Well, last night was my final night at Zaxby’s of TigerTown. I’m not sad about leaving because the circumstances surrounding my departure are less than ideal. Was I fired? Nope. I left on my own terms.

I had been there for 15 months, and I enjoyed the ride for the most part. I went to work there to help out a friend, and it was my intention to only stay for six months as an assistant manager.

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2010 and 2011 were two years I’d like to forget for the most part. I’m praying 2012 is a lot better.

I’ve never been one to make New Year resolutions. I’ve always been afraid that I’d never live up to them. That may still be the case, but I really need to jot down some of the things I intend on accomplishing. Here we go…

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I normally won’t vent online about work-related issues.  I know my bosses and coworkers see this.  However, after talking with my boss this morning, we thought it might not be a bad idea to throw this out somewhere.

It’s no mystery I work for Auburn University.  I’m a multimedia specialist and Web content manager.  I’m one of three people that run the main part of the AU website.  I run all of Auburn’s main social media accounts.  That means vendors come calling from time-to-time.

Vendors are not my favorite people because we get hammered by so many sales calls.  Yes, it’s their job, but I do NOT control the purse strings to buy your products and services.  I have work to do.  I do not want to answer your calls.  Our budget is very limited in this economy, too.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about SCVNGR.  It’s a location-based “game.”  Jeff, the guy responsible for contacting universities about their service, has been relentless in calling me.  I’m usually not at my desk when he does, but I always see his voicemails in which he now hangs up. It used to be every week, but he’s backed off to maybe once or twice a month.

Let me be very upfront again: I am completely against services like this, especially Foursquare, Facebook Places, etc.  It’s called, “Hey, I’m not home.  Please rob me!”  I refuse to use them.

Now SCVNGR has given me a new reason to never use them or consider them for Auburn.  Jeff has assumed that I’m watching my caller ID religiously (which I do, but I usually answer if I’m not caught up in a meeting or something important).  As I’m expecting a call from UPS this morning regarding a poorly-handled package for the Alabama Ghostbusters’ upcoming Tornado Relief Auction, I get a call with a local number on my caller ID.

Caller: “Hi, Brock.  My name is ‘so-and-so,’ and I’m an Auburn student.  How are you?”

Me: “I’m fine. How are you?” (Thinking this is UPS)

Caller: “I’m good. I’m interning this summer here in Boston. My boss, Jeff at SCVNGR, asked me to call you and see if had a few minutes to talk.”

This is when my blood pressure medicine loses control and skyrockets.

Me: “I’m heading to a meeting, but have him try me again later. If he doesn’t get me today, then try later in the week.”

Caller: “This will only take five minutes.”

Me: “You just caught me walking out the door. Have him try me later.”

Caller: “OK. How are things in Auburn?”

Me: “They’re good. Just extremely hot right now.  Heat index is 108 today.  I appreciate you calling.  Have Jeff call me later.  Need to run.”

Caller: “It’s hot and humid here, too.  Not like back home, though.  Thanks for your time!  Bye!”

Jeff has been at this for MONTHS.  I completely understand that you’re a business, you have a service and you need clients.  My minor in college was marketing.  I get it.

BUT … to have your AU intern call me from his CELL PHONE so your (617)XXX-XXXX office number doesn’t show up on my caller ID … Kudos.  You tricked me while I was honestly trying to get out the door.

But the joke’s on you.  We now refuse to use your service because of that underhanded tactic.  Boss and I have already discussed it, and I will be talking to you, Jeff.  You won’t like what I have to say because you are not getting our already-stretched funds.

This was completely low to use your intern in this manner and to try and fool me.  You can stop calling now.

Wow.  I am really at a time in my life where I just want to quit.  Not quit life, per se.  I just want to find someplace warm and inviting and stay there for a few days.  If you read my previous post, you’ll understand why.

Things are fine with work.  We finally launched the new website, and that is certainly a load off my back.  I’m still having to make adjustments and train those unfamiliar people on how to update their own sites.  Mind you, I’m not a teacher.  I don’t have the patience to teach others, so this is very difficult for me to keep my patience when they don’t “get it.”  However, that’s nothing compared to getting the site finished.

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First off, I apologize for the title.  It’s how I feel, though.

Secondly, 2010 will always be a year I put down in my “strongly dislike” column.  Sure, it had its good moments, but I would say that was only 25 percent of the year.

Let me break down the good stuff first:

Family

My wife and kids have remained pretty healthy this year.  Amy and I have grown closer, especially at the end of the year. She has been a calming and solid force throughout some tough times right now.

Sports

My awesome alma mater kicked off the year by beating the snot out of U of Texas for the national championship.  My employer ended the year #1 and will play for the national championship in January.  Both teams produced back-to-back Heisman winners, so that makes my home state look pretty sweet all around.

Ghostbusters

The Alabama Ghostbusters literally exploded with memberships and charity donations.  We did a TON of events and simply had a great year altogether.  I’ve made a lot of great friends in the group.

I got to see Tom Merrit and Veronica Belmont again at Dragon*Con.  Always a highlight of my year!  Plus, tons of GBs from around the country came and made it an awesome experience again!  We are co-hosting PKE Surge next year with our Georgia Ghostbusters family, as well as other awesome GB fans.  It should be an absolute blast!

I finally got to hang out with Ernie Hudson (“Winston”)!  We ate dinner with him, and I got to spend a lot of time with him.  He really is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.

Thank you, Mattel, for giving us awesome GB toys (despite you draining my wallet).

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