First, was suppose to meet up with Kyle and finish preparations for Shadow Phoenix, but he got tied up doing other things, so at best we'll be doing that tomorrow.

Basically, here was the situation. A customer I was helping out weeks ago called in asking some technical questions that he had hoped we had answers for. I was not at work the day he called, but Dumb Ass picked up the phone, informed the customer that the problem can be fixed for $60. The customer was none too plussed about having to pay for the information he was seeking, and that's where the trouble began. Communication began to break at this point, and somehow it was passed onto the managers that I had informed the customer that we gave away free phone tech support (which is strictly against company policy).

At no time was I informed of said developements until way after the fact. Even the supervisor was surprised at the way things went, and noted that he had wanted the guys on shift at the time to take care of the problem, not to pass on the blame.

After reading the email Dumb Ass sent to everyone in my department AND all the managers in the store chastising me about phone tech support, I was initially quite pissed, as this was not the first time Dumb Ass has tried to make me look bad in front of the managers. The previous incidents happened to coincide with a empty supervisor slot, and only the two of us eligible. . . gee. . . big coincidence there. . . Unfortunately for me he did succeed once, while the second time he tried I had a excellent manager covering my back because I covered his some time ago. This time I decided that I needed a more active solution to put a stop to this.

So at the behest of my supervisor, I started an investigation about what really went on. This mainly involved talking with the customer about events that occured that day, and corroborating the story with the other team members. The net result was, we don't know what set off Dumb Ass, but he blew things out of proportion, and threw team integrity out the window in yet another attempt at assassinating my character.

So in a three page long email with proper grammar and formal etiquette (his happened to be two and a half sentences, half of which was all caps), I chastised him for blowing things out of proportion, explained the entire situation, and chastised him again for lack of etiquette. This was then proofread by my supervisor before being sent out to ALL the managers, CCed to the supervisor and Dumb Ass.

The result was a commendation by one of the managers for handling the situation in a professional manner, and not crossing the line into personal attacks (although I would've gladly done so if I didn't constrain myself). This was seconded by the supervisor for wanting a solid team, not fractured by any personal egos.

Oh, forgot to note. . . all of this happened right when my annual review is right around the corner. Hmm. . . coincidence. . .?

Now I just have to ensure a steady source of income to maintain the webhosting service. . .

Later in the afternoon when I was at work, I developed a new strategy to counter the hostile advances by a co-worker. For several months he has tried to put a black mark on my name and bias the managers against me. Well, no more. After guaging the mood in the work place, and securing support from my supervisor, I launched a quick counter-offensive of words. The action was not meant to overwhelm, but to put an end to such nonsense. All this childish prattaling is draining the morale in our department, not to mention time wasted by having to deal with the aftermath. I really wish I could go into more detail, but I shouldn't at the moment. As soon as things settle and a victor is decided from this conflict, I will write a full debriefing about it.

Just got my new schedule for next week, and confirmed that I do have Friday off. This is good, since I bought tickets for Yan Yan and I to go see Phantom of the Opera. This is her first opera, so it'll be interesting. I promised her that I'd find a copy of the DVD with english subtitles in the future, since she may have some trouble understanding the lyrics. It was $45 per ticket for orchestra seats, right underneath where the chandelier is suppose to drop. I thought it was a pretty good deal. . . assuming the rope doesn't break and the chandelier keeps on dropping. . .

We went shopping at Victoria's Secret today. . . and got some nifty little things for her. Ironically we met my supervisor there as well. Seems he was doing some last minute shopping for his significant other as well. Small world. :P

Kyle's back in town, so we're back on track for bringing Shadow Phoenix online by the end of Feburary. With any luck, it'll be either this weekend or next.

Intriguing weather this morning though. . . its completely fogged over. And knowing the average IQ of the average Austinite driver. . . its going to be hellish on the roads today. . .

Oh. . . and after much discussion and contemplating and indecisions. . . Yan Yan and I finally agreed that a newer (and bigger) TV is needed. . . and we think the Sony 32" WEGA (no PiP, no HD) would be the most suitable for our current needs. Maybe in a few years we'll look at a 60" (with HD capability and DVI inputs, of course) DLP or Plasma display. . . Now I just have to see if any of these gift certificates are worth the electrons they're stored on. . .

I am the beneficiary of some large sums of gift certificates. . . except I can't find a plausible way to use them without getting screwed in the process. Which is pissing me off. . . and making me rethink that the whole e-commerce thing is a bunch of bull crap.

Simply put, I'm trying to use those gift certificates towards a Sony 36" WEGA TV. Easy enough. I can get one at BBY for $800 and change, not using my employee discount. The Sony 32" WEGA is my second choice, and it runs about $700 and change.

The places that my gift certificates are allowed to be used, offer the 36" TV for $1,200+ and shipping and change. Amazon is worse. . . they charge either $740 shipped by J&R for the 32", where you can use the gift certificiates, but no extended warranty though (having worked in the service area, I am of the mindset that extended warranties are a necessary evil). Or you have the option of picking it up at Circuit City for $700 and tax, but you can't use the gift certificates. Bull crap.

Argh. . . I really was hoping for a nice easy time of getting a TV. . . but this is turning to a nightmare. I'm tempting to call the whole thing off. . . but the gift certificates are too damn valuable to throw away. Grrrrr. . .