I hate project managers who don't know how to manage anything. Especially when it's something like pulling me off a project completely (when I'm expecting to only be off of it 2-3 weeks), without telling me. And it's even worse when the new consultant who is taking over isn't told either. And the real kicker? Monday morning I have a planning session with this client to kick things off with them, and the only reason I found out anything was changing was because I e-mailed our project manager this morning to ask her if the replacement consultant was confirmed for three weeks I've got to be on another project this fall. The project manager replied and said "I was going to talk to you and the other consultant about this." Um, when? Planning to drop this huge bomb during the conference call with the client on Monday? Or 10 minutes before?

I'm pissed. Not that I'm being pulled off this thing, but more that it took me having to send multiple e-mails this morning to pry the story out of this manager. And she didn't even really tell me what was going on. I had to go to my manager, who had no idea this project manager wasn't communicating, to find out.

It kills me how many really great people we laid off last year, and this yahoo is still with us. :mad:

Then a party flight it is!

We have a similar arrangement in our household. We each have bills we're responsible for paying, and then every so often we look at it all to make sure it's roughly even when it comes to that stuff.

I am out for the new mini-DO, I am at a family reunion in TYS of all places.

I tried to do that but what incentive does she have when she knows she doesnt currently have a job and when she does have one we will not be making anywhere near the same amount of $. At least Ive had a hot meal every night when I get home from work.;)

For the big bills (mortgage, tv, phone, etc.) I just pay them all and she pays me a monthly "rent" amount. Easier to track for me that way and she trusts me. From a budgeting perspective I generally just pay everything from my account and put the "rent" right into savings. I've managed to save up a pretty good chunk of cash for us that way. The chances of a brief sabatical at some point next year or the year after where we can truly take a few months off is actually within spitting distance based on that savings plan.

And the hits keep on coming. Another client has decided that they need us at a cheaper hotel. Apparently $85 at the newest place in town was too expensive. Bring on the ancient looking Comfort Inn, at $69/night, with the stipulation that if we stay anywhere else they won't pay for it. And, they're a state institution, and instead of giving me a tax exempt form to just print out each trip and give to the hotel, like most of my clients in this state will do, they have to go and make it super complicated. Make the reservation (must be done by phone directly to hotel's front desk), then get them to e-mail it to me, then e-mail the confirmation to the client, then the client faxes (:eek: can't we kill the d@mn fax machine people? It's not 1985 anymore!) the tax exempt form to the hotel, who then is supposed to call/e-mail me to tell me they have it. And if I need to stay in the city where the airport is on the last night, I have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get prior approval, and try to match the $69 rate at this Comfort Inn.

Guess I have to suck it up now and join Choice's frequent stay program. And go over to the bar at the PC for another drink.

We're planning to have a budget discussion next weekend, when we're both home at the same time again. Trying to cut expenses some — we're going to one car in August instead of the current two — and save more, and pay down debt faster.

Can you add me as a strong "maybe"? Thanks.

Looks like Wells Fargo is offering Car Equity Loans....Don't these banks ever learn?

Sadly they are the ones that seem to never get laid off.

At least some good news. My purchase from this week's Woot-Off has shipped (Zune MP3 player, to replace my old iPod), and my new computer has shipped from Dell —a full two weeks ahead of their original estimate! I should have lots of new gadgets to play with when I get home next Friday.

We had one that was worse than this one, and she was finally let go in one of the reductions last year.

This PM isn't quite as bad, but still bad enough that a client last year asked me, "Is she on drugs or something?"

Of course.

EWR on a Friday....REALLY?
 

Well, SYR - EWR landed almost an hour EARLY of all things! :eek: I guess getting to The Cabin for my gig tonight won't be an issue. I didn't see anyone say they'd be able to make it.....maybe next time.