I love basketball

I admit it, I am a devoted college basketball addict.  I must watch every Big 12 conference game possible, I yell at the TV and am a die hard KU fan.  Basketball just makes me happy.  The game moves quickly, it is athletic, I understand the game, I love the history and it is in my blood.  My fondest memories as a kid were going to KU basketball games with my dad.  We went to as many as possible.  I heard the stories of Allen Field House being built when my dad was in college at KU.  My dad told stories of climbing on the steel beams while under the influence of alcohol – and he hates heights!  While I enjoyed going to football games a KU with my dad and uncle, nothing beat the excitement of JoJo White on the floor at Allen Field House as the call of Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU sounded at the end of the games.  It was and is magical.  Having Danny Manning back at KU as a coach is just part of the KU history.  Man, I love the game! 

I loved high school games, I loved games at Fort Hays when I went there, I loved going to games at U of A watching Lute Olsen’s teams, but KU is just magic.  Win or lose, I love them….!  I loved the family sitting around the TV, I love watching the Big 12 tournment games – sneaking out of work and attending games (I am so glad the Big 12 is back in KC this year). My dream is going to the Final 4 watching KU, Arizona, NC and Georgetown. Don’t ask me why, but it is a dream vacation.  Skip the beach, skip Europe, nothing would be better!    This year with KU undefeated at 16-0 so far, I am loving it.  My dad would have loved it as well. 

All of this is going on while the primary as gearing up.  My other favorite pastime.  I loved the Obama speech after winning the Iowa caucus.  He is a great speaker, but while I love his speaking ability, I don’t think it is enough to get him elected.  I will love to watch as he grows and see if he becomes one of the great orators in the class of Lincoln, MLK, and Kennedy.  I remember at the age of 4 and 5 listening to Kennedy speak.  I was fascinated with MLK’s speechs and even Bobby Kennedy.  While I liked Clinton, his speeches were never ending – a good speech does have an end before the audience falls asleep!  Who knew that I would love oration as much as I do.  Again, it another point of fascination to see how the polls change based upon something that the media is focused upon.  That drives me nuts!  I haven’t made my decision yet, and I probably won’t for awhile, but I want my primary vote to have some meaning.

Whew…

We are finally nearing the time when we our work paradigm will be changing.  Slowly but surely at least one of the consultant recommendations is being implemented.  Unfortunately for me, it won’t change things much because my areas don’t really have true SME.  I don’t know what that really means to me, but it does change life for project leaders and managers.  It will prove to be a very interesting time in the life of our company.

Then the elections are gearing up now that the first caucus and primary have happened.  It is truly the longest election season ever.  I am a political animal, but for me even this is ridiculous.  I wish the media didn’t make huge pronouncments, but rather just told us the results and shut the pundits up so that the people can make the choice.  It is driving me nuts.  Let us hear Obama, Hillary, and John talk before they decide who will be the democratic nominee.  Same for Romney, Huckabee, and Cain.  I would like the opportunity to at least vote in my primary before it is over too early. 

New Beginnings

I really enjoyed last night.  I went to H’s house and played games all night with my ex and daughter.  Apparently they do this at least once a week and have set methods and routines when playing the games.  We began with “Loser”  we played with Heather’s roommate and her boyfriend until they had to leave.  He is a slot machine technician and had to work.  J went with to celebrate the eve of 2008 with him.  We then played “Urban Legends” which was a lot o’ fun.  After that “In a Pickle”.  Heather has a whole closet of games.  At midnight we drank chamepagne and then continued playing.  At 3 am it was time to leave.  Both Dave and Heather were messaging their significant others.  I was feeling a bit lonely.  I cannot believe it, but I am actually jealous that Dave is dating.  I am not sure why, but I am!

 I then spent today sleeping and cross-stitching.  I didn’t get much stitching done, but only have backstitching and beading left on Angel Procession.  It will be finished in Febraury.  I have committed to stitching in my rotation this year.  I was a bit all over the place last year.  With the conference in April, and Heather’s surgery in October, I didn’t do as much stitching as usual.  I cannot say that is bad, but so be it.  I only finished 3 pieces and one was a smaller piece.  This year I should finish Angel Procession,  Footprints, and St. Basi’s Cathedral.  I might get Castle Sampler done, but…. 

Work will prove interesting.  We interviewed for 2 positions in the last week.  We also will be moving cubes soon to put our Exec VP’s people in accounting back together since they are spread out.  L though that D said that we move according to company tenue.  I have a BIG problem with that given that I have 3rd highest seniority in the group, but it would put me 6 out of 7 the other way.  Given that last time we moved based upon group seniority I don’t think it is fair!  Ultimately it really means being away from the windows which is a problem.  L also told me that our new VP thinks that we need to have a manager for the AA’s and not just Liz as a supervisior.  D told L on Friday and she doesn’t know what it means.  I think that I do and it is a reaction to L playing favorites and some of us doing a hell a lot more work than others.  I know D respects that Deb and I work our butts off and others just float along.  I actually think it is a great idea.  We shall see. 

I have also been very loud about not being promoted in a timely manner.  Given our job profiles I am truly the ONLY AA doing the top level work.  That pisses me off… I wonder what M will do with the group now that he had listened to everyone who left the group.  We shall see.