Monday: rumors, take 4

Today, rumors were dispelled as the stop work came through. It actually came through on Friday, but everyone was nice enough not to tell me over the weekend.

Everyone, at least in my small department, seemed in good spirits though. We sat around until 2pm, at which point we finally got some direction. It looks like we are going to have two weeks to close everything up and get documentation in order, and I expect we'll need most of that time. My tech lead thinks it'll be easy to place us in other jobs for now, although my manager seemed rather silent today (silent as in not around) so it's hard to know for sure.

In some ways, this might work out for the best...management doesn't want to get rid of us in case we get to go back to work, but if it is a termination then we will hopefully all have other jobs that we're already doing to get us through this uncertain time.

Also, in some ways it's nice that it happened so everyone can stop being on an emotional roller coaster.

Saturday: annivesary weekend day 2

Today was a very relaxing day. Our plan was to read by the two finger lakes that we were seeing this trip, and we did read at one. But it was so windy and cloudy that if you sat still for long you quickly got cold. So we kept changing our location until finally the sun came out for 15 min. Then we decided it was time for lunch.

Friday: happy annivesary!

Today we celebrated our 5th anniversary by taking off from work and then going up to a bed and breakfast.



On our way to a nice dinner we saw this sign! We tried getting a pic with both of us in it, but it didn't quite work out.

Thursday: good rumors

Today there were a few good rumors for once. The rumor is that the stop work was a false rumor that got leaked, and for some reason people thought this one was valid.

I proceeded to get the rumor weed song stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

"I'm a rumor weed
(he's a rumor weed)
I'm a rumor weed
(he's a rumor weed)
A tiny little story is all i need to make a big mess
( he's a rumor weed)

(So what is a rumor)
Starts as a story
maybe it's true, maybe not
but once you repeat it
it's hard to defeat it
now look at the mess that you've got" ~The W's

And in case you're keeping score, which I am, the optimists in my group are up 2-0 to the pessimists.

Wednesday: work, what else

I've been in kind of a downer mood this week. There are rumors flying everywhere of a stop work for our program, although exactly what that would entail is unknown. I've been getting used to the fact that it might happen and leaning on God and such, but I was about ready to smack the next person that asked me about it today. I can be ok when it's just in the back of my mind, but start getting depressed when people start talking about it. And last time it seemed more sure and it didn't happen!

I also need to remember that a complete stop-work doesn't mean a job-loss, although that is maybe the hardest thing to remember.

And so my Biblical heroes of the day are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3...
"16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
My version: My God can keep me employed. But even if I lose my job, I will still serve him.

Monday: 40 hours?

Today an e-mail was sent out telling us to only work 40 hours/week. This doesn't really mean anything except that it might be harder to get work done...it isn't a good or bad sign right now.

Last time this happened though our manager told us to ignore it. I'm wondering if that will happen again and wouldn't be surprised.

Sunday: Happy Mother's Day