Some days are more fun than others
I'm late getting home today so the blog may have to wait until later. This is probably going to turn out to be one of those, "Guess you had to be there stories". Still, when you have the opportunity to be afforded a bit of humor in the workplace, it's worth a mention. An item today had us all in stitches.
The Navy/Marine Corp Internet (NMCI) is gradually taking over all network and computer operations at PACOM. I know that some of you in the hereabouts have some knowledge of NMCI and my purpose of this piece is not to judge or objurgate NMCI in any way. I'll just let the story tell the story.
The first item to be replaced was my two computers - one classified the other not. They're nice new Dells to be sure for a cost of 700 dollars per month. (Yeah, they had better be nice eh?) Part of the NMCI contract is also to "re-wire" everything to maintain a certain threshold of security as per contract specifications. In physical terms, what this means is that a contractor was "subbed" to come in and route steel pipes along the walls to carry the "cables" for a new fiber optic network. Each steel pipe culminates at a point adjacent to our desks in something called a Hoffman box. Remember when I was a kid and they sold those miniature "safes" for use as piggy banks? The Hoffman box is essentially a smaller sturdier version of that entity replete with a very expensive bicycle combination lock. The idea is that each night we're required to unplug our fiber optic connection and lock the box thus eliminating any potential access to the physical plugs. Okay. I work with a guy I'll call "C". We share a work area in the back by the refrigerator. Any of you here long enough to recall the Mayday project can see where I work. (Slightly out of date now. Image the same desk with two additional computers, one more monitor and keyboard) Anyway, upon arriving at work "C" dialed up his Hoffman box combination, opened it, and the entire guts literally fell out - just a plastic connector box hanging against the wall by all the wires and cable thingies.
"C" turned to me and said, "Something doesn't seem right here." After we finished busting up he added, "This seems to be a quality control issue."
The best was yet to come though.
Basic human nature abhors and resists change. The coming of NMCI is a pretty serious change. I really have to hand it to the NMCI employees - theirs is a job I don't envy. And I know about that which I speak. Delivering a new software system to employees used to a status quo isn't easy.
The first step in rectifying "C's" situation was a call to San Diego's help center. They informed us that they'd send someone local to investigate. A mere four hours later the guy showed up. We've seen this guy before of course and he's a really nice guy caught-up in the aforementioned horrible situation. He arrives, "C" waves his arm toward the discombobulated train-wreck still hanging by its wires and cables and other miscellaneous thingies from the wall. He inspects it, makes a note or two on his clipboard, says, "Hmm", then turns back to us and, completely deadpan says, " So what seems to be the problem gentlemen?"
Now, there's no doubt that "C" and I have a somewhat preternatural sense of humor but still, some days at work are more fun than others.
5:23:10 PM 
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