Remember when you were in college, and your professor returned a paper or test to you and on it was the red letter, "F?" Well, that is what today has felt like. So after a wicked storm last night, I wake up and head to work. Sounds normal, but as I am walking towards my car I realize I left my sunroof open last night. I'm typically very good about this and am shocked I let this happen. I suppose I just turned off my brain when I came home last night. Those ominous clouds last night couldn't even help me. I can be so dumb.
Today, I also found out one of our stadium projects has been pulled. This one is really getting at me, because I had told our director of athletics that it would get done. Basically we were supposed to put up some flagpoles on the east side of the stadium so we could fly flags of all the MAC schools. Now, do you think I'm the type of person who would tell his AD this was going to happen if there was any question? No, I'm not. Our engineers told me that this project would just be a "work order," and would not fall under the capital projects. So I went ahead with the order.
I get the phone call today that the project has been stopped. The SAME MAN who told me it would fall under the "work order" status told me it was now a capital project and has to have approval from like 10 million people. Needless to say I was pissed. His explanation: "I did not mean to mislead you, but that is just something we've decided to have fall under the capital projects." Mislead me??? I frickin' ordered over $5,000 worth of flagpoles and flags. Not to mention, I told our AD that this was GOING to happen. Luckily we hadn't given the flag company our purchase order, and we technically do not owe them anything. However, this now puts a strain on the relationship I had with this company. I've worked with them for over three years, dating back to my Wake Forest days. The lady and I have a great relationship, and now I have to tell her I was wrong. It just really pisses me off. I've had several people today tell me, "Jay, this isn't your fault. There's nothing you can do about it." Those friends are right, but it is hard for me to let this kind of stuff go. I'm here to do a job, and if I can't do it successfully, there is something wrong. I have let down my AD, the flag company and even myself.
Oh, but the day gets better. I go to work out, jump on the elliptical machine beside this really cute girl (typically I am never beside a cute girl, so the extra motivation always helps), turn on my mp3 player and ... oh wait, it doesn't work. It was in my car and got soaked from the rain last night. I'm hoping it just needs to dry off, but just something else to add to the board today.
Yeah, I'm bitching. I need to suck it up and deal with it. I just hate the feeling of letting people down. I'm hoping my AD will understand and that she'll back me on this. We shall see.
On a brighter note, I had a great weekend hanging out with Big Red and Kahlgirl. I really adore all the friends I've made up here, but those two people are very dear to my heart. They are great friends, and I'm lucky to have them.
So not that I'm counting the days or anything, but I'll be back in Winston-Salem in 17 days. I'm really excited. I want to see my family, my dog and all my friends. It'll do me some good to get outta here before football kicks up.
OH, also signed the lease on my new apartment yesterday. Flip and I are getting a nice three-bedroom town home. The plans are to turn it into party central and make sure that jackass enjoys his last year of bachelorhood. We got a four bedroom so we could get a third person if we wanted and still have extra space. So let expansion begin. Trust me, we'll handle it much smoother than the ACC did, but we are looking for that someone, that Miami, who would make a perfect fit into our place. It's not easy to do. We'll make site visits, like the ACC did to BC and Syracuse, but the determining factor will be, "what can this person bring to the table." Actually, it really doesn't matter ... but fun to compare the two.
Ok, I'm going to practice a little guitar, eat some dinner and then go to BED! This day needs to be over soon.