randy_byers: (2010-08-15)
randy_byers ([personal profile] randy_byers) wrote2013-10-09 08:52 am
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Not dead, just exhausted

Monday was the worst day I've had at work since the period right after my old boss was laid off two (or was it three?) years ago, and pretty much for the same reasons: I had some new reporting dumped on me that I didn't know how to do (and which had to be done by the end of the day), and one of our standard reporting databases (written by the old boss) was producing an error that I couldn't find the cause of. I got the new reporting done by the end of the day, after many consultations with others about how to do this or that, but I was absolutely baffled by the error. I went home feeling completely exhausted, fell asleep early, then woke up in the middle of the night grinding on it. Then on the walk to work, sorting through the various things I had tried and had looked at, a possible cause suggested itself to me, and indeed that turned out to be the problem. Once I figured out what was causing the problem, I was able (after consultations with others) to figure out the solution.

Other stressful things happened yesterday (including a return visit to the periodontist where I discovered there's still a small infection near the implant that was put in in July), although nothing quite as epic as Monday. Still, by early Tuesday evening I was still feeling completely wiped out and was grumbling to myself because I had a number of things I still wanted to get done before I called it a day.

On the other hand, I did get to watch the third episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which is a show I'm really, really enjoying. It's the first new TV show to engage my attention in years. I love the quirky sense of humor and the unexpected political dimensions. There's something about the pace of the show that feels very energetic and slightly off-kilter. So far it is creatively embracing a number of contradictions.

And then I started reading Delany's "The Mummer's Tale" and was so caught up in it that I almost stayed up to read the whole thing before I sternly reminded myself that I needed some goddamn sleep, the more the better. But I was feeling stressed out enough that it still took me a while to drift off.

And so I'm feeling somewhat restored today, but still a bit burnt out. Who knows what fresh crises today will bring?

[identity profile] surliminal.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Poor you . I'm def v stressed too :( It is in the air at start of term..
I weirdly q like SHIELD too. Not sure why as it is mostly quite hoakey so far. I like the non heroic appearance of rhe lead I think. Hes not buff (they have a buff team mate to fill the gap) - it makes a nice change!
Im now booked for Berkely 2 Nov to 13th - come visit me!

[identity profile] randy-byers.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, well, you're stressed in Brussels, and I'm jealous. If I could have a nice bottle of lambic, life would be a lot better.

I'd agree that a lot of SHIELD is hokey, and also that Coulson is a major reason why it's more interesting than it should be. But I also think it just has a slightly odd perspective on things, and an interesting air of mystery and knowing paradox. I see lots of fannish bitching about the show on the interwebs, but they are ALL WRONG! Although I do hope the team-building shtick doesn't drag on for *too* long ...
Edited 2013-10-09 22:57 (UTC)

[identity profile] surliminal.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I know this seems unlikely but to me Brx now mostly connotes work and rain and stress! But tonight was nice because nwhyte contacted me for a random networking evening and that was really lovely of him :)
Im afraid I did drink beer but its a bit wasted on me on any connoisseur like level.I now have a shiraz and am q happy:) So you have the acess to my Brussels, the West Coast where I feel relaxed and empowered and drink great local wine!! aint life strange.

[identity profile] surliminal.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
ps surely you can get lambic in Seattle!

[identity profile] surliminal.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
pps re team building in SHIELD - boy yes they laid it so on with a trowel i thought it was an ad for crowdfunding!

[identity profile] randy-byers.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
You got me there. I had some on my birthday, in fact.

[identity profile] randy-byers.livejournal.com 2013-10-09 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
However, it'd damned difficult to get anything from Cantillon. It's not distributed here and only occasionally shows up in bars.