Dispatches: Let the excitement begin!

It’s Wednesday. That means “Dispatches.” You can either get happy about it or not. Because I’m in a bit of a black mood. I’m even wearing my new boots in hopes of improving the mood, but these boots are made for walking, you know. . .

Anyway, enough rambling about how I’m in a bad mood. It’s really just me being grumpy because it was slightly overcast and I could have slept so well for so much longer. But I’m up and I’m at work, so I might as well get to it!

Ready for “Dispatches”? Let’s go!

• I had a strange dream last night in which a man I go to church with and who also works at the same company I do (Rob, for those of you who go to Judson) were working together as administrative assistants for some unidentified boss. I have no idea why I dreamed this. We shared an office and were rearranging the desks (it was apparently our first day) because there was no way we could get anything accomplished in the crazy set-up that had our desks at right angles. There was also someone else in the dream and the office (it wasn’t that big!) and this person was adding commentary and helping us reorganize. I think it was my friend Mindy, but I’m not sure since she never really had a face. I woke up and was a little confused, but who knows? When I remember my dreams, they are always weird.

• We had a fire drill at work yesterday. It wasn’t the entire company, just the tower I work in. So, around 10:30 a.m. the alarms started going off. That’s always fun, since there are designated people on each floor who have to don orange vests and make sure everyone gets out of their offices and down the stairs. It’s sort of like cattle being herded. Then, we get to stand outside on this asphalt parking lot in the heat until they blow a bullhorn to let us know it’s OK to go back in. I really felt sorry for the people whose cars got stopped coming down 10th Avenue and then they had to wait for an entire tower full of people to cross the street before they could continue on their way. The plus side of the fire drill is that you are forced outside of your office (I’ve been very busy and focused this week) and get to chat with people and see people you don’t see all the time when you’re stuck in your normal routine.

• I’m very stressed this week. Part of that stress comes with my job and I’m used to it. Some of it comes from the conference I have to lead later this week in Alabama and my fear of not being prepared. Some of it comes from a coworker who means well, but has no idea that he/she completely stresses me out sometimes. I know the due dates for our products. But I have more than one issue to juggle at one time. And sometimes, the more pressing issue isn’t the one he/she is working on. And while making a plan of action is good, sometimes, the best option is just to get busy and do the work instead of talking about it.

• I tried to fix my lamp last night with no success. I believe there is something wrong with the wiring within the switch box. Knowing nothing about such things, I was mostly flying blind. I should google it. Or look into getting a new base for the lamp and still using the shade. Sigh.

• I think it’s only a common courtesy for writers to RESPOND to invitations to write. I have letters for two writers sitting on my desk, waiting for their acceptance or refusal. Seriously, if someone pitches you a story idea, asks you to consider writing it, and offers to pay you, the common courtesy is to RESPOND. Don’t assume we can read your minds!

• My low gas light is on in my car. And it’s really low. You guys should pray that I make it to the gas station just down the street after work today.

• I really, kind of wish I’d gotten tickets for the Counting Crows concert last night. Someone I follow on Twitter did go and kept posting pictures last night (I looked at them all until I enstated my computer curfew) and it really looked fun. Or maybe that’s because she was in the front row. . .

• It looks as if our focus group meeting for the magazine in the Northwest (Portland or Seattle area, I can’t remember which) is a go. Yay! I’ve never been there. The down side is that we’re traveling at the tail end of September, which is the end of our fiscal year and traveling so late kind of makes expense reports into a financial nightmare. I think we should start making friends with the administrative assistant who will handle our expense reports now.

• My friend Mindy and her family will lay her grandfather to rest today in Kentucky. The funeral is at 11 a.m. (eastern) and Mindy is singing. Keep her and her family in your prayers.