October 10, 2001
Dear Everyone:
Today is (or was) Day One. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. this morning, we became a New Company. (Funny. It feels just like the Old One.) When I got to my desk this morning, there was a pretty blue box bearing the New Word Mark (CompanyThatOtherCompany) and containing an official baseball cap and a new key ring.
Actually, if I had arrived at my desk on time, I would have had to wait for the pretty blue box because they didn’t arrive until around 8:00. But I had a meeting at My Other Office in Company Park first thing in the morning. There was no pretty blue box on that desk, apparently because I’m not yet “officially” in that cubicle. I noticed that the gentleman in the next cubicle over did get the pretty blue box, apparently because he’s officially there.
I have already discovered that, if I need to be at My Other Office, it’s best to get there early in the morning. Otherwise you can’t find a parking place anywhere. I’d heard that Company Park was jammed, but didn’t realize just how jammed until I had to park clear on the other side of the facility late one morning and walk all the way back to my building for a meeting. Luckily, I had time on that occasion.
As for Day One, apart from propaganda, it hasn’t had much affect on the Records Center, old, dusty records not being the first thing on people’s mind right now. My Inactive Records team will now be able to share real data (instead of “pretend” data), but doesn’t appear to be in a screaming hurry to do so.
The “move” people, on the other hand, are taking off at a full gallop, even if they’re not sure which direction to gallop in. I’m doing a lot of “data-scrubbing”, which is another term for reformatting data so that it can be imported into the new software application which, for a wonder, is almost up and ready to receive. Still much frustration about not getting the “people data” from That Other Company (which will now be referred to as “The Other Side” of the New Company).
Nevertheless, ready or not, we will begin training in “Hobby” on Monday. Which means I’ll be flying (fingers crossed) to “Hobby” on Sunday, returning (let’s not think about the last trip) on Wednesday. So next week’s Letter will probably have to wait until Thursday.
In other news…
I actually got to see “Jeannie” last weekend. Between her work and my getting stuck in other cities, we haven’t seen each other in a while. “Marshall” came up from Fresno and the three of us went up to the Wine Country for some touring and some lunch. Plus general catching up. It was a beautiful autumn day and we had a great time. Also, “Marshall” bought some wine that you can almost only buy at the winery.
Then, on Sunday, I went through my closets, pulling out things to donate to a local charity. I had received a call that they would be collecting in my neighborhood on Monday. I’d been waiting for that call. Ruthlessly, I went through the linen closet, pulling out sheet sets that I hadn’t used in years, including the special sheets for a sofa bed, since I had already given away said sofa bed.
A goatskin and a lambskin, both of which I’d acquired over ten years ago.
I also went through the closet, pulling out clothes that had been hanging there for so long that they had dust marks. Sun dresses I hadn’t worn in at least two summers. Pant suits. Blouses I’d kept “just in case”. Just in case of what?
The dress I wore to “Richard” and “Marge’s” wedding. Any chance I was going to wear it again? Absolutely none. If “Richard” and “Marge” choose to get married again, I’ll go out and buy something new to wear.
I filled three big (33 gallon) bags with stuff. Labeled and dated them and put them on the front porch Monday morning. Monday night, they were still there. Seems the charity people got their wires crossed. Next pickup is scheduled for next Monday. When I’ll be in “Hobby”. Maybe I’ll just put them out Sunday morning and hope for the best.
In the meantime I’ve got “three bags full” sitting in the living room. The way I’ve been keeping house lately, no one would even notice. Once all this business travelling is done, I really need to spend a weekend cleaning. Or find a new excuse not to.
Love, as always,
Pete
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