Skye Axon in Cyberspace

"Chair Wars"

On my shift last night, I was filled in on the latest installment in our "Chair Wars" saga. Let me explain...

Ergonomic chairs have become the coveted prize at my place of employment. For most of us, any chair that isn't broken or drops down when we place our booty on, is acceptable. Unfortunately, one employee has back issues that warrants a possessive attachment to one particular chair that has been claimed as specially bought for "their" use only. This has become an obsessive and troubled fetish. You see, in a 24/7 operation, trying to hide company property is virtually impossible. Combine that with some adults who behave like teens in Junior High and you have an emotional and combustible arena for employee hijinks.

The "chair" has been sequestered in a little used room and labelled by said employee. It is pulled out at the start of their shift and then returned to its little nook at the end. Inevitably, bored or devious co-workers mess with the "chair". For example, the "chair" is released into the general population. The "owner" arrives and demands their property. The result is an argument that ends with booty remaining in the "chair" and "owner" ranting until the offending co-workers shift is over and the "chair" is swiped back. Sometimes, another co-worker, just wants to use the chair since their back has issues also and there is nothing wrong with that. Except, when said "chair" isn't returned to its nook or being used during "owners" shift.

Last night I'm informed that 12 new ergonomic chairs have been delivered and their backs have been branded with our location. The "chair" was also brought upstairs to be marked and in the way of a chaotic universe, it received the wrong brand and is now in a different location.

So, it begins. There are 12 identical chairs to the "chair" but it isn't the "chair". Said employee has complained to anyone who will listen, unfortunately, we are a captive audience.

Stay tuned.

NY Premiere of “Slipstream” and my very own “Ferris Bueller’s 1/2 Day Off”

Hopkins mentioned in his interview on “Regis & Kelly” that “Slipstream” was having its NY Premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007.  Huh?  How did I not know about this?  OMG, it is probably sold out and I won’t get a ticket.  So, after the show, I headed to my office and immediately Googled MOMA and got the phone number to the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters, called and found out that tickets were still available but I had to show up at 1PM on Thursday to purchase one.  Oh, and the zinger, Hopkins will be at the event to present his film.

Hmm, I’m working tomorrow, the screening is at 6:15PM and 8:30PM...what am I going to do?  I’m supposed to be in early for a staff meeting at 12PM and my shift starts at 5PM.  OK, blow off the staff meeting, next, who can help me out?  Luckily, a colleague appreciates my enthusiasm and offers to cover my shift while I attend the 6:15PM screening.  Plan in motion, now I need a ticket.

I’m an optimist but I figured there would be a huge line for tickets.  Since I had already gotten up early yesterday to be in the audience for “Regis & Kelly,  I wasn’t going to get up early again.  My strategy is to show up around 12PM and score a ticket.  To my surprise, I’m the first person there.  Yikes, am I the only Anthony Hopkins  fan in NYC?  Around 12:15PM some others joined me in line and at 1PM I pranced out of MOMA with 2 tickets in my hot little hand and head to work for a staff meeting I would be very late for.

I returned to the theatre at 5PM and I have an extra ticket because none of my friends or colleagues were able to join me.  They were too busy being responsible adults to their previous commitments...unlike me, who even at 46, still lives life out loud and wasn’t going to miss a unique experience by letting work get in the way.  I found a charming older gentleman who was first on line for standby tickets.  I handed him my extra ticket.  He said if he didn’t get another, he would give this one to his wife so she could attend.  Ah, chivalry and love aren’t dead.  By the way, I saw him later on inside the theatre and he was with his wife.  Around 5:30PM ushers started scanning tickets and  I begin to scope out a good seat.  In the center of the theatre there are 5 rows that are reserved which I figure are for VIP’s, nah, I think to myself, no chance of Sir Tony sitting there.  Therefore, instead of sitting on the far right side of the first row of un-reserved seats, I head to the second row in front of the podium.  Yes, perfect, close-up, sweet.  I sit down, relax, and entertain myself with my iPhone.  Twenty minutes later I turn around and there is Sir Tony in the first row of reserved seats, yup, I would have been sitting in the next row right in front of him.  Always go with your instincts.  Sigh....

Hopkins, the gentleman he is, thanked those who worked with him on the project and explained a bit about the film.  It was a treat to see it again and it makes alot more sense on the second viewing.  You will understand what I mean if you see the film.  Unfortunately, no Q & A after the screening, I’m really glad I saw him present the film back in May at the Seattle International Film Festival where they did have the Q & A.   I got back to work at 9PM and felt alive, a bit of irresponsibility does that to me.  I measure my life in events and experiences, and to take a quote from Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Oh, and if you ever wondered if Anthony Hopkins eyes are really that blue, they are.

Adventures of my resume on Monster.com

An email I received yesterday. Some back story…

My resume has been posted on Monster.com since October, 2006. Why? As Dr. McCoy would say, “I’m a Video Editor not a Technical Manager”. You see, my career at a Television Network took a 180 degree turn when my gig moved to Burbank, CA. The editing gig I moved into in 2003 went away in 2005 like the editing gig I had since 1988. The Technical Manager position was offered to me and knowing that I was selling my soul to the Corporate Devil, I accepted. My wardrobe changed, my responsibilities changed, and now I was part of “Management” that I used to make fun of and laugh at. For the most part, since I worked in the trenches with the people I now manage, they accepted my position and knew why I took it…20 years with the company, pension, 401k, vacation, and the most important thing…medical benefits. Oh, and since I was a skilled video editor/engineer, I was a manager that actually understood what they were talking about when something needed to get done.

OK, back to the email…here are excerpts:

Subject: Opportunity

Hello,

I came across your resume on the web today and thought you or someone you know might be interested in a tech management position I have in the area.

Being at your level of experience you might know someone that has worked for you/with you that would be interested in a fun and exciting career working on electronic/mechanic components. It is board level repairs, cosmetic equipment repairs, and new challenges on a daily basis. The job has a lot of flexibility in managing an entire gameroom. It is a great working experience with full benefits, Monday thru Friday and weekly overtime opportunity. 401K after six months of employment. Pay scale depends on experience.

Who sent me this? Now the punchline….
Best wishes,
Lynne DeRusso
Regional Recruiter for
Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza

I’m horrified and disgusted. This is the best my 20 year career at a Television Network in New York can attract? I’m a bit stuck up you see, I was part of editing teams for “One Life To Live”, “All My Children”, “The View” and, ABC News. I have something to say to you Lynne DeRusso, why would I or what colleague do I know would be interested in managing an entire gameroom at Chuck E. Cheese Pizza?

OK, I feel better that I let that out!