OK. I do not expect anyone to comment on this, I just feel the need to vent a little.
I am taking a class this semester: "Legal Issues in Business and Management". I am actually interested in the content. (I like rules, after all.) Unfortunately, since there are over twenty of us signed up for the online course, the instructor decided that we needed to do our discussions in groups that she assigned. We have five, two week, modules throughout the term. For each module, each group is expected to come to a consensus and post to a main forum and comment, as a group, on another group's posting. Modules begin on a Saturday and end 14 days later on a Friday.
Thus far, my group has posted its consensus first, by the mid-point of the module. We felt that it was only fair, in order to give other groups ample opportunity to comment on our postings. However, the other groups feel that it is acceptable to post their stuff on Wednesday (or even Thursday), thus giving the other groups about 48 hours to come to a consensus and respond.
All groups can see the other groups' discussions. My group is the busiest, most prolific discussion board. We also utilize the chat facility to schedule a time to come to a consensus on our posts.
This evening, our intrepid instructor posted a general note saying how well we were ALL doing. Um???? EXCUSE ME!!! One group is working its butt off while the others are doing the minimum. How the heck is that a good job?
GRRRR....
It really doesn't take much to succeed in this world, does it?
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Patriots Day
Patriots Day
One of the few benefits of working Massachusetts is the Patriots Day holiday. And, what a day to have off from work. The weather is beautiful!
It's been a pretty good day thus far. I slept in. I went to the post office. I bought an overly big lunch, which I ate while watching part of a pretty cool documentary ("King Corn"). And soon, I think I'll take a lovely nap.
School
On the other hand, I'm also trying to get ahead in my school work for my "Legal Issues in Business" class. Because the class is totally online, our instructor set us up in groups, and she has us discussing particular issues and then posting a consensus of our opinion to a main discussion board. Then, we have to post a response to at least one other group's posting. This too has to be a consensus-based posting.
For starters, let's just say that I hate group work. We managed to get the first module stuff done on time, posting it late Friday night. We have two weeks for each module in the course, each module ends on a Friday. I was the first one to post anything to my group's module two discussion last night (Sunday). So far, not another peep out of anyone. Again, let me say: I HATE GROUP WORK.
Blockbuster
The other irritant of the day: Blockbuster. We've had a membership to Blockbuster Online for a couple of years now. One of the main reasons we went with Blockbuster over Netflix was that we could exchange movie mailers for more movies at an actual Blockbuster store. Yesterday, we discovered that our local store had gone out of business.
Today, I got an email from Blockbuster saying that they were having problems charging my membership fee to my debit card. I do have a new card, so I thought maybe I entered the number incorrectly last week. I tried re-entering the card number about six times. The message on the screen suggested that I call my bank. I seriously doubted that there was an actual problem with the card, since I had used it to buy lunch just and hour before. But, I called the bank anyway to see if they were actually rejected the charge attempts from Blockbuster. The customer service representative thoroughly checked their records. My card was fine, and they had no record of denying any charge requests to Blockbuster.
So, I sent Blockbuster a nastygram and told them if they could not get my card to work, that they were more than welcome to cancel my account. I mentioned the closing of the local store as well. Another thing I complained about in my message was how slow and bloated their web site is. I also noted that if my account was canceled that I would happily take my business to Netflix.
Supposedly they respond to most messages within four business hours. I'll update this post if and when they reply.
-------------------------------------
Update
Fine. Blockbuster apologized for the issue with my credit card. But, I was already annoyed with them anyway. So, I quit and signed up with Netflix. Oddly enough, they couldn't process my credit card either. Same card that I used all over town today. Must be some payment processor that's having the issue. I gave Netflix another payment method that they were content with. So, life is good on the DVD rental front again.
One of the few benefits of working Massachusetts is the Patriots Day holiday. And, what a day to have off from work. The weather is beautiful!
It's been a pretty good day thus far. I slept in. I went to the post office. I bought an overly big lunch, which I ate while watching part of a pretty cool documentary ("King Corn"). And soon, I think I'll take a lovely nap.
School
On the other hand, I'm also trying to get ahead in my school work for my "Legal Issues in Business" class. Because the class is totally online, our instructor set us up in groups, and she has us discussing particular issues and then posting a consensus of our opinion to a main discussion board. Then, we have to post a response to at least one other group's posting. This too has to be a consensus-based posting.
For starters, let's just say that I hate group work. We managed to get the first module stuff done on time, posting it late Friday night. We have two weeks for each module in the course, each module ends on a Friday. I was the first one to post anything to my group's module two discussion last night (Sunday). So far, not another peep out of anyone. Again, let me say: I HATE GROUP WORK.
Blockbuster
The other irritant of the day: Blockbuster. We've had a membership to Blockbuster Online for a couple of years now. One of the main reasons we went with Blockbuster over Netflix was that we could exchange movie mailers for more movies at an actual Blockbuster store. Yesterday, we discovered that our local store had gone out of business.
Today, I got an email from Blockbuster saying that they were having problems charging my membership fee to my debit card. I do have a new card, so I thought maybe I entered the number incorrectly last week. I tried re-entering the card number about six times. The message on the screen suggested that I call my bank. I seriously doubted that there was an actual problem with the card, since I had used it to buy lunch just and hour before. But, I called the bank anyway to see if they were actually rejected the charge attempts from Blockbuster. The customer service representative thoroughly checked their records. My card was fine, and they had no record of denying any charge requests to Blockbuster.
So, I sent Blockbuster a nastygram and told them if they could not get my card to work, that they were more than welcome to cancel my account. I mentioned the closing of the local store as well. Another thing I complained about in my message was how slow and bloated their web site is. I also noted that if my account was canceled that I would happily take my business to Netflix.
Supposedly they respond to most messages within four business hours. I'll update this post if and when they reply.
-------------------------------------
Update
Fine. Blockbuster apologized for the issue with my credit card. But, I was already annoyed with them anyway. So, I quit and signed up with Netflix. Oddly enough, they couldn't process my credit card either. Same card that I used all over town today. Must be some payment processor that's having the issue. I gave Netflix another payment method that they were content with. So, life is good on the DVD rental front again.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Ready to try again
I had a meeting with my college adviser last night. I wanted to make sure I had the right course plan in place going forward so I could graduate from this program in the next two years. Things look pretty good.
I dropped the class I was going to take this semester due to stressful work commitments. However, I need to get back on the horse. So, tonight I registered for Legal Issues in Business and Management. Classes start April 5th.
I think I'm ready to get back to it. Work is still stressful, but we cutover the new system on 3/22. So, by 4/5 most of the dust should be settled.
Oddly enough, I even talked to my adviser about potentially teaching some courses at the school. Apparently, you just need a Masters to teach in NH. I think I could teach an online class. I've been kind of thinking about teaching for a while. UNH has a continuing education certificate program called "Train the Trainer". I hope to talk to my boss about this. He and I have talked about me doing more presentation and seminar type stuff, so this would fit in with that. I want to design an Internet Security Awareness program for our organization.
Life is never boring.
I dropped the class I was going to take this semester due to stressful work commitments. However, I need to get back on the horse. So, tonight I registered for Legal Issues in Business and Management. Classes start April 5th.
I think I'm ready to get back to it. Work is still stressful, but we cutover the new system on 3/22. So, by 4/5 most of the dust should be settled.
Oddly enough, I even talked to my adviser about potentially teaching some courses at the school. Apparently, you just need a Masters to teach in NH. I think I could teach an online class. I've been kind of thinking about teaching for a while. UNH has a continuing education certificate program called "Train the Trainer". I hope to talk to my boss about this. He and I have talked about me doing more presentation and seminar type stuff, so this would fit in with that. I want to design an Internet Security Awareness program for our organization.
Life is never boring.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Riding the knife's edge
It's been a while since I've really vented here. Since last summer, I've tried to stay away from pure ranting. So, my apologies, in advance, to the Power of Positive Thinking Princess (if she happens to check in).
For the last couple of months, I have been trying to lead a huge project at work which involves replacing an organically homegrown, undocumented, critical application server with a commercially supported appliance. Lots of things that 'just work' on the homegrown system are proving to be problematic on the new system. It wouldn't be so bad if I was leading an actual team who were accountable for the success of this transition. As it stands, my 'team members' seem to view any effort that they put forth on this project as (more or less) helping me out. They come to meetings when they feel like it. They address their assigned tasks when it's convenient. Our upper management (two levels up from me) began calling these meetings in July when I was making no progress on 'my project'.
The eight other people who were 'invited' to these meetings seem to feel that the meetings are there for me to report MY progress. Sometimes, someone will volunteer to help me with a task. Sometimes, they'll actually deliver on their offer. Tasks that obviously can only be accomplished by someone, other than me, are never delivered in a timely fashion. And, our management (who attend these meetings) never call these folks on the carpet for their lack of contribution.
There are a ton of issues getting our applications to work through the new appliance. I do not understand how most of them were configured to work through the old, homegrown, server. The folks who administer that server never documented what they did to get the stuff working. And, now, they don't seem real anxious to assist in getting the stuff to work through the new appliance.
When, and if, this project ever goes live, these folks will no longer have to support a MAJOR application server that impacts everyone in our VERY large organization. You'd think that they'd be more than forthcoming in order to get rid of this albatross!
Speaking of albatrosses, once we cut over to the new appliance, I'll be the sole support for the new appliance. Someone else on my team went to the same training that I did. HOWEVER, the woman has only been out of college for a little over a year and is relatively incapable of troubleshooting the appliance if an application doesn't work through it. So, while the homegrown server is antiquated, there's a team of about 3 or 4 guys who, more-or-less, can troubleshoot an issue if push came to shove, since most of them are experienced server administrators.
So, folks, in a nutshell: I'm EXTREMELY stressed right now.
That said, I had registered for a class that starts in a few days. Tonight was the last night that I had to pay for the class before my registration would have been canceled. As much as I really wanted to take the class, I feel like I've been riding the knife's edge the last few months. As 'my project' gets closer and closer to going into production, I could not envision taking on the additional stress of a rigorous class right now. So, instead of paying for the class, I logged onto the registration system and canceled my registration for the upcoming term. I'm bummed, but I don't feel like I had any other choice. (And, crap, I already bought the really expensive text book!)
Afterwards, I decided to surf a few of the local hospitals' job sites. The Fates must have felt my pain! The first site I hit had a job ad for an Information Security Engineer position just 25 minutes from my house. So, of course, I applied.
Wish my luck! (Man, wouldn't that turn my frown WAY upside down?!?!?!)
For the last couple of months, I have been trying to lead a huge project at work which involves replacing an organically homegrown, undocumented, critical application server with a commercially supported appliance. Lots of things that 'just work' on the homegrown system are proving to be problematic on the new system. It wouldn't be so bad if I was leading an actual team who were accountable for the success of this transition. As it stands, my 'team members' seem to view any effort that they put forth on this project as (more or less) helping me out. They come to meetings when they feel like it. They address their assigned tasks when it's convenient. Our upper management (two levels up from me) began calling these meetings in July when I was making no progress on 'my project'.
The eight other people who were 'invited' to these meetings seem to feel that the meetings are there for me to report MY progress. Sometimes, someone will volunteer to help me with a task. Sometimes, they'll actually deliver on their offer. Tasks that obviously can only be accomplished by someone, other than me, are never delivered in a timely fashion. And, our management (who attend these meetings) never call these folks on the carpet for their lack of contribution.
There are a ton of issues getting our applications to work through the new appliance. I do not understand how most of them were configured to work through the old, homegrown, server. The folks who administer that server never documented what they did to get the stuff working. And, now, they don't seem real anxious to assist in getting the stuff to work through the new appliance.
When, and if, this project ever goes live, these folks will no longer have to support a MAJOR application server that impacts everyone in our VERY large organization. You'd think that they'd be more than forthcoming in order to get rid of this albatross!
Speaking of albatrosses, once we cut over to the new appliance, I'll be the sole support for the new appliance. Someone else on my team went to the same training that I did. HOWEVER, the woman has only been out of college for a little over a year and is relatively incapable of troubleshooting the appliance if an application doesn't work through it. So, while the homegrown server is antiquated, there's a team of about 3 or 4 guys who, more-or-less, can troubleshoot an issue if push came to shove, since most of them are experienced server administrators.
So, folks, in a nutshell: I'm EXTREMELY stressed right now.
That said, I had registered for a class that starts in a few days. Tonight was the last night that I had to pay for the class before my registration would have been canceled. As much as I really wanted to take the class, I feel like I've been riding the knife's edge the last few months. As 'my project' gets closer and closer to going into production, I could not envision taking on the additional stress of a rigorous class right now. So, instead of paying for the class, I logged onto the registration system and canceled my registration for the upcoming term. I'm bummed, but I don't feel like I had any other choice. (And, crap, I already bought the really expensive text book!)
Afterwards, I decided to surf a few of the local hospitals' job sites. The Fates must have felt my pain! The first site I hit had a job ad for an Information Security Engineer position just 25 minutes from my house. So, of course, I applied.
Wish my luck! (Man, wouldn't that turn my frown WAY upside down?!?!?!)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Happy Dance of Relief
OK. I know that I already posted today. Some would say "Save it for tomorrow", but I just can't!
Tonight was my last class of the semester. I emailed my final paper in on Sunday (OK, I mailed it in on Saturday and then sent him a revision on Sunday). Tonight we had to give presentations on our papers. I was a little nervous. Though I know the material like the back of my hand, I don't like 'speaking' plus I was unsure how my conclusion was going to go over.
It turns out that I obsessed for no reason, yet again. First off, there are only three other students in my class. It was very informal and nearly even fun (though I went last when everyone was exhausted and wanted to go home). I focused on my most copacetic classmate and directed my presentation towards her. That helped immensely since she's always been very interested in my topic. While I got a rough start, I am VERY passionate about my topic. Towards the end I got to present the data points that piss me off the most about Indian health care. When I was done the group threw several questions at me that I had no problem answering. And, my conclusion was well received by all.
The basic premise of my paper was: "Is the Indian Healthcare System a good model for universal health care for the U.S. as a whole?" My conclusion was: "IHS is WAY broken and most of the U.S. would not put up with the rationing and health status that American Indian/Alaska Natives have had to put up with. In my paper I also had to discuss what would fix the system. ... Like I know. However, I took a stab at a few things and we discussed them after my presentation. The instructor and class liked what I said.
So, I have to say, I'm pretty sure I got that "A" that I usually obsess about when I take a class. Woot!
January 5th, I can start obsessing about the next class.
Tonight was my last class of the semester. I emailed my final paper in on Sunday (OK, I mailed it in on Saturday and then sent him a revision on Sunday). Tonight we had to give presentations on our papers. I was a little nervous. Though I know the material like the back of my hand, I don't like 'speaking' plus I was unsure how my conclusion was going to go over.
It turns out that I obsessed for no reason, yet again. First off, there are only three other students in my class. It was very informal and nearly even fun (though I went last when everyone was exhausted and wanted to go home). I focused on my most copacetic classmate and directed my presentation towards her. That helped immensely since she's always been very interested in my topic. While I got a rough start, I am VERY passionate about my topic. Towards the end I got to present the data points that piss me off the most about Indian health care. When I was done the group threw several questions at me that I had no problem answering. And, my conclusion was well received by all.
The basic premise of my paper was: "Is the Indian Healthcare System a good model for universal health care for the U.S. as a whole?" My conclusion was: "IHS is WAY broken and most of the U.S. would not put up with the rationing and health status that American Indian/Alaska Natives have had to put up with. In my paper I also had to discuss what would fix the system. ... Like I know. However, I took a stab at a few things and we discussed them after my presentation. The instructor and class liked what I said.
So, I have to say, I'm pretty sure I got that "A" that I usually obsess about when I take a class. Woot!
January 5th, I can start obsessing about the next class.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Let the weekend begin
I spent part of Wednesday and most of Friday working on my paper. I am (mostly) finished writing it. There is one section that I want to reword a bit. Plus, I need to reformat my citations and update my slides. However, the grunt work is done.
Now, the real weekend can begin. I really need to clean my office. It looks like a paper factory blew up in there. Some other parts of the house are also whining for my attention.
Plus, I want to start making holiday cards. Yes, I said 'making'. Those of you who get actual cards from me this year will find them laughably hand made. I thought it would be fun. Plus, it'll have a personal touch that a box of Hallmarks just won't have. If they're a little messy looking it'll just add to their charm, right?
Now, the real weekend can begin. I really need to clean my office. It looks like a paper factory blew up in there. Some other parts of the house are also whining for my attention.
Plus, I want to start making holiday cards. Yes, I said 'making'. Those of you who get actual cards from me this year will find them laughably hand made. I thought it would be fun. Plus, it'll have a personal touch that a box of Hallmarks just won't have. If they're a little messy looking it'll just add to their charm, right?
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