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

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!!!!!

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

Belated Birthday Wishes to Paula

So Paula, I had to make Sydney's first birthday all about her so your birthday post had to wait. SORRY! The cool thing is your birthday post is the 999th post on the Kim1Champ blog.

I hope you had a very happy birthday!!!!!

Flashback Friday (32)

Easter- 30 Years Ago. Doesn't mom look like she is in love with Paul? Who Knew?

Cubicles On The Move

I hear they are moving cubes around again in our Phoenix office. We make cube changes almost as often as we make organizational changes. I can't wait to see the new setup. The last time there was a cube change some poor soul received the cube below (the second to the worst cube in my opinion).

This cube is located in the main hallway (almost under the stairs and between the help desk and the break room) right next to the women's restroom. (That's the door on the left)

I Drove a PT Cruiser & It Was Terrible

This morning at 6:00AM I realized that I did not book my car rental for my trip to Sacramento today. I logged onto the company travel planner and there were NO National Cars available....no Enterprise, No Hertz, No Avis, No Budget. No Thrifty but there was a mid size available at Dollar. I booked it.

Upon arriving in Sacramento I visited the National Car booth just to see if I could get a car as an Executive member. They informed that I could but it would be $179.00 a day. Yeah, that isn't happening, I went over to Dollar. I filled out all the paperwork and they gave me the keys to spot 34. I was running really late at this point and when I got to spot 34, I saw a PT Cruiser. I almost hyperventilated! I did not have enough time to get back in line (the line was long) and make it to my meeting. So I broke down and not only rode in but drove the car I hate more than anything on the planet!

The car was terrible. Aaron and Tommy tried for 10 minutes to figure out how to open the trunk-We never figured it out. (Seriously?) It had this stupid handle above the glove compartment and on the gear selector it had this terrible ugly silver knob. I hated the car but most of all I hate that I can no longer say "I have never been in a PT Cruiser and I never will be"

I Don't Like This Hat!

Happy Birthday to My Baby Girl!

She's One!!!! And I am the luckiest mom!!!!

Great New Blog

You must go read my friend Kays blog. Finding Kaysspleen For the record, she doesn't work with us and the topic is just a coincidence. What a story!

Out To Dinner With Sydney

This has the potential of a new photo collection. Before I begin let me advise that we clean up every speck before leaving the restaurant. So, Sydney has an eating problem. Basically, sometimes she wants to eat and sometimes she doesn't. When she doesn't she not only pushes my hands out of the way but she also likes to drop pieces within her reach. This will not last much longer as soon as we are clearly communicating (if you get my drift) this will stop.

For the record, I didn't give her that baby back, she snatched it off my plate.

California Fashion Mall in Alabama

Do the people in Birmingham really think that this is what Fashion Malls look like in California? Do they wish they were in California? Can't they at least fix the paint?

Flashback Friday (31)

361 Days Ago