. I was feeling so sick I didn't eat ANY of my dinner.

So far (8:43PM) I have not gotten super sick and I thought maybe I will place a room service breakfast order since there is nothing in my stomach and I know I will wake up very hungry. I grab the menu and literally gasp at the prices. Here are a few:

Continental Breakfast: Includes choice of juice, one pastry (Croissant, Danish, English Muffin or Toast) and one hot beverage (Coffee or Tea) $14.95

Wharf Omelet: served with has browns $17.95

Buttermilk Pancakes: served with maple syrup and butter $14.50

By the way: I will NOT be ordering breakfast room service.

First Birthday Photos

New Chair Manager

I think there may be a new chair manager in Phoenix. First except for the 2nd chair (obviously a little rebellious) the other chairs are perfectly in line and waiting for their next assisnment. I notice the chairs aren't nearly as diverse as they used to be, where we used to have chairs from every culture represented it's now looking like some nations are being done away with. If I was the 8th chair in line I might be a bit concerned and escalte this issue to HR. Still, I wonder if the segregation is what led to a decrease in crime? (Note there is no longer a need for crime scene tape)

(Thanks to Kevin for the pic)

Sometimes I'm A Carpool, Sometimes I'm Not

Prior to Sydney I was never a carpool. I have enjoyed the perk of motherhood that is the Carpool lane however lately I have been discovering myself in the carpool lane quite frequently when I am Sydneyless.

This is never good. It sends a tingling panic through my whole body that results in an immediate look, signal and swerve into the lane to the right. Actually before the swerve I briefly think "should I wait until the official carpool exit" and then I decide no and I get out as quickly as I can.

Surprised that I panic when I realize that I am breaking the law? Kind of funny since generally speaking I am a rule breaker and I regularly talk on my phone without my headset and text while driving.

Kim1Champ Performs First Surgery

Tonight mom called and announced "We have a situation over here". I responded "Oh Great, what?" Mom responded "Well we had Chinese food for dinner and James has a piece of Chow Mein stuck in his throat". James was put on the phone and I suggested he go to urgent care. He wanted to know what they would do and I said they probably would stick a tongue depressor in his mouth and it would probably force you to cough it up. Then I volunteered to take a shot at it.

James arrived a few minutes later and I prepared the surgical suite. Exhibit A
Next I retrieved the tools (1) High Powered Small Flashlight (2) Toddler Spoon Exhibit B
I took a picture of the patient prior to extraction Exhibit C
The last picture is a photo of the doctor after the procedure Exhibit D







So James assumes the position. (On his knees, next to the toilet) I sat on the step for the tub, turned on the flashlight and pointed it into his mouth. Next, I inserted the toddler spoon far into the back of his mouth. As he started to cough I saw the culprit, on the left side of his mouth (my right) I could see a small piece of cabbage. Extracting it would require another attempt.

We repeat the procedure and once again I see the cabbage but am unable to reach it as he begins to cough.

James asks if I think he could reach it with his fingers. I told him that I thought he could so this time I turned on the flashlight and instead of the toddler spoon, James attempted to utilize his fingers to perform the extraction. Unfortunately, this to failed.

I determined that if I flipped the spoon regular side up I may be able to scoop it out. Fortunately, on this attempt I was able to dislodge the pesky cabbage and James proceeded to swallow it. Afterwards the patient drank a sip of water (in the 24 cup) and was discharged to his home.

Forty-Nine Minutes of Voicemail

Last week I received an email from one of our VP's. At the end of the email the VP noted that my voicemail box at my desk was full. As everyone knows, I hate voicemail Example 1 Example 2 and I had never setup the voicemail in my office and have never given out the phone number to my office. I have had the office since 2004 and I had no idea what the voicemail password was. Today, I received the password and went to set up my voicemail.

After I had Jeff record my greeting which by the way did not invite someone to leave a message but rather invited them to call my cell phone I began listening to the messages.....they began in 2006:

April 6, 2006- Caller hung up
April 18, 2006-Terri calling for Sue (Manager in the office before me)
April 26, 2006- Eddie Larsen called to tell me he was is at St Rose deLima for the morning
May 3, 2006- Lu Collins was returning my call
May 6, 2006- Tracy Bates called to review open requisitions
Sept 20, 2006- Mary Lou called and asked me to call her backOct 4, 2006- Diane at the front desk is having trouble with videoconferencing (Joshua’s first birthday)
Oct 16, 2006- Mary Lou called to tell me that Mike Chilton from Phoenix was working in my office that day
October 20, 2006- Mary Lou called and stated that we were still playing phone tag. She needed my approval to let Jose occasionally use Larry's cubicle.
November 6, 2006- Ron at Northridge is having Treo issues. It won’t turn on.
November 7, 2006- Patricia handles staffing for IT outsourcing and wants to know if I want to outsource IT
December 9, 2006- Jeff Ronner called me to talk about personnel problem
December 11, 2006-Glenn called to ask me if his team had to enter 5 goals that Ben Edwards sent out
December 19, 2006- Dan Ross called to say he was coming to the Rose Parade. He had chairs in his trunk and also noted that the treos were still screwed up and he would like the windows on the 7th floor open so he could throw his out the window
January 11, 2007- Ray Moss calling to say happy new year
February 7, 2007- Lisa Holiday calling for Joe Kropff (Previous Manager in my office-before Sue)
February 16, 2007- Caller hung up
March 20, 2007- Marsetta called from salesforce.com to invite me to the success force conference
March 29, 2007- Caller hung up
April 4, 2007- Caller hung up
April 13, 2007- Michael Minnie returned my call
July 9, 2007- Gabe Develin called and 2ants to become a telecom vendor for CHW. He had a nice voiceJuly 26, 2007- Scott Wilson called to say he thought of me when he saw a map of Disneyland from 1979 when Space Mountain was still a coming attraction
July 26, 2007- Eddie Larsen called me to say he needed my help ASAP and I need to call him ASAP regarding problems in San Bernardino ASAP
Aug 13, 2007- David Gibbons left a message stating he needed to talk to me so since he didn't reach me he would call my cell phone and text me
Oct 1, 2007- Lu Collins stated I am sure you have already left the office, it’s 2:45.
Oct 8, 2007- Scott Wilson called to see how I was doing
Oct 25, 2007- Carolyn Hollins understands I am a key decision maker for CHW and that I decide who they outsource to
Nov 19, 2007- Caroyln Hollins called to say she still thinks I am a key decision maker
Nov 27, 2007- Caller looking for April to discuss financing of her new pool
Feb 19, 2008- Carolyn Hollins still thinks I am a key decision maker, now it’s about Meditech direction
Feb 25, 2008- IBM wants to invite me to a free seminar on asset management
April 9, 2008- Jeannette Leeming called to catch up
April 22, 2008- Information Systems called but it was Carlos Voice
June 5, 2008- Caller Hung Up
June 17, 2008- Jonathan from Service Plus heard I was in charge of the help desk and wanted to sell some software
June 25, 2008- Caller Hung up
July 10, 2008- Glenn called to have his 1 on 1
July 16, 2008- Caller hung up
Aug 12, 2008- Lu Collins sent me a voicemail that I sent her re: her passing out at my grandmothers funeral
Aug 13, 2008- Julian called he heard I was in charge of the help desk and wanted to make a complaint
Aug 26, 2008- MaryLou Davis called to tell me that my office was scheduled to be painted on Sept 8th
Sept 15, 2008- Prantm called from Plano, he couldn't ping router number 1
Oct 6, 2008- Kemo Jackson called to offer me an IT Manager Position
Oct 14, 2008- Pauline needs to talk to me ASAP re: resourcing Exchange
Oct 14th, 2008- Pauline called back still trying to reach me
Dec 3, 2008- Nate Simon wanted to talk to me about maintenance for infinium
Dec 29, 2008- Clayton purchases used cellphones and wants to know if I have anyJan 8, 2009-David Gibbons wants me to call him on his cell
Jan 8, 2009- David Gibbons is still trying to get ahold of me
Jan 12, 2009- Pete called for Joe
Jan 22, 2009- Pete for Joe again
Jan 30, 2009- Caller hung up
Feb 1, 2009- Doria wants to hire me as their IT manager

49 minutes later, I was done listening to my voicemail. I HATE Voicemail. You have reached the voicemail of Kim Thomas, Please do not leave a message.

Flashback Friday (33)

April 17, 2007

Breakfast With Mom

It doesn't get any better than hanging out with your mom at Starbucks (or hanging out with your daughter). The menu is always the same: Iced Venti Chai, Milk and Blueberry Coffee Cake

Informational Signs

At the Martin Luther King National Memorial in Atlanta I saw the following signs in a hallway. The size of the signs are not represented well here. They were actually a little over a foot tall and 6-8 inches wide.







Women's Restroom-Check

Drinking Fountains-Check

Telephone-Check

Men's Restroom-Check

No Smoking-Instructions Only, no location

Question Mark-I couldn't find a "Help" location so maybe the question mark represents whats behind this door. Since what's behind the door is still in question. Any ideas whats back there?

My Little IT Tech In Training

Squeezing Blood From a Turnip

When people say that you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip, it means that you cannot get something from a person, especially money, that they don't have.

Provide an example in which you have attempted this, examples will be judged and a winner will be announced next week.

Who Needs Toys? When You Have Clothes.....

He Is Risen! Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:1-8 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples