Geez, look at the time (v2)
1- Still looking on the job market. There are plenty of opertunities, but a whole lot of specialization in my field. Weeding thru them is a pain, but, the clock is quickly ebbing... and BigBlue ain't waffling...
2- College is going okay. By my count, 4 major (Web and C++ programming, Biz ethics, and Capstone finale) and a seminar class (Alternate medicine) left. Then, done. Now, to pay for the college bill...
3- Boy is begining to walk, has 2 teeths, and is on a Da-da-da-da kick. Being fed, being bathed, being changed, being held, being..... and, the frau is loving it, when she's home. Fall hit, Girl Scouts and PTA functions came, and our weekly free time goth shoveled to the weekends. Add college work, and other demands, and spare time is only 9 letters.
4- Talked/chatted (online) to an old buddy. Great to see him about, but, gosh, its been a while. His youngest is not so young anymore. I remember when the boy was a Blues Clues fan - now, he's into football...
5- Speaking of football, WTF is happening to Pittsburgh? Its like they lost their winning spirit on the field in Detroit, the motorcycle crash site, or in Ben's appendix... And, what's it gonna take to make the despised Baltimor(on) Crows loose???
6- More to follow, as time becomes 'free'....
JWN
10/30/2006
9/22/2006
Communicate, move, and shoot only works in the Army
Just when you think its safe to get back to work...
When you have a boss that is pretty much stealth (except for IM and emails), and, he shows up out of the blue, you can pretty much guess he's not here to check your shoe size.
BB (his name is changed to protect his identity, not that anyone would care) *showed up* for our weekly team meeting. Needless to say, the pucker-factor rose above the redline for all that attended. The only time he apparatus is for bad news. Twice before, he showed up for 1) announcing we were not getting raises (due to making too much) and 2) to announce that Big Blu would not pick up the tab on College.
Now, I've been around the block, and, seen my share of stick time, foxhole time, and have a pretty good relationship with my little voice. I've learned to heed its sirens song, and, the gentle musings of its 'its alright, its alright'. For some reason, I kept hearing Led Zepplin's Coda play in my head.
Then, the hammer dropped.... Position is being dropped - need to look for another job. Not good.
Now, I'm not the SME (subject matter expert) on leadership, management, and, people leading skills, but, I've done it. And, probally could have handled the situation far better than this sloth. The meeting ended, BB praised the team, then asked me to remain. He entered his backpack (???) produced several Manila folders, and took out a group of white papers.
"This is to inform you that your current position is identified for removal, and that you have been placed in 'resource action' mode". I prefer common English ('laid off', 'canned', 'fired') to the PC/HR/*soft fall* lingo.
"Its not about you," BB chimed, "but a business decision." Great - I'm old hardware... "Start looking," BB continues, "both inside and outside the company. The responsibility rests with you - you need to find your next job."
Now, I'm not sure, but it seems, one of his *headcount* is prepping to be removed, and, it would be a good idea to find him a new home? I guess when you're a primary color (and on the DJIA), *headcounts* are a dime a dozen.
Well, to sumise, I am looking, been looking, and look forward to the day when PC (primary color) both realizes that people do count, and meet their fate. I'm not the Union or Organized Labor kind of guy (why pay someone to represent me - its bad enough I have a do nothing Representitive and Senator), but IBM's model of biz is old, clunky, and falling out of favor. In the late 80's, IBM was a nats hair away from Bankruptcy. Its not improved much since.
It looks quite nice from the outside, but, inside, its heavily over managed, promotes micromanagement, and the classic bureaucratic model. Sloth fits.
Well, it made a nice few lines on a resume (speaking of that, I *guess* I should have been warned in May when no raises were coming, except a link on 'how to write an effective resume' was given instead - "Your resume," BB gleamed, "is an important tool, like a screwdriver").
It sure looks nice on the inside, but believe me, its all a house of cards on the inside... Anybody got a can of air?
UPDATE
1 - Boy is growing nicely. Football training is progressing "Alright, son, anything from the other team that carries the ball needs killed". Crawling practice is coming along nicely.
2 - daughter is in 3rd grade. God help us all
3 - Skoole is progressing nice - 12 credits remain - two web classes, a C++ class, and a Biz class. Then, the final 'capstone' and I'm thru...
4 - Wife is well, doing well, and realizing we were never parents with only one kid. I think we're having wine tonight...
5 - Go Steelers!
-JWN
When you have a boss that is pretty much stealth (except for IM and emails), and, he shows up out of the blue, you can pretty much guess he's not here to check your shoe size.
BB (his name is changed to protect his identity, not that anyone would care) *showed up* for our weekly team meeting. Needless to say, the pucker-factor rose above the redline for all that attended. The only time he apparatus is for bad news. Twice before, he showed up for 1) announcing we were not getting raises (due to making too much) and 2) to announce that Big Blu would not pick up the tab on College.
Now, I've been around the block, and, seen my share of stick time, foxhole time, and have a pretty good relationship with my little voice. I've learned to heed its sirens song, and, the gentle musings of its 'its alright, its alright'. For some reason, I kept hearing Led Zepplin's Coda play in my head.
Then, the hammer dropped.... Position is being dropped - need to look for another job. Not good.
Now, I'm not the SME (subject matter expert) on leadership, management, and, people leading skills, but, I've done it. And, probally could have handled the situation far better than this sloth. The meeting ended, BB praised the team, then asked me to remain. He entered his backpack (???) produced several Manila folders, and took out a group of white papers.
"This is to inform you that your current position is identified for removal, and that you have been placed in 'resource action' mode". I prefer common English ('laid off', 'canned', 'fired') to the PC/HR/*soft fall* lingo.
"Its not about you," BB chimed, "but a business decision." Great - I'm old hardware... "Start looking," BB continues, "both inside and outside the company. The responsibility rests with you - you need to find your next job."
Now, I'm not sure, but it seems, one of his *headcount* is prepping to be removed, and, it would be a good idea to find him a new home? I guess when you're a primary color (and on the DJIA), *headcounts* are a dime a dozen.
Well, to sumise, I am looking, been looking, and look forward to the day when PC (primary color) both realizes that people do count, and meet their fate. I'm not the Union or Organized Labor kind of guy (why pay someone to represent me - its bad enough I have a do nothing Representitive and Senator), but IBM's model of biz is old, clunky, and falling out of favor. In the late 80's, IBM was a nats hair away from Bankruptcy. Its not improved much since.
It looks quite nice from the outside, but, inside, its heavily over managed, promotes micromanagement, and the classic bureaucratic model. Sloth fits.
Well, it made a nice few lines on a resume (speaking of that, I *guess* I should have been warned in May when no raises were coming, except a link on 'how to write an effective resume' was given instead - "Your resume," BB gleamed, "is an important tool, like a screwdriver").
It sure looks nice on the inside, but believe me, its all a house of cards on the inside... Anybody got a can of air?
UPDATE
1 - Boy is growing nicely. Football training is progressing "Alright, son, anything from the other team that carries the ball needs killed". Crawling practice is coming along nicely.
2 - daughter is in 3rd grade. God help us all
3 - Skoole is progressing nice - 12 credits remain - two web classes, a C++ class, and a Biz class. Then, the final 'capstone' and I'm thru...
4 - Wife is well, doing well, and realizing we were never parents with only one kid. I think we're having wine tonight...
5 - Go Steelers!
-JWN
8/09/2006
Good Lard.... look at the time....
Geez, what was I thinkin'????
Been a lot happening around these parts. What in all of family, work, school, community, etc, some things do fall thru the cracks...
Lets see.... School.... Doing okay - roughly 6 classes left... GPA 3.72... Currently in UNIX class.... Survived DBA and SQL classes (like SQL, and, the DBA stuff is pretty neat - may give it a whirrl).
Family... Boy is growing quite nicely. Have a map ready for his room, with circles around Pittsburgh and Canton OH, along with X's thru Cleveland, Cincy, and Baltibore.... Boy has got to be introduced to his future in the proper manner, with proper planning... Daughter is growing up nicely. Plan (with time permitting) to into her into the martial spirit. Sure, she can look pretty, play nice, and look stunning in girl clothing, but nothing shows ones mantle like taking out a bully with a well placed kick or Karate chop... I and the wife are basking in the break of responsibility, due to our tax deductions staying with the inlaws. But, it grew old rather quickly on the return trip along the PA turnpike...Somewhere along mile marker 40-50....
Work... Beginning to dislike the color Blue. 'Nuff said.... Think the degree (and, a little help from friends/network) will allow me the chance to look for greener pastures.
Community...Hot weather, dumb neighbors, and grass that seems to grow 8" overnight. Brighspot is school is beginning, and the local urchants will locate to other terror spots. Putting a minefield in the front yard is looking better and better and better....
Hope to blog more soon. Keep forgetting I STILL have this....and, need to figure out how the heck to post pics...
-J
Been a lot happening around these parts. What in all of family, work, school, community, etc, some things do fall thru the cracks...
Lets see.... School.... Doing okay - roughly 6 classes left... GPA 3.72... Currently in UNIX class.... Survived DBA and SQL classes (like SQL, and, the DBA stuff is pretty neat - may give it a whirrl).
Family... Boy is growing quite nicely. Have a map ready for his room, with circles around Pittsburgh and Canton OH, along with X's thru Cleveland, Cincy, and Baltibore.... Boy has got to be introduced to his future in the proper manner, with proper planning... Daughter is growing up nicely. Plan (with time permitting) to into her into the martial spirit. Sure, she can look pretty, play nice, and look stunning in girl clothing, but nothing shows ones mantle like taking out a bully with a well placed kick or Karate chop... I and the wife are basking in the break of responsibility, due to our tax deductions staying with the inlaws. But, it grew old rather quickly on the return trip along the PA turnpike...Somewhere along mile marker 40-50....
Work... Beginning to dislike the color Blue. 'Nuff said.... Think the degree (and, a little help from friends/network) will allow me the chance to look for greener pastures.
Community...Hot weather, dumb neighbors, and grass that seems to grow 8" overnight. Brighspot is school is beginning, and the local urchants will locate to other terror spots. Putting a minefield in the front yard is looking better and better and better....
Hope to blog more soon. Keep forgetting I STILL have this....and, need to figure out how the heck to post pics...
-J
6/01/2006
Life in the fast lane....
Hey,
Been busy with life, liberty, new son, college, and whatnot...
Baby is growing. Plan to post a pic as soon as I figure out how.
College is going okay. Survived both DBA, DBMS, SQL, and one Prof who needs to read his silly-bus. I mean, if you want a 10-page paper about describing how SQL and DBA usage, don't wait until the last day of class to remind your students. But, I made it thru... Good thing is, about 20 more to go!!!
Watching the Senate vote on how much citizenship really is worth, was refreshing. Almost as fullfilling as opening my neighborhood to Section 8 housing and a Sex-crime halfway house...
And, lasty, for all that read - please keep the guys/gals in harms way in your thoughts. Drop a note, send some cookies, or even say some kind words when you see one in passing (I'd say 'up close and personal, but not all F2F (face 2 face) meetings are 'civil' - like, in downtown Mosul or Berkley)
Peace and still on diaper duty...
-J
Been busy with life, liberty, new son, college, and whatnot...
Baby is growing. Plan to post a pic as soon as I figure out how.
College is going okay. Survived both DBA, DBMS, SQL, and one Prof who needs to read his silly-bus. I mean, if you want a 10-page paper about describing how SQL and DBA usage, don't wait until the last day of class to remind your students. But, I made it thru... Good thing is, about 20 more to go!!!
Watching the Senate vote on how much citizenship really is worth, was refreshing. Almost as fullfilling as opening my neighborhood to Section 8 housing and a Sex-crime halfway house...
And, lasty, for all that read - please keep the guys/gals in harms way in your thoughts. Drop a note, send some cookies, or even say some kind words when you see one in passing (I'd say 'up close and personal, but not all F2F (face 2 face) meetings are 'civil' - like, in downtown Mosul or Berkley)
Peace and still on diaper duty...
-J
4/06/2006
An Open Letter to the GOP "Thanks, guys, its been real..."
Dear _______________ (whom ever is in charge)
Just a brief insight to let you know that I will not, now or in the future, support any GOP candidate, contribute funds or time, nor will I speak positively to any GOP policy until both that travesty of a bill regarding Illegal, undocumented *citizens* is removed and real, TRUE attention is paid to securing the borders and acting on the Illegal alien issues.
You see, its high time the needs of the country come before political concerns (i.e. re-election and holding of office). As a benefactor of my vote (and, from many of my friends and fellow countrymen), it is in your interest to promote, protect, and be absorbent to the will and desires of the electorate, not just a smile, a polite nod, and body heat-exchange that mimics speech. You were sent to your respective offices due to the act of voting. It is your criteria in holding that office that you act in a manner that represents and is answerable to that electorate. If it is not, you deserve the reaction you get (removal by election, referendum, etc).
It is high time that the GOP, which is the party that holds the reins of power in DC ACT like a party in charge. Sure, seats of power are held by GOP members, yet they are nothing more than laurels or blurbs when introduced at graduation ceremonies, christening, or fund raisers.
You are blowing your chance at making REAL changes - instead of carrying on the status quo. So much time is been lost at trying to make the opposition like you (*NEWS FLASH* they never will), that you are, effectively, immobile and unresolute. Sure, you get things passes, but not REAL changes. And, its high time you make the best of the time you got left.
Illegals are one of our main concerns. They take jobs, services, resources, and flaunt their disregard for our country, all for the want of greenbacks. They have no desire to meld with the culture - they have their own of everything and no desire to assimilate into our melting pot. They have already broken our laws, so, what effect does the rest have on them? They know there is no serious effort to stop them, since the border is not only an open window, but the gateway to prosperity. Once they get here, they often get in-state tuition for higher learning (not even our military spouses get that), secured student loans (that, probaly, will never be paid back), breaks in buying a home, and even ownership of property. Drivers license issuance is practically assured in all states, which, oddly, has the ability to cast votes in elections attached to it.
The news reports claim that 11 million would be effected by the law. How is it known how many are REALLY here? I think there should be some explaining about that figure and how it was arrived at. Personally, I think its more substantial...
This is not some Nationalistic banter - its a frustrated Republican extremely mad at my party. I'm mad at Sen. McCain stating "Illegals are some of our best citizens", which is an oxymoronic statement if I've ever heard one. I'm tired of Senator Frist saying the pending law addresses real change, which, it does not. Three levels of Illegals? How the heck are you gonna determine which level applies? Ask them?
Its high time action be taken to secure the borders, address the illegal alien issue, hold businesses accountable for hiring them (high fines and making them painful examples), along with sweeps of our major cities, empowering local law enforcement to act in proxy with INS when they detain illegals, and, just adherence to the laws already on the books. The sad fact is there is no desire to to any of this, since it is perceived to hurt relations with Latino voters. I think the opposite - it will foster far greater animosity with the non-Latinos in the manner that they don't matter, and, are a 'lock' or 'in the pocket' come vote casting time.
I hereby declare notice that I will no longer contribute, promote, or back ANY GOP candidate (local, state, or Federal) that does not support or affirm his support on these issues. Promoting/performing illegal behavior and breaking established laws should not be a reward - it should be punished to the full extent of the law as possible.
sincerely,
JWN
PS - I will retract this when the GOP 'comes around'... I hope Rep. Pelosi enjoys her tenure as speaker of the house...
Just a brief insight to let you know that I will not, now or in the future, support any GOP candidate, contribute funds or time, nor will I speak positively to any GOP policy until both that travesty of a bill regarding Illegal, undocumented *citizens* is removed and real, TRUE attention is paid to securing the borders and acting on the Illegal alien issues.
You see, its high time the needs of the country come before political concerns (i.e. re-election and holding of office). As a benefactor of my vote (and, from many of my friends and fellow countrymen), it is in your interest to promote, protect, and be absorbent to the will and desires of the electorate, not just a smile, a polite nod, and body heat-exchange that mimics speech. You were sent to your respective offices due to the act of voting. It is your criteria in holding that office that you act in a manner that represents and is answerable to that electorate. If it is not, you deserve the reaction you get (removal by election, referendum, etc).
It is high time that the GOP, which is the party that holds the reins of power in DC ACT like a party in charge. Sure, seats of power are held by GOP members, yet they are nothing more than laurels or blurbs when introduced at graduation ceremonies, christening, or fund raisers.
You are blowing your chance at making REAL changes - instead of carrying on the status quo. So much time is been lost at trying to make the opposition like you (*NEWS FLASH* they never will), that you are, effectively, immobile and unresolute. Sure, you get things passes, but not REAL changes. And, its high time you make the best of the time you got left.
Illegals are one of our main concerns. They take jobs, services, resources, and flaunt their disregard for our country, all for the want of greenbacks. They have no desire to meld with the culture - they have their own of everything and no desire to assimilate into our melting pot. They have already broken our laws, so, what effect does the rest have on them? They know there is no serious effort to stop them, since the border is not only an open window, but the gateway to prosperity. Once they get here, they often get in-state tuition for higher learning (not even our military spouses get that), secured student loans (that, probaly, will never be paid back), breaks in buying a home, and even ownership of property. Drivers license issuance is practically assured in all states, which, oddly, has the ability to cast votes in elections attached to it.
The news reports claim that 11 million would be effected by the law. How is it known how many are REALLY here? I think there should be some explaining about that figure and how it was arrived at. Personally, I think its more substantial...
This is not some Nationalistic banter - its a frustrated Republican extremely mad at my party. I'm mad at Sen. McCain stating "Illegals are some of our best citizens", which is an oxymoronic statement if I've ever heard one. I'm tired of Senator Frist saying the pending law addresses real change, which, it does not. Three levels of Illegals? How the heck are you gonna determine which level applies? Ask them?
Its high time action be taken to secure the borders, address the illegal alien issue, hold businesses accountable for hiring them (high fines and making them painful examples), along with sweeps of our major cities, empowering local law enforcement to act in proxy with INS when they detain illegals, and, just adherence to the laws already on the books. The sad fact is there is no desire to to any of this, since it is perceived to hurt relations with Latino voters. I think the opposite - it will foster far greater animosity with the non-Latinos in the manner that they don't matter, and, are a 'lock' or 'in the pocket' come vote casting time.
I hereby declare notice that I will no longer contribute, promote, or back ANY GOP candidate (local, state, or Federal) that does not support or affirm his support on these issues. Promoting/performing illegal behavior and breaking established laws should not be a reward - it should be punished to the full extent of the law as possible.
sincerely,
JWN
PS - I will retract this when the GOP 'comes around'... I hope Rep. Pelosi enjoys her tenure as speaker of the house...
3/07/2006
Gosh, where has the time gone....?
Man, when time is short, you really forget stuff, like your blog...
Here's some updates...
1- survived Turkey day and Christmas, but, got pneumonia. Took a while to shake that...
2- survived Java and Java II programming in college, with help from Skry. Thanks! Now, working thru DBMS and DBA classes...One more year to go!
3- Survived New Year. Is it me or are the years clipping along???
4- Steelers got one for the thumb! Jerome managed to go out in style; what a good reward for one of the goodies in the NFL.
and,
5- A hearty Welcome (!) and my heart goes out to my new son Bryan. He arrived 22 Jan 06, a little early, but healthy. He 'seems' small, but he has great potential. Now, son, let dad and mum get some rest (those late nite "are you guys up, too" soundings are getting old...) so that we can get ready for your promising football career. Remember - money is nice, but the proper payback to your parents/family is a skybox in Heinz field....
Here's some updates...
1- survived Turkey day and Christmas, but, got pneumonia. Took a while to shake that...
2- survived Java and Java II programming in college, with help from Skry. Thanks! Now, working thru DBMS and DBA classes...One more year to go!
3- Survived New Year. Is it me or are the years clipping along???
4- Steelers got one for the thumb! Jerome managed to go out in style; what a good reward for one of the goodies in the NFL.
and,
5- A hearty Welcome (!) and my heart goes out to my new son Bryan. He arrived 22 Jan 06, a little early, but healthy. He 'seems' small, but he has great potential. Now, son, let dad and mum get some rest (those late nite "are you guys up, too" soundings are getting old...) so that we can get ready for your promising football career. Remember - money is nice, but the proper payback to your parents/family is a skybox in Heinz field....
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