I spent a chunk of my morning frantically finding files on a vacationing co-worker's computers after she swanned off at the end of her 2.5-hour workday yesterday without making sure they'd successfully uploaded for access by the designers whose pages are due today. Did I mention that she gave me two wrong logins to her computer before finally coming up with the correct one? Or that one of the files wasn't in the folder it was supposed to be in, so I had to comb through her drive to track down a copy that could be substituted? Damn, woman, don't send your brain off on vacation before the rest of you goes!

I've seen thousands of people's computer screens in my career in tech support. I figured I was pretty enured to what might pop up. But as I was clearing some windows to reduce the clutter on this guy's screen, I find that his background is a spreadcheeked rear view of someone's ladyparts. "Tasteful" greytone, thankfully. Normally I ignore the stuff I find, but it's kind of hard to ignore that on a big screen.

"Interesting picture," I said in my best "I've seen weirder stuff than this in my breakfast cereal" middle-aged lady tone of voice.

"Oh, I didn't think you'd see that. There's really kind of an interesting story behind that--which you really don't need to hear."

"No, I don't think it's relevant."

"I'm sorry."

I silently opened another window full screen and went about my business. But really, dude, I'm the second tech from my company to connect into your computer in the last hour. Did the last one not bother clearing off your screen clutter? Or did he overlook it?

I figure his embarassement is sufficient punishment, especially with a woman finding the picture. I think a "dude, please" look works better on some people than lectures about professionalism.

My sister babysat for a whiner. She would act like she was sad, and say she just didn't understand whining but she would be able to hear words. Words not whining. The little girl was motivated to communicate so this worked.

In other news, my shower drain pipes have literally rotted away somehow since 1966. I looked under the house to behold a bounteous cascade of shower water falling on the asphalt pad my little aluminum box is parked upon. Huh. All I noticed was the damp spot on the bathroom floor. Reckon if I had a downstairs neighbor this might have been brought to my attention sooner.

The plumber estimates: two guys, four hours repiping for only $2500. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion.

"I've seen weirder stuff than this in my breakfast cereal" middle-aged lady tone of voice.

The things I saw on people's work laptops when I was working help desk support truly were boggling. Like, my dude, this is your WORK MACHINE. Maybe don't save porn video files on your desktop.

I haven't done much computer support. But way back when I was temping, I found myself filing documents in a cabinet that also housed someone's porn mags.

Most of my doctors keep clean work computers, but some have disturbing stuff, and I totally judge them, mostly because they must think I won't see it for some reason. I judge them more harshly when their home page on the browser is foxnews. I randomly change it to the hospital portal for "security reasons" and they buy that.

Made a spontaneous decision early yesterday morning to go and visit SIL outside NYC. It was a gorgeous day with beautiful clear mountain vistas on the 5 hour drive. Went to a fun musical in the park last night, Addams Family. The loud crickets during quiet moments in the play were perfect. It was cool enough with evening breezes. Not sure what we are doing today. Beach? Don't really want to go into the city on a work day. If the weather is nice tomorrow morning I may go into the city for breakfast before heading back north.

One of the worst things I have to deal with is adult females over 60 whining at me at the library.

I can't help but wonder if Cindy's bleeding ears trick would work.

I randomly change it to the hospital portal for "security reasons" and they buy that.

You're doing a deity's work, Laura.

I'm checked in for my return flight to San Francisco. While I've had a nice visit in Dublin so far and have thoroughly enjoyed not having a commute this week, I'm very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. (Why are your pillows like sleeping on bricks, hotel?!)

I do want to chime in on the whining thing and just say...some kids REALLY REALLY hate giving up. Even when whining has NEVER worked, they will do it anyway. They will do it for HOURS. Even if they are in their room for an extended time out, they will whine TO THEMSELVES, hoping against hope that someone will take pity and give in.

The helpful tip of "don't give into whining, it will teach your kids that it works" is so dangerously close to "if your kids whine, it's your fault for raising them that way" that honestly, I hate it. Parents, just do your best. Sometimes your kids will behave and sometimes they will be total shitheads. Just do your best.