Early June Updates

Things are still slow; so, I might as provide some updates.

1. I have recovered from my eye infection although they still get red or become itchy from time to time.
2. I spent Friday and Monday dismantling the old work stations, removing the legs from the Ikea office tables and wrapping them in packing tape, disassembling shelves, and packing stationery items in boxes.
3. I was very disappointed that the buckslip I originally created for a client in English was used by the guys in Toronto for the French and Chinese versions. I was hoping to lay out those myself since I was the designer of that marketing material.
4. Cathy realized the importance of quality assurance when a Toronto-designed brochure's copy was missing a word. Needless to say, the client was pissed. I would like to share in the responsibility, but it never passed by me.
   

Battling Eye Infection

I don't know how I got this, but two weeks ago, my eyes began to itch. Now, it has turned to a full-blast bacterial eye infection according to my family doctor. It's not exactly pink eye or conjunctivitis because that's viral; mine is just itchy and watery.

I thought it was a bad case of allergies, but when my eyes are covered in gunk (mucus) when I wake up in the morning, I knew it's worse than allergies. Plus, my eyelids felt sandy when I scratched them, irritating my eyes more and making them watery and red.

I think the infection is beginning to subside, thanks to the antibiotic eyedrops I'm using. However, the medication left my eyelids and the surrounding skin leathery with some skin irritation around the corners. I'm wearing sunglasses in the office just to cover my eyes and protect them from the sun and bright lights.

I just hope this infection goes away completely next week because I'm going to a networking soirée and I don't want to wear shades.

Friday Clean-up

Wendy came to my office first thing this morning to tell me that she has "recruited" me to clean up the former IT office. I didn't mind this at all since I knew for a fact that I wouldn't be doing anything that's billable today.

I threw a lot of obsolete software, from operating systems to creative suites to the trash bin. I also put several power cords, power supplies, network cables, routers, data switches, mice and external hard drives in boxes.

Needless to say, Wendy was impressed with my work. Everything was organized and packed for shipment to Toronto.

Happy Second Anniversary!

I turned two on Friday, May 22, without fanfare. I wanted to buy cake or ice cream for the four of us to mark this occasion, but my ulterior motive was to send feelers to Wendy that she should think about giving me a raise for the outstanding 24 months I've served in the company. However, I opted to keep it to myself. Besides, I should be thankful that I have kept my job in these tough economic times.

And speaking of jobs, I thought I was going to work on a project this afternoon. Unfortunately, that particular project, which was based on an earlier one, was produced in Toronto. Oh, well, at least I tried.

Floor Warden Training

Finally, a change of pace this time. After a week of practically doing nothing, yesterday's floor warden training was a breath of fresh air.

The three-hour event was held at the 19th floor of our building. All I could say was it was very informative and the advice given could increase my survivability, my family's and my officemates' in times of emergencies or disasters. Unfortunately, my tummy was acting up, thanks to the meds that I was taking.

Gas was building up in my stomach and I was trying very hard to hold it in. So, as soon as we left for a nine-minute break, I went straight to the washroom and broke wind several times. Then it got much worse. What followed was the dreaded feeling that I simply couldn't ignore. If I ignore it, it would bother me continually and I wouldn't be able to appreciate the presentation. Besides, I wouldn't have fought the feeling for the next 90 minutes. So, I had to sit this one over and do some "paperwork."

After a few minutes, I was able to think straight again.

This Week's Updates

It's been a slow week and I only have two hours' worth of billable hours. Since not much has been going on, I decided to put everything in one blog. So, without further ado, the week's highlights:

1. I opened my e-mail first thing Tuesday and saw this subject of the big Wendy's e-mail: "Round of Applause for Gord and Ronnie." The first thing that came to my mind was, "Finally, recognition! This could be the promotion that I've been waiting for." However, when I opened it, it was for submitting my timesheets promptly. Oh, well, at least my being timely was getting recognized.
2. Wendy also appointed me one of the tenant floor wardens for the building's emergency response training sessions, which I'd be attending Wednesday next week with Andrea, our sister company's receptionist.
3. I spent the entire day yesterday chatting on Yahoo! Messenger with a classmate back in high school, who's now based in California.
4. We decided not to have the big colour printer/copier's rip unit repaired. The quote for the repairs was almost $600, including parts, labour and taxes.
   
5. There were free baked goodies today as a client meeting that was scheduled today was canceled.
6. The first of our four-day weekends starts tomorrow. Woo-hoo!
   

Nothing's Happening

I knew this was going to be the scenario today: entire day spent surfing the 'Net. I wished I had taken the day off today. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to file my leave last week as Wendy was away on Friday.

I was hoping to be off on Friday, too, but like I said, Wendy beat me to it. However, I left the office an hourly since there wasn't much happening anyway. I just hope I find something useful or productive to do tomorrow; otherwise, it will be another long, slow day.