The War Room: August 14-20, 2005

[Large_Al]

What a Bad week!!! I almost got fired through no fault of my own......well I had a little to do with it. Lets see if I can explain this in four sentences or less.

I work for a Cable Co. as a Software analyst and as part of my job I assist the cable sites in our Company with trouble shooting software problems, and doing mass updates of data for them. I was asked to update some inventory of cable boxes (5000 of them) for our Reading, Pa. site by moving them to X status (delete status). Somehow during this very routine update (I might do six of these a day) the Tandem (our main frame computer) started getting weird (technical term) and proceeded to change every box in that region to X (delete) status. Close to 2 million boxes were changed. People started losing cable, all service calls for that region had to be canceled, basically all work in that region (1.3million customers) had to stop for the day. The Good news is we got everything back to normal about 8 hours. And they can't figure out why the SQL Update I wrote went rouge other than it was something to do with the Tandem environment acting up. (or global warming )

I can not count how many Presidents, VP's and Regional Directors that want my head on a platter. Seriously!! Fortunately My Boss and the VP of IS and IT understands that shit happens and I didn't do anything that we don't do 100 times a week. The VP called me into his office and told me don't worry about my job and this isn't a black mark and basically shit happens.



So then I decide to go on My Favorite place in the entire World (wide web) and get my mind off this and I found out it's broken also.



I said "HOLY CRAP!! DID I DO THAT?? "




This Weeks Birthdays



August 14



Halle Berry

Julia Child

Dash Croft from Seals and Croft

David Crosby

Magic Johnson

Steve Martin

Susan St. James

Danielle Steel



August 15



Ben Affleck no talent

Julia Child

Davy Crockett

Linda Ellerbee

Rose Marie

Phyllis Schlafly



August 16



My Sister Diane... Happy 50th!!

Menachem Begin

Robert Culp

Frank Gifford

Kathy Lee Gifford

Eydie Gorme

Lesly Ann Warren

Maddona

James Cameron

Tim Hutton

Angela Basset



August 17



Maureen O'Hara

Robert De Niro

Sean commie Penn

Belinda Carlisle

Donnie Wahlberg



August 18



Shelly Winters

Roman Polanski child molester

Robert Redford wacko

Martin Mull

Patrick Swayze

Ed Norton very talented

Christian Slater Jack Nicholson lite

Malcolm Jamal theo Warner



August 19



Coco Chanel

Tipper Gore

Orville Wright

Malcolm Forbes

Gene Roddenberry

Willie Shoemaker

Ginger Baker

Bill Clinton Cough blow job cough blow job

LeAnn Womack

John Stamos

Mathew Perry





August 20



Benjamin Harrison

Isaac Hayes

Connie Chung

James Pankow

Robert Plant

Doug Fieger

Al Roker

John Hiatt

Fred Durst





Questions for the week!



1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened?

3 Do you like your Boss?

4 Does Your Boss Like you?

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?

6 How many Jobs have you had?

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

9 Which Business do you despise the most?

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?

Well, I wasn't exactly "fired," I was "let-go." I worked for a plumber (the one my son works for now) as a part-timer in the afternoons, and got my Sister-in-Law a job doing the morning shift. To make a long story short -- they decided they wanted a full-timer, and hired my Sister-In-Law, and let me go.

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened?
Not a boss or supervisor, but I was sexually harrassed by a fellow employee.

3 Do you like your Boss?
Nowdays, my "boss" is my Bubba -- not only do I like him, but I http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_3_18.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZS) , LOL.

4 Does Your Boss Like you?
Sometimes, . . . not today, though, I want him to trim the limbs in the backyard and he wants to nap, LOL.

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?
A Professional Animator! (Of course, I'm a ham too, always wanted to be an actress)

6 How many Jobs have you had?


Are we talking places we've worked, or jobs held within those places?

I worked at a horse farm - babysitting & working on the farm
Burger Chef - counter clerk
Clarison International - mail room, purchasing clerk, receptionist, human resources assistant, Lead Programmer, phone sales clerk, Lead Department Head, administrative assistant to the President
Library - part time librarian
Sears - sales clerk
Westside Baptist & Bronson Road Baptist Churches - Pastor's Secretary
Coleman's plumbing - administrative assistant
Home - Domestic Engineer, Home Educator and QUEEN!

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason.

No, but I did have to severely reprimand someone, for inappropriate behavior and sleeping on the job -- she reacted badly by spreading rumors about my personal life, and posting inflamatory memorandums on the company bulletin board.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

Gene Roddenberry -- to write the script for my wedding renewal ceremony in "Star Trek" mode http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_1_133.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZS) (3 more years and we'll hit 20!)

9 Which Business do you despise the most?

K-Mart, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?

Our city has their own cable department, so city cable (but it appears as if we are losing that soon to CoxCable, then we'll have a big decision to make).


BTW -- LOVE the colors, reminds me of my beloved FSU Seminoles!

[Longhorn_Platinum]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?

:smirky: I got fired after just three days at a convenience store, once. The manager lost $120, & blamed it on the new guy. I had inside information that she's the one responsible for the screw-up, but my phone calls to the district supervisor went ignored, until the manager suddenly got a job working for a different chain, no pay raise involved. I finally got my "day in court", but didn't ask for my job back, because sadly enough, it paid less than unemployment compensation.

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened?

:smirky: Yeah, at one school where I once taught, the "instructional services director" made me "float", while teachers with less seniority were given their own rooms. This is because I wouldn't lower my standards, just so more students would appear to be passing. The principal was unaware of what was going on, until I requested a conference with him. He hemhawed around the subject, & I refrained from embarassing him over it. I knew he got the message, & the following semester, I got a room.

3 Do you like your Boss?

:unsmile: I just started a new job.

4 Does Your Boss Like you?

:unsmile: I guess. I understand he had two other applicants for the position, so I'm going to assume that he likes me.

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?

:moo: I'd like to be one of the screenwriters for Wheel of Fortune. How hard can that be? Person: "Amelia Earhart". Place: "Ogden, Utah". Thing: "broccoli soup". Before & after: "Penthouse suite sixteen".

:moo: Okay, where's my paycheck?

6 How many Jobs have you had?

:smirky: Too many to count, but I've worked in convenience stores, taught in public schools, served as a lieutenant in the USAF, & driven 18-wheelers.

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason.

:unsmile: No.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

:smirky: I might pay Madonna to shut up & go away.

9 Which Business do you despise the most?

:smirky: Polygraph examiners. What a bunch of quacks. I can't think of a less honest way to make a living. Actually, abortion chambers are even lower.

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?

:moo: Cable.

[Melz]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what? Got fired at my job before this one (4 years ago) because they claimed that I needed another license to place trades. I had worked at a place for 5 years and it was an optional one (or so I was told). Well when coming to this job, they said I had a few months to get this extra license, so I started studying and then scheduled the exam. Meanwhile I was placing trades. The bitch who also worked in my position in that branch called the "higher-ups" on me and my company was forced to fire me because the license (as it turns out) WAS necessary. And after the higher-ups found out, they had no choice. This chic had already gotten many many people in that place fired by gossiping and reporting things. I do know where this bitch works though, it is on my way to my better, way higher paying job. grrrrrrr.

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened? I was never harrassed although, I take things like that with a grain of salt. What was normal interraction to me probably would have been considered harrassment to some feminazi.

3 Do you like your Boss? I do, he is cool and lets me make fun of him.

4 Does Your Boss Like you? He does, he thinks it is cool when I make fun of him. lol.

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be? I want to be a Lazy-Boy chair tester. These jobs pay a lot (from what I have read) and all you do is sit in LazyBoy chairs and give your opinions on them..mmmm.

6 How many Jobs have you had? About 3 jobs while in high school and college and 3 since then. The three since then are career type jobs. They are jobs within my degree of study and licenses. I like this job the best so far, I am sticking with it for a while.

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason. I have never had to fire someone before. I wish to have fired a lot of people though.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for? I would hire Matthew Perry as my personal humorist. He would just be funny whenever I needed to laugh or smile. I think he is hilarious in a way dorky sorta way.

9 Which Business do you despise the most? Abortionists. I mean these are MD's (right??). They could do ANYTHING else with their medical degree, and they choose to kill babies :(

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV? I watch more network TV even though I have that digital cable setup thingie. They said they would set it up for $5 a month and I asked why they would do that...they just want me to try it and get to like it. Hmm, I will just forget when that year promotion is up and pay outrageous cable bills. And still enjoy network TV more.
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[Longhorn_Platinum]

Melz:
5 If you could be in any profession what would it be? I want to be a Lazy-Boy chair tester. These jobs pay a lot (from what I have read) and all you do is sit in LazyBoy chairs and give your opinions on them..mmmm.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

:moo: That's no good. It involves too much getting up.

[Teenager]

Birthdays this Week. . . Maddona


How about-

Wrecking Horse Week?


:D

[Rink]

How about-

Wrecking Horse Week?


:D

You mean, 'Totally Dumped NAG!'

[Lazarus]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what? Yes... I wouldnt play along when my employer tried to defraud a client...

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened? Happens here everyday... And management doesnt care unless a lawsuit threatens... This place is so barbaric no one would believe it unless they were here to see it for themselves... Hollywood couldnt write a plot as bad as this place - no one would believe it...

3 Do you like your Boss? Nope!

4 Does Your Boss Like you? Nope!

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be? I would like to build Timber Frame structures... or make furniture...
6 How many Jobs have you had? Since when - Childhood?

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason. N/A

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for? Eydie Gorme... Personal entertainer...

9 Which Business do you despise the most? News media

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV? Cable...
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[Aric2000]

Now that was an incredible story, glad I don't live in PA..LOL



1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?
Yes, I got fired from an inside sales job, I got a $100,000 sale, and REALLY upset the Inside Sales manager, because the boss asked him why he had never gotten a sale like that, within 2 weeks, he had come up with a reason to fire me. He claimed that I had not helped one of my customers with a problem quickly enough, and if I could not be quick, then I couldn't have a job.

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened?
Yes, he was a punk, that's all I will say to that

3 Do you like your Boss?
Yeah, since my boss is me...LOL

4 Does Your Boss Like you?
Yes, I think so, but let me check, yes, my boss likes me....

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?
Home Inspector/Home Maintenance contractor, hmm, that's what I actually do, do I need to come up with something else?


6 How many Jobs have you had?
Too many, I am 40 now and have been working since I was 14.

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason.
Yes, an ouside sales rep, he wasn't doing his job. But that was the only time.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

Don't know any of them, so couldn't say

9 Which Business do you despise the most?
Lawyers and credit card companies


10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?
I don't watch ANY TV, EVER.... Except for DVD's.

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[Large_Al]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?

no!

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened?

Yes back in my retail years I had a District Mgr. That hated me and would go out of his way to make life miserable.

He got fired before he could make me quit.

3 Do you like your Boss?

yes


4 Does Your Boss Like you?

Yes

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?

Law enforcement

6 How many Jobs have you had?

21

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason. Yes I had to fire one guy because he was out on work mans comp because of a staged slip and fall he did at work. We caught him when he appeared on USA Tuesday night fights. He was boxing some guy in Atlantic City on one of the under cards and we video taped it. He claimed I was a racist.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

Robert Redford and he would be the guy in charge of removing the radio active rods from the nuclear reactor.

9 Which Business do you despise the most? News media

10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?
Cable!

[Beowulf]

1 Have you ever gotten fired? If so for what?
Yep. My then boss got mad because I had a play to act in on a weekend he wouldn't change the schedule even though I told him in advance. How convenient! First job and I got fired! (I was 15)

2 Have you ever been Harassed by your boss or a superior? What happened? Nope.

3 Do you like your Boss?
Local, yes. Corporate, No!

4 Does Your Boss Like you?
Local, yes. Corporate only knows me as a number.

5 If you could be in any profession what would it be?
Starting catcher for the Boston Red Sox.

6 How many Jobs have you had?
9, give or take.

7 Have you had to fire people in the past? If so what was the most interesting reason.
Nope. I DID have to councel someone while I was a supervisor in the military for not doing there job.

8 From the Birthday list who would be the one person you would hire and why? And what business would it be for?

Gene Roddenberry. Together we would make the matter/anti-matter injection engine and warp drive a reality.

9 Which Business do you despise the most?
Insurance. They're all crooks.


10 Do you watch more network TV or Cable TV?
Cable.