I feel like I'm one of the few people here enjoying the weather. All I hear from everyone else are complaints about how cold it's getting, how winter is coming too soon, etc. What is so wrong with cold weather? I've never understood people who like the heat.

While winter is my favorite season, I actually really do like autumn, especially mid- to late autumn. Why? Because that's when the weather starts getting colder, when Mother Nature starts warning people that winter is coming soon. It's when people have to start putting away the summer t-shirts and shorts and start getting out the winter sweaters. It's the start of the best time of the year.

It's a shame no one else seems to enjoy the cold weather. I don't think I've heard anyone say anything good about the weather today. Though when it comes to people who loves sports, I guess I can't blame them for not liking winter if their favorite sports are all non-winter outdoors sports.

The server room is finally getting new ventilation. Not to sound bitter, but I'd say it's about time. That room is horrendously hot (not to mention it always sounds like airplanes are taking off in there), and I always worry a bit that something will overheat. With new ventilation, hopefully we won't have to worry about that not that I'm not counting on nothing going wrong, what with the way things happen around here.

We get over one obstacle only to run smack into another....

So I walk out of the elevator this morning...and the hallway is pitch-black. I open the door to the Tech Support office...and the room is pitch-black. Which can mean only one thing--a power outage.

While not having power is a huge inconvenience, for most jobs it is probably only a temporary hindrance, and one can find things to do that do not involve technology. But when your job is to do nothing but work with computers, there is little you can do when you're unable to use your only tool.

At least the electrical malfunction is being worked on. Now if only these lights would stop blinking...

The network should be working, by the way. The server room has had its power restored.

Those thunderstorms a couple of nights ago were a mess: Not only did one of the trees outside the employee lounge get struck by lightning (it was replaced overnight, it seems, but unfortunately, its replacement is smaller, so it doesn't prevent the sun from warming up the lounge), but so did one of the trees in my neighbor's back yard. The crack was so loud that it must have awakened at least half the neighborhood, and nearly gave Granny a heart attack (so she claims). I left for work this morning to the sound of chain saws slicing wood. (I think that's what woke me up, too.)

I can't wait for winter to return....

You'd think adults wouldn't need someone else to tell them that playing the telephone game is a bad idea, but apparently that song "High School Never Ends" has some truth to it.

One rumor leads to another...and when there are no new rumors to spread around, people seem to amplify what's already there. Rumors about Yamamoto-sama's health are one thing, but how did those rumors lead to people fretting over the general health of company employees? Really, can't people around here just mind their own business and get on with their work? Adults.

( Private to Karin )

Well, the heat seems to be taking a bit of a break the past couple days--the temperature outside is actually bearable (although still too hot for my personal comfort). But at the very least, I can walk outside without having the strong, constant desire to dunk myself in the nearest body of water.

( Private to Karin )

It's days like these that make me glad that my internship does not require me to step outside during work hours (and also makes me glad that I don't work in the Archives & Research Building and have to step outside in order to get lunch). However, it's days like these that almost make me regret working a job that requires me to be surrounded by heat-generating computers all day long. The Tech Support office is HOT! We have the A/C on and a couple of fans blowing, which do help with the heat, but it's still hotter in here than in other offices.

The heat is the only thing I'm complaining about, though. I do like this job and it could be much worse than it is.

I got a phone call from the orphanage last night, thanking me and Granny for inviting some of the kids (the older ones) to the festival last Friday (which, by some miracle, managed to not get rained out--Granny was thrilled). Makes the trouble of having to watch a bunch of kids a little more worth it.

Now if only this heat would go away. I'm thinking of moving someplace cold, like Siberia, after college.

Granny is still insisting that I "tag along" to her club's festival and BBQ this evening, even though the weather forecast is promising rain. And now she wants me to invite Hinamori to come along, too. "I haven't seen Momo-chan in months!" is what she said. I don't know if I can drag Hinamori away from her precious "Aizen-sama" long enough to attend a BBQ. She probably plans on spending the weekend doing extra work for him.... I guess for Granny's sake I hope it doesn't rain out the event this evening.

At least today isn't as hot as it was yesterday.

If one more reporter comes up to me and asks me about the rumors going around SSI about our company hiring mafia, I'm going to lose my temper. I'm sick and tired of having to use my old and untrue excuse of "interns aren't privy to company gossip." It's getting bothersome.

Hey, Karin, do I still need to bring boxing gloves and a helmet tomorrow?

This heat is ridiculous! It should against mother nature's laws for it to get this hot anywhere on the planet. If it weren't against company dress code, I swear, I'd be tempted to go around shirtless and in shorts. Computers generate a lot of heat, you know - our office isn't exactly cool, even with the A/C on. Tomorrow, I'm bringing a fan.

One of the clubs to which Granny belongs (I think it's the gardening club) is hosting a festival of sorts tomorrow evening, with mini rides for little kids, a barbeque, and a fireworks display after sundown. Granny insists that I go with her, even though I told her I'd much rather stay indoors, especially if tomorrow is going to be as hot as today is.