Grrrrr...

A check of my voice mail revealed that my passport didn't make it to McLean this morning. The fine coordination to get my travel documents (simultaneous FedEx packages from here - with my signed visa application - and from home - with my passport) hit a snafu. Specifically, the package with my passport seems to have fallen off the face of the FedEx world. A call to FedEx has initiated a trace on the package, which sounds pretty ominous (and I work in the farblegargling industry!).

If the passport doesn't get there by tomorrow, the gig is off, apparently, owing to time constraints. (And if FedEx loses my passport, I'm going to have to apply for a new one, though I suspect I could probably get FedEx to reimburse me for the cost. But I don't want that... I want the farblegargling passport to get delivered!)

The sim went over by about 30 minutes, which is no big deal. It was, like yesterday's sim, one of those fairly quiet affairs (no Romulan birds-of-prey decloaked off the Service Module). At issue were a series of small, niggling, annoying, time-consuming, yet important problems associated with the conduct of robotics operations and preparation for an EVA.

I had considered visiting ABB today to get "inteviewed," but I've got another translation to work on. (Oh, joy.)

Which reminds me... I promised to send a translation as soon as I got home.

Cheers...

[NB! Reposted on 5/23. Comments lost.]

Head for shelter, boys...

The VAIO startup was interrupted by the BSOD.

Quoting Dr. Lecter: "Goodie, goodie."

I am now in the ScanDisk for C:, headed for Safe Mode. (Experience says not to interfere in the Ways of Windows™, especially when the destination is Safe Mode.)

That puts back my checking on mail, wherein the new work lieth.

Not that I expected anything to happen this fast, but checking out the FedEx site from Lee's computer shows no change in status on my package. Which doesn't mean squat, which means I wasted my time (but my computer is comatose right now, so...)

I am in a rare mood, world.

Farblegarg.

Cheers...

[NB! Reposted on 5/23, comments lost]

Back to normal...

... more or less.

The calendar on Lee's machine somehow is set for October 22, which is the way my previous two posts got dated when they were sent to LJ. It took a while to figure out where the heck they'd disappeared to (IE's habit of showing cached pages didn't help in the diagnosis of the problem.) I took the liberty of correcting the date on Lee's computer... I hope that doesn't mess anything up.

The translation is sent (both, actually... there was a small second job whose purpose still eludes me... I don't even know how to charge for it... it's a long story).

Drew was sounding kind of harried when I called him about the FedEx package, so I didn't bother him with any questions about incoming checks, but I'm getting increasingly impatient with some clients who apparently assume my need for invoiced monies is less dire than their need for translations delivered on time.

(Oh, yes. I am in a rare mood... I think I'll go lie down or something.)

Cheers...

On hold with FedEx...

Although I know it's (probably) not true, I cannot help but think that everyone at FedEx has gone home for the day, and that the only person who cares about my package is typing on my keyboard right now. I've just spent 35 minutes on hold, so I hope they didn't bother recording the phone call "for training and quality purposes."

"We are sorry to keep your waiting. Visit fedex.com to quickly track the status of your packages, find dropoff locations, and schedule pickups. And now discover how you can save 10% on online express shipment. Shipping online is faster, easier, and now cheaper. Visit fedex.com for details. A FedEx representative will be with you shortly."

Translation: Obviously, you're either a dimwit who doesn't know how to use a computer, or your problem can't be solved by our web site, in which case we're not all that enthusiastic about talking to you right now. Go away, though we'll be happy to take your money in the future as you gamble on shipping things that positively must get somewhere overnight via Federal Express.

"FedEx appreciates the opportunity to serve you and your shipping needs. Thank you for holding just a moment longer."

We have to say this on the off chance that we actually get to your call in something less than geologic time. Note, however, that we only appreciate the opportunity to serve you, etc. (the prospect of actually serving you doesn't really excite us... it's hard).

"Please continue to hold and one of our FedEx representatives will return to your call as soon as possible."

Nice touch, that "return to your call" business. "Return" implies something along the lines of having spoken to me to find out what my problem is, which didn't happen. Thank goodness I can type and get some work done while on hold.

Why won't FedEx talk to me? Is their customer "service" office closed? If so, why not bluntly tell me so?

It took just about seven hours for the envelope to travel from Durango to Memphis. It's been about that long since FedEx initiated a trace (upon my request, which raises an interesting point... do they wait for customers to complain before initiating a trace, or does it occur to them independently?).

Where the hell is my package?

Farblegarg.

Cheers...

TIme to settle down...

Lee came in a few minutes ago and called FedEx and is talking to someone (go figure... she must have The Touch™). I don't want to talk to the rep, I'll only get my blood pressure up again.

I got about 40% of the new job done tonight, so I may finish it (maybe not get it reviewed and sent, but finished) by the time I leave for home. I have to make sure that tomorrow, I ask the folks I've been working with the past few days to explain some terms that I've encountered in the text.

I also got some laundry done, which is a good thing, because... well... it needed doing. In any event, it is late and tomorrow's sim starts at 7:30 am. I plan to be out of the house by 6:45, which will give me a 15-minute buffer for traffic and other oddities.

Cheers...