S A Rudy's Simple Yet Functional Journal

sarudyShowed Great Customer Service....

2008-05-09T20:22:28Z

One of my callers just sent this to my boss (and cc'd me):

[boss],

I am writing you this email to let you know that sarudy is an asset to your team. sarudy answered all of my technical questions and was very professional with regard to one of my clients websites.

sarudy knows how to put the customer first and that is an invaluable trait that many people do not have.

sarudy deserves this recognition and so do you for having such a competent staff member.

Keep up the good work!

Thank You, [customer]

Always nice to have stuff like this to add to the personnel file.

Speed Racer, tonight, Commerce Center, 9:15pm

2008-05-09T16:49:58Z

grandbuddha tells me there's a plan. (I'm still waffling whether I'll go tonight or crash early and see it later in the wekeend.)

So, here are the logistics:

Movie Night: Friday, 09 May 2008

Theater: Regal Commerce Center 18
2399 US 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ, USA

Movie: Speed Racer

Showtime: 9:15pm

No news yet whether they'll hit the Omega Diner after the show.

Can't stop snickering.

2008-05-06T18:42:01Z

Dave Sim is shocked, shocked I tell you, that anyone might ever so slander him by describing his as a misogynist. ('cause it's not like his own words might give anyone such an impression.) So he's sent out a form letter saying that he'll only talk to people who will sign an online petition or send him an letter affirming that it's not so.

At this point he doesn't even fall under offensive, just a source of some really funny schadenfreude.

Iron Man Movie - Friday Night - Route 1 Regal - 8:00pm

2008-05-01T14:10:56Z

So showtimes for Friday night are up. I only got a lukewarm reception for the Dunellen idea, so it looks like we're back at the Regal Commerce Center. Here are the showtimes:

Regal Commerce Center 18
2399 US 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ, USA - Map
10:00 | 10:30 | 11:00am | 12:30 | 1:00 | 1:30 | 2:00 | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 | 5:00 | 6:30 | 7:00| 7:30 | 8:00 | 9:30 | 10:00 | 10:30 | 11:00pm

EDIT: I'm changing my decree to 8:00pm, to clear a scheduling conflict for grandbuddha. (We're sure not waiting until 9:30, still).

So, here are our logistics:

Movie Night: Friday, 02 May 2008

Theater: Regal Commerce Center 18
2399 US 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ, USA

Movie: Iron Man

Showtime: 8:00pm

As usual, we'll probably hit the Omega Diner after the show.

Prelimaries to Iron Man Expedition

2008-04-29T15:46:16Z

So, Iron Man is coming out this weekend, which necessitates an expedition.

A quick glance at the movie map explains why we tend to wind up at the Regal Commerce Center for these expeditions (even though that is a bit on the southerly side for those of us coming from Harlock House.) Well, that and the fact that the more central Menlo Park and Loews New Brunwick theaters are... suboptimal. And ellis1138 doesn't like the Regal Hadley. Now the AMC Aviation is pretty convenient to us, but rather northerly for everyone else. This time out, there is a bit of a black horse creeping in. It looks like Iron Man will be showing at the Dunellan theater with a 7:30 showing. I know, you're thinking, "Dunellen, really?" But this is the theater with pizza and beer (or soda) served during the showing, which would be a new experience. So I'm just putting it out there as an option.

I mean, we're probably hitting the Commerce Center at whatever showing is between 7:30 and 8:00 on Friday, but if you've got preferences, now's the time to pipe up. Actual logistics will go up on Thursday, when all of the showtimes post.

sick, sick, sick

2008-04-23T12:44:06Z

I woke up on Wednesday (a week ago) with a sore throat painful enough that I could not get back to sleep. I suffered through work and crashed early. It didn't clear up. I struggled through the rest of the week on TheraFlu and Sucrets.

I did the Dim Sum thing on Saturday, made it through the movie, a quick mission of mercy to the_malum and then crashed all day Sunday. At some point on Sunday, a cough decided to settle in.

Monday, I was still iffy about going to work, but decided I'd see how it went, and head home at noon if I felt awful. Well, I felt awful, but we were short-staffed, so I toughed it out, then went home and put myself straight to bed. Twelve hours of sleep later, I felt only marginally better, but didn't want to call in sick in case we were understaffed again. I wound up skipping lunch, and talked Boss into letting me leave an hour early so I could visit the doctor's office. The doc told me, yeah, there's some inflammation and gave me a scrip for azithromycin and told me to gargle with salt water. We'll see how that goes.

The results of salt water gargling this morning were too gross to describe in detail, but seemed productive. All week I've been incredibly hoarse (I sound like a lifetime smoker). I think I may start answering the phone as "Inga" and be horrible to everyone. Next week I can say we fired her.

Did you feel the earth move?

2008-04-18T22:48:11Z

Oh, hey, quickie PSA, if you felt the midwest earthquake today, you should go to the GSPS and report what you experienced.

In other news, the sore throat is slightly less painful, but otherwise my cold lingers on. Feh. I hate being sick.

Saturday Plans and Such

2008-04-17T16:33:02Z

So, it looks like the dim sum expedition is still on. Anyone coming should have already RSVP'd to Ghaunden. Logistics still look like so:

Date: 19 April 2008
Time: 12:30 pm
Restaurant: The Dynasty, on Rte. 22

Folks were also talking about seeing the Forbidden Kingdom, after. I glanced around at a map and the pertinent showtimes.

I think the closest theater is the Regal Hadley (South Plainfield), with afternoon showtimes of 1:30, 2:50, 4:20:
View Larger Map

I know some folks aren't so fond of the Hadley, so another option is the Reading Cinemas Manville, with afternoon showtimes of 1:50, 2:50, 4:25:
View Larger Map

I'm sure the final decision will be made on the spot, but it's something to think about it. (Livejournal does not seem to be parsing the iframes right, but the links works fine for the directions to theaters).

Happy Birthday, Arkibet!

2008-04-15T15:40:34Z

Happy Birthday, arkibet!!!

And, well, happy tax day to everyone else.

Dim Sum thingy deadline

2008-04-10T17:58:47Z

Just as a little follow-up, folks, anyone planning to join the dim sum expedition on the 19th should get an RSVP (and if possible, some cash) to Ghaunden by next Wednesday (that would be April 16).

And, just to round things out, look at the cute otter!

Also, wyvernfree should have a happy birthday.

Frank Miller, please get your hands off our comics...

2008-04-09T17:58:32Z

So, a few stills of the costuming for Silken Floss have turned up on the net.

Apparently in addition from being transformed from a nuclear physicist/surgeon to an "evil secretary", she's also been turned into an evil secretary who's too stupid to remember to put on a shirt.

Note to costumers: A push-up bra under a suit jacket is not a retro look. It was a briefly fashionable look a decade ago, and it was incredibly tacky then, too.

Why, oh why, are they letting Miller desecrate Eisner's work?

Dim Sum Expedition Set For April 19

2008-04-08T17:34:14Z

So, last night I pinned down mark_darwin for some logistics for the proposed Dim Sum excursion. Here's the stuff:

Date: 19 April 2008
Time: 12:30 pm
Restaurant: The Dynasty, on Rte. 22

Note - RSVP to Ghaunden (at AOL) ASAP. Have some cash ready beforehand to make sure our host can cover the bill in one fell swoop.

So that's the day done.

2008-04-04T23:45:22Z

So I got up a bit early this morning, headed over to my dentist and had a cast taken of my mouth and ran said cast and my existing bridge over to a technician. Then I, well, took a nap. 'cause I didn't want to go anywhere without my bridge.

Then I went to see my oral surgeon, who removed the troublesome root with a broken post that has consistently failed to hold onto a cap. Said surgeon had only planned an extraction today, but felt confident enough to put the implant in now instead of waiting three months for a bone graft to settle in.

Then I headed over to the drugstore to fill my 'scrips. I actually got some speedy service, which I attribute to (a) being there in the middle of the afternoon and (b) having arrived, holding an icepack to my face, with a pair of prescriptions for painkillers and antibiotics.

I went home, filled an icebag (because the gel coldpack takes a few hours to recharge) and headed back to my dentist, who was able to give me my bridge back.

This all got me home at about when I would have gotten back from work. Now I am home, limited to soft foods, applying icepacks at half hour intervals and waiting for bedtime.

Fairly productive day, actually.

New Gravity Press for the Office

2008-03-31T18:10:27Z

New Gravity Press for the Office
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

So, replacements were in order, after last week's traumatic theft. I was moping something fierce.

I needed a new way to brew tea at work, now that I actually own a fair amount of loose tea. I figured as long as I had to get a replacement anyway, I'd upgrade. This is a similar model to the InginuiTEA I have at home (that came from Adagio) except with a metal built-in filter instead of a plastic replaceable filter. This renders the teapot not microwave safe, but we have hot water dispensers at work anyway (and I could always nuke water in a mug if I had to.)

I hadn't wanted to wait for mail order, so I headed all the way out to Bridgewater Commons, as I'd heard there was a Teavana there. It was a bit disconcerting, as I haven't been there in ages, even though I used to be a regular. They're doing something scary with the food court and just enough has changed to throw me off.

While I was there, I saw Run, Fatboy, Run, which was rather sweet (done by the same folks who did Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz).

new mug with lid, other side
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

New mug with lid
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

Apparently I was distraught enough that aiskon went out and found a new mug with a lid on it. (Not only did I lose a tea strainer, but the ceramic lid to my nice tea mug). She had to hunt around a bit to find one without any gilt, so it will be microwave-safe. I have absolutely no idea what it says on the side there. It's probably a poem about bamboo or something.

Bible Drama at Work

2008-03-28T15:45:02Z

Thought I'd share this little email exchange we had at work...

Step 1, an announcement goes out from K that L has become engaged. The announcement includes a bible verse (in largish purple font, but I've spared you that):

LOVE is patient and kind;
LOVE is not jealous or boastful;
it is not arrogant or rude.
LOVE does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong,
but rejoices in the right.
LOVE bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
LOVE never ends...
So faith, hope, love abide, these three,
but the greatest of these
is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13

A few folks return generic congratulations. Step 2, S returns another bible quote:

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

I note, aloud, as S sits within earshot of me, "Ahh, S, I'm not sure that's thematically appropriate." He replies, "Well, as long as we're exchanging bible quotes...". Several more generic congratulations trickle in.

Step 3, one of the team leads adds:

Team – While I’m happy that we congratulate and celebrate our individual successes (personal and work-related), let’s please remember that we are a diverse group of people with many different beliefs (religious, ethic, etc.). Please keep your work e-mails professional and neutral.
Thanks… and Congratulations to L.

S is kind of an ass, really.

As the week ends... doughnuts!

2008-03-28T14:48:41Z

A Passionate Donut
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

So says the happy email:

As Passion for Winning week is end, we would like to thank all those who participated and special congratulations to all of the WINNERS!
On this last day, we wanted to share in delicious treats and inspiring thoughts. However, there are a few rules that come along with each treat.
Again, thank you for your participation and HAVE FUN!!!!!

-- The Passion for Winning Committee

I did not win, but the donut is its own reward.

A Passionate Quote
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

There is no peeking at the bottom of the plates until you have selected your own and are back at your desk

Each treat is accompanied by a "Winning Quote of Inspiration".

Each person must take one donut and its plate.

At the bottom of the plate you will find a quote that should be shared with other team members.

A few of these plates have very special messages.

Should you find that you have the "special message" plate be the first to find myself and say "Week Passion Happy For"

In which I amuse my cubicle neighbor

2008-03-27T14:36:59Z

I'm actually still mopey about the missing tea-strainer, by the way. Feh.

One of my cubicle neighbors just dropped in to let me know she liked a turn of phrase I used in a call. I'd called a sales representative to ask him to call a client who hadn't realized what one of the products he'd ordered did and doesn't deal well with the unexpected. The rep asked me if I'd explained what the product did and that it's generally a good thing. I told him "I tried, but he reacted like I was speaking to him in Martian. Actually, he reacted like I was cursing at him in Martian..."

(Fortunately, as per my clever plan, the customer had time to (a) calm down and (b) absorb what I'd explained by the time the sales rep called him to go over his order, and all is now likely fine. Some people just have a brief flip-out period that needs to be waited out before they can deal with new data.)

So, now whenever someone give you the "I don't understand what you are saying, but I am upset by it anyway" reaction, you can say "He thought I was cussing him out in Martian." And then you can credit me, and I will become famous, or something. And then, I dunno, a goddess or something.

Ah, our Core Values raise their hoary heads again...

2008-03-24T12:57:09Z

They do this to us every year.

Passion for Winning Week 2008 - Be There!

Hello Everyone! This week we will celebrate the [company] Core Value, Passion for Winning. Be prepared for activities, games, prizes, and hand-outs.

Starting off the week on Monday, we'll have Office Relay Races presented by M₁ and K₁ so be prepared to give your brains AND bodies a workout.
(HINT: EBO! EBO! EBO!)
On Tuesday, we'll see just how good your trivia knowledge is with M₂ and M₃'s Jeopardy!
Wednesday, A will challenge your ingenuity with her Puzzles!
Thursday, get ready as K₂ and F₁ take you on a wild office goose chase with their Scavenger Hunt!
And to top it all off on Friday, please help your selves to some yummy donuts so graciously provided by K₁ and S₁!

As you go through your daily responsibilities, envision how you can incorporate a Passion for Winning in your individual performance, our interactions as a department, and our competition as a business.
"We are determined to outperform and beat the competition. We always want to be the best. We are a high energy, fast moving, decisive organization. We have a strong propensity for action. We always execute well and deliver. We set aggressive goals and strive to beat them. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for outstanding results."

Enjoy the week,
The Passion for Winning Committee

So, erm, doughnuts on Friday!

I am young at ... ear?

2008-03-17T17:16:54Z

You are the typical teenager

You can hear the frequency of the mosquito teen repellent - but probably not for much longer!

The highest pitched ultrasonic mosquito ringtone that I can hear is 17.7kHz

Find out which ultrasonic ringtones you can hear!

Happy Pi Day!!!

2008-03-14T19:23:16Z

Yes, it's 3/14. I hope you all have your pies ready!

I think I've exhausted the bruise topic, although I'll throw in one more of how pretty my left arm has become. The right is just kind of wider and duller, not nearly as exciting.

A Day Later - Ooh, pretty!

2008-03-13T12:59:43Z

So, naturally, the brusing "matured" overnight. The 3-D effect is gone (well, that was gone by evening), but the spreading didn't happen until I slept. I look pinker 'cause I took the photos in different light.

As ugly as they are, they don't hurt at all, not even the minor ache from yesterday. And, well, I'm wearing long sleeves at work today.

Since this wasn't a full donation, I wonder how long it is before I qualify to try again... I suppose I should at least wait until the marks from this try are gone. (ETA: Apparently you're still supposed to wait the 56 days, so I can try again the second week of May or later.)

A Day Later - Right Arm
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

A Day Later - Left Arm
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

Clearly It Was a Bad Day To Try To Give Blood

2008-03-12T20:08:41Z

Just in case y'all wanted the proof. I look extra puffy because (a) I am really fat and (b) because I took the photos at kind of a funny angle with my cameraphone.

The right aches just a tiny bit, but otherwise it doesn't hurt. Ugly, though, aren't they? The yellow is not bruising, by the way. It's just that betadine stuff they use to sterilize the are before using the needle. I wonder if they'll get more spectacular tomorrow or if this is going to be the high point.

Sorry if this grosses anyone out. They're just bruises. If anyone complains, I'll drop them under a lj-cut.

Clearly It Was a Bad Day To Try To Give Blood - Right
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

Clearly It Was a Bad Day To Try To Give Blood - Left
Originally uploaded by Kit Kendrick

My blood is good; my veins are bad

2008-03-12T16:58:57Z

I've been terribly delinquent about hitting the local blood drive, now that there isn't really a local blood drive for me. So I signed up for today's blood drive at work.

Now, I know I have trick veins. The ones in the crook of my arm (from which they usually take blood) run at kind of a funny angle. And sometimes they have trouble, but the vast majority of the time I've been able to donate without issue. Today, they tried both arms, weren't able to get decent blood flow and had to give up. So I'm bandaged on each arm.

Feh. I bet I'll have pretty bruises tomorrow.

Oh, Hey NYC Friends - I'll be in the city next week

2008-03-11T18:13:52Z

So I have a Learning Tree course next week which will be taking me into Manhattan Tuesday through Friday. I'll be at One New York Plaza from 9 to 4:30.

Anyone interested in getting together for dinner or something one of those nights?

My new favorite exchange from TVTropes

2008-03-10T20:07:13Z

From the Mate or Die entry:

In the Harry Potter fandom, the Snape/Lupin ship saw a great number of fanfics using this trope, where Snape and Lupin were imprisoned together right before a full moon. This would mean Snape's death as soon as Lupin took upon his werewolf form, but if Lupin considered Snape as his "mate", the werewolf would spare them. Therefore...
A particularly horrible fanfic featured a once-in-1000-years event where Hogwarts ghosts would compulsively kill anyone who was innocent (i.e. a virgin). Hermione didn't quite get out, so Snape had to go in to rescue her...yes, that way.
It was also a particular favorite of Harry/Draco writers, who invented the Male Veela fic, where poor Draco had to bond (sexually, of course) with his Soul Mate, or perish. Naturally, his worst enemy was his destined Soul Mate.
What the hell have you people been reading? Stop that!

Movie Night:	Friday, 09 May 2008
Theater:	Regal Commerce Center 18 2399 US 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ, USA
Movie:	Speed Racer
Showtime:	9:15pm

Movie Night:	Friday, 02 May 2008
Theater:	Regal Commerce Center 18 2399 US 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ, USA
Movie:	Iron Man
Showtime:	8:00pm