Unfortunately I had to miss the emergent lodge meeting last night. I made an effort and was studying the piece I needed to do but then my back started acting up on me. I’m wondering if it’s my sciatic nerve or is it just a pinched nerve? If it’s sciatic, then it comes and goes (with me anyway) if it’s a pinched nerve as I understand it, then it’s more permanent.

We went to bed late again but were able to listen to a bit of Coast as they were talking about the LHC. It’s supposed to start up this month using low level energy beams. Before they really crank this thing up next month. Sounds exciting.

I tried to get into “The family tree,” but by page 137 I began skipping large parts of pages or reading bits and pieces here and there waiting for the good stuff, which never came. The only interesting bits were with the character named Dora and her world. But the author went overboard with these story arch's that seemed to have nothing to do with the character I was interested in. By this time, I gave up on “The family tree.” Maybe I’ll return to it at another time but no way was I going to invest any more time in this enterprise.

So now I’m off to read Vernor Vinge’s “Rainbows end.” I’m not sure about this one either but at least it looks like it’s going somewhere.

Last night on the job I began with a slow start. I had double or nothing bet going on with Gerry with for the Toronto/Carolina. He took Toronto. OK. I saw the game in between calls and at break it was tied at 4. I had a slow start to the shift but managed 2 cards. During the 2^nd half I got my “Report card.” This is something Gerry is doing. There are 10 basic points like thanking the customer and then our company and the charity. Rebuttals. My rebuttals were low. CC rebuttals even lower. Gerry had a CC close and pasted it up on every dialer. I closed good on disposition, and handling of the calls in a professional manner and energy and enthusiasm. I scored 50% out of 10 points. I lost some good sales trying to do the opening the way they want me to. At least I don’t have to use that “Calling on behalf” BS. Anyway as I was thinking how the Lodge meeting was going wondering how they were getting along without me, I got a $150 tap from only recently. Twice this year on the screen. “I’m going to blow this one” I thought. I opened the call the way the wanted me to and the customer agreed. I went through my 3 levels of support, and got her to agree to $200. I asked for the CC only she was reluctant but I went with the close with Gerry cheering me on behind me I mean in a nice way. The client saw my reasoning and went for the card. That made my day. This was about 8:15pm last night. I got a few sales after that and $15 bonus on my nect paycheck. I had to split a $30 bonus, with Said. Also one of the newer people had brought a donation of empties for me and Carolina won so Gerry handed me a $5 bill and I gave him back a loonie. Last night was a great evening. I sat by myself on the way home and Anne was home and made us a cheese burger and fries meal for lunch. I had an excellent night last night even though my mind was on the Lodge.

Tonight after work it’s up to the bank and then home. Saturday I’m working for the full day and after work tomorrow I’m going to quickly run over to Audrey’s and get my New Space Opera 2.