A Working Aniversary

On June 30^th 1992 I started my career in information technology. That means for 19 years I have been slaving away for the man working full time. When I was “growing up” I would have never guessed this would be what I would be doing for a living. Let me state right up front, that I am very fortunate to have landed in a field where I have been able to stay employed for nineteen years. There have been many ups and downs. I have had great bosses and some brutal ones. I have seen this industry change right before my eyes.

My first day and “real” job was at IRI. It is where I would learn my craft and pay many a due. I have written many different times about my days at IRI. It was a wild place to work. It was a place where if you were thirty you were considered old. In retrospect it was a great first job. Sure, I didn’t make any money but I learned a hell of a lot and gained invaluable experience.

After IRI I put on my red pumps and short skirt and headed out on the corner and started consulting. I was a consultant for only two short years but it sure felt longer. I worked in four different offices in those two years. As someone who was never good at dealing with change, all that movement would wind up being extremely beneficial.

I finally landed a full time gig at Harris Bank. I owe a lot to Harris. I met my wife there. I met my current boss there as well. I spent nearly five years at the bank in total and I have to say all things considered it was probably my favorite spot of all the spots I have been at. I often said when I worked there that I was going to retire here. I would have if I hadn’t been outsourced to EDS. I worked for EDS for six months. They were six very long months. As much as I loved Harris Bank, once EDS took over it wasn’t the same. I had to move on. It wasn’t an easy decision but I could only take so much.

My next job was at Bank One. I was warned by my friend Chuck who got me the job. He told me friends don’t let friends work for Bank One. I should have listened. I was there three years and I was never really happy. I met some incredibly talented and super people. That is about the only nice thing I can say. The culture was negative. You never felt secure in your employment. The upper management of IT was the worst and laziest I have ever seen. It was all numbers which were easy to manipulate and in the end meant nothing. I supported the investment bankers who thought they were above everyone else in the world and treated the rest of society like shit. Bank One was bought out by JP Morgan Chase and that just ramped up the bullshit to the tenth power. After a year I started thinking of leaving. The fact that I made it three is really a minor miracle. There is no rule saying you have to love your job, but you have to be able to tolerate it and I really didn’t at Chase.

From Chase, I got lucky and had the exact opposite experience at my current job at CWT. I was hired at TQ3 Navigant by my old boss from my Harris days that I just happened to run into on lunch one day. We talked and from that conversation, in an alley in the Loop it led to my current job. I was at Navigant one whole solid month before we were bought out by Carlson. It hasn’t always been a bed of roses but, overall I like my job. I don’t dread going into the office.

I worked downtown with CWT until 2009 then the bomb was dropped that we were merging with our office in Downers Grove. About the only aspect of my job I dislike is the location. I miss terribly working in the loop. It should speak volumes about how much I like my current gig for as much as I hate the location. I miss taking the train, Venice Café, Perry’s Deli, walking to lunch in the summer, the hustle and bustle. But, in my five years here I haven’t really seriously thought about leaving. When we were first moving to the burbs I will admit to having some trepidation but after having worked for good management and poor management, I know that having a good boss trumps almost everything else. If you can’t stand the person you work for it affects everything else. So, that is why I stay here even if I have to make the trek to Blandsville, strip mall, USA, I mean Downers Grove.

A couple of things have got me through all these years with the moderate success I have had in this field. One is a lesson I learned from my Dad at a very young age. He was explaining to me and my brother that no matter what request a teacher had I should do it. I apply that to bosses. No matter how much I may disagree or think a request may be ludicrous, I do it. I may ask a question but, I would never undermine authority. Now privately I may wonder just what the hell a superior is thinking, but you won’t get anywhere in the world being openly rebellious. If you think your boss is that harebrained, change jobs or transfer to another department. I have had to do this on more than once occasion. Pleasing your direct superior is the best way to maintain job security.

Another trait that has helped me is focusing on the customer. I learned this from my Kmart years. Now, when I was at Kmart I have to admit I didn’t always practice the customer first philosophy. But, I was young and being so of course felt I was above any shopper who would choose to hit a Kmart. I didn’t know shit about shit of course but, at the time I felt I did and therefore spent most of my years there hitting on checkout girls and shooting the shit with my co-workers instead of what I was paid to do.

As I have gotten older though the focus on the customer mantra that was driven home to me by bosses like Mr. White has taken hold. You will never go wrong going out of your way to help a client. Sure, sometimes I get treated badly or I will be dealing with someone I just want to tell to take a flying jump. But, what good would that do? If I deem someone to be an asshole (and trust me at every job I have ever worked at I have had to deal with assholes, they are everywhere) I just make a mental note and put them from a priority standpoint down on my list. Or I will kill them with kindness and try to make them if they have a conscience feel like shit for treating me badly.

Lastly, you will never hear me say, that isn’t my job. At my current employment I have to wear a number of different hats, which I dig. Maybe from time to time I will have to do something that may be perceived as being beneath my education and training, but, so what? To me doing the supposed non IT functions are what breaks up the monotony of a day. If I was doing the same job function all the time, I would at a certain point want to hang myself out of boredom. So sometimes, I have to sweep up the server room or do some other manual labor. Big deal, last I checked it said CWT on the door and I was paid to work there. Maybe a certain task does not fall under my job description but what good would it be pointing that out? Just do the work, don’t complain about it and you will be surprised at the results.

I have had some real dumb asses for bosses and I have also had some of the best in the business. One thing I am not good at is being micromanaged. I thrive being able to do my job my way without having to explain every little detail. I work much better when I am on my own doing my own thing. You let me work this way you will get great results. I realize some people need to be given more direction. From my experience a good manager treats their employees on individual basis and molds to them and their personality. They don’t make everyone mold to their management philosophy. That is lazy and usually produces bad results.

I started at IRI as a wet behind the ears twenty three year old making $7 an hour in a PC Lab. This is how old I am, my job along with my co-workers was to ensure that every desk in the company had a computer on it. Most everyone was working on dumb terminals. It was before the internet and before e-mail if you can believe it. You could still smoke at your desk and company picnics and Christmas Parties were still prevalent. I remember walking out of my interviews and back to the train after being told I could start on Monday and realizing my life would never be the same. It was when I became a real adult, and that started real responsibilities. Sure, I fantasize like everyone does about going back in time and doing things differently. But, in the end I really don’t have much to bitch about. How many people can say that at forty two years old?

Vacation Recap

Besides coming home with a slight cold (I always seem to get sick when I go to Vegas. Must be something in the air there) Joyce and I had a great time in Vegas and LA. Joyce liked it so much she was looking at job boards in Vegas and hinting she would possibly move there if I was so inclined. I love and I mean love Vegas but I am not sure I could do it 365.

I want to throw a shout out to my sister in law Anna and her fiancé Eric for putting us up for the weekend and giving us the tour of LA. I had never been to the city of angles before and after spending a couple of days there I must say I dug it. It has lots of good food and many a place to sight-see. Dodger stadium was nice but rather large and a pain in the ass to get in and out of. (Dodger Dogs I must say are rather good.)

Anyway, I want o focus this writing on my financial success and failures of each casino I visited. I do this so that next time I am in Sin City I can remember which places were good to me and which places kicked my ass. Here is a rundown of each casino I gambled in.

O’Shea’s – I have never in my life won at O’Shea’s. I don’t have any reason for going back but yet somehow on every trip I always seem to try my luck here. This time around the visit started off with a drunken moron getting into an argument with the entire security staff outside the entrance. I sat down at a poker machine inserted a $20 and lost it in record time. Upon walking out I told anyone that would listen that I was never going back to this rat hole again. This time I mean it.

Casino Royale – Continuing on in our saw dust tour on Sunday night our second stop was the Royale. The Royale is a toilet but, I have a small place in my heart for it. I got a couple of free drinks and played a on a poker machine for awhile. I wasn’t doing very well on it so, I moved to a video roulette wheel where I had a little better luck. I didn’t win here but, my losses were minimal and I drank for free so, it’s a win in my book.

The Rivera – We wanted to make the trek to the Riv simply because we were not sure how much longer the doors would be open in the place. We hoofed and it was sad. The place was a ghost town. No one and I mean no one was gambling here. At one time the Rivera was one of the nicer casinos in town, nowadays not so much. It was kind of sad and it would not shock me to hear they are closing their doors in the near future. In any event I found a blackjack table so, I plopped down $40 and started playing. I was doing the usual winning some and losing some. Eventually a new dealer came in and she cleaned my clock. I did get a free Coors Light. But all in all I took a bath here.

Circus Circus – I despise Circus Circus. It is old, dirty, has no character, and is an annoyingly loud place. There is no reason to ever gamble here. But, it was on our tour as again we were not sure just how much longer it would be around and we wanted to see it one last time. I played some video poker here for awhile and eventually bowed out down a couple of bucks. I usually get sad when an old casino closes. I will not shed a tear when this place gets imploded.

The Hacienda – On Monday a few of us departed to the Hoover Dam to see the new bridge that was built. On the way back we decided to hit a couple of casinos that are off the strip. Our first stop was The Hacienda. The place is small and way out of the way with nothing near it. I was able to get on a blackjack table. I started off slow but eventually turned my $40 investment into $50. I then took the ten bucks I won and blew it on a poker machine. After spending like 45 minutes there I was even which isn’t half bad.

The Eastside Cannery – We wanted to go here as they still had some slots that paid out in coins. I signed up for a player’s card and got $5 in free slot play. I sat down at a poker machine and eventually turned that $5 into $50 in winnings. I wanted to keep playing blackjack but with the luck I was having at the poker machines here I never got around to it.

Sam’s Town – I took my winnings from the Cannery and put them on a Blackjack table at Sam’s. I lost it rather quickly. I then went into my pocket and lost that as well. Eventually, I said this place sucks and walked around until it was time to leave. Sam’s actually is very nice and has a cool atrium. However for me personally this place bit the big one.

Paris – Monday night we had the family dinner so there was not a lot of gambling going on. After dinner on the way back to Bally’s I stopped in Paris to make my annual donation. I have never won at Paris. I have never come close to winning at Paris yet I always seem to think this time my luck will be different. I found a poker machine put in a twenty and lost it rather quickly. I will never learn.

Cosmopolitan – My cousin was staying at the Cosmo and all I can say is wow. This place is really nice. I did feel old walking through the place at night as it turns into a dance club in the evenings. I went back during the day on Tuesday and got a players card. They threw me $10 in free slot play for signing up. I sat down at a triple poker machine and parlayed that $10 into like when it was all said and done $57. The place is nice and I won there, I think I will be going back.

Aria – This is the other new casino that had opened that I had not seen yet so I wanted to check it out as well. Aria is also very swanky but I think I like the Cosmopolitan a little better. Anyway, I was with my cousin’s boyfriend John and my Uncle Randy. We bellied up to a bar at Aria and put some cabbage in some poker machines. The bartender then asks what I would like to drink. I could have ordered anything on the planet as it was on the house. I see they have PBR on tap so, guess what I ordered? I then proceeded to lose my $20 investment in a poker machine. We decided to get out of there, when I see a multiple blackjack video game. I always win on those. So, I throw my luck with that and get killed. At this point I am angry and want to leave. I have $2 left on a ticket so I go to cash it in. John has like $3. So instead we pool our money together and deicide to let it ride on one had of video blackjack. We win and feel like at least we saved some grace.

The Golden Nugget – We all hoped in the van that I rented and we headed downtown on Tuesday evening. I actually really like downtown Vegas. I know others don’t but I like that old Vegas feel that it still has. My favorite downtown casino is the Nugget. I actually think one trip we are going to stay there. I sat down at a blackjack table by myself. I put down $40. The first two hands I was dealt a blackjack. I had a feeling this could be a good ride and I wasn’t wrong. I am not sure how long I played but when I got up and cashed in my chips I had $145. I then sat down with Joyce at the bar and she won like $30. I should have just stayed there but we had to meet the family and get some grub. The Nugget would prove to me the most success I would have at any casino in town.

Binion’s – At Binion’s myself, Joyce, Leyna, and John found a $3 video blackjack machine. So we all sat down and played. I think I put in a $20 and when I cashed out I had like $17 plus I had a couple of beers so all in all I can not complain.

Fitzgerald’s – The first time I ever went to Fitzgerald’s I won. But each visit thereafter I have had to leave in a barrel. I was hot at blackjack so, I hit a table there and well my hot streak by this point was over. I only lost like $25 there but that was enough. I am going to try to avoid this place in the future.

Four Queens – The only time I have stayed downtown I stayed at the Queens. So, I have a soft spot for it in my heart even though it is kind if a pit. The tables were crazy crowded so, I just sat at the bar and played some video poker. I usually have pretty good luck at the Queens but this night would be different. After going up and down on a poker machine at the bar eventually I lost my $20 investment and moved on.

The Flamingo – We went back to the strip and some of the group decided to hit the Flamingo. I have never won here but figured I was due. So, I started playing some video poker. The machine I was on was killing me so, I moved to the other end of the casino and tried another machine. That “strategy” didn’t work. All told the Flamingo got me for $40. Not a huge loss but enough for me to curse the place again.

The Imperial Palace – The IP also has a spot in my heart in that in my early Vegas infancy Joyce and I stayed here. I would not suggest it but, for some reason I always go back. It was pretty late at this point and I had enjoyed a couple of adult beverages. My Uncle Dan and I sat at a couple of poker machines at a bar and bullshitted. I lost there but I think he wound up winning a couple of dollars.

Tuscany – Joyce had found a groupon for half off a massage at this place that is located about 2 blocks down from Bally’s. So, while she was getting her massage on, I got a players card and started gambling. I sat down at a blackjack table. The dealer was really talkative and engaging. Another older gentleman sat down and we both sat there winning some and losing some. All told when I at long last got up I was up about $20. I then cashed in my $10 in free slot play and after getting it up to almost $30 lost it all. Still with the blackjack winnings I walked out the door with more money then I started with.

Excalibur – Joyce and I farted around Chinatown and then bought some souvenirs. Eventually we met my Aunt at Excalibur. I put my winnings from earlier into a poker machine and lost it.

Bellagio – We decided to have one last big meal with everyone on our last night in town at for my money still the best buffet in Vegas at the Bellagio. I had walked over there on my first day in town and won $10 on a poker machine and after eating like a pig did a little more gambling. I actually played a normal penny slot something I never do and won a couple of bucks. I wanted to say I won at Bellagio so I cashed out ahead of the game.

Caesar’s Palace – Caesar’s still might be my all around favorite casino. It is huge and even though it is old has been renovated enough that it still looks marvelous. The dinner knocked a lot of the gang down for the count. So, Joyce and I strolled over to the bar to have a drink and do a little gambling. I eventually lost my $20 but I played and drank long enough that I really didn’t care.

Bally’s – We stayed at Bally’s so it is only natural that I did the majority of my gambling here. I can’t say I always win here but I usually do pretty well. This trip would be no different. I had two major winnings. My Uncle was having luck playing this penny slot with penguins on it so, I tried it myself and sure enough I hit a pretty good one as well. Then on Wednesday night sitting at the bar waiting for everyone to come down for dinner I hit four kings playing video poker. That was enough to make up for most of my losses at the other places. Bally’s as usual was good to me and that is why despite there being a lot newer and nicer places in town I always seem to find myself staying here.

The Appendix Situation

As most who know me know, I had my appendix removed a week ago. I have had to tell this story about 1,000 times since then so, I might as well write about it in full detail so the memories remain as fresh as ever on the information superhighway (how come no one uses that term anymore?)

It was a typical morning for me. I got up, showered, got in the car and headed to work. I felt fine. I was driving to work, on I-88 about 2 minutes from my exit and out of nowhere, my stomach starting really cramping. I made it to the office and I was like WTF. I tired taking an antacid and it did nothing. I sipped on a coca cola (and old tried and true trick to cure an upset belly) and it if anything the pain was getting worse. Those two sips of Coke would be the only things I would ingest the entire day.

I was at my desk doubled over in a pain that felt like someone had stuck a shiv in my abdomen. I was getting no work done as I could not concentrate on anything else. I hadn’t left work early due to illness in well over a decade. But, I could not take it anymore. I told my boss, I wasn’t felling very well and I was going home.

Driving was not fun. I just praying the whole time that I wouldn’t have to stop quickly as I am not sure I could have reached the brake fast enough. I did eventually make it to the homestead and I threw on a pair of shorts and plopped right into bed. I tried to force the issue in the bathroom thinking if I could release the demon inside me I might start to feel alright. But, it wasn’t happening. At this point I knew I didn’t have food poisoning, even thought that is what I felt like I had. I’ve had food poisoning in the past and knew that was no fun. But with the pain I was in I was hoping that was all it was as at least that way I knew it eventually would go away. When you are wishing for food poisoning that says it all.

I laid in bed trying to sleep and hoping that when I awoke magically the pain would go away. But trying to sleep was a near impossibility. All I could do was try to ride out the agony I was in. Joyce eventually got home. She asked how I was feeling and I could do was grunt something in a language bordering on English. She asked if she could get me anything. I know she wanted to help but there was nothing she could do. She suggested I try to eat some soup but the thought was nauseating. I told her I just wanted to lie in bed and see what happened.

Joyce takes kickboxing every Thursday night. She told me she was going to take me to the emergency room as I didn’t look good. I told her that was nonsense, she should go and I did not need to go to the ER for a stomach ache. You see I won’t go to the hospital unless I have a limb missing. I was denying the pain I was in as if that somehow would make it better, if I didn’t acknowledge it. So, against her better judgment Joyce left and took her class.

About ten minutes after she left I knew I was in trouble. The pain which was excruciating before was now intensified to the 3^rd power. I called her cell but it was too late she was in the middle of kicking bags. I then said to myself the class is only an hour. I can wait an hour for her to get home. That was a lie, I couldn’t even make it ten more minutes. I googled the place she takes her kickboxing and called and had her pulled out of the class and basically told her I’m sorry but we need to go to the emergency room now.

Joyce left her class and flew home to get me. As I waited for her I threw on some sweatpants and my shoes (both of which were no easy tasks) and counted the seconds until I saw her car in the driveway. As soon as I saw it I was out the door telling her lets go to Palos Hospital.

A quick side bar. If you are ever in need of a visit to the Emergency Room, and you have the choice go to Palos over Christ hospital. I am sure the people who work at Christ are nice enough and qualified. However, every time I have had to go there I have waited an eternity. They gave a whole new meaning to the word inefficient.

We got to the hospital and Joyce dropped me off at the door and parked the car. I went inside and checked in. I sat in the waiting room about 20 minutes. Those would be a very long and painful 20 minutes. At long last they called my name. The admitting nurse got my vitals and asked the usual questions about the pain and whatnot. She then said kind of off the cuff “Hmm, sounds like you have appendicitis.” That was what I feared but didn’t want to admit to myself.

I sat back down and was quickly led to an admitting room. There the nurse asked if I would like some dilaudid for the pain I was in. My response was along the lines of umm, yes. She hooked me up to an IV and I was off with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. I could have danced a jig once the meds did their thing. I was a tad loopy at this point. The doctor eventually came in gave me the once over and said “Well unless I have learned nothing in 30 years of medicine I think you are going to need to have your appendix removed tonight.” He ordered me a cat scan to make sure.

I got the cat scan and headed back to the admitting room. The results came in and confirmed what the ER doc had suspected. I needed to have my appendix removed that evening. He came in and told me what to expect. My biggest fear was I would not be able to go to Vegas in a week and a half but, he assured me I should be fine as long as there are no complications with the procedure. He told me that I was lucky that this didn’t happen ten years ago as back then it was a much more invasive procedure. Nowadays they do a laparoscopic surgery where you only have three small incisions.

After waiting awhile, I was assigned my recovery room. Once I was in there, I told Joyce to go home. There was nothing she could do and she had not eaten anything all night. She debated it but, the nurse assured her they had her number and would call her if she was needed. At this point it was like midnight I think but I was so high who really knows. I was told my surgery would happen sometime in the next couple of hours. The drugs should have knocked me out and they somewhat did but I kept waking up as the old man I shared the room with was snoring at a decibel level higher than at a Who concert.

Nurses kept coming in to check on me and eventually at like three in the morning they told me they were ready for me. I removed what little clothes I had on and went onto the gurney. They wheeled me into the OR. There I met my Anesthesiologist. He asked some questions but I was still in a state of other consciousness so, it is hard to remember what they were. I also at this time was first introduced to my surgeon. He gave me the rundown of what was going to take place and reassured me he has done this procedure countless times and yada, yada, yada.

They wheeled me in and got me on the operating table. The gas man hooked me up and the next thing I remember I was in the recovery area as a bunch of nurses looked on. They told me everything went well. I was in and out for the next little bit so again memory is hazy here at this point. They eventually wheeled me back to my room where I zonked out for a bit. I was able to text Joyce that I was out of surgery and back in my room.

I woke up and had to pee like a racehorse. I buzzed the nurse and she brought me a portable urinal. I gave it the old college try but it was not happening. Maybe it was not having urinated in a bed in over 35 years but, it was nothing doing. So, I took it upon myself to see if I was able to walk to the bathroom. I wheeled my IV fluids with me and made it. The nurse was not really happy that I took it upon myself to make such a bold move but, she said it was a good sign I was able to move around.

The next couple of hours were spent sitting in bed watching bad morning television. Joyce was on call so, I told her if she had to take care of stuff at work, to go in, I would be fine. She proceeded to take a half day so she would be home around 1ish which was the time it was estimated I would be sent home.

At around eleven however, my Mom and Lou surprised me with a visit. I wasn’t expecting anybody but was glad they came as I was bored off my ass. There I gave them the rundown of the proceedings of the night before and shot the shit. My nurse came back in and said I looked good and asked me if I was ready to go home to which my response was hell, yes. She then said she would run one more IV of antibiotics and get me some lunch.

That lunch consisted of the blandest soup on the planet, some Italian Ice, jello and a weak tea. But since I hadn’t eaten in two days I needed some nourishment. I ate as much of the food as I could but I was full pretty quickly. Since my Mom and Lou where there they told me they could drive me home which worked out as Metra delayed Joyce and she would get home almost an hour late.

I waited on a nurse to spring me and at long last she came and wheeled my ass out. I carefully entered Lou’s car and was driven home. Friday basically consisted of me sitting on the couch watching TV. My Dad was in town from Ohio and I wanted to head over to my Aunt’s House to bullshit with him and my family. But, I was still in some pain on Saturday so I just sat around on my ass again. My Dad, Aunt and Uncle did stop by for a quick visit and lent me my Grandmothers old cane to assist in getting up and sitting down.

On Sunday I was feeling like the walls were starting to cave in on me. I have the opposite of agoraphobia. If I am in the house to long I start to lose my shit. I have always been this way, I think I inherited it from my Grandfather. So, I had Joyce drive me to my Aunts and I sat on the couch and watched the Cub game with the old man. I was not 100% yet and was moving around rather slowly but I needed an escape.

Now as I sit here a week after the surgery I am feeling a lot better. I am still not at my normal Nick level. I have no idea how long it will be before I can run again. I was planning on running in the Race to the Taste but at this point that may not happen. I don’t want to push it as the last thing I want is to tear open a suture or something like that. I am back at work but am taking it easy. I am not lifting anything or doing anything strenuous. I do get a little tired at around twoish, but overall every day I feel myself getting back to normal, which is good because there is one thing I have learned from this whole experience, and that is I just suck at being sick.