(OLD) Out and About in the MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
101

Happy Toosday!

Chilly morning at the park, only 36 degrees. Supposed to get into the 70s
Kind of annoying though.
Barky/Humpy mom got back early from spending time with the grandkids and said she’d be there. That meant I’d be on the big side with her. Only when I got there, some woman was on the big side with two huge energetic dogs. One was a GSD/Great Dane, the other was a huge pittie.
I don’t want Ripple around strange dogs, especially big ones. They can play rough and I think he is not up to rough play.
We went on the small side with everybody else. I called B/H mom several times and texted her that I wasn’t going to go on the big side with her. No response.
She ended up not going at all, but didn’t say anything until I was on the way home.

Ripple is looking good today. The tumor under his armpit is shrinking, and his belly isn’t as bloated.
I wish he’d stop with the bullshit with eating though.
One day he loves cottage cheese, the next day he won’t touch it.
I’m not running a cafeteria, and I’m trying to stick to a healthy meal plan that is low carb and low histamine.

And tonight, he won’t eat at all. I gave him a little ice cream and he licked the spoon. As soon as I put a pill in it, he was done. I tried cheese, I tried bologna, I tried homemade food.
I guess I’ll scramble some eggs and see if that irks.

I hope you get that cutie Doggio.

102

I feel the same way about my GMT Master II, my 1978 Submariner (I bought used), and my Hamilton Ventura.

103

When we’re on what we call “short call” the expectation is you’ll drop everything and go to work. Depending on where you live and whether you were asleep, fully sheveled & fed, or out shopping, and where you live vs which airport that can take 2-3 hour to get to work. And we generally try to arrive at the car parking lot or train station about 1:15 before departure time. So all told, if they call 2:30-4 hours before departure, this will work well. if they call closer-in, delays will inevitably occur. They try to give as much warning as possible, but when warning is short, shit’s gonna happen. HQ’s goal is to give people as much notice as they themselves have. Which is usually enough. But sometimes HQ gets handed a problem on short notice and that short notice will flow to us.

As an example, today my shift started at 5. At roughly 6am, somebody called sick for an 8:30 show-time for an 9:30 departure. A few minutes later at 6:15 they called me while I was asleep. I told them 9:00 I might barely be there, maybe, if everything broke our way. But probably more like 9:30am Which means the jet departs more like 10:00. Still, I was who they had available so I got the assignment. More on the rest of today’s follies if I have time & energy.

Glad to hear about the various good news about people & critters. And yes, some irritating news as well.

104

I’m forcing myself to stay up.
My son is supposed to get off at 1, and by the time I got Ripple pilled (Vienna Sausages) it was 11ish.
No sense in going to bed.
So now I can catch up!

Safe travels Boo Fae

There was a girl in my homeroom, 7th grade, who had scoliosis. Very noticeable, but her parents wouldn’t let her be treated for it. For religious reasons, but I can’t remember what religion. I felt bad for her, but she seemed to be okay with it.
It’s nice that Overlygirl has found a brace buddy.

Taters, your job just sounds… horrendous.

I haven’t had a hair cut in … at least 10 years.
I don’t do anything with it, but I have very little grey in it so far.
I don’t want to color it, because then I have to keep up with it.

and my son just called so I am out of here

105

Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave.

< waves at outgoing shift >

She’s not a Susan foster, but I’ll put “Nelson’s mom said I could keep her” on the form. :smiley:
< adds note to buy dog bed today > “Sleep on a towel? Do I look like Ford Prefect?” - Dacri

106

For a while a few years ago I was extremely popular with quite a large number of allegedly hot women whom I’d apparently known before (in the Biblical sense). They were suddenly desperate to get back in touch for purposes that were unstated but obviously steaming in hotness. Fortunately at that time I had an extremely effective spam filter that after a small bit of tuning could blast these emails right off the server before I even got them, which just goes to show how predictable all these hot women from my past were. I’m ashamed I didn’t have higher standards. :wink:

Since then my ISP email provider has had much better spam filtering and Gmail has always been very good, so I no longer need my personalized spam filter. I’m pretty sure that the source of spam on my primary email was due to a common construct of initial and name, but I’d prefer to think that I was once the object of unbounded feminine lust! :grin:

107

For whatever reason, I could not fall asleep last night! It was after 1 before I was finally unconscious. Then I woke a bit after 5, because, of course I did. :stuck_out_tongue:

Ziva was a bit of a pill this morning - she tried to steal Higgs’ kibbles, but Higgs wanted nothing to do with that and she chased her furry butt away. Taz is hanging in there, but I’m starting to think I should make his final appointment with the vet. The seizures seem to be more frequent, and most of the time he just seems out of it - very unlike our Taz. I’m avoiding the issue, but I can’t much longer.

On the less sad side of my life, I should get the third coat of Cetol on the boat today. We’ll be running to MIL’s to borrow her small ladder so both of us can work on scrubbing the hull. We’ve also got to drop off some tools and landscape cloth at Daughter’s - she’s taking advantage of her spring break to do yardwork and repairs so her kids can play outside. It’s supposed to get into the 80s today - I’ll be wearing shorts under my sweats so when it gets out of the 40s…

But for the moment, I can caffeinate in my robe and surf in the quiet of the morning. Happy Wednesday!!

108

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 51 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 78 and mostly N.O.S. for the day. We shall procure provisions this mornin’ and now mowage needs to be accomplished as well ahead of the promised rain tomorrow. That’s a lot for us! Sup shall be what we didn’t do yestiddy.

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, alas and bother, I must needs purtify and don attire acceptable for being amongst the great unwashed. Woe is me!

Happy Hump Day Y’all!

109

Another breezy drippy day here on the balcony a while after dawn. Presently 73F/23C on the way up to 77F/25C. Major whitecaps out on the ocean, and solid overcast in every direction as far as I can see. This weather pattern should hold through tomorrow then we’ll start to dry out again on Friday. Not much rain in any given spot, but threatening all day. Kinda depresses the things one wants to do out and about.

I’ve been on-call irking for 45 minutes so far and no phone call. I’m optimistic I might get through this day unscathed, but I’ve had very little success with optimistic irk expectations the last few weeks. Perhaps today will break my losing streak.

Other than that, the outside world is going to hell, way too many mumpers have health or other problems in their families, and one could cry if one didn’t laugh. So laugh away.

110

Good morning one and all.

It’s currently 39 degrees and dark outside. The expected high is 54, with a chance of some morning rain showers and then partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon.

Yesterday was…something.

I got some good news, I don’t have to write up those emergency plans, so that’s a load off my mind and plate.

However, there was a snafu with the purchase card on a purchase. I am not the purchase card holder. I should have caught that this type of purchase wasn’t kosher. I feel like a complete idiot for missing it. The situation is fixable, but it involves extra work and my having to get involved on a level for which I don’t have time. But, fix it I shall because I’m the one who let it get by. The problem is compounded by the fact that we are trying to do a multi-state share of costs on something, so now many others have to be involved which just slows the process down. I started the process yesterday afternoon. I took a big gulp and called the SD to tell her what was up. She took it well, although she is frustrated with how we do business. It boils down to the perception of split purchase, which is totally against the law, and I ain’t going to jail for no one! Mainly I am just really frustrated with myself for letting this get by. I’m better than this, and even now, my face is turning red thinking about it.

I have a day filled with meetings and must work on several things between the meetings. I am hoping for far fewer interruptions that involve “must-do nows.” However, I will come on top; I always do. It’s just a slog getting there sometimes.

And, I have to remember that, as frustrating as my job often is, I don’t work in a toxic environment or with toxic people. When I left DoD, I was in a very bad place. Is this job my passion? Most certainly not. I don’t really like admin work at all, but until something that interests me comes along that I can apply for, I’ll have to keep plugging along.

FCM, I’m sorry that Taz isn’t doing well.

Misnomer, I’m sorry about the vet. I’d find a different one too. I actually had to do that when I had my sweet Cap’n. He became very, very ill, very, very quickly. The vet insisted that we run tests and try all these different things, but I knew in my heart that it was his time. I finally got a vet who was very honest with me, and I had to let him go. He lost 30 pounds in three weeks and didn’t want to eat or drink, so I gave him IVs. The first vet just wouldn’t listen to me, and all these years later, I still feel incredibly guilty that my poor dog had to suffer so those last weeks.

I discovered I have a boatload of blankets that I need to get rid of, plus some more clothes to purge. I think I’m just going to stuff them in a donation bin because the Goodwill near me has notoriously long lines for donation drop-offs and rejects a lot of stuff. I have good stuff, but I’ve never forgiven them for rejecting furniture that was in good condition, especially after seeing the crap they had in the store.

I should finish my coffee and get on with my day. Hugs to any and all who want or need them.

111

This time of year, I tend to blame the weather change. As soon as it starts substantially warming up or cooling down, my body doesn’t know how to adjust and I barely sleep for a while. It’s one of my least favorite yearly rituals.

112

More like Dr Why. Because why? Be a competent vet, Y, c’mon.

113

this morning started with lager being very naughty. nothing like breaking up a cat fight at 5 something in the morning. koritza screaming, then she went flying around the room. items crashing to the floor… i’m sure the neighbours below thought bombs were going off.

now that lager’s glucose numbers are in the normal range he is starting be the naughty boy he was. it is good to see him playing, not good to see him go after koritza. he doesn’t back off, and she doesn’t want to wrestle. he has been spending quite a bit of time in “time out”.

he is a wicked smart 2 year old. one minute a holy terror, the next minute a cute, cuddly angel.

114

Morning all and happy hump day. Another pretty day with the temperature heading to near 80F and little chance of rain. Need to do swimming and a little shopping this afternoon, but otherwise the day is pretty free. Still have money in my monthly credit card budget, so may go and spend some. Otherwise a day of sloth is indicated.

Sari, glad Ripple is doing better. And at least you know what he’ll accept a pill with now. And ‘religious reasons’ is why I believe the Supreme Diety(ies) doesn’t believe in any religion–apologies, will leave off rant now.

Pilot, are you just a ‘on-call’ guy or do you have a regular schedule too? Fascinating stuff.

FCM, happy CETOL’ing. And some scritches for Taz.

Taters, I remember (albeit dimly) when they were passing those purchase cards out like candy. A few months later and they were collecting them back from most people just as fast. Never had an issue with them, but I remember that rule about split purchases being a no-no, so I don’t envy you your task. But like you say, it’s not toxic which would make it unbearable.

Rocky, another reason I’ve never owned cats… Hope the time out sessions clue Lager in.

OK, need to do a few things and then get dressed for being in public. All y’all take care.

115

Afternoon, mumpers! It’s 7c/45f with a predicted high of 8c/46f, and rain showers. Weather app says “Good luck trying not to get fucking wet”. I would agree with that, we are just at the tail end of Storm Noah so it has been pretty wet and windy out there. I have not yet ventured out, but I am supposed to be doing the grocery shopping today so I might have to give in and go.

Dicey we weren’t affected by the chemical fire in Hamburg, guess we must have been too far away for fumes etc to have reached us.

Moooom sorry to hear about Taz, I hope you and he can make that decision together.

Oopsie I agree, find another vet! When Ophelia was alive, we saw a fabulous vet at our practice, he took a real interest in her welfare and was very good at explaining what they were testing for, what results they got, what it all meant and he was extremely clear on what we needed to do for her. The others are good, but not that good.

Doggio I had to wait until I got home to look at your pic of Darci, she looks like a proper cutie. Fingers and paws crossed for success there, and when it comes to future cat too!

Sari I’m glad Ripple is doing better too.

Taters It’s not surprising something got past you with the amount of stuff you’re juggling at work and the extra things people keep shoving towards you. Perhaps this will remind the muckey-mucks that you’re only human and just occasionally something will slip past you because you’re too busy bailing out everyone else.

Shadow has been following us round the house today and miaowing a lot. He’s normally a very quiet cat so I am wondering if he’s going to be visiting the vet soon too. He is eating and drinking, and moving around, but I wonder if it’s a return of the infection he had in his mouth last year, or he’s getting arthritic. He doesn’t seem to be having trouble eating, and he’s not miaowing constantly so I don’t think he is in continuous pain as he also doesn’t seem bothered by it. Perhaps he’s just telling us off for leaving him for so long on his own with just a couple of visits every day from the catsitter. Will keep an eye (and ear) on him today anyway.

116

Dr. Y sounds like a butthole of epic proportions, Misnomer - I hope you get an appointment with someone else as soon as possible.

Work has been stupid stressful with a bunch of new regulations coming out and political BS. Everyone in the department is burnt out and thinking of quitting, so a mass exodus seems likely. Several people have already left; I just talked someone else off a ledge last night (my advice wasn’t to stay at all costs, it was do what you gotta do). Anyway, I’m just in the corner trying to keep my head down.

It’s gonna be gorgeous outside today - around 80F and sunny - so I’m hoping to get a solid waddle in. Mom’s Big Appointment is tomorrow. I’ve got my fingers crossed this ball starts rolling faster.

117

Opened the bathroom window so Monkey is happy. Felt like utter crap yesterday & didn’t make it thru my shift without throwing up - hell, I had to throw up again on the drive home, something was really pissing off my tummy - but I feel better today.

Manager’s got the 'Rona so irk stuff is in slight disarray. Parents are being a PITA so nothing unusual there.

At least I’m “early out” tonight.

118

Reasonble heaving today.

Roommate: < points at 3 legged, blind, FiV+ cat at SPCA > “How about him?”
Me: “We could name him ‘Lucky’.”
I did pull out all of the pet stuff in the closet, so I’m ready for guests.

{{{{FCM and Taz}}}}

119

Not wanting to hijack the thread too much …

The details vary from company to company of course, but most of the industry is organized roughly as I’ll describe …
I’m a full time regular employee. But in the crew role, whether pilot or FA, we broadly have two ways to work. Which ways are assigned month to month and folks can switch back and forth at will based upon seniority.

The simple obvious way is that folks are issued a set of trips to fly for the month. Everybody has a certain quota of work that’s expected plus / minus a bit of slop. Early in the previous month each persons’ work bowl for next month is filled to within the slop factor. Those folks know a couple weeks before the month begins exactly when and where they are going all month. If nothing goes wrong, by month-end they’ll have done exactly what was planned. These folks are paid akin to piecework, earning wage for each bit of work actually performed. My company calls those “regular schedules”, but terms vary around the industry.

In an ideal world, the airline would prefer that this was the only kind of work and only kind of worker needed. They’d give everybody their tasks, they’d have the minimum possible number of workers working the maximum possible amount each, and the whole thing would run like a Swiss watch.

But stuff goes wrong continuously. Expensively, continuously wrong. Some days our Swiss watch resembles a New Delhi traffic jam: full of colorful noise, chaos, and waste, but very little progress. Which leads to the need for the other kind of work, commonly called “reserve”.

We jump in whenever somebody else can’t be where they need to be to complete their assigned tasks. Did they get sick, divert for bad weather and miss their next flight out, did their airplane break down upstream so they never got here to be in position to keep going? Did they get here last night so late that the minimum required sleep means they can’t do their morning flight today? Whatever, whyever stuff goes wrong, we plaster over the resulting staffing gaps. The company goal is simple: put meat in the seat ASAP & keep the machines moving.

A reserve worker also has a preset schedule for the month. But it consists of X number of days on-call, plus Y number of days off in some sort of semi-repetitive pattern. They are paid per day for being on-call whether they end up working or not. Hang out at home all day like am today (so far at least): get paid the daily rate. Bust ass all day in shit conditions like I did yesterday: get paid the daily rate. Details vary on how much notice is required to be given for a call to work, but that’s getting detailed beyond our already-stretched scope here in the MMP.

I personally prefer the reserve life. That is a minority preference though. Most folks prefer the regular life. As a general rule, a full month of reserve pays about 80-90% of the pay for a full month of regular work. Same ostensible hourly rate, just less payable hours over the month. At our carrier in my exact location and department I’m on-call 18 days per month but average working about 10. It’s never convenient when they call, but I’ll take the slightly less pay and lots more time off over the somewhat higher pay for greatly increased workload that the regulars have.

120

Yesterday the sky cleared, the sun came out, and puffy white clouds drifted over the puffy white apple trees. I wanted to run off and play, but I was a good girl and went to the gym (weights only) and then walked errands. I’ll have nice weather for my walk/ride for shot day.

I live to serve.

Aaand I see the torch has been passed.

Oopsie, I hope Dr. Y is gone before you find the Crackerjack box he got his license from.

Pilot, thank you for explaining all that. I’ve had a few flights delayed because of that situation, and now I get why. I hope you don’t mind another question. In your experience, what US airport is the worst to fly into? Years ago, I read it was San Diego. This made sense because the approach took planes between buildings. You could could practically look in the windows. (“Hey, that guy is brushing his teeth! Ew, gingivitis.”) But recently, I saw #1 (worst) was the airport at Aspen, and surprisingly, the tiny airport in my old Wyoming town was #4. How does seniority work re: your reserve status? Do you only get called in for flights to your preferred airports?

Taters, I hope you can get the split purchase cleaned up between/during meetings. A day of meetings sounds like zero fun. Maybe you could act like a high school kid and beg for them to be held outside. (“We’ll pay attention, honest!”)

FCM, it does sound like you’d be doing poor ol’ Taz a favor. Good luck with the hull-scrubbing.

sari, I hope Ripple has a good day again. Please give him scritches from your imaginary friends here on the Dope.

shoe, hope your tummy is done feeling crummy. Have you tested for 'Rona?

See, this is why we moved all the parties to Boo’s house.