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At Work:
A very good day. One of the project engineers gave me a call this morning with questions regarding a project that we're implementing on a tight deadline in order to meet dates set by federal mandate. (For those of you that don't know, I work in the health insurance industry, which makes my current healthcare situation quite ironic). Basically, due to recommendations of another business analyst who used to work with me on the Helpdesk (but has now escaped), he stated that he needs me on the Project Team itself, not just in the traditional observatory role to transition the product into Production so that we can support it, but to take on one of the major technical advisory roles in the actual development of the system changes. He stated that he has not been impressed with the support he has received from *** (company name obliterated to protect the guilty) regarding the financial end of the system. They have put one of their best people on the project, but his knowledge is limited to one of the third-party software pieces that is integrated into our product (which will play a major role in the implementation of these changes, but the mandate is going to touch claims processing from the front to the back of our system). I am a system generalist, although my strength is finance. I think the thing that flattered me the most was that when I explained to him that I could not make that kind of resource commitment without him going through my manager (it will be a minimum of 2 hours per week plus research time, with probably more commitment during the Tech Design phase of the project), he stated that if my manager didn't approve me being on the team, he'd escalate it through the head of his department... "There's no one else in the company who can do this better than you can, I want you, and I won't take no for an answer." I have a particularly good relationship with this project engineer (or, I suppose it could be bad as well, depending on how you view it), due to the fact that I found a *MAJOR* design flaw in one of his last projects shortly after roll-out, and helped him get it corrected with a minimum of impact to our customers. This made it a very good day at work because I finally feel like I am getting recognized for the hard work that I have put in over the last 3.5 years. I also find it "ironic" (not to bust their chops or anything), but my other two peers who started within months of me (one a month before, and one a month afterward), both work in the Projects area now, and theoretically should be able answer some of the questions that are brought to me. It's comforting to know that throughout most departments, folks know that if they have a technical question, they should come to me. I don't always know the answer off the top of my head (although I probably do 70% of the time), but I know how to get timely answers for them.
Non-work related:
OK, I'm going to indulge myself and whine. And yes, I know I've been throwing a pity party for myself the last couple of days, but I can't help it. I get like this when I don't feel well. Guess what??? MY LEG HURTS LIKE HELL... it's also turning all sorts of strange colors and stuff. I'm actually in the process of charging up my digital camera batteries and I might post some graphically disgusting pictures of my lovely condition. (Plus, a pic of the IV site bruise, which looks kinda neat at this point). Man, whatever those anti-biotics are doing sure hurts more than being sick, but I shall survive. On a related note, I got signed up with a new PCP today and got an appt. to see him on Wednesday of next week for a follow-up. I also found it interesting that the first thing that his receptionist wanted to do was schedule a physical for me (something which my other PCP NEVER DID). Granted, I suppose that I should have taken it on myself to have a yearly physical, but considering how much I hate doctors, this is not out of character for me. However, if the doctor's office had ever taken the time to actually try to schedule a physical, I probably would have gone along with it (as I will now). Oh, and I cancelled my fitness membership and my personal trainer. I know I had the option of putting the contracts on hold, but frankly, I'm not sure how much I'm going to wind up paying for that emergency room visit (since I'm in a POS program and didn't pre-certify my admission), and I need to make sure I can *afford* to fork out the extra $150/mo. (The whole thing was kind of an impulse buy based on the fact that I was getting so motivated to make changes... however, if I'm that motivated to make changes, I should be able to drag my fat ass into my spare bedroom and use my HealthRider for what it's intended each day instead of an overly large paperweight). I'm going to start a little slower on my own before plunging back into the whole gym thing... this emergency room visit scared the hell out of me, and reminded me how fragile my health really is, and that I need to have a good doctor's support before I make these kinds of life-altering changes.
Ciao for now...
A very good day. One of the project engineers gave me a call this morning with questions regarding a project that we're implementing on a tight deadline in order to meet dates set by federal mandate. (For those of you that don't know, I work in the health insurance industry, which makes my current healthcare situation quite ironic). Basically, due to recommendations of another business analyst who used to work with me on the Helpdesk (but has now escaped), he stated that he needs me on the Project Team itself, not just in the traditional observatory role to transition the product into Production so that we can support it, but to take on one of the major technical advisory roles in the actual development of the system changes. He stated that he has not been impressed with the support he has received from *** (company name obliterated to protect the guilty) regarding the financial end of the system. They have put one of their best people on the project, but his knowledge is limited to one of the third-party software pieces that is integrated into our product (which will play a major role in the implementation of these changes, but the mandate is going to touch claims processing from the front to the back of our system). I am a system generalist, although my strength is finance. I think the thing that flattered me the most was that when I explained to him that I could not make that kind of resource commitment without him going through my manager (it will be a minimum of 2 hours per week plus research time, with probably more commitment during the Tech Design phase of the project), he stated that if my manager didn't approve me being on the team, he'd escalate it through the head of his department... "There's no one else in the company who can do this better than you can, I want you, and I won't take no for an answer." I have a particularly good relationship with this project engineer (or, I suppose it could be bad as well, depending on how you view it), due to the fact that I found a *MAJOR* design flaw in one of his last projects shortly after roll-out, and helped him get it corrected with a minimum of impact to our customers. This made it a very good day at work because I finally feel like I am getting recognized for the hard work that I have put in over the last 3.5 years. I also find it "ironic" (not to bust their chops or anything), but my other two peers who started within months of me (one a month before, and one a month afterward), both work in the Projects area now, and theoretically should be able answer some of the questions that are brought to me. It's comforting to know that throughout most departments, folks know that if they have a technical question, they should come to me. I don't always know the answer off the top of my head (although I probably do 70% of the time), but I know how to get timely answers for them.
Non-work related:
OK, I'm going to indulge myself and whine. And yes, I know I've been throwing a pity party for myself the last couple of days, but I can't help it. I get like this when I don't feel well. Guess what??? MY LEG HURTS LIKE HELL... it's also turning all sorts of strange colors and stuff. I'm actually in the process of charging up my digital camera batteries and I might post some graphically disgusting pictures of my lovely condition. (Plus, a pic of the IV site bruise, which looks kinda neat at this point). Man, whatever those anti-biotics are doing sure hurts more than being sick, but I shall survive. On a related note, I got signed up with a new PCP today and got an appt. to see him on Wednesday of next week for a follow-up. I also found it interesting that the first thing that his receptionist wanted to do was schedule a physical for me (something which my other PCP NEVER DID). Granted, I suppose that I should have taken it on myself to have a yearly physical, but considering how much I hate doctors, this is not out of character for me. However, if the doctor's office had ever taken the time to actually try to schedule a physical, I probably would have gone along with it (as I will now). Oh, and I cancelled my fitness membership and my personal trainer. I know I had the option of putting the contracts on hold, but frankly, I'm not sure how much I'm going to wind up paying for that emergency room visit (since I'm in a POS program and didn't pre-certify my admission), and I need to make sure I can *afford* to fork out the extra $150/mo. (The whole thing was kind of an impulse buy based on the fact that I was getting so motivated to make changes... however, if I'm that motivated to make changes, I should be able to drag my fat ass into my spare bedroom and use my HealthRider for what it's intended each day instead of an overly large paperweight). I'm going to start a little slower on my own before plunging back into the whole gym thing... this emergency room visit scared the hell out of me, and reminded me how fragile my health really is, and that I need to have a good doctor's support before I make these kinds of life-altering changes.
Ciao for now...
