Wow.  That one word is the best one I have to describe this year’s Dragon*Con for me.  I think out of all three years I’ve been, this was the best.  Well, except Ron Daniels wasn’t there.  That would’ve made it complete.

Let’s begin, shall we?  Thumbnails open to the larger photos. Read the rest of this entry »

Two weeks from today, I will be in Atlanta enjoying the heck out of good company and a great environment!  Dragon*Con 2011 is almost upon us, and I can’t wait to take an extreme break from reality and forget the living hell this year has been so far.

So many costumes to choose from!  Well, not really.  I’ve done too much planning for this shindig for the Ghostbusters to be anything but.  Besides, I don’t really have a desire to do any other form of costuming at the moment.  I’m happy being little ol’ GB me. Don’t think I’m not already planning for next year, though.  I have some stuff in the works for an extra costume or two … If I can get motivated enough.

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Testing out a new automatic Twitter client on the blog to make sure it works.

I know, your hopes are now dashed because you were hoping for some real meaty update from me.

Sorry.

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.  My last post got some attention from a few friends.

Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement.  I sincerely appreciate them.

I’ve had the chance to take many deep breaths since the other night, lots of time to pray and reflect. I’m feeling a bit better about things.

I’m really anxious for this weekend. It’s our first three-day break since January, and it couldn’t come at a better time.  I’ll be spending time with the in-laws, then I’ll spend the rest of it in my garage working on my new proton pack.  I’m so close to finishing it, then I’ll be able to work on the gun for it. The aim is to have it finished by mid-June. That means it’ll actually happen by mid-July. 

Back to work.