I survived my 18-day road trip for work, got home, recovered for a week, and was terminated on Friday. Effective Sept. 1, 2009. I'm better off in the long run, but it was a serious shot to the ego.
[SIDE NOTE: I'm extremely fortunate that this will not put us in dire financial straights, and it looks like it's not going to affect my professional reputation. I was terminated because the boss doesn't want this position telecommuting anymore and I'm unwilling to move. If you know where my employer is located, that makes even more sense. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, the Universe has a plan and all that.]
What made my crappy day much better was Friday night's Stanley Cup Final win by the Penguins! Since I went to the Steelers parade back in February, I figured "why not!" and went downtown today to the Pens parade.
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To hit some of the highlights and recap my day as I did back in February ...
• Leave house a few minutes before 11 a.m. Stand on the T platform at Castle Shannon for (no joke) 25 minutes before the first car comes by.
• Stand the whole way in. Realize that Hubster was dead-on that this parade will be more heavily attended than the Steelers parade. Think this is a combo between better weather and the fact that school is out.
• Exit the Steel Plaza T station at 11:57. Yep. Grant Street is packed. Troll the sidewalk on the "uphill" side of the street for a bit, realizing that I'm not going to be elevated enough to get any decent photos.
• Attempt to get to the New Jersey barrier. Realize that with people five deep, I'm never going to get decent photos from there.
• Try to take photos anyway when Mario Lemieux drives by. Fail miserably, but get a half-decent crowd shot. (I like the energy and motion of the shot)
• Climb up on one of the concrete flowerpots in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse. Perfect spot for photos. Highlights:
ICEBURGH!
My old boss. From 15 years ago. Yeep!
SUPERSTAR!!! Max Talbot is the guy in the white sweater. Sadly, he never turned towards me. :-( Bill Guerin is the guy on the left with the video camera.
Flower with the Cup!
• Parade wraps up around 12:40. I hung around for a few extra minutes to let the crowd thin, then headed over to the supplier of Dan Bylsma's Magic Burritos to grab some lunch
• Get on an inbound T at 1 pm sharp
• Listen to the crankiest T driver ever: "Yinz keep touchin stuff you don't know nothin' about. Now we're gonna be stuck on this here hill!"
• Walk off the Castle Shannon platform at 2 pm. Head home. Do minimal work for remainder of day. Take a nap.
Tomorrow's plans include starting my workout routine and doing the minimum amount of work necessary for survival. If I get motivated and remember to take pictures again, hopefully you'll start seeing regular blog posts from this here URL again!
8 comments:
I am so glad you made it the parade! You got some fabulous shots of the guys! YEA PENS!!!
Best wishes with your new path, and with your workout regimen. You seem to have a good attitude about it, so I wish you the best. Things will work out :)
I'm so jealous that you got to go to the parade. We had it on in the conference room at work but had to deal with Sally Wiggin's horrible commentary (couldn't they get someone to do it who actually knows something about hockey?). I would have even put up with the crowds to be there!
What I want to know is why Billy Guerin couldn't wear his tooth for the parade!
It looks like a fun way to spend a couple hours! You got some great shots there!
Looks like the parade was fun!
I watched the Final with my friends here in Omaha (visiting for a long weekend) - SO jealous that you got to go to the parade!
I'm sorry about the job. I'm glad you guys will be ok, and that it shouldn't be a problem for you professionally, but it's still a stinky thing to have happen.
You still managed to get some great shots!! Way cool.
Sorry about your job too, but as you said, the universe does have a plan. Hopefully there is a shiny new opportunity out there for you just waiting for your freedom!
I'm a big believer in things happening for reasons. There's a reason that's yet to show itself I'm sure.
I'm ashamed to admit, I'm born and bred Alaskan and I really don't know squat about hockey!
Fabulous shots of the parade!! I wanted to go so bad, but I couldn't imagine going it alone, with 3.5 year old and 8mo prego belly in tow. I skipped out. I will live vicariously through your pictures, which are totally awesome ;)
I am sorry about your job. I am glad you will be alright (and other than the ego blow,) are okay with it.
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