random thoughts – Day 1,910 – (Monday) –frustration and comfort

I woke up tired again this morning and it seems there has been no catching up on rest the past several nights. The early light and the birds chirping away merrily this morning had me awake sooner than planned. Except for the birds singing, the morning was extra quiet and peaceful. 

The day started out optimistically with visions of warm temperatures when I slipped on gray and white striped lightweight linen drawstring cropped pants and a white gauze shirt, but by early afternoon, despite it being 71 degrees in the house, I was chilly. It seems the warm temperatures were wishful thinking or a fatigue-induced hallucination. I went upstairs and swapped the pants for jeans and added socks. Even hot herbal peach tea didn’t warm me up.

The workday was mostly quiet. There was an ad request from a branch that made little sense and had to be sent to the department head. Now it will sit in my queue until we have an answer on how to proceed from our acquiring institution. 

The afternoon was dominated by the completion of the hideous task started on Friday. The process requires two different programs in the vendor’s system. The ancient program used on Friday is where we set up messages to appear on account statements and indicate which account types will receive the message. Then, we have to log into a different system to add a narrative explanation, upload the graphics files, and request statement proofs. This step involves navigating a couple screens of checkbox options that must be answered and which have absolutely nothing to do with the task we need. Worse, the screens have never been the same twice, so notes from a previous effort don't help. It’s time-consuming and absolutely infuriating. 

Today, the system timed out while I was using it. I typed in all the instructions, uploaded the files, and when I hit “submit” the response was “you have been logged out due to inactivity” and the whole thing had to start all over. I kid you not, it’s the most annoying system I’ve ever worked with in 10,000 years of working. I wanted to punch something. How about a tiny clue when the system logs a user out? 

So far, it has taken me about four hours split over two days to set up the messages and rules in the first program, then use the second program to load four graphics files and add specific instructions which are rarely followed by the vendor. 

In a couple weeks we will hopefully have proofs to review, approve, and finalize or we’ll have to contact the vendor and beg for the proofs needing review. The fun part is this is just one part of a process which starts with graphics layouts, preliminary business line reviews, and a three-step formal review process. It’s insanity, but in three weeks it will be over. For me anyway. My worry is the stupid, hated vendor system will overshadow and taint the memory of my time with a company I liked.

Bowl of hot comfort.

In an attempt to combat the chills and provide some self-comfort, supper was ramen with mixed vegetables, hot pepper paste, and queso. It worked a small bit of magic for a very little while, but I still can’t wait to take my chilly self to bed. I'm just waiting for it to be dark out.