Eightyseven – Right is not Right

My wife and I got into some heavy conversations today about the state of the US. The depth of the trouble is far beyond the economic depression which most people would not go so far to say. The discussion mainly focused around the sale of our house, the work contractors have performed on it, including their lack of professionalism in completing the job, the lack of respect of other peoples property, not just with our house as a rental property but for rentals in general, the changes in political landscape which creates a further rift between the left and right primarily and currently driven and fueled by “tea parties” and the likes of Fox News, and the overall lack of compassion, lack of respect, and outright discrimination that takes place by bigoted right extremists. We were quite impassioned by the discussion to the point we were border-line arguing with each other whether or not to let go of some of the issues and what it means to “let it go.” She always knows the right medicine, because she told me (with kind persuasion) to go for a run. Perhaps my internal rage was fueled by the screams embedded in the slaughtered flesh of the bacon I had for breakfast. I ran, and kept running. I was saddened by the dead pig and for the dying society. I felt the burden of the degrading US society, anesthetized by the solitude of rationality in my mind as if I were the only person to figure this out. I cannot be the only one to see this. The depth of this mentality in the US is frightening; the land where “I’m right” and freedom is interpreted as “free to do whatever the hell I want” up to and including infringement of other peoples rights (perceived or constitutionalized). Hypocritical are those who seek congregations of the like minded and whose beliefs of wholesomeness catalyze the demise of others. There is no leeway in the flippant minds of the self-assured, who enslave others by their rigor of values which only serves to propagate tragic social divides further into disrepair. Acceptance, tolerance, respect, and genuine caring about other people, are the only possibilities to reverse this.

Eightysix – The Jack Wolfskin Watchtower Supreme

We borrowed a child backpack this weekend to carry our son in. We are considering buying one, but after trying out this rather nice backpack we were disenchanted by it. The lumbar support was almost none existent and the center of balance was so high, so it seemed that it caused to wobble as you walked (almost). The shoulder straps, quite considerably padded, caused you to rotate you thorax somewhat forward (pseudo hunched over) creating an unnatural curve in your spine. I really don’t think we will get one now, or we will have to try out quite a few more before we do.

Eightyfive - Integratitousness

Today I took the day off to go get my passport renewed. I swear the security was tighter than Fort Knox, though I've never been. Anyone with a hand bag, purse, or man pouch, was turned away, and only one person through the security screen was let through at a time. I planned to have all my coins and phone etc. contained in my jacket for a separate scan, but that was quickly overturned, and resulted in my pulling everything out of my pockets which would have been scanned separately anyway. So, once at the second check point, I had proceeded to do everything as instructed (in German) and then the guy told me to go "Links" (Left). But that was the line for all the people seeking visa's, so I went right to get me passport renewed. The guy called me back since I didn't obey, but I turned and showed him my passport. I guess, my little bit of German and understanding his commands made him assume I was someone else. Awesome, now if I could just be fluent.

Eightyfour - Lazy Ass, Part Two

I saw a lady through the reflection on the tram window, and had to laugh. The double pane window made her face looked all distorted like she had a really bad collagen lip job. I thought it was quite funny. Anyway, I got roped into several meetings, basically all day. I was planning on going for a run, since my plan to bike to work failed since I am out of the office Friday, Wednesday was the team event, etc. and I really didn't want to ride with my laptop on my back. Anyway, the meetings went right through lunch, so I couldn't run. =o( Not happy, and it continues to perpetuate my lazy assness.

Eightythree - Saving Face

Today we had a team event with this group whose manager was asked to step down. This person had planned the event, and then came to me to say that the duration of the event was not convenient. I suggested drinks after work, keep it low-key, which was "great" from both sides. Long story short, 5 minutes before we all left... "oh, sorry, I don't think I can make it, I just have a lot of work to do..." Sure, this is from someone who has never missed an opportunity to go for a drink ever.

Eightytwo - Same but different

It was the same today as Monday, but it was a bit different. Several of the managers are scrambling to finish this re-prioritization list, and none of our staff knows about it, and the manager which was ask to step down wants some involvement, but none of the work, so I am stuck making all the preparations to get it done. Total craziness.

Eightyone - Not Busy but no time

It always seems that when some time appears on the schedule, there is inevitably somethings which come out of the wood work which is not expected. I spent all day on the scramble. I hate this.

Eighty - To Bike, or Not to Bike

I really feel like a lazy ass. The weather just turned marginally better, and I still find excuses to not go for a ride. Even when there is some time or whatever, it just seems that there is a sudden time shift, or excuse or de-motivating factor which prevents me from riding. I need to fix this.

Seventynine - Saturday Massages

After a long week it was well worth the time to have a little massage. Great to relax a bit an detox from the week.

Seventyeight - Exodus

With all that happened this week, there was a lot going on with many emotions, expectations and let downs. The office was in complete fucking turmoil. Add to that the secret re-prioritization project list with cut projects, re-allocated resources (people) and it made for a cluster-fuck of demotivation and anxiety. Almost as soon as it happened, the person the asked to step down had written off their group and was paranoid of who would take it over, and rescinded offerings to help out when she stiffed the team and left at 3pm. She might as well have told the team to go F-off when she left because, everyone came to me in a scramble to help out and promote documents and projects at the 11th hour. Total Chaos.

Seventyseven - Keep to the message

It is always amazing to me, even when they want to get rid of someone, or move them or what ever, they have to make it look like there was a need for the change, some unmet need which required someone who could not manage their own group to be demoted into some other position with an ambiguous title which doesn't really explain anything. I think this it management's way of thinking everyone is on the same page and speaking the same anti-negative comments.

Seventysix - A rolling stone gathers no moss

So the shit went down and upper mgt. took out my counter part in another group. A lot of people were really happy about it. There was much rejoicing, and celebratory mixed emotions. For me, it means I need to cover for them so I'm not psyched that I'll be called on to do more, I just hope I'm compensated a bit more for helping out.

Seventyfive - Big Meeting Day

I think all went well. I think it is alwazs good to come out of these kind of meetings with less homework than what you came in with. Also, I found out there would be some changes coming soon which directly effects me, but I'm not too worried about this at the momment.

Seventyfour - Monday, not Funday

With all the work on the weekend, here is yet more to do. I spent 4 hours just reviewing presentations for Tuesday. The day seemed to cruise on and on but I still had no time. And then at five I was done and just had to leave.

Seventythree - Werk, Again

It's Sunday. And all the work I have to prepare for this week is forcing me to use my spare time to get done. So not relaxing! I put in at least 5-6 hours today. Ridiculous. Oh well, we'll see if it was worth it after all the meetings are over.