And the storm strikes... - Friday 11th November 2005

Posted on 2005/11/11 16:50:28 (November 2005).

Arrived in Taipei I got to the hotel just in time to see the room service closed.
I then tried to eat the complementary apple to find after the third bite that is has a little inhabitant inside, the Osembe (rice cakes) are also stale.
Decided then to open the laptop and received an interesting email from Marta saying that my boss was angry at me and that he asked her to "help him" deal with the situation. Marta apparently told him that we have a similar character and therefore there is always a clash.
The only chance that I had to be defended by some of my colleagues (in this case she's even my girlfriend!?) went completely pear shaped.
Didn't see that coming...

Got almost no news about the meetings that were held, I am stuck in this bare room hungry, upset and really depressed.
I have two days of "no speaking to anybody" ahead of me, I don't dare asking what more could go wrong because I am sure that it will happen if I do.
Moments like that are really a low point, I wish I was in Florence in my hose with my cat on the bed and the gentle trees being combed by the wind outside the window.
If I think of that I feel at home, safe... But it doesn't last unfortunately...

Up here a picture of the airport lounge. There were those Japanese men talking to this foreigner, most probably about work. Why can't I find another job, Japan related? Am I so crap? It seems that millions of people work with Japan, maybe all the places are taken.
Better go to bed now.

I feel for you Lorenzo. Although I'm not in the midst of arguments at work or anything, I can appreciate the feeling of isolationism in your hotel. I too face a weekend from here on that I'm really rather pissed off about. As far as I'm concerned if I'm not allowed to go home and do what I want to to with my time then I am still at work. I can't seem to get anyone else in my company to understand this point. This is MY time! I am paid to work 9-5, with the occasional bit of overtime, that's all.

Posted by John at 2005/11/12 02:22:45.

As I posted on the board is a lost battle... I have tried to fight it several times, I am an indomable spirit and this is not seen as a good thing in big organizations. Still, I can't give a shit about it, I fight for what I consider right, they have to prove me wrong to make me change idea. The present situation is not easy also because as you can see they put Marta in the middle, complicating the situation.
I'll try to make the day pass by going around Taipei, tonight I'll try the night market for some shopping... let's see...

Posted by Lox at 2005/11/12 03:05:45.

Hi Guys. Not good to feel so isolated - a bit like Sting's song - "An Englishman in New York.." Alien to all around him. I think this is symptomatic of a lot of companies these days. They think it is sooo good working for them, why would you want time off? Lox - your company is depending on you, so they ought to treat you more carefully. What they are doing is disgraceful. However you will have the last laugh - we know that. They just can't see it. John - I'd expect better from a big Corporation. Yes, the other guys are keen, but we all know "All work and no play makes Bill a dull boy" I feel for you, but think of the trip, at least, as an experience few IT bods will ever get. May be good, may be bad... Still facinating... :)

Posted by Nigel Alefounder at 2005/11/12 20:48:37.

Nigel is right. I find this true only for big corporations though, smaller entities have a different approach. I met an IBM guy on the plane, basically he told me that 99% of the people there are unhappy, that they are waiting for the good occasion to leave. So it is a widespread illness this one... Well maybe I have picked a few bad apples but...

Posted by Lox at 2005/11/13 01:50:28.

Adding a comment is a new thing for me, so i'll keep it short and sweet until I warm to the idea. I find the whole business trip hotel thing really depressing so its probably not the best place to analyse yourself, life etc, particularly for you Lorenzo (read into that what you will). I normally inhabit the local bar...

PS Having fun reading about you.
PPS be brave Caz, be brave!

Posted by Claire (from uni) at 2005/11/14 17:58:22.

Sorry Lorenzo - just cycled home thinking more about what you’ve written and I realised your completely wrong about your girlfriend not supporting you. She was infinitely wise in what she said to your boss. Your boss was wrong to ask Marta to speak to you about your work. It showed he is weak and ignorant – not a very good boss, but you already know this. Your boss put Marta in a really awkward position, its not that Marta should defend you at work more so because she’s your girlfriend; Marta can’t defend you at work because she’s your girlfriend, and as your colleague or girlfriend it’s not her place to comment. If Marta defends you at work your boss will think it’s just because she’s your girlfriend and she wouldn’t, I assume, not defend you. Marta has done the only thing she could, in saying it’s a personality clash between the two of you, she has actually defended your work and not insulted either of you, and she has to work there too. You, however have been unappreciative of your girlfriend and have posted that on the internet. Shame on you. I would treat her to something nice when you get home, and I would talk to your boss, reasonably, about the work and the issues that have arisen.
Lots of love
Claire

Posted by Claire at 2005/11/14 20:44:46.

Hi Claire!
As there are many Claires that I know I gather from the "from Uni" comment that you might be Mrs.Jones.
I might be completely mistaken of course, but in any case thanks for reading and thanks for posting, I always rejoice at people commenting my Blog.

As a matter of fact the whole issue with Marta has been now cleared, over the phone, but solved. Our boss has some sort of scheme in his head, and he is using all the the worst tricks that he can muster in order to get his point.
She probably did the right thing in the end. I got upset because on the phone her opinoin on the matter was completely different compared to what she told the boss during the meeting.

As for posting it on the internet, at first I didn't want to, then I made a brief note only, not wanting to give it too much importance, but as the pilosophy about this blog is to let my mind ramble I didn't feel it was good to hold back onto this detail, that I assure you, on that day was quite annoying.

Maybe in a similar position I wouldn't hesitate to take defences of my colleagues and their work in a more direct way. But that's me, fighting against windmills all the time, I cannot expect all the other people to do the same, and as I said before all is ok now.

Posted by Lox at 2005/11/15 01:24:22.

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