Posts Tagged ‘life’

Last night was the first public meeting since the flash flood.  What is generally a quick public meeting where a few residents show up and the Borough business gets acted on in a timely fashion became a gathering of hurt, scared, and angry residents. 

Residents wanted answers to a long-term solution.  We don’t have those answers yet.

Residents also heard lots of rumors, many of which aren’t substantiated.

Residents wanted to put the blame on someone.  It quickly became evident that person was me.  Three women got up and publicly berated me.  I’ve gone through that process before with the delinquent sewage, but it was “easier” because, well, let’s face it, it was an unpaid bill.

This felt a little different.  This felt worse because I know I have been working hard to try to help these residents. 

Council, thankfully, realized what was going on.  I didn’t attempt to correct their lies, I just sat there and took it. 

It’s a tough balance for me, really, because this is one of those times that I really feel that all of the hard work I do for the Borough will never be good enough.

I can’t imagine their pain.  Nor have I experienced flooding myself—my dad always said to live on the high side.  I also can’t imagine what would have driven them to pit the blame on me like this.  I’m becoming increasingly resilient, though.  That is for sure.

It should also be noted that the three residents that seemed to “rally” the crowed in their accusations against me were women.  I’ve had dealings with two of these women in the past.  I don’t know if there is any correlation or comment to be made regarding women’s treatment of women, but I could gather that.

It’s not the hours that make this a tough position (though, I didn’t get home last night until well after 10:00 PM).  It’s not the limited budget.  It’s times like these, where historical problems cannot be solved over night.  It’s times like these where I realize how hard my position is.  And how the residents look to me to truly solve all of the problems. 

Work this week is going to be hectic, speaking of hours:

Monday: 7A-10:30 PM (public meeting)

Tuesday: 7A-8:00 PM (planning commission)

Wednesday: 7A-8:00 PM (interviews)

Thursday: 7A-6:00 PM (misc. catch-up)

Friday: Normal hours (hopefully)

Saturday: 8A-?? (LERTA meeting)

Last year, Jared and I enjoyed picking blueberries at Trax Farms as a fun way to enjoy a summer day.  Well, I am pleased to report that just by nature of looking into “what to do” this weekend, Trax now has pick-your-own strawberries available!  As much as we love Janoski’s, we have the option of picking our own which is fun. 

Since I dropped the ball on a CSA this summer, this seems like a fun alternative. 

Hope we make it!

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Marathon Training

Training has been moving along slowly but surely.  I’ve needed to get through my Harrisburg Trip and wedding activities to be able to fully focus on the big picture.  Nothing else “huge” is planned for the summer so refocusing myself should be no problem =)

I can say, however, that if I work from 7a-9p and not feeling pressured to return to work at 7a the next day is amazing.  I rarely take advantage of “flex” time now because Council isn’t receptive to it.  “We [Council] do it, so you should, too” is their belief.  I agree, to some extent, but I did take advantage of my own flex time yesterday, I managed 40 hours in 3 days, so I took my time to get to work on Friday morning and boy, did I feel refreshed.  I need to do that more.  Or at least have a conversation that suggests workers perform better when they can balance work and life.

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Personal Bizness

I will know this next week if I get called back for round two!  In the meantime, the lovely Miss Andrea has suggested some Philly bloggers I talk to regarding neighborhoods.  I will say, the idea of moving to Philly is really exciting!  I want public transit (via train) and flat running, please!

The week has been turning out crazy as expected!  Ahh!  I should have stayed in Harrisburg and got a massage

Here is where I am ending up with my time…

Monday will be spent actually easing into the work-week.  I don’t have anything planned tonight which is a relief.  After work, I ended up getting my mani and pedi.  Much to my surprise, the manicure hasn’t gotten too chipped . 

Tuesday I have to attend the Planning Commission meeting at night which will be interesting. 

Wednesday I have an eye appointment at my doctors which I am hoping to move up to Monday.  This way, I have time to get a manicure and pedicure. I am going to reschedule my eye appointment to Friday.  There’s no way around it!

Thursday some of the bridal party will be getting together with the bride and groom for dinner. 

Friday I am off work, and will be able to dedicate my time to whatever wedding activities of my sisters wishes.  The rehearsal dinner is Friday, too.  I have to pick up cupcakes from Robinson for the rehearsal dinner, Jared needs to get his tux, and I will need to get my eyes looked at. 

Saturday the wedding bells will ring.  So excited for my ses-ter.

Sunday we will spend time enjoying the wedding bliss with family.  There is a bunch scheduled as well as gift opening at my parents house.

Monday I am technically off, the office is closed, however, I will need to go in and submit payroll.  I will also be departing for a small personal business trip.

Tuesday I will be attending said small personal business trip and returning to Pittsburgh shortly there-after.

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My personal business trip.

I cannot keep too many secrets on the blog.  Trust that I reserve most of my work frustrations and channel them in other directions.  However, I have an interview clear across the state.  I’m shocked they are interviewing me.  Not because I don’t think I am qualified, one year of cleaning-up municipal government can qualify you, but because I have no network in eastern PA.  I am fortunate that I have been doing this type of work since grad-school which has allowed me to get a name established for myself.  I am fortunate that I understand many infrastructure issues as a result of my father working as a laborer (and hearing everything about road work as we drove through construction sites on our journey to vacations).  But I am still surprised they are interviewing me. 

It should also be noted that the direct colleague I would be working with was at the same conference as I was last week.  I didn’t bother introducing myself because, at that point, I had figured they picked someone so I didn’t want to waste my time.  It should also be noted that I met a lot of Eastern PA Managers at my conference so maybe that helped.

I am going to interview and hope for the best.  I haven’t decided yet what move I will make, if any.  In fact, I think an employment offer would help me leverage some higher skilled employees from the municipality.  Right now, I have nothing.  I work a lot because I don’t have (as my sister puts it) the office infrastructure to succeed.

 

What a crazy life I live.  I really do love Philly, regardless of what others say!

I must be carrying some sign over my head that says:

“Doom wanted”

 

It started on Saturday with what was a routine eye exam progressing into an “abrasion” on my eye.  What the?  Okay, fine.  No contacts until further notice.  Eye drops to heal it until further notice.  Come back tomorrow.

 

Went back Sunday.  Not healed but getting there.  Doctor looked at my eyeglasses and strongly suggested I get a new pair since, apparently, my eyes have changed so much since my last pair.  I just got those glasses when I graduated from undergrad.  Okay, whatever.  Thanks to my overly generous insurance that municipal workers get, I was able to afford what are pretty nice glasses (thinnest lenses, anti-glare, etc).

 

Monday, wake up to realize I can’t find my iPod.  I don’t have a good history with iPods.  Maybe its lost in my car somewhere…  Still haven’t found it.  Found the headphones, but I didn’t find the actual device itself. 

Running in glasses is no fun.  Too much sweat.

Monday night Council continues to fight.  What could have been a quick two-hour meeting turned into 4 hours. 

Perfect.

Tuesday I go back to the eye doctor again.  Still not healed.  Need to go back on Friday.

Yesterday, I find out even more drama about Council.  Need a vacation!

Okay kids.  I am really bad at being a food blogger.  Maybe I should scratch the below attempts and try again…?  Maybe I should.

 

Monday morning started out just fine.  I enjoyed a nice hot french press of coffee.  I needed it because I ended up working 7:30 am – 11pm.  Yes, I worked 17 hours on Monday.  That is never fun.  I literally came home from work and went to sleep.  Never fun. 

 

 

After a gym session in the morning, I was hungry but had to wait until I got to the office to eat breakfast.

Eating while driving is never a good idea, though for some reason I still snapped a picture of the POM juice while driving.  That’s bad with a capital B.  I drank a few sips to refresh myself on my drive to work.

 

Thanks to me not carrying around my digital camera, the Blackberry has become a portable alternative to carrying my camera.

 

I know.  I’m a horrible food blogger. 

 

The rest of my Monday was spent snacking, with no formal meal until about 4:00 pm when I had some carrots & hummus  and a mug of tomato soup. 

I worked late because it was an agenda meeting with Council.  Those meetings tend to go late into the night.  I did avoid the pizza that was ordered.  I ate a few pitas chips when I got home (yes, at 11:30), but nothing “damaging”.

 

Tuesday:  I woke up at 5:00 am in an attempt to not miss the gym.  I ended up getting to the gym at 6:00 am which isn’t bad considering I stopped for coffee at Burger King.  By the way, Burget King has the worst coffee known to man.  And(!!) they don’t even add the cream and sugar to it for you!  Bananas.

 

Breakfast looked much like yesterday.

 

Jared and I went to look at a few rental properties with our RE Agent which is always an adventure.

 

Came home “early” (7:00pm) after a quick stop to subway where I enjoyed a half of a veggie sub (unpictured).

 

I am going to re-try this whole food blogging thing again.  It has kept me more mindful of things I consume, its just getting a habit to form.