(no subject)

So, for the last half hour or so, four fucking people have come by my desk to ask me questions that could easily have been handled by email. We are supposed to have a receptionist who keeps folks away, but she disappeared (I'll rant about her at some point), and of course, none of the actual work I wanted to do got done. Go fig. My job really is easier when folks mail me. It's why I try to work from home whenever I can -- folks walking up to my desk when I'm in the middle of attempting to deal with someone else's problem simply don't comprehend that the person who emailed me an hour earlier should take priority (and don't get me started on folks standing over my shoulder while I'm attempting to do admin-type work). And the folks who have the need to walk up to my desk (which is not in a "public" location, by the way) are also the ones who ask questions that are in the fucking documentation! The twelve-page documentation, conveniently broken up into bite-size-chunks documentation! I might have to kill the next one who comes here. I really might.

(no subject)

So I'm having another one of those nights where I'm having trouble sleeping (although it's early, and I doubt I'll be up all night again). Dunno why. I've been on edge for a few days now — I feel like something's being hidden from me, but I can't put my finger on it. Somehow, walking up to everybody I know and saying, "what are you hiding?" just doesn't seem like the wisest idea. :-) Anyway, it's not depression or anything. Just something weird, like at the back of my head. I probably noticed some inconsistency somewhere in something I was told (probably at work), and my forebrain hasn't figured it out yet.

I've started reading the latest John Barnes novel, The Merchant of Souls. It picks up right after Earth Made of Glass, which is depressing, since that book ended (spoiler warning!) with the dissolution of a relationship, and a truly heartbreaking moment for the lead character (his wife, who he trusted implicitly, had an affair, abetted by his boss/best friend, who felt that the affair could benefit the diplomatic unit they all worked for). And he's still at that stage now. But it's also a damned good book. There have already been at least six or seven lines that are eminently quotable.

I did manage to find the first sequel to Bridge of Birds (whose name I can't remember right now)on an ebay UK auction. It's costing me $8, including shipping, but that's $10-25 less than I'd pay at any US retailer, according to ABE.

Watched Buffy and Smallville tonight. Yelled at both shows, although I enjoyed Smallville (and even moments of Buffy. We've now seen two critical elements of the Buffy Formula — the critical death, and the groundwork for the bad guy who will betray the main bad guy (as if anyone didn't see that coming). Speaking of seeing things coming, was the opening scene of Smallville the most predictable scene ever? Sheesh. But the show was fun, at least. And Iceman is the villain next week (Bobby Drake, that is)!

Anyway, I'm heading off to read for a bit, then head to bed. Maybe my subconscious will work something out while I'm dozing. There's a chance of some snow tomorrow morning, which might mean not having to show up for work until later in the day. Which would rock. :-)