what to do at work when there is nothing to do

Hmmmmmm. I've been asking myself this question a lot and I can usually come up with some 'things' to keep myself occupied until my boss gives me a task. I always start the day, once he arrives and gets settled, with a conversation focusing on what we need to get done that day.

I ask for work.

Sometimes, like yesterday, I might be given a project that takes up an hour of the day. Other days, I might be lucky enough to get a project that can take the whole morning! Score!

I spent most of yesterday doing background research on the convention speakers I identified as possible feature article possibilities. So, I got to read about a wildlife biologist and a bio-ethics philosopher. I kept myself entertained and actually learned quite a bit about those folks in case my idea for writing articles about them actually gets approved.

I'm sure once they truly decide to DO this magazine I was hired to help with, I will have work to do. Nothing moves quickly in my place of employment and new ideas are looked at with suspicion a with an eye on how much more work it would entail.

This attitude is not an age thing. Could it be a southern thing? Or is it just how the workforce is today? Everyone hides in their cubbies afraid to stick their heads out and actually DO SOMETHING!

Yesterday an hour was devoted to giving the receptionist her lunch break. Today I might work on what/how I want to train my replacement over in my old job.

Do I miss my old job? Yes. I do miss it. I always had things to do. Perhaps in six months time I will be longing for these long, slow, boring days.

But this week, it is just about to drive me nuts.

in which I might need to be held back

Oh my. Over the weekend I received an email soliciting a comment and possible input on the bookstore manager's job description by the current assistant store manager. The managers are finishing their two year term and new folks are needed to take over this job. I provided a couple of sentences I thought needed to be in the document and returned it to the author. One highlighted the income the store generates and the other pointed out that the income is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the store volunteers. I also told her she needed to include that training will be provided.

A revised one was returned with one of my suggestions, the training offered to the new folks, was incorporated. Fine. Then the store manager emailed the author agreeing that my suggestions, both of them, should be used.

Then a second email was received asking for input, again. I emailed back to just go ahead and please use what I had already sent.

So, at this point I've been asked twice for my input by the assistant store manager. The actual manager has agreed with me and liked my suggestions.

Then I get an email saying, "No, I don't want to use it. It doesn't sound like me. But, is there anything else you want to include, but if not, I will send it out as is."

What? Huh? Am I missing something here?

You've asked me TWICE for my input and then tell me NO? Of course it doesn't sound like you....because it sounds like ME. The one you asked for input from....remember?

Oh. My. Lord.

Yep, I was ready to launch like a missile yesterday afternoon. Guess it is still bothering me a bit this morning.

I've already decided that I will wield the power of the gavel and insert my comments into my spoken remarks during the meeting today. And I may just send out my own email...as the President I can do that.

Okay, off soapbox. Rant over. Venting finished.

On to Wednesday.

democracy in action/inaction

You know you live in the buckle of the bible belt when it is okay to drink beer on one side of the town square, but not the other. And when 'small and less intrusive government' Republicans pass up the chance for retail tax revenue because it might not be family friendly.  Or because the Baptist minister tells them that it isn't family friendly.

Or, you might know you live in the buckle of the bible belt when a procedural vote to approve a basic housekeeping measure regarding the ordinance is voted down. Yep. Just. Vote. No. Vote No to all of it, just to be safe something doesn't slip by you.

It doesn't matter that 15 folks spoke in favor of the ordinance and only 4 spoke against...but that was obvious when one alderman voiced his opinion, from the bench, BEFORE the public comment portion even happened. Ahem.

The look on the other two aldermen's faces was priceless....those yahoos voted No on a housekeeping measure? Really? As in cleaning up policy and procedure already in place regarding beer licenses for existing establishments in town? No??  Guess not. Wallow away in your ineffiecieny, we just spout off about advocating smaller more effective government. Why use only one sheet of paper when ten sheets is far better?

So, you can have beer and wine on the east side, but not the west...just wine over there. No beer because beer drinking, especially the light beer variety, leads to stabbings, just like it did in 1970 at the pool halls, on paydays, back in the day....Seriously. And make sure in narrow, historic buildings you cram 48 seats in an eating establishment, because 25 might lead to anarchy.

And forget about paying for a $600,000 renovation on a white elephant of a building with no parking via tax revenue and rental income from private parties that might serve alcohol. Check into other revenue streams...hope all those Baptist kids are lining up to reserve the space for their birthday parties. No brides or grooms or corporate gatherings will be allowed, unless they like to toast with grape juice.

Good grief. Beam. Me. Up.

school looms dead ahead

I spent a good portion of my day and a good portion of my checkbook balance yesterday at Wal Mart and Target purchasing school supplies for the three kiddoes. Ugh.

I truly think the back to school supply lists have become a sneaky torture device created by school administrators in conjunction with the paper industry and the big box retailers. I mean, come on folks, black dual pocket prong folders just don't grow on trees, or at least not in my fair town. And that is not to mention wide rule, 70 count purple notebooks.

In the aisles of Target yesterday, you could almost cut the frustration with a knife as moms, some with kids in tow (I leave mine at home), try and find the elusive pink marble composition books. Seriously, one year I didn't buy enough marble covered composition books and had to have my parents, all the way on the other side of our state, buy them and ship them to me!

Then of course, once all listed items are hunted down, purchased and hauled to school, the kids will come home with a list of extra things they 'must' have and return things that were itemized on the original list that they now don't need.

Want to know what I went to my K-8 Catholic grade school with? One trapper keeper, a few black pens and a few pencils. Yep, that was it. No bandaids, no Purell, no paper towels, no low odor dry erase markers, no oil pastels, no rainbow inspired selection of notebooks and folders.

Apparently my education suffered because I didn't have three varieties of markers, plus crayons plus colored pencils. Never realized I was so disadvantaged. That must be why I didn't turn out to be a great 'arteeeest.'

Stepping off the soapbox now and taking the dog for a walk.

a little goes a long way

The oldest has been working with a group of four other kids on a video for her honors English class. They've been meeting here at our house and over the course of several days, they've put together a collection of taped bits that the hubby is now in charge of making all pretty and shiny.

First, I hate group projects. Call me anti-social, not a team player, whatever you want, but I hate them. The bigger the group the more I hate them. It is always a fiasco to get all of those schedules coordinated and the drama that results from having 5 teenagers do anything together is just....well, a little goes a long way.

Second, most of these group project always seem to involve some sort of technology that is a mystery to me, and I really don't consider myself a technological idiot. Editing video camera film, really? Most likely it is a good skill to have, but for an English class?

Now, granted, this video presentation was one option given to the students. The other option was to write a short research paper. Of course, that choice was about as appealing to them as doing doggy-doo patrol after it has rained.

I went to sleep and the kid and the hubby were up working away on his computer. When I woke at 4:30, the hubby was crashed out on the couch. Poor guy, hope he gets an "A" for all his hard work!

Speaking of video, one of my fave urban fantasy authors, Lilith Saintcrow, has her first YA book hitting the store shelves soon. Her publisher did a book trailer, quite the latest thing in promotion, and it received an enthusiastic viewing from the same kid I just wrote about. Guess we will be off to the bookstore soon to procure our own copy of "Strange Angels"....what is not to love about a zombie killing teenage girl who hangs out with werewolves, half-vamps etc??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9ror4-bfGM Check out the video, the music impressed the kid right away:)

Pardon the rant, I'm off to have my second cup of coffee and improve my general disposition!