It looks like Stitchy's excellent
Rhinbeck Blogger Bingo game is moving ahead splendidly, but alas it will do so without me. I will not be attending Rhinebeck as I had hoped. The
overpriced finishing school university for which I work has determined that it is absolutely
vital that I be around that weekend so that I can hand pom-poms to snotty alumni and hold up a sign that says "CAMPUS TOURS START HERE."
Which is so in keeping with the job description of an electronic marketing specialist.
Have fun, folks. Take lots of pictures and let me know how it goes.
We are SO going to miss you Franklin!
ReplyDeleteWell....poop.
ReplyDeleteOkay Franklin. When you get free trips to Europe you do occasionally have to suck up to management-----(Karma and all that..)
ReplyDeleteJust be careful where you're stuffin' them pom-poms------
Oh, problem solved! Get DOLORES to pass out the pom-poms. She'll be a fine representative (on sooo many levels), and you can sneak off to Rhinebeck.
ReplyDeleteI would be very afraid to come back to work on Monday....
As someone equally overworked in equally absurd ways, I offer my very deepest sympathy.
ReplyDelete(I can't even _consider_ going to Rhinebeck and I'm in-state.)
I say that those of us left behind organize our own fun this weekend. Wanton blog hopping? Interspecies fraternization? Hot electron-on-electron action? Not sure where to go with this, but can't we have yarny (vicarious) fun, too?
ReplyDeleteGah, I hate it when they get you with that loophole in the job description: "... and other job-related duties."
ReplyDeleteYou could herd elephants through that loophole.
Well, Holly, seeing as those trips are preceded by usually 3 weeks during which I work an extra 15 hours to prepare things for my absence; and are followed by at least one week during which I work 60 hours to clean up the mess made while I'm gone; and require that I be available 24/7 to passengers who have any complaint, no matter how small; and require me to spend most nights writing reports; and usually wind up costing me money in spite of being "free"; and are used as an excuse to justify these weekends, which will require me to work menial jobs for three 20-hour days with no overtime and no comp time; and considering that I will be expected to take insults from the alumni with a smile; considering all that, I think my karma can withstand feeling upset that my desire to see friends at Rhinebeck that I'll see only at Rhinebeck has been thwarted.
ReplyDeleteDarn--seeing you was one of the main things that was making me happy about my annual decent into hell (mother-in-law lives there and no way of going without seeing her).
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed....
Oh how I don't miss that place! My current boss just rewarded us for our last few week's work with a complimentary comp day just to make sure that we don't get burned out (and we weren't even putting any extra hours in!!)
ReplyDeleteHeh. As an alumni of the overpriced finishing school, I am now tinkering with idea of actually showing up this weekend to get one of your pom poms. I'll make you a deal: you tell me where you're stuck standing, and I'll bring you a ball of yarn. Seriously - I only return to The Rock with good reason, and I can't make Rhinebeck either... Just let me know! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ted above. Major poopage indeed. Not that I know you (worth mentioning) and you certainly don't know me, but the possibility that you and the other knitting blog-gods might be at Rhinebeck is one of the reasons I want to go.
ReplyDeleteThat and all the fiber. Make up a wishlist, dear, a registry, so to speak, and we'll do our best to fulfill your every wish.
Just don't send Dolores in your stead. Unless she needs shearing....
Dear Franklin, when faced with such problems (as in when I couldn't go two years running to an event in my own damn STATE!) I ponder the following Taoist-ish story. A beautiful horse runs away from a farm. "Ah, such bad luck!" says the farmer's neighbor. "Who is to say what is good and bad?" says the farmer. A week later, the horse comes back, leading a herd of beautiful horses. "such GOOD luck!" says the neighbor. "Who is to say what is good and bad?" says the farmer. The farmer's son breaks his leg while trying to break one of the horses. "Ah, such bad luck!" says the farmer's neighbor. "Who is to say what is good and bad?" says the farmer.
ReplyDeleteThe next day, the army shows up to conscript every able bodied young man. But, the farmer's son is not taken because of the broken leg.
You guessed it. Who is to say what is good or bad?
If you want some bright yellow striped sock yarn to make you feel better, I have some extra
Goldangit. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea - put MDS&W on your vacation calendar NOW. I'll prepare the guest room, and you and Dolores (and C if he wants to join you) can stay chez Smith for the duration of the event. (Dolores may want to be apprised of the fact that we do, in fact, have a shetland sheepdog that I described in my Cast-on bio as "unemployed.")
ReplyDeleteI mean, we're not a Victorian B&B, but my husband is a wicked cook and our guest room is right next to my yarn stash - er, office. You should feel right at home...
Well, THAT bites. I say take that moment and start networking alumni for a new job. Ask the ones who give you yarn. They will understand.
ReplyDeleteThat so blows. Your work stories never fail to outrage me on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteJust curious...how much more of this will it take before you dump the university's sorry ass and start working for someone who will actually appreciate you? :)
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
*pats Franklin consolingly*
ReplyDeleteAnd this is just one of the many reasons that I left post-secondary work ...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. That just ... sucks.
Wow,, which Uni cause Im supposed to go on a campus tour that weekend, wonder if you are gonna be my guide......
ReplyDeleteWhat if you're kidnapped?
ReplyDeleteThere are times I'm actually thankful I'm on disability and can't work, despite what I laughingly call the 'budget' that results. Far too often, jobs simply suck rats. Sorry, Franklin.
ReplyDelete(Re Dolores - she *is* a pom pom. Now if only you could hand her out, that might wring some relief from the agony.)
That sucks.
ReplyDeleteBut I like the color changes to your template.
just in case this was of interest to you, Swappers,
ReplyDeleteAre there any men on this knitswap list that would like me to sell them any
of the guy colored sock yarns I can't use for hubby? He works in a prison
so any yarns with blue, or any combos with blue are not allowed. Inmates
where denim and chambray, so staff can't.
debra chinn in Atascadero, CA
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?justsocks
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did not know any other way to send it -
Hey Pumpkin. So sorry you are trapped with the purple masses that weekend, it totaly blows. Someday, maybe next year, when you have that new and glorious gig we will find for you, you can look back at this and smile :)
ReplyDeleteFranklin, you SOOOO need to add a list of places you get yarn and wool to your sidebar - whether or not they're online shops.
ReplyDeleteFranklin, you are so talented, why do you put up with this shit? Is it time to go job hunting?
ReplyDeleteThat bites.
ReplyDeleteAHHHH!! ah well it figures.. I finally get to go and don't get to meet ya! oh well!
ReplyDeleteDenise
knitchat.com
Repeat after me: "I'm sorry, no, I'm not available that weekend. I have plans that can't be changed." If needed, or desired, you can continue with, "...you snobby purple bastards."
ReplyDeletethat really stinks! Have you thought about coming to SAFF? It's in ashville in a few weeks and the rumor I heard is it was better then MDS&W. Lots of classes, Im taking a spinning class from Carol Rhoades who is one of the editors of spin off! magazine.
ReplyDeleteI think Ann is right. We need to break the leg (aw heck, both of 'em) of the person who is making you work.
ReplyDeleteI've already told you how I feel about this.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the Wolverinas and I should crochet nooses for you to hand out to the ones who insult you. I wield a mean hook, babe.
Um, yes, I DO know how to crochet. No, I will not make Dolores a grannysquare thong.
But how in the world can you play Rhinebeck Blogger Bingo if you're not at Rhinebeck?!? That's just ridiculous. Humpfh. Humpfh.
ReplyDeleteWell, pooh! on that employer! It's quite all right to whine and bitch about missing Rhinebeck. Gad. If we all had to suck it up, and pretend everything was ok, when it's not, there wouldn't be enough chocolate to go around. (giving you a hug)
ReplyDeletePlan for Maryland. Mark it on the calendar NOW. Tell the boss not to make any plans for you, for that time. If he/she fusses, send in Dolores.
SUCKY! Sorry that happened. I'm not going to make it this year either, but I have it on the radar for next year. (Maybe Taos, too.)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinkin' the U owes you some cashmere or something...
ReplyDeleteI've taken to buying non-refundable/non-chanageable non anything tickets -- even to places I could have driven to. The boss is far less likely to f.... er mess with my weekend if he knows it will cost me that much money.... so far anyway....
WHAT! they can't get alumni to pass out pom poms? outrageous!
ReplyDeletei understand, franklin, i can't go either. granted, my reason is that it's too far away (i'm in nebraska, and can't justify hte plane ticket to my husband at this time), but still. i'm planning on avoiding the blogs in october, lol
ReplyDeleteVery worthwhile piece of writing, thank you for this article.
ReplyDelete