Category: General Musing

Last night at 410 Boyd, my drinking buddy Big Papi talked about life as a minority at an Ivy league university and in the mainly old white dudes law practices. He said that he actually appreciates the fact that other people underestimate him.

“They think I’m lazy or stupid or something else. So I work harder. And when it’s my time to shine, those fools won’t even know what hit them,” he said.

“The Art of War,” I added.

“Damn straight!” He put ’em up and we high-fived.

Same thing applies to the administrative professionals. Some people think of them as the lower class citizens of the corporate ladder. Kids fresh out of college. Adults with GED. Or somebody who are somewhat not very qualified to be doing anything else but “assist”.

Think again.

These guys are the ones keeping things rolling for an organization. Imagine the workload or what all you’d have to do without those guys! Who would help you collate stuff? Who would pick up the phones or screen any calls? Office supplies? Forget it. That meeting you want with an exec–both in or out of the office–never going to get it without the help of an assistant.

It’s like what Chef House said that you should never piss off your wait staff. In your office, it’s these hard working folks who you want to appreciate the most. Your life is a lot easier because of their help.

I would advocate being good to your admin folks year long, but since it’s a designated day, be extra nice. It’s like Valentine’s Day for your special coworkers.

The reason why I feel a little bit passionate about this is that I used to be an admin professional too, so I get it.

Therefore, my admin ladies all got a sunflower on their desks today. 🙂

As of today, I am certifiably, clinically proven NOT crazy.

It’s just a part of the grieving process, I was told.

That will be all.

Justin and Olaina are going to become my neighbors.  In the sense that they will be less than 25 miles away.  Justin will be attending UCLA Harbor for his residency.

Hooray!

I was wishing with all my might that Justin would get to San Francisco.  That is the program he is excited about.  But deep down, I wish they don’t move too far away.

Being somewhat local still is a good thing.  They won’t have to make new friends all over again because old friends are still close enough.

Oh.  This is just awesome, AWESOME news!

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Convo Olaina and I had:

Me: I think of it this way. I’m weird. I KNOW I’m weird. Other people are just too normal to understand all this and therefore they’re weird to me.

Olaina: So. You’re weird…

Me: Indeed.

Olaina: And I’m weird. So, we’re weird.

Me: That’s why we get along so well.

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The driver’s side car door handle broke off last week on my car after Brandon spent the weekend installing the new handles on the inside of the two front doors.  Oh, and the “Check Engine” light just now came on.  Murphy’s Law, really.  Brandon thinks we might consider buying me a new car before we have to sink a lot more money into Merlin.

I enjoyed 8 years of his 12-year life.  Merlin has been an excellent car for me after all I’ve put him through.  Perhaps it is time we retire him.  Who knows.  We’ll talk about this more later on.

DSCF1432

Originally uploaded by Oakmonster(TM).

Here I am, with the real Saint Patty! 🙂

Mike and Nan and Owen welcomed their newest addition, Phoebe Akiko, yesterday, March 15 at 10:26 a.m., weighing in at 6 pounds 12 ounces and 18 inches long.

This marks the end of the baby season for me until May when Shane’s sister Toni and husband Erik will welcome their little boy.

Oh, and actually, there WAS one more baby on my list this past month.  My friend Jen’s little sister Erin welcomes baby girl Payton a few weeks ago.  I KNEW there was one more pregnant friend!

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James was over at the party at Paul’s house last night.  Last night was his last one alone in the house before the household of 2 becomes 3 when Aurora and Dresden return tonight.  He recounted the surprisingly easy delivery.  Dresden might have held out 1 week past his due date, but boy when he was ready, he WAS ready.

James said while they were waiting, the nurse asked Aurora to do some practice pushes.  After a couple of them, Dresden crowned and surprised the heck out of everybody.  Needless to say, Aurora was told to halt any and all pushing until the doctor arrived.

When the doctor arrived, he told her she was doing great and to give him a few pushes.  At the second push, Dresden’s head was out and, of course, it was the doctor’s turn to be surprised.  Only a few more pushes and Dresden was completely out.

At this point, one would start to look around and see if someone was sitting on that “Easy Button”.

Greg, Dresden’s Godfather, 6′ 2″ with shaved head, walked through the door of the delivery room to share the news with the family waiting outside.  James’ mom, who didn’t know that Greg was in the delivery room, quipped, “Good lord, this Dresden kid is HUGE.  James and I will need to have a little talk.”

So far, James reported that Dresden only fusses when he’s not swaddled, and he seemed a bit irritated with the mittens they put on his tiny hands.  Them tiny but long nails are problematic for the kid so far.  Dresden turns bright red when he’s upset and his eyes seem to bulge out when he cries.  James says he looks like he’s going to explode, but at least it was really easy to see a crying fit coming.

The new parents here are in good hands though.  Their friends Jim and Karen have two kids, a 4 year-old and an 18-month old, and they live less than a mile away.  James’ mom will help baby sit a couple of days a week, and friends all over are helping out all they can.  I sign on to be one of the provider of dinners, so I’d better get cooking this week.

It’s fun being an auntie, I tell ya.  🙂

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By the way, I added the Q&A page to “The Whole Story”.  Got inspired while on Vanity Fair’s website the other day.  Check it out.