I'm not in charge of the Internet!!!

I had one of our vice-chancellors call me over to his office today in a tizzy because he was having PC problems that were preventing him from getting a report out the legislature (which is currently in-session). Well, being customer service oriented, I ran over to his office to assist him and what to my wondering eyes do I see but a Page Not Found display in his browser.

Of course, my first inclination is that he has browsed to a someplace that has a broken link, but being ever diligent in my job, I first check to ensure that he has an internet connection and can browse to a real-time site. This takes all of ten seconds, so I inform him that there is nothing wrong with his PC and that it is just the site he is on.

He demands that I fix the problem.

I inform him that the content he is trying to look at is on a machine in Washington DC (he was pulling up facts on the US Census bureau site) and was well out of my jurisdiction. This is, of course, not good enough for him. He needs those figures NOW! I try to explain to him that this is kind of (obviously he is not tech-savvy...so I try to break it down) like doing research at the library and needing to read a book someone else has already checked out or has been misplaced. Yes, you know the information is there...but no one can get to it. He then demands (yes, that is the right word) that I inform the Census Bureau of the broken link and get back to him when it is fixed...in the meantime...can I dig up an abstract (the printed and published copy of the material) so he can do his work.

I inform him that I've helped as much as I can. In my scope of work, he has internet access and can reach the internet and my responsibilities have to be turned elsewhere...maybe his secretary might be better able to do those things. I then went on my merry way.

OH...did I mention that on the front page of the website, the census bureau had displayed an advisory informing of a scheduled downtime???

Adoption Status

Things that are done:

• Home Visit - Jennifer (the social worker) visited our home last week.
• Couple Interview - During the home visit, Jennifer conducted our interview as a couple.
• Massive amounts of paperwork - We've filled out and returned everything we have received so far...there will be more though

Things in progress:

• Erin dropped off her physical form with the doctor today (she had her physical a couple of weeks ago, but we didn't have the forms then)
• She has her individual interview with Jennifer tomorrow
• I will go see the doctor on Thursday and drop off my physical form.


• My individual interview is scheduled for Monday the 23rd
• At my interview, Jennifer will provide all the stuff needed for the background check. Erin and I will go the ABI when she gets done with school and get fingerprinted.
• Waiting on responses from our references (to the best of our knowledge, none of them have received their paperwork yet)
• Erin will turn in copies of our marriage license, our puppy's vaccination records, and copies of our DLs tomorrow at her interview

Things we haven't started yet:

• Our portfolio for agencies to show expectant mothers
• Painting and prepping the spare bedroom
• Contacted CFS to begin their intake process (I planned to call today, but left the number at home...will try to do that tomorrow)

Anyway, as you can see, things are moving right along. We should have the home study complete by the end of March. Then, the waiting. Keep us in your prayers.

Volleyball

Our church-league volleyball started at the YMCA last night. I am so excited. I wait all year for this. We WON last night. Next match is Thursday.

Current 2004 Record: 1 - 0

Valentines Update

I ended up solving all of my Valentine Day woes. I got Erin a 1-hour, deep-tissue massage. That went over really well. I went to a local butcher and bought some really nice NY Strips covered in a pepper-rub that they do and picked up a bottle of wine. Grilled the steaks with a Mayan Sweet Onion and sweet potatoes. All-in-all a success.

3-day Weekend Over

Well...I'm about to leave for work...the three day weekend is over. I still feel like its Monday, even though its Tuesday...this will make for a long day.