IT Influence

We’ve been sold. Out.

Not really. Though we do have a new sweetheart deal with CyberDefender. Good ole IT got his old company hooked up with his new company, so all of our computers are going to be running on that system now. I think it’s kind of cool. A bit of a memory of the real IT Guy. His presence will be here on a daily basis. IT Fella was even cool with it. When asked by our office manager:

Fella: I think it’s a great idea. Are you kidding me? How often can you get a connection with a little personal personnel support? Makes my job a lot easier.

And that keys you into his daily line of thinking. Regardless, it’ll kind of be nice to know that if I need something in terms of computer security that I’ll be dealing with someone I know and trust as opposed to the guy who’s allergic to work. Apparently, this is gonna save the company some funds, too, when comparing our past purchase with Norton. I don’t really know about that stuff, so much. I’d be the naive individual who would say that all that stuff is comparable. Then I learn about. That’s what makes me such a beast in the world of sales. I just don’t sell computer technology.

An Information Technology Discussion

When I say information technology, I do, of course, mean someone, as opposed to something. This discussion took place yesterday with one of my supervisors.

Supe: How are things, Landon?
Me: Um. Things are good. The Bears seem to suck again, so it looks like all is right in the world.
Supe: I can’t even watch the games. You know my wife is from Charlotte, so I think I’ve jumped on the Cam Newton bandwagon.
Me: I may ask for a visitors pass sometime soon.
Supe: Can I ask you a quick question?
Me: Of course.
Supe: How do you feel our new information technologist is handling the load?
Me: You’re asking the wrong, very biased individual this question.
Supe: That’s why I am asking you. Because I know you’ll be brutally honest if need be.
Me: I can’t argue that he knows is stuff. He’s just kind of an a** at times. I don’t mean to be harsh, but he has no sense of decorum.
Supe: OK. But you find his professional ability to be up to snuff?
Me: I do.  If I’m being complete fair and honest. I don’t think we could challenge his technological expertise, but socially? I mean IT (Guy) was an example of an enigmatic who gets social grace. I don’t think we’re dealing with that in (IT Fella).
Supe: Good to know. Speaking of which, how is (IT Guy) enjoying California?
Me: Kid in a candy store.
Supe: He sent me a fake OSCAR that said “Best Performance as a Boss”
Me: Like I said.

Is My IT Guy Working!?

There are certain things that offer inevitable frustrations within a professional environment. I always use sports analogies. It is what I understand. You lose a Hall of Famer, and a young, talented kid comes in, the team chemistry will still suffer. Our office space is borderline miserable for me. I know there are others who are suffering, too.

IT (Guy) used to offer free computer education to those who would kindly learn and listen. I sometimes wonder if the new IT (Fella) is even working. I seriously don’t know what’s going on in his workspace, but for some reason I imagine him drinking Dr. Pepper and eating chips, while playing online poker. I overheard this conversation earlier today.

Helpless Girl: I really don’t know what’s wrong with my computer. My search engine is all messed up. It used to search through Google, and now it’s some weird thing I’ve never even heard of.
Fella: What did you do to it?
Helpless: I didn’t do anything that I don’t normally do. I turned it on, started to use it and it was messed up.
Fella: Slide over.

A few seconds pass.

Fella: OK. You’re good.
Helpless: What happened?
Fella: I don’t know. You probably accidentally did something when downloading a program. I really don’t know without digging and wasting your time.
Helpless: So. What do I do if it happens again.
Fella: Just let me know. That’s my job.
Helpless: …ok…

I really have a feeling that in a few years, companies like this are going to start outsourcing our IT issues to specialized entities like the one the original IT Guy is now working for.

IT Fella Flag Football

Yesterday, I had an interesting exchange with the artists currently known as IT Fella.

Fella: Landon. You play football?
Me: Competitively?
Fella: Sure. Or just for fun. There’s a bunch of us getting together tonight to play some flag football tonight. We need a few more and I thought you might like to play.
Me: Actually…that sounds really fun.
Fella: Cool. I’ll count you in.
Me: What’s the level of play?
Fella: Do you need a certain standard for it to be worth your time?
Me: What? No. I just don’t want to look like an idiot. I guess I wanna know if I need to bring cleats and stuff.
Fella: Well, I wouldn’t wear what you have on now, if that’s what you’re asking.
Me: Really? The shirt and tie? No go on the football field?
Fella: Just bring what you’ve got. If you have cleats, I would wear them. We’re trying to get a competitive flag team together, so it’s kind of like a tryout.
Me: Oh. Well. I used to play when I was younger, so-
Fella: Then bring your A game if you want to get on a team.
Me: OK, man, I’ll bring my A game.

They sucked. Worst pick up game ever. There were too many guys there, and the level of play was below my standard. IT Fella was spiking the ball after every catch (which I believe was three or four), and every time I caught the ball I would take it to the house. I cannot imagine how bad their team will lose every game. I politely declined the invitation to play, and Fella’s face upon my “no thanks” was priceless. Maybe if I inadvertently insult him enough, he’ll just leave me alone. I get along with everyone, and I can’t get along with this guy.

Gearing for Sin City

We’re heading out tonight. I’m taking IT’s computer with me. He’s gonna once over it, and teach me a little more about maintaining computers while we’re there. When we’re going to do this, I don’t know, but I suppose that’s what sportsbooks are for. Gotta do something while you’re watching those games, and waiting to claim your winnings. More so, I had an awkward conversation with IT Fella earlier today. Who am I kidding? They’re always awkward–I avoid this cat like a kid with a cold.

Fella: So. You’re not gonna be around tomorrow?
Me: Um, no. Is there anything you need before I leave?
Fella: I was wondering if I could take a look at your computer. The one that used to be (IT Guy’s).
Me: Actually, I’m planning to take it with me.
Fella: To Vegas?
Me: Yeah. (IT) is meeting us there, and he’s actually going to show me a few of its bells and whistles. He didn’t have time–
Fella: You are aware that he doesn’t work here anymore, right?
Me: Yes. I’m aware.
Fella: You know I can teach you anything he can. And that I should really be working on the computers you’re implementing for company use…
Me: OK. This was his personal computer.
Fella: You’re still using it for business purposes.
Me: What does it matter, man?
Fella: I didn’t say it did. Have a nice trip. Tell your boyfriend I said hi–I’m just kiddin’! Tell him hi, though.