October 23, 2007
Tales From the Help Desk
I call this story, WUD YU REE-SET MY PASS WURD? ME: Thank you for calling technical support. You’re speaking with Will on a recorded line. How may I help you? EMPLOYEE: Yeah, would you reset my password? ME: Sure. May I have your ID please? EMPLOYEE: ME: Okay, for which...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-23-07
July 19, 2007
HAPPY FRIDAY EVE
For quite a while now, a few years actually, and in order to make my own personal work week go by a little faster, I have been referring to Thursday as FRIDAY EVE! Go ahead and say it sounds 'gay' if ya want to. I don't care. It helps me...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-19-07
July 12, 2007
Would you ever do this?
Would you ever do this? Here’s the situation. The car is having mechanical problems. Odd pinging noises, pulling to left, what ever. So to get the problems diagnosed the owner takes a cab, or has a friend drive him/her to a mechanic and drop him/her off. The owner walks inside...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-12-07
November 09, 2006
In Case You've Been Wondering...
... just how my IT Career is going with Vision Technology Servies (my recruiter/employer) and T. Rowe Price (I am currently a contractor with them) here's a little insight that caught me by surprise today. Vision Technology Services just announced the latest winner of their Focus Award by sending out...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
11-09-06
June 24, 2006
More Vacation Pics and a Little About What's Been Going On
His Majesty ~ The Great Egret Originally uploaded by manahanwill. I know that you aren't used to sporadic posts here at BDTH. Especially when I went for almost two years averaging posts on twenty-five days per month! And my post used to be longer. Now they are short and...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-24-06
June 13, 2006
10 Years to the Day
Today marked my return to the world of the IT help desk and technical support. It was ten years ago today that I started my IT in tech support working for Claritas, Inc. in Arlington, VA. So, as of this morning at eight AM, I am no longer a proud...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-13-06
May 26, 2006
The Story of Jobs
Since the end of March I have had my resume posted on all of the big career web sites. In spite of clearly writing in my resume where I will and more importantly, will not work, IE inside the Circle of Death – AKA the Capitol Beltway – and Northern...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-26-06
May 10, 2006
Can't you see that I am in a hurry?
My current job has me talking to... well, trying to talk to as many people as possible about a great charity and then get them to sign up as supporters. I hear a lot of reasons why people can't/won't stop. I don't take any of it personally and I understand...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-10-06
May 03, 2006
Suck it Up
I had to look back a few entries to see what I told you last about my job search and issues with Maryland Unemployment. Let’s start with MD unemployment and the rest will just flow from there. The question as to whether or not I would receive benefits was up...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-03-06
April 03, 2006
Finding an Open Door (for lack of a better title)
First let me apologize for the uncharacteristic lack of site content over the past seven days. I know that many of you are used to seeing me post a little something everyday. Hell, I didn’t even post a Battlestar Friday entry last week. Sad, really sad. Not that I would...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-03-06
March 06, 2006
Survey Says... WORK IN THE NUDE!
Not at the office. Frankly, I don't want to see the majority of my co-workers nude. I admit that there's a select few, but not the majority. No, this survey was about those fortunate folks who work from home. The telecommuter. The survey indicated that productivity was high, but clothing...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-06-06
February 09, 2006
Rage Against the Necktie!
I hate wearing neckties. HATE, HATE, HATE! And today and tomorrow at work, all employees must dress ‘business professional.’ That means neckties for the boys. Why? It’s just because the Board of Directors is here for meetings. Come on, the board knows that we don’t normally wear ties, so why...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-09-06
October 20, 2005
The Movie Office Space Comes to My Office Space... FOR REAL!
NINA Michael… - (Michael reaches for it) Bolton? MICHAEL That's me. NINA Wow! Is that your real name? MICHAEL Yeah. NINA So are you related to the singer guy? MICHAEL No, it's just a coincidence. SAMIR How come no one in this country can pronounce my name right? It's...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-20-05
September 17, 2005
Friday at Work
Diner Style The Greek Geeks Come and Get It My friend Daveed will email me a few times a week and ask, "so how's working in paradise today?" On Friday it was great. Friday was not only casual day with me in shorts and a tee shirt, as were...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
09-17-05
August 12, 2005
An Old Co-Worker Says Hello
Hey, guess what. A co-worker from my former job stopped by and said hello in this entry. That was real nice of John Cognetti to drop in and leave a comment. He even left a URL link for his current/my old employer and he even left his whole name. From...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
08-12-05
July 31, 2005
Of Work and Swifter Dusters
I apologize if you have been waiting for me to write about my first week on the new job. I have just been busy with ‘honey do’ things this weekend, plus I washed the MINI again, and washed Jenne’s Honda, and did my share of the house cleaning, and we...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-31-05
July 25, 2005
First Day
WOW! That week off sure flew by. I did a lot of relaxing and de-stressing that is for sure. If I was still at the old job, I would have been up at 5:30 AM, on the road at 6:00 AM and in the office already. As it is now...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-25-05
July 15, 2005
Going from Three to One
So this is the day, the last day of my employ in Northern Virginia. This evening is the last that I will drive the Dulles Toll Road, travel the Circle of Death and cross the Legion of the Damned Bridge from Virginia into Maryland for a job. Unless Jenne and...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-15-05
July 12, 2005
In the Shadow of the Headless Chickens
This morning was the last drive from Ellicott City, MD to Reston, VA. It was the last time driving on the outer loop of the Circle of Death. I won't miss it....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-12-05
July 07, 2005
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious news everyone!
Please take a moment to untie your tongue. I have been offered, and I have since accepted a new job north of the POO-tomac River in my home state of Maryland in the city of Rockville. I start in two weeks. This morning I handed in my resignation to my...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-07-05
May 04, 2005
If Only Work Was Really Like This
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-04-05
March 30, 2005
It's Quality Alright! YEAH BABY!
So I was writing a work related email today with the subject line of "Software Quality Assurance PVCS Tracker Report" and when I minimized the email the above is what appeared in the taskbar. No, I did not plan this. It just happened....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-30-05
March 29, 2005
How Does Will Spell Relief?
I opened my email at home this morning before heading out to work and found the following from one of my readers... ***** Organizing a search party for one Will Burham......stop............ Has not been heard from on the web since 3-25-05.....stop.......... Highly unusual........stop............if located, have him make a post on...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-29-05
March 14, 2005
We're Moving
No, Jenne and I are not moving, we are staying firmly put. The offices of my current employer are moving and you can bet it's not going to be to Maryland and you can bet again that it won't be closer....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-14-05
March 02, 2005
Exposing Myself
It’s a Monday some weeks ago and I am sitting in the test lab doing what I normally do, no not slacking and surfing the web, but testing software, when the VP of something or another – totally acting on his own initiative– comes into the software test lab and...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-02-05
December 15, 2004
So Very Busy
I am so very busy today. HOW BUSY ARE YOU? I am busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest! That’s an ole joke and I don’t remember where I heard it. Anyway, I'd love to write and tell you all about the extended edition of Return...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
12-15-04
December 10, 2004
Ad Campaigns I Don't Get
Ummm gee... Lisa... thanks... I guess. I am back in the office and back to the long commute from hell. Today sucked because of the fog. Man I miss the short conference commute already. Sigh. The above was part of a software exhibitor's booth at the software testing and...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
12-10-04
December 08, 2004
Where's Will?
Why haven’t I been around in two days and why won’t I be around tomorrow? Because I am attending a three-day software quality ASS-urance – he, he, I said ASS he, he – and testing conference in downtown Baltimore. Today was day two. Here are some highlights and thoughts concerning...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
12-08-04
November 30, 2004
Say WHAT!?
Most of you know that I work as the lead QA Analyst - huh huh anal huh huh - for a small software company. I test software for usablity, performance and that it meets the customer specifications and requirements; although in eight months I have yet to see either specs...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
11-30-04
August 19, 2004
The New Picture Phone
One of the many bennies of the new job is free cell phones. They pay for it all, the phone, the calls... all of it, and I can use it for personal calls too. Now of course you are probably thinking that there are strings attached, and you would...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
08-19-04
August 10, 2004
Stupid Clients... SMACK!
For the past month at work I have been performing very intensive software testing on a specific client's upgrade, known as a Phase II Install. The requirements and specs all say that the OS is Windows 2000 and that's what we have been testing on. Our install team flew out...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
08-10-04
July 20, 2004
What's Wrong With This Picture?
I am not asking for a critique of this image because it is by no means art, although the composition does follow along the rule of thirds. Critique is not the exercise here. The exercise is to look at the details and tell me what you believe to be...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-20-04
July 01, 2004
No More Working the Weekend!
Here's a bit of good news for me and my pards working in Ole Virginnie!...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-01-04
June 03, 2004
Tag, I’m it!
I have found a way to slightly shorten my commute. Not by distance, that will remain the same, but by time. It’s not huge difference. About five minutes each way, but as we have all certainly learned from life experience a few minutes can make all of the difference in...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-03-04
Making my Bed and Commuting In It
It’s nice to wake up in the morning and not dread the work day. The commute is a different story, a new adventure or misadventure everyday, except on those days when I can stay in Centerville, VA with either David & Apryl or the Jeff-ster & Becky. Jenne and I...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-03-04
May 26, 2004
Things You'd Like to Say at Work
Via email from a coworker I added number forty-one. Do you have any to add? 1. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit. 2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce. 3. How about never? Is never...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-26-04
May 03, 2004
Easing the Commute and Passing the Time
My first week at the BSNJ** is behind me. It went well and I feel that I am off to a good start. I have learned the basics of all of the software modules and tested a few upgrades. I also found a few bugs that no one knew were...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-03-04
April 27, 2004
Ok, I, I, I’m going to set the building on fire.
Fairfax County fire department personal give the all clear and everyone goes back to work. No one set the building on fire ala Milton from the film, Office Space, but we did have a fire alarm and evacuation following a big power surge at the BSNJ today. Holy ear...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-27-04
April 26, 2004
Bye Bye SLJ... HELLO BSNJ!
Good morning everyone. I don't have time for a long detailed entry - that will be coming - but I wanted to let you know that I am indeed around and about. This morning I am writing you from my new job. YES! You read correctly... my new job. BRAND...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-26-04
April 22, 2004
OOPS! ~ Theme Thursday Image for 04.22.04
Toy Train OOPS! Yikes, this is the second train photo I have posted this week. You can see the one I submitted for PhotoTime Tuesday here. Sometimes I tend to run the trains a little fast on the inclined layout. The above is what happens when I run a...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-22-04
April 19, 2004
When Something REALLY Positive Happens
I just got in from my speech class where I gave my informational speech on the Margarita. I have to admit that I borrowed heavily from Rob at Strange Geometrical Hinges for source material (look under the Drinks category). Thanks Rob for the source material and one kick ass Margarita...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-19-04
January 06, 2004
Hey, God... can I have that winning lottery ticket? PLEASE!
Second day back at the SLJ after eleven and a half days off and does it ever suck ass. However, I am both surprised and happy that the mountain of work actually didn’t turn into a whole range while I was gone. I fully expected to return to find my...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
01-06-04
November 24, 2003
Too Much Time and Too Little to Do... Strike That... Reverse It.
Pile Up Click on image for a larger view. Now I am back at the SLJ and I have a mountain of work facing me. Artwork reviews, sample reviews, paint color matching, deco reviews, product testing, report writing, research, instruction sheet writing and design, box design… blah, blah, blah....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
11-24-03
November 14, 2003
The Anticipation of Presents
Each Friday morning I roll out of bed with a twinge of that Christmas day anticipation. The kind of anticipation that comes with presents. I bound down the stairs to the basement, jump on the Internet, and click on the link for Photo Friday. As I wait - briefly -...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
11-14-03
October 28, 2003
Crowded ~ PhotoTime Tuesday Image for 10.28.03
ALL ABOARD! Click on image for a larger view. I am a "people person". Funny thing is I love people, but I hate crowds. I hate crowds with a passion. I love a good party though and a party is different from a crowd. A party is a crowd...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-28-03
October 27, 2003
I've Got the Red, White and Blues
Patriotic Railroading Click on image for a larger view. Hey it's only Monday and already the work week has gone straight to hell. I tried to write something more about the hell that this work week has already turned into, but I just don't have the energy. I am...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-27-03
October 17, 2003
The Two Fs
The Two Fs Click on image for a larger view. Yes, I put this sign up on the men's restrooms in the Production Department here at the SLJ*. What I encountered in the restroom Thursday evening gives new meaning to SLJ. Last night I had one of those moments...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-17-03
October 06, 2003
Come Sail Away
Schooner and Key Bridge Click on image for a larger view. After today if I had an invite to come sail away, I would. We are swamped at the SLJ with product inspection after product inspection. Christmas is coming (don't remind me) and it's the biggest time of the...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-06-03
October 01, 2003
Three Mondays and Shorter Daylight Hours...
... make Will... something, something. Go crazy! Don't mind if I do!!!! Here's a brief rundown of things for this week. 1. I'm exhausted. If it's possible for a workweek to have three Mondays than this week has had them. I am hoping that tomorrow is indeed Thursday and that...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
10-01-03
August 13, 2003
Dress Code for Work
I wonder now if my boss will get the hint. Probably not. This is me at work this very day and testing that same engine with the blinky light (it's on the roof of the engine just to the right of the headlight). This photo is so recent that...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
08-13-03
August 12, 2003
Little Blinky Lights
It’s days like today when I ask myself why don’t I go back to working at Micros. Sure they were driving me insane with the demanding schedule of the QA department. Sure, they suggested that all employees buy cots and sleep at work. Sure I hated doing QA work although...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
08-12-03
July 14, 2003
Things That Make Your Brain Go BOOM!
Today has been a day of udder insanity here at the SLJ. Mondays are bad enough as it is, but to be forewarned that Monday is going to suck donkey balls makes getting out of bed and motivating oneself a superhuman feat! I knew it was going to be nuts....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-14-03
July 03, 2003
Congratulations or Condolences ??
I really don’t know what one to express to Geren on his finding a job. It’s important to note that I did not say “new” job. Why? Because he is coming back to work here at the SLJ* after they laid him off four months ago. You can read Geren’s...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
07-03-03
June 18, 2003
The Knights Who Say Geek versus Will's Car and Keith's Work
We Knights Who Say Geek were unable to get together for our regularly scheduled Tuesday night of games. My car went into the shop yesterday after having developed this spine tingling squeak that at present seems to be brake related. Whatever it is I can’t drive the car with that...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-18-03
June 13, 2003
We're Too Sexy...
...for our masks! The big boss is back from his two and a half week trip to China and we don't know if he's been exposed to SARS or not. Hey, while there he could of run into all kinds of SARS patients! Who knows and it's Friday the...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
06-13-03
May 08, 2003
Step, 1, 2, BOOM! Step, 2, 3, BOOM!
There are days – too many of them – where working at my SLJ is like being placed in the middle of a Bosnian minefield in the middle of the night and told that your task is to find your way out with no help, no map, no metal detector,...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
05-08-03
April 30, 2003
My New Job!
I finally had it at work today! More projects have been piled upon me, I spent far too long on the phone being berated by a customer for someone else's projects, and I had three folks from three departments come to me with requests that boiled down to, "here, Will...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-30-03
April 23, 2003
Stress Balls
Okay, so Kay (female co-worker, 28, single, hard body, blonde, belly shirt, tight jeans) stops by my office. She has some artwork for me. She starts going on about how stressed she is and how she's tired of train artwork and how she had her first train dream last night....
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-23-03
April 21, 2003
How to get the most from your employees. Lesson 69
The fun and excitement never cease at my SLJ. They constantly find new ways to improve employee morale and get the most from us. WOW, the incentives are just amazing here. What was I saying about motivation and enthusiasm in an earlier post? Well how about this for a story...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-21-03
April 15, 2003
Happy Fricking Anniversary, Addendum
If you haven't read "Happy Fricking Anniversary" do that first. Well, I just stopped by my boss's office to drop of my latest project status report for the nine projects that I am currently juggling. Count em, nine projects. I 'nonchalantly' said, "can you believe that today marks two years...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-15-03
Happy Fricking Anniversary
This month is just full of birthdays and anniversaries. Today is my two-year anniversary at work. Everybody say YEAH, YIPPIE! Actually, don’t. I never intended to be here this long. This was a ‘stick my finger in the dyke’ of unemployment job while I continued (and still continue) to look...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-15-03
April 01, 2003
Jenne Wins Premiere Award at Work
I'm very proud of Jenne this morning. Her hard work and dedication pays off yet again. I mean she just got a raise and a nice year end bonus from her employer. This morning it was announced that she and the analytical team she's a part of won the PREMIER...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
04-01-03
March 26, 2003
The Priorities of Being a Kid
After my rant concerning work yesterday I was able to regroup and tackle a few things. Not a whole lot, but a few important things. I did meet some goals. I think I just really needed that rant, to get it out. It’s important to get stuff off of one’s...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-26-03
March 25, 2003
In the Empire Your Loyalty Will Be Rewarded
I am a total basket case right now and it’s not because of the unjust war, although that is a small contributing factor. I have no motivation to do my job, which is in reality, a job that used to be handled by three people when this department had twenty-four...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
03-25-03
February 26, 2003
Steam Rolled by Steam Engines
No more model train inspections for me. I’m done, especially after yesterday and I told the crew here that as well. You want me? I’ll be in my office from now on. You know, I figured that operationally testing the model trains wouldn’t be so bad on my neck and...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-26-03
February 25, 2003
Loco for Loco Chuffs
The above is a mere fraction, maybe 15% of the total of locomotives we are inspecting today, tomorrow, and the next day and they told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on... Help! I grabbed this shot with the digi camera here at...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-25-03
Work, A Matter of Perspective
The light at the end of the tunnel is a train. Actually it's 500+ of one of the biggest model steam engines we make. This behemoth is almost thirty inches long, has twenty-eight wheels and weighs close to twenty pounds. Today is another day of model train inspections and the...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-25-03
February 20, 2003
Snow Day With Pay!
Our HR department, not management (credit where credit is due) just made the decision and announcement that everyone who didn’t make it to work on Tuesday because of the snowstorm will be paid for the day. Those that did make it in will get normal pay plus comp time. This...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-20-03
February 18, 2003
One Flew Over the Igloo
Many of you know that I work for a toy train manufacturer. The same place that my friend, Geren works. Now, you know that mental vision that just jumped into your mind’s eye of Tom Hanks in the movie Big, dump it right the hell out of your head. It’s...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-18-03
February 06, 2003
Is That a Model Train in Your Pants...?
We are finally done with the latest shipment inspection at work. That equals a full day and a half of being on my feet in the warehouse, which does wonders for my ACM. Hours of unpacking, visually inspecting, electrically and mechanically testing (some other guys did that part) and repackaging...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
02-06-03
January 24, 2003
The Way to Freedom is Work... NOT!
Happy, happy, joy, joy it's Friday. For those of us that work the M-F, 9-5 type job Fridays are a blessed day. It signals the end of the workweek and two days off. WHAT!? Only two days off!? Hell, I just worked five. Where's the fairness in that? Answer: There...
Click Here for Full Entry
Posted by Will Burnham on
01-24-03