To Hell and Back

Immediately following the spectacle known as Christmas, we launched down the road for yet another visit to Arkansas and good company.  We had hoped the weather would be better than it ultimately turned out.  However, the cold front reached further south than it was supposed to have, leaving us with a cloudy and chilly 7° C weekend.  It is a good thing that is nearly perfect weather for hiking about and discovering new places.

Hell Creek Natural Area has been quietly waiting on the to-do list for quite some time now. Timing is everything for this spot.  Excessive undergrowth and reports of a militarized tick population generally prohibit access from March through October.  Click the title above to read more.  It was a good, quiet journey.  There are not many folks out on the trail at this time of year.

While lingering about, a return visit to Woolly Hollow enabled solid exercise though more calm and quiet forest.  A bear bellowed in the distance at one point along this hike.  Each attempt to record the racket failed.  It was as if the beast knew of the effort through some sort of game cam of its own.  I departed empty-handed, since there seemed no solid reason to stick around to learn more of proximity.

The courthouse consistently greeted us each evening in its best display.  New lights bordering the windows caused them to stand out brighter than ever.  The only thing missing from the scene, a light blanket of snow. We had left that at home, to clean up after itself, and it was due to be gone before we returned.

T-Mobile Installs Spamware on Devices

App Selector On Android: What It Is (And How To Disable It) (slashgear.com)

I did not want this installed. I did not ask for this to be installed.  It does not permit me to disable notifications.  It is annoying the hell out of me, recommending apps that I would never be interested in.  What is the point?

This article helped me figure out how to shut it down permanently, though the steps are not exactly right.  It refuses to permit uninstall of the app.

Here's my mod on the process:

- Settings

- Apps

- Find App

- Force Stop

- Disable App

- Roll back Updates

Magically, the app is gone now, along with its evil twin sister AppManager.

Go figure.

This is what T-Mobile says about this spamware / spyware / malware that it likes to add during setup >  T-Mobile AppManager & AppSelector | T-Mobile Support

A Map Shaper

My new favorite GeoJSON editor that just enabled me to have another layer in a Power BI Azure map (and make it look how I want) without going through a lot of hoops.

https://mapshaper.org/

This one is nice too, but you can't add attributes for all points all at once.

https://geojson.io/

Inaccurate Location

Discovered a flaw in our data that caused a location to appear in Independence.  We fixed that, then it started showing up in Webster Groves.  That is not even close.  After staring at it off and on for an hour or so, I finally figured it out.  The correct street name contains an extra "r."

Smarter People are a Blessing

This about sums up the problem with the one that recently joined the Team, who seems to be clinging to her old-world ideas on the treatment of others in the workplace.  

It does not promote a healthy work environment, creating stress where none should be. 

I remember how things were at DST.  Fear was the management style, and always having to justify your existence.

Just Habits and a Template

Rarely read these listicles.  This one was pretty straightforward though and gave me a new template for writing here.  We'll see if it sticks ... click the image to read the entire story.

"Journal when you feel like you need to. And try to clarify your thoughts: 

What is bothering me right now? 

Why am I stressed or have anxiety about? 

What am I feeling good about? 

What am I feeling grateful for right now? 

How I am feeling lately? 

The purpose is to understand you better and process feelings and emotions."

Intentional Duplication of Effort

 

Ignoring relevant data in favor of quite literally having a minion reproduce what has already been done is ridiculous at best.  It is generally a huge waste of time.  That is what she is good at though.  I see little else from this individual, just a lot of churn.

The whole thing would not have been so bad, had she not gone immediately on the attack, when the duplication was identified.

Projection Blaming

 

Car pulls out in front of you and almost kills you, but it is your fault for driving down the road, following all the rules of the road.  What is that?  Stupid.  Happens way more than it should.

Too Loud

 

Ever encounter someone that is loud for no reason in particular?  It is impossible to get anything done around this individual.  Every discussion is at full volume.  Every move they make generates unnecessarily loud noises.  They bang everything around just for the sake of doing so.  It is impossible!

Power Automate Desktop Date Conversion

Put together a little Date Conversion template for Power Automate Desktop that I need to save out.  Copy/paste the quote block areas and you are on your way.

Date Conversions

DateTime.GetCurrentDateTime.Local DateTimeFormat: DateTime.DateTimeFormat.DateAndTime CurrentDateTime=> CurrentDateTime

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM/dd/yyyy''' Result=> CDT_Formatted

DateTime.Add DateTime: CurrentDateTime TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Days ResultedDate=> CDTminus1

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CDTminus1 CustomFormat: $'''MM/dd/yyyy''' Result=> CDTminus1_Formatted

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM/01/yyyy''' Result=> FirstDayCurrentMonth

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''01/01/yyyy''' Result=> FirstDayCurrentYear

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''12/31/yyyy''' Result=> LastDayCurrentYear

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''MM''' Result=> ThisMonth_MM

Text.ConvertDateTimeToText.FromCustomDateTime DateTime: CurrentDateTime CustomFormat: $'''yyyy''' Result=> ThisYear_yyyy

# End Day Last Month = First Day This Month - 1 day

DateTime.Add DateTime: FirstDayCurrentMonth TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Days ResultedDate=> EndDayLastMonth

# First Day Last Month = First Day This Month - 1 month

DateTime.Add DateTime: FirstDayCurrentMonth TimeToAdd: -1 TimeUnit: DateTime.TimeUnit.Months ResultedDate=> FirstDayLastMonth

Artificial Not Intelligence

 

If it takes this much to train folks how to use AI, then you can probably drop the "I."  There is no intelligence, it is all just artificial.

Christmas Tree on the Street

 

It is kind of nice to once again work with an organization that shows support for popular community holidays.

The school at which I taught forever shamed everyone for not supporting other cultures and blocked every attempt to celebrate American holidays.  They really should be ashamed of themselves for not realizing it was their obligation to teach incoming cultures about American tradition to aid in the transition to this brave new world.  That is how it works in the rest of the world.

I need to come back to this and write more.  It really was an awful experience and sad for the children, who always wanted to know why we never did anything for Christmas.

I always did and always had a tiny tree in my room too as a bit of a dare, but mostly because the kids liked it.

Me Maui from Moana

Apparently, I am Maui from Moana, according to a colleague that spends her spare brain cycles equating folks with Disney characters.  She explained this to me today, and when I said I would have to watch the movie for the first time, she sent the video along.

New Faucets

This made for a fun day. Snake & Rooter did the work, as the tub faucets were above my pay grade and desperately needed repaired or replaced prior to the coming re-glazing.  The whole matter cost just under $600.  We probably got took, or not.  It is hard to say these days.  The supervisor did need to come back and fix a few things.  

Just after the installers left, I ran water in the sink and instantly confronted a leaking drain.  The diverter leaked when it was turned from the shower to the tub position; only about 3 drops, which they blamed on craftsmanship.  Their supervisor repaired both without much amusement on his face.  

Later, we discovered that the access panel was not put back correctly either.  Removing it, the subfloor appeared damp also.  It may just be leftovers.  There does not appear to be anything leaking.

It was only small fiasco that took most of the day, and I was a little disappointed that things were left as they were.  That sink drain did not just suddenly decide to leak.  Somebody forgot to check functionality.  Shame on me.

Pants on Fire

Why do some folks feel the need to lie about the most ridiculous of things?

For example, an email received from QP this morning insists there was confusion about an email I had sent, indicating, "I’ve gotten a few emails already asking what your email means."

That is a bold-faced lie.  The people emailing her would most certainliy have emailed me first, and not her.

Why does she lie like that?  

This is not the first time either.

She continually makes things up to fit her agenda.  

I do not understand.

WHY!?!?!?!

East to Glow, West to Snow

Out on the road again, the first encounter with the bizarre occurred just east of Carrollton. It is unlikely we would have even stumbled on that had I not been ignoring the map in favor of memory that turned out not so good.

The original intent had been to pass along US-24, then MO-41 through Arrow Rock.  Instead, we missed the right turn in Richmond and ended staring down the World's Largest Pecan in Brunswick.  We were nearly trapped into shopping too, but it turned out only a momentary distraction.

The opportunity to drop in and have a look at Pinnacle Youth Park, just north of Columbia.  A brief examination of the site found it dryer than had been noted on previous occasions, but no less interesting. 

After lunch, we launched straight into the St Louis area, pausing briefly to check on some family land.  Unfortunately, they had draped so many lights over the area as to make it impossible to view anything beyond the front gate.

That only left our plans for the evening, beginning with the Missouri Botancial Garden, which accessing proved to be an adventure of its very own.  It was not awful and the visit to Garden Glow, quite a fun little experience.  

The next morning ended up in St Charles for their annual Christmas Traditions.  It was kind of half surprise and half "well, of course" and an interesting little experience in the home of the first capital of the state of Missouri.

We had to get out of there fairly early, pausing in Rocheport, just as the sun began to disappear behind the snowstorm clouds that we were headed for in Kansas City.  The day had been near perfect weather, but was about to be ruined, as we finally arrived in town to much higher precipitation levels than had been predicted.

Pane Switcher is a Pain

The X in the pane switcher within Power BI is huge pain in the neck!  

I find myself constantly opening things that I have inadvertently closed. 

The user experience would feel better if the option were to simply collapse the pane only.

What exactly is the use case for closing a pane versus collapsing anyhow?  It is not memory hog.  Closing it does not appear to offer any benefit except enabling users to have to click twice more time to get to open again.

The current user experience for this is backwards.

Two clicks to collapse, click again to re-open; and, one click to close, with two Clicks to re-open.

I recommend one clicks to collapse, click again to re-open; and, two clicks to close, and two clicks to re-open.

That is, unless you can somehow make it so that there is ever only one click, like getting rid of close altogether.

I suspect that most would agree that collapse should be the primary action and not close.  If nothing else, give me a collapse button!  I should not have to click twice to collapse the pane out of the way.

. . .

Re: Share your thoughts on the new On-Object Inter... - Page 34 - Microsoft Fabric Community

Unicorns and Privacy

 

"When a candidate is curious, it suggests genuine engagement with your company and interest beyond a paycheck. Curiosity is a great way to predict if a candidate will be willing to learn and grow in their position as well."

“Unicorns” are curious — and hiring managers love curiosity - Big Think

While generally true, I think they put on blinders at the end.  Some folks display their curiosity through observation more than questioning. Additionally, a candidate may have already satisfied much of their curiosity about a firm and a role by the time they get to the hiring manager, eradicating any curiosity about either, resulting in few or no questions.

The story also suggests, 

"Tips for cultivating curiosity at work:

1) Give time and budget to team members who want to learn more about a particular subject or skill. 

2) When challenges come up, practice asking questions before throwing out solutions.

3) Take time to get to know your team members on a more personal level by offering optional team lunches and other experiences.

The first is obvious or should be to anyone with a mind to business.  The second is little strange.  My philosophy is to always ask questions before throwing out solutions.  Lastly, it is important to remember that some team members value their privacy above all else.  Don't push it.

Let the Season of Eating Begin

Got a little award today and posted to LinkedIn, one of the last surviving social media networks, for me.  There is a little more freedom to simply posting here though, which is what this blog appears to be slowly transitioning towards.

The whole affair took place at one of the ballrooms at Argosy Casino today, just beyond this wonderfully tall tree, lit warmly welcome the season of eating.  The associated cheesecake was delicious accompaniment.

Kudos from C.N.

Todd was instrumental in helping Payroll limit the number of reports required each month by including them in the data he provides. This is saving Payroll hours of time each month and is greatly appreciated! Thanks Todd! K said Thanks, too!

Duplicate Reporting Effort

Identified a duplication of effort in reporting, which cost the firm roughly 4-6 hours per week over the past 11 months.  Finance had been providing the exact same reports as had been developed in Power BI in the first part of the year.

Chinquapin Day Trip

Heading south to the Pineville area of Missouri, I stumbled on some long-lost family.

There was also this odd little structure that I am still puzzled over.

I also discovered that bulls are very short and hairy in these parts.

Additionally, I was to beware of Google shortcuts.  I don't usually mind, but this really was an unnecessary and unrequested diversion.  It was good kicking up a little dust though.

The purpose of the excursion is documented in the following story.

The journey back was entirely uneventful.

It is about all that the Interstate is good for.

Glowing Orange

Out on my walk today, I stumbled upon this glowing apparition standing streetside.

Speak Last

The Very Best Leaders Speak Last. Here's Why | LinkedIn

Future Death

I asked the new "co-pilot" to create me an image of future death and this is what it came up with.

Long Exposure Silver Tone Testing

A few tests with a longer exposure raw file on the Samsung S23, processed using Adobe Photoshop Express Basic Silver.  These are 30 second exposures at ISO 400, after dark, about 8 pm above the 39th parallel.  The above is looking northwesterly, while the shot below is staring straight up.

  

Leading by Decree

This could not be truer.  Indeed, in recent days I have had to deal with a self-proclaimed leader unfamiliar with this concept.  This individual sits atop her throne issuing commandments, making demands, and not bothering to actual collaborate with others to attain her goals.

While I totally understand that some are just this way, it remains inexcusable.  In my most humble opinion, a good leader takes the time to listen, evaluate, and work with a team to come to a consensus. 

Am I wrong?

I also understand that a good leader definitely does not belittle and harass their team.  In addition to the above, there was an instance in a meeting today when she asked about a certain update.  When told what day it would be, she smirked and remarked snidely, is that before noon or after.

Making Assumptions

One of the many things I have learned in my illustrious career is to assume nothing.  It is poison to development and open collaboration.  Question and gather facts instead.  That enables one to make decisions rather than simply passing judgement.

A colleague continually ignoring statements in favor of her own assumptions about process, procedure, and standard is dangerous to business continuity at best.  It is toxic to collaboration.

As regards the above image.  It helps to listen to the answers too.

What happens when you make an assumption?

Self-Service Confidence

She did it again.  The moment nobody was around, she put on her favorite attitude.  We were discussing self-service points.  I lightly laughed at an assumption she had made and began to explain how we were obviously misunderstanding one another, and she immediately fired across the bow, "I did not think it was funny."

I fired back, "I never said it was."

She quickly dropped back into trying to tell me how wrong I was.

As quickly, I began explaining again how it was only a mutual misunderstanding, attempting to explain the difference another way.

She seems to have self-confidence issues.  This only happens when nobody else is looking.  Otherwise, she is all smiles and laughter.

Hypocrite.

Kudos from COO

Todd is always willing to listen to my requests for new/different/improved data and dashboards and help me out with any project I'm working on. His willingness to jump into these projects with me has made the world of difference this last year in my ability to make decisions which improve the programs. Thanks Todd!!

Innovation

If your employees are not coming to you with ideas for improvements to your business, you are not inspiring them and your company is not growing.  You will fail.

Tech Sucks Sometimes

Technology was supposed to make our lives easier.  It seems like, more often than not, it just pisses me off.

And, what happened to the promise of more free time to pursue other interests.

It is all a lie.

Kudos from CAPO

Todd discovered an anomaly in [The Firm] data that was able to be corrected, saving [The Firm] funds.

Miscoding Payroll

In reviewing data inconsistences produced by a Power BI report, which had been thus far consistent, a coding problem was uncovered that identified employees paid for Differential Time and Differential Overtime that should have been Regular Time or Regular Overtime.  The problem relates to approximately 5000 hours or about $100k over 6 months.

Solution Provider Can't Handle It

Our solution provider got a little upset because we wanted to include so many IP addresses for access to the External Data Feed.

We intended to use Power Automate to SFTP and extract that external data.

We originally only provided 2, and then all of Microsoft's Power Platform IPs, which were only 20 or so.

After speaking with their CIO, they denied the request.  Too many IPs.

Silly.  Stupid. Lazy.