A small rant...

Or maybe not so small... let's first begin shall we with a definition - the word?

SCHEDULE: According to dictionary.com it is the following:

–noun

1.	a plan of procedure, usually written, for a proposed objective, esp. with reference to the sequence of and time allotted for each item or operation necessary to its completion: The schedule allows three weeks for this stage.

I want you all to read and digest that bit of information, noting sequence of events, TIME allotted now I will begin my ravings of a lunatic. First it was work, where as stated on numerous occasions to friends, family and co-workers alike our software schedule is written in Jell-o sitting in the sun - in July. So say it's fluid is to say ice is cold... it's a well DUH kinda of thing. Now let me begin LAST week where not 1, not 2 but 3 separate people called our customer (another large nameless corporation even more screwed up than the one I work for) ... has a weekly meeting to discuss the schedule. EVERY WEEK it changes. No I am not kidding.

Now last week was even more fun because we noted a change, our due date had changed on page 1 but not on page 3, so we go back a week, same thing, back another week, pages 1 and 3 have the same date well ... WTF? So we ask, our contact of the Jello schedule basically What the heck (only nicer - and screaming the F bomb in our heads) He says to god and country "We didn't change anything." Now we look at each other going - well OK we might ALL be crazy. Nope. Next when confronted with written evidence, we get "oh my script updated that it's wrong I'll fix it." Then 4 hours later that same day we get, "well I really need it the earlier date".

Now based on that what would your reaction be? If you point to a blob of paint on your wall that doesn't belong there and the kid is standing there with the paint brush and says, "I didn't do it" then "Well I brushed against the wall when I picked up the brush" then confesses - are you going to trust said child? Especially one who is a working adult? I thought not - and I won't. Fast forward to this week - and surprise! Our schedule has changed again, only we've been pushed out a week - and thanks to my partner in crime (at work) scheduling her procedures next week (post delivery or so we thought) ALL the code reviews are now in MY lap. Groovy. But we will survive this - they sell wine at Target in VA - it's all good.

Now on to my second rant about schedules, do you know what else runs on a schedule? Buses! Yes Buses run on a pre-published schedule and barring major traffic, or weather they pretty much stick to it. Now Bubba has been riding this bus since this summer... he knows when the last bus leaves. Mondays are the days I have a meeting - NOT a good night to miss the last bus of the night... is it skippy? But NOOOOO we have to do one more thing or whatever and call me just as the meeting is getting started and for a ride from the Metro station... butthead.

And to add some spice to tonight's pick up where I left the girls, with other adults with instructions on what to finish up with... as I pull in so do 2 of Montgomery County's finest, then quickly followed by a large fire engine, an ambulance, and 4 - count 'em 4 more police cars... oh yeah then Metro Police... way to go boys. Now in the midst of all these blinky lights are people trying to pick people up drop people off, get to their cars or CATCH A BUS. Where am I? In the middle of this mess waiting for Sr. Butthead to finally pull into the station because he didn't check THE SCHEDULE. I waved at the girls as they pulled out, having finished the meeting without me, I did the final checks and headed home... after running back to the grocery store with the new pharmacy card so I didn't have to pay full price for my and Bubba's refills.

So the moral of these two tales of schedule misery? 1) When your adult, fess up to your foolishness, grow a spinal column, when you change something fess up - people will trust you more and not think your a big lying scum bag. and 2) It's called a bus SCHEDULE for a reason, not a "I'll get down there when I get there" and finally 3) NEVER DO THIS AGAIN ON A MONDAY OR YOUR LILY WHITE FANNY CAN WALK HOME.

Ahem, not mad - nope not at all... now there are rumors of snow tomorrow night and possibly Friday... I will drive home Thursday night if I have to... I will not be stuck in this house alone all weekend... no I will not... or... the peace and quiet might do me good huh?

So tell me gang, where are we going and what am I doing in this Handbasket? Hum...