Diary of a Network Geek

Be kind to your IT staff.

Don’t do this to them. Do not walk into their office and ask questions like “Are we having a problem with the server?” or “Is the Internet down?” Asking us questions like that result in responses like “No, the server is fine. But why don’t you tell me about your problem now?” and “No, I’m on the web right now and it’s fine. Do you have an error message?” or even “Why don’t you tell me if you’re having a problem?”

I swear by all I hold sacred, there is nothing more frustrating than having someone who really has no idea whatsoever how anything on a computer or network works wander into my office with that special stunned cattle look on their face only to ask me very specific questions about a problem they’re having. Even when I answer their question with another question in the voice I normally reserve for precocious toddlers, for the fifth time, they come and waste our collective time doing this, instead of simply describing their problem to me.

Don’t do this to your IT staff. Just tell them what the problem is. Don’t make them guess what you really want. Please.

Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
   --Robert A. Heinlein

As I mentioned the other day, my doctor wants to do one more biopsy.

Well, I finally got scheduled for the needle biopsy last night.
I go in on Monday for the pre-flight check.  That’ll be just an “interview” with the doctor to prepare me for the actual event on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, I have to be there at 7:00AM, ready to get poked.  If the procedure proceeds as it did back in March, I’ll have what little dignity I have left stripped away with one of those flattering, open-backed gowns and spend several hours waiting around for the doctor.  The procedure itself should take about an hour or two, to line up their shot and stick the enormous needle into my chest for a teeny, tiny sample of cells.  At least this time, I know what they’re up to when they tell me not to touch the needle and that they’ll be “right back”!  I’m sure it will take most of the day and, because they’re giving me anesthetic, they’d like me to have a ride.  Personally, I’m more worried about driving home and having my lung collapse, but the end result is the same.

I have to admit, as much as I’ve enjoyed writing up these little updates for you all, I’ll be glad when I don’t have quite so much excitement in my life that they’re necessary.  Though, I have to admit, having my eyebrows growing back has gotten quite exciting.  When someone tells you that it’s the little things that matter, I bet you never thought they meant having eyebrows!

Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"Men of few words are the best men."
   --William Shakespeare

Based on my limited experience, I shouldn’t complain, but…

Well, from what most people say, this cartoon from The Fifth Wave sums it up. And, certainly, that was true of my ex-wife, who could be downright fun, for up to three days at a time. But, somehow, the people we represent ourselves to be on those infernal Internet dating sites is never quite how we really are in life, is it?