The Occasional Blog

• Geek experimentation this week. Tonight, more ifttt (Twitter to Google+). Tomorrow, VoIP. #

I do so like this time of year. Vacation for IT folk (most information workers, too, I suspect) is a tough situation. So much of what we do is unique to our experience, skill, or responsibility so work that is not done often waits for you to return. That makes taking a day (or a week) off less of a vacation and more putting off the inevitable.

Our company is kind enough to shut down between Christmas and New Year’s and for us (in IT), it is really a treat. Sure, we have to make sure the storage and other systems keep working but, unless something falls over, this next week is a true break. I was able to leave today back down to inbox zero and if I don’t get paged, will not look again until eleven days from now. I’m unable to go into much detail, but this has been one of the most stressful years for me at work and can certainly use this time.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

• Last day of budget before first submission for review. Biggest numbers I've ever done. Much will be cut, I'm sure. #
• Who'd think something so light and fluffy would cost so much? #cloud #itbudgets #

• Back at budgets. Numbers are getting *really* big. Soundtrack by @Propellerheads (@PropellerheadSW) #

• Budgets day 2. Soundtrack: X-Men 2 Clone Wars soundtrack by @InSoc 's Kurt Harland. #
• We interrupt this FY13 budget planning to revisit Q4 FY12 budget updates. #can #039;twaitforChristmasbreak #

• FY13 budgeting begins. New challenge: Merge in 1/2 of other dept. Soundtrack: TRON Legacy (same as last time) #
• Living in SoCal is quite nice. It's the middle of December and am getting frozen yogurt. #

• My day is (mostly) open. The challenge: Work towards inbox 0. Starting point: 36 #
• Had to do some online training, but now wrestling my inbox in earnest. 29 messages. #inboxzero #
• I didn't make it though I got a lot further than I thought I would with how much keeps coming in: 20 #inboxzero #

• My Japanese teacher and classmates talked me into not quitting due to the increasing work crush. They are too gracious but I am thankful. #
• Narrowed vendors from 3 to 1 today on an upcoming purchase. It's business, but, wow, it's tough being the heavy. #
• You know things aren't right when you find yourself thinking "Oh good, tomorrow's Saturday, I should be able to get some work done." #

• Just got tickets to go see @donttrythis and @JamieNoTweet in Riverside. Yay! http://t.co/rG2TDuZQ #

• @fnaard Wait. Fix the 'surprise' part or the 'love' part? in reply to fnaard #