Blarg

[thistlechaser]

Depressing day thus far, and it's not even 8 AM yet. Walking was a pain in the ass (exercise? after sleeping no more than 5 hours per night the last 5 nights?), then I arrived at work to find the elevator broken. :( So after being tired from walking, I had to lug myself up too many flights of stairs. Finally arrived at my desk to find a chewing-Thistle-out email from my boss. Joy.

Last night I had another bad dream (so tired of them. What am I, 6? Why bad dreams every night?), but this one was depressing because it felt more "personal". There was a pair of quests (contests) going on on FFXI. One had to do with doing something boring for a long time (8-10 hours) and the other took brain power (you had to figure out some code). Draque decided for the LS that we'd be doing the brain power one because "who'd be stupid enough to waste so much time doing something so boring?". He hadn't known at the time that I had won second place in the boring quest the year before and that I fully had intended to win first place this time. So he killed my chances and insulted me in one fell swoop. :/

In "real" (waking) FFXI land, nothing big happened yesterday. Farmed/dug bones for a while, then took Th-something-something-py (Thrapy/Tharpy, I always get it backwards) from the LS to get a Maze key for his RSE (alas he died because he didn't want to wait away from the aggro monsters and I was already down a level so I couldn't get back up to save him). I got the key on my third kill, which continues my insanely good key-luck in the Maze.

After that, I just puttered around and wasted time. Aurian and I had a touching moment -- ha ha, that looks like a loving touch more than a violent one, doesn't it? Like she's lifting my chin to look into my face.

But here's the violent one! That's perhaps the best staged screenshot I've ever gotten. :D Hume F /cheer (I think that's /cheer?) plus Hume M /stagger = heeheehee.

But kidding aside, Aurian and I really do make a nice couple. Awwww. I wonder if Hume males and females fit so well together on purpose? They sure do look "right" when they're snuggling like that!

And "wrong" when snuggling like this. :P Heeheehee. Looks like I'm grabbing her chest and trying to look into her top at the same time.

Yossy and Des later showed up and we all they all had fun beating me up. :P

Comments

[gbeans.livejournal.com]

It's a real art to catch emotes at just the right moment. Especially when you're working with another person. Hehehe~

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we had to do it a couple times to get it just right. But it was worth it! :)

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

Dear Boss,

Thanks for your note regarding X. I hadn't realized it was important to you but I will pay more attention to it in the future.

By the way, have I mentioned to you lately how frustrated I am at C.W. being unexpectedly gone, arriving late or leaving early with no explanation? Hopefully he is checking in with you, but since you haven't told me "C.W. is going to be gone, can you cover?" I realize it's possible that he hasn't. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing my best to keep everything covered, but having more notice of when I'm going to be expected to cover all calls on my own would be appreciated.

Thanks again,
Thistle

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

P.S. I LICKED YOU! (j/k)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Heehee!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

You write very good notes. :) I may just have to paraphrase that for my own use!

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

If I ever write a book on "managing your manager" it will probably include:

- Have good communication with your manager. Don't be afraid to assign tasks to your manager if something is outside your control but affects how you do your job. More communication helps, if you are good at your job and comfortable talking about it -- it only hurts if you are bad at your job and you're trying to cover it up.

- The three levels of asking for help are:
1. I'm having a problem, and I'm doing X about it. Just wanted to let you know. You don't have to do anything.
2. I'm having a problem, and I am not sure what to do. Can I ask your advice?
3. This problem seems to be out of my control, and I have tried different things with little effect. If you're able to help I would appreciate it. If you see something I should be doing, definitely tell me.

- Turn micromanager against himself. If your manager constantly comes to ask for status, make sure that you have things ready to ask him when he comes. If there is something you need from someone else to get your next task done, wait until micromanager comes to check on you and then tell him that you need something from someone else (or from him). This will train your micromanager to stay away and let you do your thing. But, you also want to reinforce with positive rewards as well -- if the manager has stayed away for a whole day or two, give them a status report saying what things are going well and what things you still need from others. Micromanager will start to trust you, and you can still use his micro-skills to get stuff from other people.

- For the most part, pretend your manager is skilled and effective. If you need to mention something, approach it like "I assume you're aware of this but just in case, X is a problem". If you do have a problem with your manager, talk about it as frankly as possible, in private, and then be all professionalism the rest of the time. Even if you don't trust your manager, pretend like you do whenever possible.

- Corrolary- The more skilled and effective your manager appears (to his management) the better it will be for both of you. Know your manager's job and strive to do things that make your manager look good. If someone outside the group comes to you with a problem, take your manager "into your confidence" and discuss what you think should be done. Ask your manager if you should reply to the outside person directly (and copy him) or if he wants to reply himself. Taking the initiative and knowing what your manager's big problems are will pay off in trust and loyalty.

--- If you're going to go over your manager's head on something, tread very very carefully. Make informal contact with your 2nd level manager, such as giving him an FYI on something on a day when your normal manager is out. If there are problems, at first say "There are some problems, but Boss and I are working together on them -- don't worry". From there slowly work up to sharing more details, but keep the three levels of asking for help in mind. 1. Boss and I are working on it; 2. Boss and I are still working on it, just wanted to let you know in case anyone else asks you; and 3. I don't think Boss and I are going to be able to address it ourselves, and I'd appreciate your advice.


Anyway... best of luck and I hope it gets better.
gregc

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

You should write a book, I bet folks would snap it up.

Thanks for all the info and the good wishes!

[draymor.livejournal.com]

I agree with Thisle, this stuff is awesome. :D

(Has a new micromanager at work, too bad I'm quitting in a month or I'd totally try it out )

[tharpy.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for the help aquiring the key :)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Welcome!

[loneguardian.livejournal.com]

Evil bad dreams making D be mean. ;3 *gloms!*

The emotewars were fun XD My slugging you was a weaponless /hurray though, cheer isn't as much of an uppercut, though it could have worked.

DX /toss wasn't supposed to hit your face. I had it lined up so I nailed you in the crotch on my screen. :x *pow!*

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

DX /toss wasn't supposed to hit your face. I had it lined up so I nailed you in the crotch on my screen. :x *pow!*


...ow! Heehee, I'm glad I missed that. I think Des was doing something to me as well, but I missed most of that. (Was he hitting me with his axe?)