Buyer's remorse

How often do you have buyer's remorse? You get something new, and soon after (but usually past the time you can return it) you discover you wish you hadn't purchased it. I wish I had all the money I've spent over the years on shoes and clothes that I wasn't that into. On the converse side, how often do you not buy something and wish you had? I can only think of one thing in my adult life that I really wish I'd purchased but didn't. When I bought my kitchen table, there was an optional bench seat you could procure that allowed you to seat 4 instead of 6. For reasons I can't recall, I elected not to purchase it. To this day, over 10 years later, I really wish I'd have bought it.

I guess the moral of the story is- when in doubt, don't buy. The odds are highly in your favor that this is the right choice.

Common denominator

One of our departments has had a real problem with turnover. In the last year, 3 people have left, none under the best of terms. The first was an employee of several years. The other two were gone within 6 months of their hire date. This department is 6 people when fully staffed. Yes, you are seeing a problem. As my dad used to say "What's the common denominator?" It's the management. If one employee or two had left, you'd think maybe it was coincidence, but not 3 in this short of time. The person is charge is either a bad manager, a bad selector of new employees, or both.

We recently extended an offer to someone to take over one of the vacant positions in this department. Someone asked me how long I thought the new person would stay. I said "not long if she's smart".

Free Museum Day

Museums across the country are participating in Free Museum Day on Saturday, September 29. This link allows you to select a museum from your area and print tickets. Enjoy!

Quite a conversation piece

When I went out to walk on Labor Day, I noticed that my rear passenger tire was on the rim. I thought maybe it was just really low and that I could air it up until I could take it in for service on Tuesday. When I put the tire gauge on it, it didn't even register. I know how to change a tire, but I also pay for AAA so I don't have to. Help quickly arrived, and the spare was put on. I saw what appeared to be a staple in the top of the tire, so I figured that was the problem.

When I took my car in yesterday after work, this is what they pulled out of the tire

Yes, a nearly THREE INCH piece of metal. As you may have guessed, I am now the owner of a new tire. Whatever this was that was in my tire, it's quite a conversation piece if I do say so myself.

More rainbows

In August of last year I wrote this post about the rainbow photos I took on my way home on Saturday when I just happened to have my camera in the car. Well, this Saturday evening I drove most of my way home seeing a rainbow. I ran in the house, got my camera, and captured these shots before it faded away.

I was struck by how these two occurrences were almost exactly a year apart.

Quote of the Day

"I'll make it really simple: if you loot, you get an orange suit,"
- New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu

Redneck office furnishings

On Friday of last week they starting to deliver the first of our new offices furniture. There are two pieces I am especially proud of.

First, our blinds

Yes, it's sheets of plastic. Perhaps it might have made sense to install the permanent blinds BEFORE all the furniture. I'm just saying, it would've probably been a lot easier.

And now, the desks

You guessed it- PLYWOOD. It seems this portion of all the desks got damaged in shipment. Rather than wait and put it all together at one, we got plywood.

Do you think Jeff Foxworthy would be proud?