January 2, 2003Happy Birthday Dad!
Just want to wish my dad a very Happy Birthday!!
Posted by Olivia at 12:42 PM | Comments (3)
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January 7, 2003MacWorld SF 2003
1:30PM
Once again, here I sit, watching the MacWorld keynote speech. (Started at noon) I've run out of work I can do without having to get up (to use the copier or fax) so Brian suggested I pretend to be working by typing a blog or something. So here I am!
Oh wait...looks like they're getting ready to introduce new hardware..hang on...
Ok, this is just about the sales..so anyway.. Updates to all the i apps have already been shown. Apple made their own browser, Safari, looks pretty cool. Pretty neat stuff. Maybe one of these days I'll make time to play with my pictures and make some cool videos.
Oh, back to the...ooo...17in screen powerbook; 6.8lbs; 1440 x 900...nice...and thinner than mine. Hmm...automatic keyboard backlighting when it gets dark. Very cool. $3299
...
Right..gotta look busy..if I just type random stuff, will people think I'm working? To be honest, my job doesn't involved that much compter use, especially typing. But I've changed all that. All paper spreadsheets have now been put in Excel. Oh, more stuff..
1:50PM
Here comes the "one more thing" moment.. 12in powerbook; 4.6lbs; 5 hour battery. Wow, that's so tiny. It's a MiniMe for the Titanium! Cute! Is it going to replace the iBook?? Hmm..no, I don't think so. $1799.
Hmm..looks like that might be about it. I'll get some links up when it's all over.
Posted by Olivia at 2:09 PM | Comments (11)
Find me in: Geek Talk
January 8, 2003Welcome Rebecca Lynn!! (1/4/03)
Now that I've finally gotten to talk to her, and get the real scoop, I'd like to congratulate Christina and her husband, Toby, on the birth of their baby girl!! Rebecca Lynn was born Saturday (1/4/03) night around 8pm; 6lbs 11oz, 19 in. I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll post them when I do.
I'm sure Christina doesn't feel this way, but the last 9 months have flown by. I remember when she told me she was pregnant. I can't believe Rebecca's here already. What a crazy world. Mom, baby (and dad) are all doing ok; she was released from the hospital a couple days ago. Says that Rebecca is so cute and eats a lot.
Unless I take time off and go out there, I probably won't be properly introduced until July when Christina and family come east for a family reunion. Hmm..I've got some vacation time..anyone up for a road trip?
But seriously, I'm really happy for her and Toby. I know they were both really excited about having a child and now, here she is! Yay!!
Posted by Olivia at 3:43 PM | Comments (3)
Find me in: Friends in Low Places
January 10, 2003Friday Five
Ok, so it's been a while: Friday Five
1. Where are you right now?
Sitting at my desk at work
2. What time is it?
Computer clock: 4:54pm
Watch: 4:50pm
Radio clock: 4:52pm
Me: Wish it was time to go home!
3. What are you wearing?
Jeans and a gray ribbed shirt
4. Any people or animals around you? Describe them.
Not immediately around me. There are about 5 other people still here in the office. I have plants; do plants count?
*4:57pm (computer clock time) Correction: only 2 of us now*
5. What are your plans for the weekend?
None yet. Brian's coming down; is Paul? I hope it doesn't rain.
Posted by Olivia at 5:00 PM | Comments (4)
Find me in: Questions to Ponder
January 13, 2003A cold day...at work
Ahh, the joys of working for the state...everyone in my office is walking around in coats and jackets because the heat crapped out again. Jeff and I came in here late last night and noticed the heat wasn't running at all. Well, it's not much warmer right now. (59 degress when I came in). I haven't even taken my coat or hat off. It's so funny to see everyone walking around like this, but at the same time, it really, really sucks. I almost stopped for coffee this morning, but knew I'd be late if I did, so I kept on driving. Doh! So how about that blanket?
Posted by Olivia at 9:34 AM | Comments (3)
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January 13, 2003When auditors attack!
I have been so busy today that I had no idea when 2pm rolled around (my lunchtime), nor when it became 5:45 (time to go!). Last week was one of the slowest work weeks I have ever had; I didn't have too much too do so time seemed to drag on. I figured this week would be busy but not like this.
The past few weeks we've auditors in the building. I had no idea which departments they were actually here to audit. Well, I found out. The first group that came through was doing accounts payable (my job, but mostly last year's stuff). They also talked a little about accounts receivable (also my job) just to get a feel of the entire accounting process.
The VCCS auditors here now are here strictly for billing/receivable/collections. I spent most of the morning pulling files for one lady. And now, I get to put them all back! Yay me! After lunch today I was descended upon by two other auditors wanting to talk about procedures for doing the bank deposits. That seemed to take forever. I bet tomorrow they'll have a list of files for me to pull as well.
This is my first contact with auditors. It's kinda scary even if you think you've done everything to the best of your ability and knowledge you're still afraid they'll find something to pin on you. And I know they're not looking for faults in one persons work, but an overall 'is the process working' kind of thing. The problem with that is there are little to no procedures/policies on many things here. Yeh, seems a little shady. But its not, it's just laziness on a lot of peoples parts. Waddya do??
I know! Go home!
Posted by Olivia at 6:06 PM | Comments (5)
Find me in: Working Girl Blues
January 14, 2003Pictures of Becca
Here's a couple of pictures of Becca. She's such a tiny baby! Those people holding her are (obviously) Christina and Toby. The whole family is doing very well; Christina has bounced back as she always does. :)
Over here in my world nothing too exciting is going on. Worked slowed down a little bit today. The auditors are still hanging around asking questions (and will be for the next few weeks). At least the heat was working today!
I made myself do some things around the house tonight before I sat down and watched any TV. And promptly after I ate dinner I fell asleep on the couch. Was it the extra exertion from cleaning or the fumes from the cleaner? heheh But anywho, since I'm still halfway sleepy, I think I may go to bed early!
Night everyone!
Posted by Olivia at 11:43 PM | Comments (2)
Find me in: Friends in Low Places
January 15, 20038in of snow to come?
Per NCB 12 News:
Significant Snow by Friday
So what does "Significant" mean? In this case we are looking at a good chance of 8" snows or more across Central Virginia. It may actually snow more South and East than it will in Richmond!. Of course, our snow total forecast will get a little more descriptive as we get closer to Thursday night.
Posted by Olivia at 12:50 PM | Comments (6)
Find me in: Weather Words
January 16, 20038-12 in of snow?!?!
Ok, this is really getting ridiculous:
ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES BY FRIDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL TAPPER TO FLURRIES BY MID MORNING FRIDAY...WITH LITTLE ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION EXPECTED.
Tonight: Heavy snow. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. Snow may accumulate 8 to 12 inches.
The snow may only last about six hours and drop from 4-8" of snow in the Richmond Metro area.
Who's right? My boss says that if we really do get a foot of snow, we could be out all week. Woo Hoo! But I highly doubt either will happen. Who knows. I'm going home.
Posted by Olivia at 5:33 PM | Comments (0)
Find me in: Weather Words
January 16, 2003Snow Day!
I'm not going to work tomorrow! I'm not going to work tomorrow! Yay me!!
Posted by Olivia at 11:36 PM | Comments (7)
Find me in: Working Girl Blues
January 20, 2003I hab a cold..
After fighting for almost a week my body finally gave up and let the cold overtake it. That's right, I'm declaring myself officially sick. Ugh. What started out as just a chest cold has now seeped into my brain, depriving me of many brain functions. Hopefully I won't have too much work to do today so I can leave early. I'm certainly not doing anything worthwhile here.
Posted by Olivia at 10:05 AM | Comments (7)
Find me in: All About Me
January 21, 2003Do I know you?
Don't you love getting random IM's (that's instant message for you non-geeky people out there) from people you don't know? Do people just not have anything better to do? For example, here's one from today through Yahoo:
|
ben0003: hello ben0003: how are you? ben0003: do you like dogs? Olivia: do I know you? ben0003: nope ben0003: but would like to ben0003: where you from? Olivia: virginia ben0003: cool ben0003: and age? Olivia: 24 ben0003: what do you look like? Olivia: a human ben0003: okay ben0003: describe Olivia: nope ben0003: okay ben0003: what animals do you like? Olivia: all kinds |
ben0003: cool ben0003: do you live on a farm? Olivia: hehhe..not quite ben0003: then where? Olivia: a city ben0003: okay ben0003: do you have many animals/ Olivia: no ben0003: oh ben0003: but you like them all? Olivia: sure ben0003: nice ben0003: do you have a dog? Olivia: not yet ben0003: would you like one? Olivia: at some point ben0003: cool ben0003: male or female? Olivia: doesn't matter ben0003: cool |
Weird.
Posted by Olivia at 12:32 PM | Comments (5)
Find me in: Web Geekiness
January 23, 20033 degrees
Need I say more?
Posted by Olivia at 5:26 PM | Comments (6)
Find me in: Weather Words
January 24, 2003Down...no wait, I'm up! And back down again..
I woke up this morning and dragged myself out of bed about 8:20. I was so tired and had no energy. I finally get myself togther and to work (only 15 minutes late). The day is going great, not too much work. One pesky call that I made worse, but finally got that out of the way. My co-worker left at noon so all was quiet.
So very quiet..Friday's are normally pretty slow (or just quiet) days for us, but it sounded like a library in here. I spent about an hour doing nothing but surfing, reading the normal blogs and catching up on CT.
Then comes the lunch dilema.
1. I have no food with me because, obviously, I woke up too late to fix anything.
2. I have no cash.
Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, I have a limited budget so do I:
a. suck it up and get some money?
b. eat popcorn?
Other factors to consider:
I. I'm not really hungry
II. But I'm beginning to develop a headache
III. What am I going to eat?
So ok, 2:15 rolls around and the headache is getting worse. So I suck it up and head for the closest SunTrust. Oh look! They're closed! Big surprise (They're always closed from 2-4) No big deal, I would be using the ATM anyway. Park, get out, walk up the steps.."This machine is currently unavailable, please try another location" or some crap.
Well poo.
And it really wouldn't be such a big deal except:
A. The headache has practically taken over my entire head
B. THE ATM IS ALWAYS BROKEN, WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE FIX THIS CRAP!?!?!?!
Grr..so here I sit, with my popcorn and soda. Baja Fresh better be open until 10.
Posted by Olivia at 2:58 PM | Comments (2)
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January 27, 2003A Northern VA Weekend
Am I really the first to blog today? Nah...it can't be. Nope, Chris got his up before me..
After weekends such as this I feel silly recapping everything because most everyone who reads this will have been there. But, I suppose since this will be useful later, I'll go ahead and do it.
After work Friday I rushed around like mad trying to get Jeff and I packed up. We both get home at 6 and we planned to leave by 7. While he took Gizmo I packed the bags and Chris R played Vice City (big surprise). But what do you know, I was ready to go before 7, before Jeff even got back. Yay me! (Just ignore the fact we forgot the gifts)
We arrived at Brian's house and immediately headed over to Baja Fresh for some dinner. Mmm... Too bad I was feeling carsick already. Maybe that's why it just doesn't taste as good as the first couple of times; I feel sick every time we're there. Hmm.. I'll have to look into that.
Mike and Lauren arrived shortly after we got back. The guys spent the rest of the night, with a brief break for gift exchange, playing Vice City. I think they're all addicted. Knowing we were having an early start on Saturday we decided to turn in fairly early.
With a planned departure time of 10:30, and 7 of us to shower and dress, some one had to get up first. Luckily, that wasn't me. :) And can you believe it, not only did the hot water last through all those showers, but we were all ready to go on time! Paul, Chris H and Karen (Chris' girlfriend) joined us and we were on our way.
Three cars, several circles around The Mall and a brisk walk later we convened at the Air and Space Museum. We didn't spend too much time there and a lot of it was eating lunch in the Wright Place Restaurant. We braved the cold to walk across the Mall to the American History Museum. It's funny, the only 2 museums I remember from my 8th grade trip, and we go to both again this weekend.
After viewing the September 11th display we split up peruse the rest of the displays at our leisure. (Look two big words in one sentence!) 4:30 was the designated meeting time and from there Paul had to leave to get to his nephew's birthday party. The rest of us made the trek to see the White House.
The walk back to the car was so incredibly cold. I think we were all popsicles by the time we got to the backside of the Air and Space Museum. But we had plenty of time to warm up as we followed Chris through the tiny streets of Georgetown. But with my head in my lap for most of it, I didn't see much.
By the time we stopped at a mall to eat, I was so sick I couldn't even eat; but the daiquiri was good. I think everyone else enjoyed their mexican though. From there we went back to Brian's to meet up with Paul and rest a bit.
And onward to Jillians we went. *chuckle* Due to faulty directions we ended up in the 'middle' of Hanover. But somehow we got out of the residential area and found our way to the mall. With all the twisting and turning I once again got really ill. Eric suggested using pressure points in my wrist to help easy the queasiness. He and Jeff each held a wrist and amazingly, by the time we got to Jillian's I felt fine. Better than I had all weekend. But I wonder if it was just a mental thing because it didn't help later for the trip home.
Jillian's closes at 2 and I think we were the last group to leave. That's such a cool place. I wish they would build one in Richmond. Each time I go I play a couple more kinds of games than before. Jeff, Chris H and I raced against each other in the Nascar game. Yeh, Tony and I won. :)
I racked up several hundred tickets playing skee ball and that Tetris-like game..I always forget the name. Doh. But eventually we had to leave. We didn't get back to Brian's until close to 3, but we (minus Mike & Lauren-the only sensible ones) stayed up anyway! Jeff and Paul drove pink cars and flew tanks while the rest of us played Brian's DVD trivia game. I didn't do so well with that one. I don't think I answered any of the questions. By 4:30 I was getting delirious and had to go to bed.
Brian woke us up at 2pm Sunday afternoon. And I was still tired. Lunch at the Silver Diner (mm...milkshake), a trip to the grocery store and more Vice City later, we ended up at Chris H's apartment to watch the Superbowl. Mike & Lauren bailed early so we went without them.
The game wasn't too terribly exciting and neither were the commercials. My favorite one was the Reebok Terry Tate Office Linebacker. "You know you need a cover sheet on your TPS report!" Hilarious. :) See all the superbowl ads at ifilm.
After the game we all headed out so we could get on the road. I guess it was about 1 when we got into Richmond. I know I didn't get to sleep before 3 so I'm pretty tired now. In fact, I've been at work for over an hour now and all I've done is type this blog. I suppose I should stop now and do some work.
Posted by Olivia at 10:43 AM | Comments (6)
Find me in: Richmond Geeks
January 29, 2003State of the Union
I guess since everyone else has commented on the State of the Union speech, then I will too. I, in fact, did watch the entire thing. And, for the first time I actually listened to it. I was actually quite impressed with the promises Pres Bush has made; that's assuming most (if not just some) are followed through. But enough about that.
Hmm..I guess I dont have too much to say. Work has been..well, work. Nothing unusual or exciting.
Jeff and I played some Vice City last night. Actually, he was playing when I got home and I kinda took over :) The taxi missions are fun! (Except when I accidentally run over my passenger, whoops!)
We've also gotten into American Idol this season. The reality shows sure are taking over this year. I've watched American Idol, Joe Millionaire and the first round of Meet My Folks (not going to be watching that one anymore). Anyone else feel bombarded with these 'reality' series?
Posted by Olivia at 11:46 AM | Comments (7)
Find me in: Chit Chat
January 30, 2003Going home early
Ahh, the perks of working for a school :)
Posted by Olivia at 1:40 PM | Comments (5)
Find me in: Working Girl Blues
January 31, 2003Freakin' database!
This job can be so freakin' frustrating.
As I have mentioned before, we have auditors here auditing our billing/receivables departments. Since I do cash receipts, I am subject to much questioning. Today one of the auditors came down asking about payments from certain customers. He wants the paperwork on any payments we have received from these customers for Fall 01 and Spring 02 classes.
Not a problem.
Well, it shouldn't be.
See, we have this little thing we call the billing/receivables database. It's where cash receipts are input, and bills are created. It's also where I should be able to go to search for payments that have been made.
Then why can't I find the freakin things!!!!!???!!!
I have searched the "receipts" that show the customer info, check info and invoice info. I have gone into the tables of the database and searched master records for all sorts of queries and statement info. Out of 5 customers and 20 invoices (one of which I received the check for today), I found one, uno. (And it's not even the one I did today!)
The only thing I can find for the others to show payment has been received is in the Outstanding invoice file that just shows how much money has been applied to a particular invoice. Other than that, I have squat.
This should be fun to tell the auditors on Monday. At least it's not my database or my ass that has to deal with it then.
Posted by Olivia at 5:53 PM | Comments (3)
Find me in: Working Girl Blues