Work Related

Because I seem to be working with a snake. Snakes belong in zoo's right?

My beloved partner in crime left our department for a better job for himself (THE NERVE!) and was replaced with someone who at first seemed like a really fun guy. I thought we'd really have a good time working together because he has a lot of energy at work like me. It was all fun an games until he started messing in my turf. We've had one meeting about roles, just to make sure we were on the same page. It seemed that we were. My role, all around web Goddess (design, maintenance, technical support); his role, edit content, help with communications plans, help to traffic communications. I'm online chick, he's words guy. Easy enough, right?

Two weeks ago he took one of my designs and "completely overhauled it" with our client and sent an email to me, the client and their uncles with his "new" design. He didn't include my design in the email to use as a comparison.

A: His idea of a complete overhaul and mine are two different things
B: He had no business meeting alone with the client about my design. He should have had the client meet with me, and he could have come if he wanted to. His role has NOTHING to do with this.

After I calmed down, I hit 'reply all' and sent a brief email asking him if he'd point out what was different between the two designs, because all I could see was changes in a couple of the links (which I only had up as examples.)

He again replied to everyone and wrote (in capital letters) YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? (yeah, he really did) then further went on to write that his design met corporate standards, making it sound like mine didn't. That made me feel that I looked like an incompetent fool.

I chose not to hit 'reply all' at this point because now it was sounding like a pissing match. I don't do that. I replied, explaining to him that we used to work with different teams, so his idea of "standard" and mine were two different things. Neither was wrong. I further explained that he had no business doing what he did, how it made me look, and reminded him of our roles. He backed down at that point and said that he knew it was wrong but he was talking to the client about something else and it just kind of "evolved".

I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, until he did it again last week. Different client. I was CRAZY busy with that project I wrote about last week, and I got an email from him saying that "they" had five sites that I needed to build for them by 3/31, then proceeded to tell me what goes on the sites. He then said, "should we (he and the client) go directly to web services, to get this done?"

I replied that no, again, this is MY job and I'll work with the client. I added that what he's come up with is a little more complicated than he's making it out to be and 3/31 is a tight deadline but I'd try. In reality, I'll make SURE it gets done even if I get no sleep but he doesn't need to know that. There is no way I'll miss a deadline, even if it's one that he created. Again he sent me more email pushing my buttons.

I set up a meeting with him for this Thursday so we could set things straight. I refuse to let this guy get under my skin. He's clearly overstepping his boundaries and he's being a jackass about it. He's not going to see the "risible" side of this girl on Thursday.

I was starting to wonder if it was just me taking things personally. Was I being a primadonna? Was I feeling threatened? I certainly hoped not, but I was willing to look at that possibility until....

Yesterday I met with the web team about some new standards. The snake's name came up and two people on the team said to watch out for him because he has a habit of making promises to the clients that can't be kept by the web team and then getting the clients mad at the web folks. Not once, not twice, but constantly. This is his M.O. They spilled the beans before I even had a chance to say what he'd done to me. So, I left that meeting feeling a lot more empowered to be assertive about this on Thursday.

If he continues to do this, I will go to my manager and see about severing our relationship. He doesn't report up through the same division as I do. He's just dedicated to our division. I've built up a really good reputation with my clients and I refuse to have a snake in the grass ruin it. I'm fighting mad and he's going to see a side of me that not too many people have the 'opportunity' to see.

What a lucky snake....

:snark: OH yeah, I might also add in this meeting that 40 something men really shouldn't write "kewl!" in work email. It makes them look really stupid. :/snark:

About three weeks ago I was asked to create a class to teach people how to use a new tracking system created in Lotus Notes. Lotus Notes is not on my computer, I have never used Lotus Notes, and I have never set my eyes on this new tracking system. The only reason I agreed to it is because a) I thought I'd have a month to get this together; b) I'm smart and what I've seen of Louts Notes, it looks easy so I know I'll pick it up quickly; and c) it was my new manager that asked me to do it.

......All are very compelling reasons, especially reason c.

Last week, I was told that Lotus Notes should be on my computer "any day now", and I had until March 31st to complete the training modules. I was feeling a bit of pressure because the training modules need to include a) an overview of Lotus Notes (a program I have never used); b) how to use the tracking system (a system I've never seen); and c) several mock-up scenarios to input on the system (scenarios I've never been involved with).

Today, I still do not have Lotus Notes on my computer so have yet to use that program, let alone see the actual tracking system. Oh, and I was told that training had to be completed by 3/31. That means that not only do I have to create the training, but all of the people have to be trained. By 3/31.

Oh yeah, there's also an 88 page Word document to be converted to a web based manual so it's ready to go when the system goes live on 4/1.

If I can pull this off, I'm going to make myself a cape and some sort of groovy emblem to wear on my chest. Of course, I'll have to do that after 3/31 because I won't have time to even sleep before then.

No worries, I'll still make time to blog. I do have my priorities, you know...

I was on the elevator today, minding my own business and what do I hear?

"Yeah, he's not happy unless he's 'jiggling' balls"

Of course, I know he meant juggling; but I have an adolescent sense of humor. So I started giggling. On the elevator. In the executive elevator, no less.

I hightailed it out of there as fast as I could.

....and continued giggling all the way down the street.

Yeah you... the one who keeps leaving lipstick rings around the water cooler spigot at my office.

Stop it. You're grossing me out.

Here are a couple of tips:

You really don't have to

A: Wear so much lipstick that it transfers from your bottle to the spigot
or
B: Stick the water bottle up so far that the spigot is inside of the bottle

Really, if a little water splashes on the floor because you left a bit of room between the spigot and the bottle, it's OK. I'd rather slip on that drop of water and fall on my butt than imagine flakes of your lipstick in my water bottle.

Thank you. Now go learn to blot your lips.

My co-worker and I had some fridge cleaning fun last Thursday. There's no way I'm going to volunteer to do such a filthy thing unless I get to document the vile conditions in my blog. So for your pleasure, here are the gory details:

Stinky Fridge Chronicles

Caution: This page includes a lot of pictures. Not recommended for slow modems.

Note: Slow modems are not recommended, period. *snicker*