rear window movie

 just before midday i went to see a movie in Columbia heights, it was 'rear window' as part of this year's Hitchcock film festival. i like Jimmy Stewart and this one had me guessing until the end. i knew this movie as being parodied on 'the Simpsons' and name-checked in a Lady Gaga song. this was 'bad romance'. it was my second visit to this theater, and while there i got an idea for another visit. there is a Cary Grant series starting soon, seven movies in all. i prefer to make it count and will likely just see one of them. when i already have 'affair to remember' on DVD, then of course that one is out. there was a good crowd for this screening, the second of two at this venue. i still know it as the sister theater to the trylon, which i get to more often. after the movie it was time for lunch and i went to a buffet in a plaza, one block over. probably a good thing that i don't go to buffets much as there is always a temptation to overeat. i stopped before i felt full, though. i liked how there was soft-serve ice cream there, so i had some. i tried to watch a united football league game when i got home, but i was tired. the St. Louis Battlehawks were home against the Birmingham Stallions. i decided to lay down at halftime and when i woke up it was near the end of the game, but St. Louis went on to win it. i had the evening meal and then near the end of the night i did the dishes. 

great awakening movie

 in the evening i went to see the movie 'great awakening', in Woodbury. it had been a minute since i had seen a movie in this theater, as i like my loyalty programs. this one isn't a part of the AMC or Emagine chains. i figured it would be a good idea to sit up front, but not in this theater. one is way too close to the screen in the first row. when the movie began, i moved back two rows, and it was a much better view. i did not recognize any of the actors in it, but i cared more about the story. even though i majored in history, the preacher in it, George Whitefield, wasn't in any of the history books i had read. this was ben franklin's friend. there was a hymn in it that i recognized from easter services, a Wesley hymn as Whitefield knew the Wesleys. this was 'love divine'. it did have the feel of many other biopics i had seen, where some but not all of franklin's accomplishments were mentioned. and i knew full well to expect the discovery of electricity with the kite and key as it was in the previews. i liked how it ended on a high note, as franklin didn't love all that long after the constitutional convention. nothing in his life was depicted after that. little or nothing was depicted from the American revolutionary war as i recall, it was more about events before and after it. i have been to franklin's home in London, which still stands, unlike the one in Philadelphia, and i have been to that city too. there were things to do before this event, though. i went to a lecture at the Minnesota history center just before midday, it was about John Adams. then i had lunch in the restaurant district just down the road near the hockey arena, at a pizza place. after lunch i returned to the museum and toured the Julia Child exhibit. i was there until just before closing time, but i wanted to get a good look around. i found out Julia was spoofed on 'Saturday night live' and 'sesame street'. it is proof that one is famous if one has been spoofed. it made me feel old when i saw VHS tapes on display as a museum artifact as i still have some of those. then i made it to Aldi for groceries before i went to the movie. 

patriotic rubber ducks

 in the morning i made it to Walgreen and bought more than just cookies and a drink. in the seasonal aisle i saw some patriotic rubber ducks and bought two of them. one looks like Uncle Sam and the other looks like the statue of liberty. both were a buck-fifty so i could justify that amount easily, so two more america-250 items have been acquired. in the evening i went to the Dunkin donuts in Eagan and got coffee and a donut, then headed to the Hy-Vee. saw the cashier that often recognizes me. i chatted with another employee before checking out, picking up some Oreos. although i was bored with hearing about her life as a supermom and paralegal. she couldn't get her facts straight about famous people, either. at work i added a day off to our team's calendar, in early June. i got a rare call on my laptop phone, the courier needed help with finding the building. this was the delivery of the check stock order. there was mention of a wallpaper and screen saver change as well. this might explain why the team lead spoke at the huddle about our website where we log into payroll, since it has changed too, showing us palm trees. don't know how this affects me though, as i leave for the day after logging out and finally seeing a 'blue screen' with the time on it. 

dead battery was culprit

 the doorbell to the check shop was finally fixed in the afternoon, after a month of waiting. the tech arrived just as i was about to leave for lunch, but it was handled fairly quickly. i decided to eat my lunch in the shop, on an alternate table from where i do most of my work. the tech said the culprit was dead batteries, and those were swapped out. i helped with testing it, and that is what i said when the second work order was created. i wanted techs to show up when i am there so i could help with testing. i was told the first visit, the one before my start time for the day, was likely from building management and not his company. a check for payroll was picked up in the morning, and another in the afternoon, not long after the doorbell was up and running again. payroll is now in the same building, but on floor 13. i guess this building does not skip that floor, but some do. two boxes of envelopes arrived, but there are still two others that i am waiting for. i let my colleague know and found out the courier envelopes hadn't been ordered yet. i liked how another thing was finally handled, a check that was on dashboard for two weeks that was awaiting approval. it was the proverbial 'get off the pot'. i let I.T. know this time, as letting the business line know yielded no response. found out the check was no longer needed, so the line item was removed. a check for the manager that likes karaoke was sent to another floor late in the afternoon, after i had sent the regular mail tubs to the mailroom. i stopped on main floor to send UPS envelopes to the box, then i was on my way. it was a 'drop and leave' as the manager was in a conference room waiting for a dial-in meeting to begin. in the evening i drank the can of miller lite with my meal and now there are three beers waiting. 

table about tech conference

 when i was on my way back to the shop after the rescheduled team huddle, i was on the main floor and decided to ask what the table near the turnstiles was about. it was an upcoming technology conference if i am not mistaken, but i don't know how i could make my role more efficient. and it sounds like these are long sessions and i have just one vacation replacement. i did pick up a plastic cup with the bank's logo on it, after playing their 'Plinko' game. there were 11 boxes of check stock just outside the door of the shop when i made it back. sometimes i have to leave the floor, it can't be helped. i got out a cart and brought them in, making two trips to complete it. i was asked to hold a payroll check until the next day, not a big deal. the team huddle did speak of the survey that is due soon, i said i would do it once i got another reminder. the boss asked for the cost center from the business line related to the special project, as we've ordered the supplies already to cover the demand. i was asked for a tracking number on the Cincinnati file, even though this business line sends them to me. it was related to me saying i was using just one label after noticing three checks were going to the same address in NYC. once i checked the tracking, i found out delivery had been delayed, something about the incorrect suite number. good chance it gets sent back to Oregon. 

early arrival, tax specialist

 i saw an instant message from the tax specialist asking about a Canadian check. i said it wasn't printed yet but i could get it done soon, just needed to swap out the check stock for the Canadian kind. it was afternoon and i had just printed the main ad-hoc file of tax checks, 18 in all. normally these would all be picked up the next morning, but i was told the Canadian check needed to go out same day to avoid fines. i was asked where the UPS box is, as this dude is new to the building. i said it was on the main floor between two food outlets, in the hall. the boss was ill, so our team huddle didn't happen. i was given a PO box address for a PDF check that had no address on it. this is a rare occurrence. the big envelope order arrived, then i asked when the check stock order would be arriving. looks like the supplier still needed the purchase order, and a colleague sent it on my behalf. 

yellow bird tops

 in the evening i went to a Walgreen to see what easter candy was available since it would be discounted. i chose two tubes of Reese's peanut butter mini-cups, and these had yellow bird tops on them. while there i responded to a text message from my niece, who said there would be no birthday party for her elder daughter, but a wish list would be available on Facebook. i also got some cheese sticks and a Charlie Brown gift box. at work it was largely uneventful. there was a check for the manager that likes karaoke, it was in the second i-pay file of the day. i was asked to hold it until the next day as she was working from home. before i made it to Walgreen i went to the copy store and printed an event ticket, an upcoming history lecture.