Random crap with Uno.

[Unorthodox]

Hazy sky, moon barely visible through the clouds,  and saw a particularly bright blue geminid meteor this morning even through all that.  Easily the brightest meteor I've ever seen. 

[Unorthodox]

Well that was the worst night of attempted sleep I've ever had.

I can't figure out this neck issue. 

[Buster's Uncle]

It sounds like a pinched nerve.

Chiropractor?

[E_T]

Stress??

[Unorthodox]

Something popped LOUDLY.  Everyone asked if I was ok. 

Pain is largely gone right now.  Don't know what, wasn't really doing anything that SHOULD have popped something.  Don't know if it'll be back. 

[Unorthodox]

Neck has been getting better with periods of excruciating pain.  Tried to rest it most the weekend. 

The monkeys have mutinied and ousted the head monkey.  Interesting...

[E_T]

Is this good

[Unorthodox]

I don't know.  The guy was such an overbearing oaf, I don't know the capabilities of the monkeys free from his rule. 

[Unorthodox]

I know I often refer to this place as the circus...

Some backdrop:

When I started in this business back in 2002, it was more of a Broadway Musical, which had been running for 40 years.  Sure, there was a bunch of different crews, but they all worked to bring about one production.  Of course, the director was a big fat jerk full of himself and demanded more and more of the proceeds go to his pocket.  The theater (Gubment) eventually got tired of this, and decided we were going to take the show on the road and break it up. 

Thus, the circus was born. 

You have the acrobats doing the dangerous things up in the air.  (7 yr contract)

You have the Magicians making things disappear and reappear.  (3 yr contract)

And you have the daredevils with the human cannonballs and dome of death type acts.  (10 yr contract)

Meanwhile, we have the sideshow where I work (8 yr contract).  Our job is not just a side attraction, but rather keeping the other acts all in the same tent, filling in holes when one of the acts has a problem, keeping the theater happy and highlighting each for the audience as appropriate.  Part of the sideshow contract is that we will not attempt to perform any of the other acts, however, as the theater is eager to prevent another monopoly situation like the old show. 

The former director attempted to run the sideshow, but the theater was so unhappy with his previous stunts, they gave him a trial run of managing the Magicians.  That trial is over next year, and the process has begun to find a more permanent replacement.  Word has it that replacement might create 2 new acts, and all the acts smell the blood and are positioning themselves to gobble up any pieces that might fall onto the floor. 

THUS.....

Last night, meeting with all the acts, Magician director: "We've got to coordinate with 4 different organizations and get 5 government officials to sign off.  It's going to take 3 weeks."

the other acts start bickering about their parts in this and arguing who can do it quicker

Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."

This morning meeting: Magician Director "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."

"Here you go.  All signed off and waiting on you."

"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"

(I have worked for both the acrobats and daredevils, and closely with a lot of magicians.  I've literally written large swaths of the book on this particular job.  I know how and where to push things.)

Today:  [Magician Director on why it still hasn't been done]We object to Uno's name being on this, we won't do the work until his name is off and we get full credit for pulling this off.  (which would upset the other acts and bring another delay)   By (insert legal jargon in process) it doesn't need his signature. 

(see, by helping them, plugging a hole like I'm supposed to, in front of the theater, I'd made him look like an incompetent ass again, when he's under review for a follow on...)  I signed off as required (insert legal jargon). 

Theater:  I want this done by tomorrow. 


___________________________________________

I've been thrust out from behind the curtain to handle a lot more of this politicking crap lately.  Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean I can't DO it.  Probably ultimately good that powers that be get to know me some more, but I can't wait to be able to go back behind the curtain...

Soonish.   

Not soon enough. 

Attempting a more difficult follow on of the above. 

Magician (Boeing) Director:  "I know we really rushed things last time with a little help from Uno, but we need to make sure this is all lined up right this time first, we'll have the proper signoffs by next week." 

Theater:  "Uno already completed all that last week.  You've been notified here, here, and here.  Why is it not completed?"

MD: "He's not even supposed to be a part of this, we didn't ask for his help, we don't want him stepping into OUR business."

Theater:  "His business is what I say it is, and I asked him to line it up so we didn't have to deal with your excuses." 

MD:  unimpressive death stare the rest of the meeting. 



Don't know if this idjit has anything to do with the opening or not.  Don't care.  He can either appreciate I do things right and swift or be upset I'm making him look exposing the fact he is inept. 

 
And they did it WRONG. 

Maybe permanently fubared.  Literally don't know how to read directions. 

edit:  Oh, and they tried to hide the fact they did it wrong, which likely makes it WORSE.  Fabulous.  It's like working with my kids. 

So, Festivus today. 

Supposed to be just us behind the curtain guys, trying to keep all politics out of it.  But the Theater is fully represented so it's a BIG stage.  A lot bigger than any of the normal acts actually can manage. 

We open the curtains, show them exactly what's going on, and openly discuss ways the back stage can work better between us.  Supposed to be pure shop talk with no politics. 

THIS IS JUST NOT DONE.  You don't typically open the curtain.  Ever.  Let alone share info across various back stages openly like this.  I pitched this concept to the Theater when I started, and they've backed me fully, and are attempting to use it as a model to further THEIR careers. 

Anyhow. 
Magician director above had other ideas (not invited), and come to complain about the above incidences AGAIN. 

The theater told him to shut it, and used those incidences as the example WHY we have the backstage aligned to work in such a non-traditional manner.  And if folks don't like it, they are happy to adjust where they buy tickets. 

Back stage, badges and politics are checked at the door.  Leave that stuff to your acts. 

[Unorthodox]

Taking a momentary break from the normal shenanigans here. 

Happy Yule to everyone, and may the next cycle bring you joy. 

To hEt, 23 years now.  I think everyone here would agree that must qualify you for sainthood. 

[Unorthodox]

Pulled our couches out of storage last night. 

We'd been using the 'basement' couches because they were bigger and could sit more in the one room we had during construction.

THEY WERE AWFUL.  My parents gave us those, but they were just not right for us (hEt and I).  My legs would cramp up just sitting on them.  Hard to put a reason on it, really.  They're quality stuff.  We needed them since the kids had absolutely destroyed a set when they were younger. 

But with the carpet in, the kids can start putting the basement back in order, so we put them back in the basement, and got the first set of couches we ever bought. 

Even Talia: "They're SO SOOOOOOOOFFFFT!"  Both she and I fell asleep on them shortly after getting them in.  Old and worn, I wish I could just tear em down, repair, and re-upholster.  I'm afraid I don't have the patience for that last, and don't know how to go about the repair. 

Here's hoping the new set of couches for the great hall are quality.  The last set we bought did not hold up well at all. 

[E_T]

sounds like things are moving along

Happy Yule to Ya'll, too (and everyone else!!)

[Buster's Uncle]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2016/12/21/the-10-most-intriguing-skeletons-of-2016/#7da31ff72980

[Unorthodox]

Well that was the worst night of attempted sleep I've ever had.

I can't figure out this neck issue. 

Mostly been relegated to 1-2 hour naps on the couch since then or my shoulder/neck would kill me.  But, just completed a 'full' night sleep (6 hours is a full night for me) in my actual bed.  And Sunday I got a full night sleep on my back in the recliner couch (I NEVER had slept on my back before).  Actual 2 days full sleep for the first time in god only knows how long.

[Unorthodox]

anxious to get into my shop.  But they have to finish the basement kitchen, master bath, and bedroom first.