I travelled from Madison to Hudson WI and back over the past two days. That's nine hours of driving for those of you that don't know the geography. After a while, the radio stations are limited to religious or country programming.
1) I listened to Relevant Radio. They stated that if a politician believed in the right to abortion that they are "not doing anything for the common good". I heard a five year-old boy ask "Why did God create the world?". The voice was innocent and sweet - it made me smile. The answer was totally useless and not understood by the boy.
2) I heard a song with lyrics that went:
"God is Great. Beer is Good. People are Crazy."
You decide if I switched radio stations.... :)
3) Do the people picking their noses in their cars really think we can't see through a window?
4) I saw a lot of adult novelty stores and places to buy fireworks. Next time I take the trip, I will count them.
5) I saw the beginning of autumn colors. Sad that it is an early sign of summer fading, but pretty too.
6) I saw a huge McCain-Palin sign in someone's yard. Someone needs to tell them the election is long over.... and they lost.
7) I saw a Bison. (Not the animal - the Bison Transit semi-truck.)
8) I saw AT LEAST three statues of a mouse holding a wedge of cheese....
9) I saw a small older farm house tilted at a 45 degree angle. It was still standing, but I can't believe it is safe to live inside.
10) I saw SpongeBob Square Pants! (Not the real one -- only a picture on a billboard.)
11) When did Home Depot and McDonald's begin advertising together? Is there something about buying plumbing supplies that make people crave a Big Mac?
12) I only saw one old semi-truck used as a Kwik Trip sign. Always cool, no matter how many times I drive by.
The only way I keep from falling asleep on these drives is to look for unique stuff....
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I'm Fried... totally spent
Wow... It's been over two weeks since I posted. So much has happened, and I don't think I can convey all of the emotions that surround my experiences.
My son moved into college. He is my youngest child, so I am "officially" an empty-nester even though he lived with his dad during high school. He's in St Paul, MN and seems very happy! (One bright light to my two weeks...)
My ex-husband is arguing about money for the kids... which is ridiculous. So, I just continue to pay and pay and pay because I don't want the kids to feel bad.
All on the same day, I learned of one daughter's cancer scare, another daughter ended up in the hospital in ICU, and another daughter got incredibly angry with her dad and I. It was a VERY BAD day...
I spent a week with my 92 year old mother-in-law. She's very strong for her age, and only called me by my husband's ex-wife's name once. That's darn good for an entire week!
My work is blowing up and out of control. Period. Can't comment much other than that without going NUTS.
I'm under investigation by my company's Legal department, and the FCC. It's oh so fun trying to resurrect documents from 2004 through 2009...
I feel guilt for firing two people two weeks ago... I had to do it, but I feel so bad for them. I need to interact with them to transition their work, and to give them personal recommendations for new jobs. It's hard to talk with them.
My cat continues to crap on the floor.
I haven't stuck to my healthy living plan. Eating comfort food is good when I feel like crap and am stressed out. So, I end up disappointed with myself.
Oh well.... each of these things deserve their own post with lots of emotional outpouring. I just don't have the energy to do it. I'm exhausted. I need to sleep. I need to wake up energized to take care of my work... because I could lose my job very easily with all of the corporate restructuring. (Our CEO announced that downsizing will continue throughout 2010 and beyond.)
I'm going to take a hot bath, read a book, and fall asleep early.
Nighty Nite.
My son moved into college. He is my youngest child, so I am "officially" an empty-nester even though he lived with his dad during high school. He's in St Paul, MN and seems very happy! (One bright light to my two weeks...)
My ex-husband is arguing about money for the kids... which is ridiculous. So, I just continue to pay and pay and pay because I don't want the kids to feel bad.
All on the same day, I learned of one daughter's cancer scare, another daughter ended up in the hospital in ICU, and another daughter got incredibly angry with her dad and I. It was a VERY BAD day...
I spent a week with my 92 year old mother-in-law. She's very strong for her age, and only called me by my husband's ex-wife's name once. That's darn good for an entire week!
My work is blowing up and out of control. Period. Can't comment much other than that without going NUTS.
I'm under investigation by my company's Legal department, and the FCC. It's oh so fun trying to resurrect documents from 2004 through 2009...
I feel guilt for firing two people two weeks ago... I had to do it, but I feel so bad for them. I need to interact with them to transition their work, and to give them personal recommendations for new jobs. It's hard to talk with them.
My cat continues to crap on the floor.
I haven't stuck to my healthy living plan. Eating comfort food is good when I feel like crap and am stressed out. So, I end up disappointed with myself.
Oh well.... each of these things deserve their own post with lots of emotional outpouring. I just don't have the energy to do it. I'm exhausted. I need to sleep. I need to wake up energized to take care of my work... because I could lose my job very easily with all of the corporate restructuring. (Our CEO announced that downsizing will continue throughout 2010 and beyond.)
I'm going to take a hot bath, read a book, and fall asleep early.
Nighty Nite.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I made a grown man cry...
Yesterday was an AWFUL day. The word "awful" doesn't really convey how horrible the day was for my coworkers and I.
Yesterday, my business unit received the definitive word on the new downsizing effort.
I had to let half of my Wisconsin staff go. (I only have one Minnesota person, so she was retained.) I literally have 1/3 of the staff that I had 8 months ago... but more responsibility and work. I've dropped from 9 employees to 3 in WI, and inherited the whole State of MN as a new territory. Oh yeah, the company only gave me one salesperson to cover the entire state of MN!
First, I needed to inform "Whiny Boy". Even though he whines a lot, he's a good guy and a hard worker. He moved into a new job in January 2009, but before that he was always 200% of quota. He expected to be let go, but was devastated nonetheless. He has two young kids (one with a heart condition) and two mortgages. He actually broke down and CRIED... and left with a hug from me. It was horrible.
Then I had to tell "Mr. Silver Tongue", named after his gift for gab. He's 62, has colon cancer in remission, with a wife that may have a brain tumor (yet undiagnosed), and not financially able to truly retire. He just didn't believe it. I didn't know how to handle the disbelief. Mr. ST was basically IN SHOCK. He was so shocked that he walked around the office for the next 7 hours talking to everyone and anyone about it... basically asking people "why him?". He was very mad at me too.... especially when I told him "why him".
We also lost several very experienced people that support my sales team... which was unbelievable how deep the downsizing cut.
Then I told the remaining two in WI and one in MN.... the remaining staff was shell-shocked. Others within the company contacted me and "the remainders" all day with "why Mr ST?". My remaining employees felt bad, as if they were survivors that didn't deserve to live. I had to justify my decision... ALL. DAY. LONG. Albeit, Mr ST does sell a lot, continually exceeds his quota, but isn't interested in learning the new technology that we sell. Still, he is beloved and everyone in Wisconsin (customers included) will miss him.
My job was saved. I wonder why I was lucky enough to keep my job. If it was my decision, I would have been downsized. I just don't have enough direct reports left to justify my managerial position. Even some of my employees feel that they aren't worthy of keeping their jobs.
Today we tried to rebuild the team. It was surreal... sad but honest in what we are tasked to do. And I talked with many nervous and concerned customers.
AWFUL.
HORRIBLE.
EVERYONE IS HURTING.
I know I am paid to do a particular job, but I don't have to like it.
My heart hurts for the ones that lost their jobs this week.
Yesterday, my business unit received the definitive word on the new downsizing effort.
I had to let half of my Wisconsin staff go. (I only have one Minnesota person, so she was retained.) I literally have 1/3 of the staff that I had 8 months ago... but more responsibility and work. I've dropped from 9 employees to 3 in WI, and inherited the whole State of MN as a new territory. Oh yeah, the company only gave me one salesperson to cover the entire state of MN!
First, I needed to inform "Whiny Boy". Even though he whines a lot, he's a good guy and a hard worker. He moved into a new job in January 2009, but before that he was always 200% of quota. He expected to be let go, but was devastated nonetheless. He has two young kids (one with a heart condition) and two mortgages. He actually broke down and CRIED... and left with a hug from me. It was horrible.
Then I had to tell "Mr. Silver Tongue", named after his gift for gab. He's 62, has colon cancer in remission, with a wife that may have a brain tumor (yet undiagnosed), and not financially able to truly retire. He just didn't believe it. I didn't know how to handle the disbelief. Mr. ST was basically IN SHOCK. He was so shocked that he walked around the office for the next 7 hours talking to everyone and anyone about it... basically asking people "why him?". He was very mad at me too.... especially when I told him "why him".
We also lost several very experienced people that support my sales team... which was unbelievable how deep the downsizing cut.
Then I told the remaining two in WI and one in MN.... the remaining staff was shell-shocked. Others within the company contacted me and "the remainders" all day with "why Mr ST?". My remaining employees felt bad, as if they were survivors that didn't deserve to live. I had to justify my decision... ALL. DAY. LONG. Albeit, Mr ST does sell a lot, continually exceeds his quota, but isn't interested in learning the new technology that we sell. Still, he is beloved and everyone in Wisconsin (customers included) will miss him.
My job was saved. I wonder why I was lucky enough to keep my job. If it was my decision, I would have been downsized. I just don't have enough direct reports left to justify my managerial position. Even some of my employees feel that they aren't worthy of keeping their jobs.
Today we tried to rebuild the team. It was surreal... sad but honest in what we are tasked to do. And I talked with many nervous and concerned customers.
AWFUL.
HORRIBLE.
EVERYONE IS HURTING.
I know I am paid to do a particular job, but I don't have to like it.
My heart hurts for the ones that lost their jobs this week.
Monday, July 27, 2009
When it rains it pours...
Happy Monday everyone. (she says sarcastically...) It's anything but happy for me.
First thing this morning, I find out my company is being investigated by the FCC... this time focused on my area. So I have a heavy subpoena to comply with that will basically make me kill several trees just to prove my team did nothing wrong, and complied with every rule. What a hassle and waste of time...
Then, the company announced there will be job cuts in my business unit... to the tune of 10-20%. But the good news is that those that will lose their jobs, will lose them quickly... by early August. (That's next week people.) Yippee. I'll either lose my job, have to fire some folks, or both. Yuck Yuck YUCK
There are many great things about working for a large company... decent benefits, lots of opportunity for transfers, job security (usually). But when it comes to "force reduction", or job cuts, you become a number to someone at corporate headquarters. They merely see the financial impact of how many employees "should" be cut to save enough expenses to meet Wall Street's expectations by year-end. (But on the bright side, maybe my stock will go up in price.. :)
I've survived a few downsizings in the past, but this time I'm VERY much at risk. Small declining customer base, stagnant sales results, declining number of employees, and a new boss that doesn't really know me or my capabilities yet. Cross your fingers for me!!
BTW, did I say I'm having a bad day?? Cuz I am. And I'm whining about it. I'd say I'm sorry for wasting your time, but no one is forcing you to read this... and I needed to get this off my chest.
First thing this morning, I find out my company is being investigated by the FCC... this time focused on my area. So I have a heavy subpoena to comply with that will basically make me kill several trees just to prove my team did nothing wrong, and complied with every rule. What a hassle and waste of time...
Then, the company announced there will be job cuts in my business unit... to the tune of 10-20%. But the good news is that those that will lose their jobs, will lose them quickly... by early August. (That's next week people.) Yippee. I'll either lose my job, have to fire some folks, or both. Yuck Yuck YUCK
There are many great things about working for a large company... decent benefits, lots of opportunity for transfers, job security (usually). But when it comes to "force reduction", or job cuts, you become a number to someone at corporate headquarters. They merely see the financial impact of how many employees "should" be cut to save enough expenses to meet Wall Street's expectations by year-end. (But on the bright side, maybe my stock will go up in price.. :)
I've survived a few downsizings in the past, but this time I'm VERY much at risk. Small declining customer base, stagnant sales results, declining number of employees, and a new boss that doesn't really know me or my capabilities yet. Cross your fingers for me!!
BTW, did I say I'm having a bad day?? Cuz I am. And I'm whining about it. I'd say I'm sorry for wasting your time, but no one is forcing you to read this... and I needed to get this off my chest.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Working in a Winter Wonderland
I work for a technology company.
We sell our own communications technologies.
We sell other companies' technologies.
We're all about connecting people with their world, where ever they live or work, and doing it better than anyone else.
Connectivity is awesome. We can communicate over wired phones, cellular, email, videoconferencing, web chat, web video, and Internet phone services.
So why was I risking my life on the roads during a severe winter storm today??
To meet with people from Cisco and AT&T face-to-face.
Three people drove from Chicago to Madison.
One came from Milwaukee, and another from Minneapolis.
Compared to their experiences, my commute from Waunakee was short.
But why did ANYONE slip, slide, risk their lives, and grip their steering wheels with white knuckles today??
We asked the meeting organizer yesterday if the meeting was "still on" for today, and she made the decision to continue. Thus, we all drove. Funny that she called her mom from the road to say good-bye because she really thought she would die in a crash.
We have the technology.
We should USE it.
We sell our own communications technologies.
We sell other companies' technologies.
We're all about connecting people with their world, where ever they live or work, and doing it better than anyone else.
Connectivity is awesome. We can communicate over wired phones, cellular, email, videoconferencing, web chat, web video, and Internet phone services.
So why was I risking my life on the roads during a severe winter storm today??
To meet with people from Cisco and AT&T face-to-face.
Three people drove from Chicago to Madison.
One came from Milwaukee, and another from Minneapolis.
Compared to their experiences, my commute from Waunakee was short.
But why did ANYONE slip, slide, risk their lives, and grip their steering wheels with white knuckles today??
We asked the meeting organizer yesterday if the meeting was "still on" for today, and she made the decision to continue. Thus, we all drove. Funny that she called her mom from the road to say good-bye because she really thought she would die in a crash.
We have the technology.
We should USE it.
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