Up A Peg...And Down Two Pegs!

What a roller coaster day!!! Got a call from our California customer service rep.  While I'm not going to name any names yet till this is a done deal.... He's from the 3rd largest IT innovation corporation in the world (behind MicroSoft and IBM) that we have equipment and software with.  He says that he's in Maryland talking with his big bosses and they mention that they'd like someone from one of his California customers to speak at their convention in September.  He says he knows the perfect person and gives them...MY NAME!!!

He tells me that I would be speaking in front of 5,000 people (with additional people watching online) and that this convention easily has over 50,000 people attending. I was fucking GOBSMACKED!!!  He goes on and tells me that this would be excellent for my resume and that I really should consider it. I told him that given where I work, I'd have to run this up my management chain.  He says, "If you didn't have to do that, and it was just your decision, would you do it?"  I said that I was deeply humbled and honored that he thought of me, and that I would definitely do it. He asked that I let him know because I'm the first person he asked and that he'd have to ask around if I couldn't.  I let my immediate manager and another step above know, and they're all for it.  So, once I find out higher up, I'll know for sure.

WOW!!!  Still can't believe he asked me!!!  I have public speaking experience and the most I've spoken in front of is about 500.  I actually enjoy interacting with the public, so this is right up my alley, but it's going to be hard work.  I have to write a speech and it has to be vetted by a myriad managers before I get the ok...then it has to be vetted by the corporation.  This would be the week before my Cabo vacation, so what a segue into October!!!  Still feeling a little light headed about the whole thing...DAMN!!!

Ok, Let's move on to a different topic and take myself down a couple of pegs!  I work in a facility of over 6,000 employees.  I've worked there 20 years. Still, when friends outside of work ask me if I know So and So, usually its a big fat NO because of the amount of employees.  I've worked at various jobs and I used to train other employees about electronic filing, etc., I also have my damned picture up on the hallway wall.  So a lot of people know who I am (and run screaming, I'm sure...).  I know the names of my janitor and a couple of other janitors back (awesome people with huge hearts), I know my teams and other various co-workers, but there's just no way to know them all.  Where am I getting to with this?

Well, this morning I was passing someone I know by sight and a couple of meetings.  He says "Hello Diz" (Diz to you, my real name to me), and I just don't know his frakking name and feel so bad!  I respond back with "Hey, how are you?  I haven't seen you in awhile."  He says he's doing great and keeping busy, etc.  We go our separate ways, but I feel so stinking bad!  I should know his name and I don't.  I'm ashamed to say that this isn't the first time this has happened.  Every time it does, I still feel like crap!  Why don't I know their names?  Am I a stuck-up, conceited stupid bitch that couldn't care less about the people around me?  UGH!!!  I don't like that feeling.  It struck me that I should give more care to knowing names.

However, I'm one of those people with a limited amount of brain space, so I tend to discard the things I don't think I'm going to use and retain those bits that are going to help me out the next 18 months. With IT jobs, I do NOT know all the details and technical requirements of every equipment and software in our facility.  I have to learn it on the fly with each project I'm on. So I tend to clear out the stuff I don't need to recall and study up on whatever it is I'm working on at the moment.  I've gotten lots of compliments from Management saying that they're impressed that I know so much about a certain topic, and I just have to laugh because I learn it when I need it....and discard most of it and move on to the next project afterward. I'm an IT Project Manager for Christ sake....it is my job, my duty and I owe it to my team to be able to speak knowledgeably about whatever the project is.  My teams work so hard and make me look so good that not knowing those details is a slap in the face to each member, and I'm never going to willingly let my teams down!

Anyway, I wish I had one of those photographic memories so I can remember everyones name that has done me the courtesy and honor of knowing mine!

I've just finished my first whole fruit margarita, and am going to start on my second. I've marinated beef ribs in a citrus tequila marinade with mustard, a touch of habinero, shallots, garlic, pepper, and various spices.  They're in the fridge, and I'll let them sit for 24 hours and put most of it in the freezer and leave a couple out for Sunday dinner.

The evening is effing perfect! Its one of those evenings where it's about 78 degrees and so pleasant. One of those evenings where you wish the right guy was sitting across from you and you were just shooting the breeze, laughing and having fun.  So I'm going to wrap up this blog and head my ass out to the patio and sit under the ceiling fan, listen to Kenny Chesney, sip my second margarita and just be.

G'nite my fellow peeps!