Any Day - Today

It was a good day at the office.  Busy, long, but productive.  I made some real headway and I am looking forward to making some more headway tomorrow.  This is my five work day week and I'll suffer a bit tomorrow - I think I was close to having worked 48 hours in four days, so tomorrow's three meetings is about all they are going to get out of me by the end of the day.  I had a meeting with one of the system engineers who pushed a little hard to do some expectation setting, since I thing we were off track with each other.   I always hate doing that - basically the baseball equivalent of brushing a batter back, but there are times it has to be done.

Our company has a group that provides into technology services and they are, essentially, a captive vendor that we have to use for most projects.  The problem is, like all captive vendors, they have no financial incentives to provide good customer service.  As a result, they can be pushy and arrogant.  That is not necessarily a reflection of the individuals - but rather a reflection of the culture that has grown up there. Meetings with them can be tough because they tend to be all about what they want, not what the customer wants.  Since I sit close to the customer (metaphorically), I have, over the years, been forced to give them a brush back a time or two or more.  I always dislike doing it - but I have learned that if I don't do it, I will get eaten alive.  But, even with that, it was a good day.

On the personal level I had a wonderful email from TR yesterday and enjoyed writing back to her today.  Her journey continues and I love and support her on it, though are days when my heart yearns. I am home now, for the evening, settling in with the plan to watch a spot of TV, then do some reading into the night.  I was watching Craig Ferguson tonight as I ate dinner and the actress Alice Eve referenced a truly great George Harrison song - Any Road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mePp1l299EE

The Breath of Life and Suzie Lightning

I think I would share with you a link to the two songs I just listened to as I settle into the evening.

The first was "Breath of Life" by Florence and the Machine (from Snow White and the Huntsmen).

Breath of Life by Florence and the Machine

The second is a classic, what I consider to be a truly great love song by Warren Zevon - Suzie Lightning.

Suzie Lightning by Warren Zevon

I've been a fan of Zevon for a very long time, since the early eighties and "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School".  T.R. pointed me toward Florence and the Machine with their first album and I count myself a huge fan there as well.  Florence Welch has the most astounding voice.

It was a nice day, quiet, easy going, reflective.  Work was a little meeting heavy, but they went smoothly enough and I eased into the evening. Had Italian with Tony at Mama Mia's, then home where I watched Selma Blair on Craig Ferguson.  That takes me to this very minute, where I am going to spend a quiet evening straightening the spare bedroom.  Life is good.