You Know it's Going to be One of "Those" Days When...

- Your (and your coworker) are placed in a conference room at the back of the chapel (it kind of reminds me of the old 'cry room' at church)

- You think it'll be okay because they just had mass yesterday, so you shouldn't feel like you're intruding on Communion today

- It's actually better than that; the chapel is acting as a polling site for the local primary elections

- 6 people are sitting there eating (a Big Mac at 8:30 am - really?) and glaring at you as you walk by. Oh, and literally talking non-stop for 7+ hours straight, so loudly you can hear them through the door you closed

- You watched someone trying to escape while several others tried to subdue them

- You really had to use the bathroom, so you finally walked past the pollers (new word?), only to open the door to the bathroom and find it already occupied. They forgot to lock it. Whoops.

- You are asked "So, how long have you worked for..." I hear this question once per week as they try to figure out if I am indeed old enough to be doing my job (I occasionally get a kick out of this one...just not as much today)

It's slightly more amusing tonight, looking back on the day. My coworker and I decided that tomorrow will be better, no matter what.

I'm just hoping there isn't a memorial service in the chapel.

Autumn

I was going to include the word 'fall' in the title of this post somehow, but I must say that autumn sounds prettier right now, and since the changing of colors during this season is quite pretty, I decided to go with 'autumn.'

Work's continued on. My computer did die (sad). My new one has some weird features. I'll be back around the office this week, so maybe I'll ask for some help. I'll back up my files first. Jeff did come through and was able to get all my files from my home laptop, so that's good. I think it's finished though. I've been using the M

ac for personal use. It doesn't have pictures on it, though, so for now, words only will have to suffice for the blog.

I'm looking forward to the 31st. I think I may be getting together with some friends for breakfast. Later, a different group will (hopefully) meet up at Chipotle, then back to Jeff's and my apartment for some fun. Chipotle has a promotion where if you dress up like a burrito, they give you a free meal (dressing up like a burrito is loosely interpreted). A group of friends went last year and it was fun. Oh, wait, I do have a picture I can share.

Halloween 2008 at Chipotle

Other than that, things are good. I'm trying to keep up with running. I was working late this week, with a long commute, so I got a tad sidetracked, but I hope to stay on top of it this week. Have a good week, all, and I'll talk to you later.

Computers and Cookies

I've been back at work for a week and a half now. Things are going alright. I've had a frustrating time at work with changing my name, though. Honestly, it was easier to change my name with the social security administration and the DMV (a 2-hour process...ugh) than to become Allison Miller in the computer system at work. There were a number of mishaps and I could write quite a bit, but the basics are that the IT department encountered some difficulties when changing my profile. After those issues were (mostly) resolved, I was asked to bring my laptop back for some updates. When I brought it to them, they went to reboot it and it crashed...completely. They worked on it over the weekend, but ended up completely reimaging it. Unfortunately, I didn't have everything backed up, and lost quite a few professional and personal files. The major personal file was the slideshow I created for my wedding, which I've been trying to recreate for out reception in Wisconsin this weekend. Also, a few days after the work laptop issues began, I was working on my home laptop. This is my slow-running, old, but tried-and-true Compaq. It, too, seemed to want a permanent rest. Jeff is going to do a few more things tomorrow to try to recover it, and the files. I really am praying that it can be saved. I don't want to think about losing all my pictures...and other files I had there. I have certainly learned my lesson about backing up documents, though.

Moving on, I've gotten back into my running mode, or I'm trying to get back to enjoying it. Jeff and I went downtown to see the marathon on Sunday, and to cheer on Kirstie, in her under 5 hour, rookie marathon run. Go Kirstie!

We also tried out Western Springs CRC this weekend and were, again, welcomed with open arms. It was the first time we were approached by the pastor on such an early visit. Other members also took the time to talk to us (and not just to play Dutch bingo, a big plus in Jeff's, and my, book!). I think the difference we've noticed is that the Western suburbs don't see Trinity students all the time, like on the South side, and seem to view us as potential visitors rather than simply students who will come for the Sunday service during the year and then leave. Either way, we were pleased.

I'm currently making chocolate chip cookies and the apartment is smelling delish...mmm.

I was just viewing my sister-in-law's blog and looking at their pictures of a trip to Europe. It sure looked nice. I'm a big fan of vacation!

That's all for now. My title tonight doesn't have a quote, it's just a bit of alliteration involving the start and finish of this post.

Cheers!