Posts Tagged ‘What’s on my mind’

Read or the turtle gets it.

The joy of being middle management is always fun in both Jo’s and my world. We spend many a moment slapping our heads and going, “Really?” But I digress, as since the recession has hit, my family and friends of mine I’m very fortunate to have a job.

So let’s talk about proper etiquette.

No matter how many times I tell people they still think I don’t know what they say behind my back and yet they still think that they are getting whatever they need from me after they have bad mouthed me to anyone who will listen.

I don’t care what people think of me anymore. I really don’t.  I used to care what people think about me, but I’ve watched people in careers soar to the heights of management that couldn’t do anything but talk about why his people couldn’t give him the proper TPS reports.  I used to want to be known by everyone, but right now I’m comfortable being who I am, the go to guy for the VP’s.  I’m in middle management, I do a great job, I get paid a fair salary and I get good benefits.  I’ve been there for 15 years and its going to take something incredible for me to leave. I’m comfortable.

But that being said, I’ve come to the conclusion that I can not nor should I give advice to my friends about their jobs.  Some of them will listen, some of them want to just have someone hear their bitches and most of them want to think that they are important in some fashion.

But I have pride in my work and my workplace, something that some employees in some places don’t have.

I went to a store and watched as some minimum wage employee tried to do his best to get something fronted while another boss watched and just told him why he was doing it all wrong. I could see it in the employees eyes that he cared very little about the job and it showed in his performance.

But then Joanna and I went to dinner and watched as a server take his time, get what we needed and be like a ghost, visible, but not intrusive.  His initiative got him a 30% tip and compliment to his manager.

Two people, one who didn’t want to care and got nowhere. One that had initiative and is going places.

I can see Andy as a Manager and Thomas well, asking me if I want fries with that.

Look guys, I can be brutally honest with you if ya let me, so here goes.

1.If you are working with me I’m going to give you 100%  and ask for 100% in return. I’m not going to ask you to do something that I haven’t done in the past nor I’m not willing to do with you.  I’m going to bust my ass for you behind closed doors and help you grow. But you’ve gotta help me. You’ve gotta make it so when I make my effort it doesn’t fall on deaf ears.  Because those who are deaf often miss their stop in the train of life.

2. If you want my help, ask.  I am willing and wanting to help anyone and everyone.  But if you ask for something and I provide it , you better have a good reason why you can’t help me.  Help is a two way street.

3. Communicate what you need.  I don’t have all the solutions or all the resources to make everything happen, but I do have friends who do.  But I can’t help if you don’t let me know what you need.  But then again, you better be following 1 + 2 above.

4. Be honest with me.  If there isn’t a shot in the world that you can help me, don’t string me along. Just say “Sean, can’t help you.” Because I’m going to be honest with you and sometimes honesty hurts, but then again it hurts a lot less than a painful lie.

5. Your family comes first, then your job, then your friends and after that everyone else. No ifs ands, or buts.

If you can remember these 5 truths, you will be a better person.  If not…

No, I don’t want my fries super sized.

Help us, thank you and WOW!

In today’s What I know… I’m warning friends about wedding plans thus not avoiding their Christmas parties, telling you what I thought of last night and thanking you!

What I know … the December 11th edition, eight days before I get married:

Tonight is the last Christmas party until we get back from the wedding. Joanna leaves for Austin Sat morning.  I pick up the kids from the airport on Wednesday and spend time with them until I head down to the wedding site.  You are sooo Lucky Lubbock Mustang Club, we are able to fit you in tonight.

I’m sorry to the many people we had to turn down, but Joanna’s going to be gone and I want to spend some quality time with the kids before the wedding.

And my deepest apologies to Matt…

I know that I promised to make your party this year, but you scheduling it on my WEDDING DAY, even though you were INVITED to the wedding seems wrong.  Or maybe you are doing it because of it…  And I TOLD YOU that the Browns would beat the Steelers.  HAHAHAHAHA Dinner is on you when we get together next.

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Last night was a sight and sound extravaganza.  TSO put on one of the most amazing shows last night at the USA.  Joanna would have like to hear Wish List. I was scared about the lack of “play” and fun portion of the program as TSO concentrated on some of the new songs from their album Night Castle.  They were in the middle of 8 shows in 5 days, and when you are the 4th show in, fatigue has already set in.

I was extremely impressed with the new violin players that TSO – West had picked up for this year.  They won me over with the “play” piano section where Patrelli highlighted his wife’s incredible talent.  Though it isn’t a guitar battle  (three years ago) or piano battle (two years ago) … it was amazing.

The additional trucks that they had to have for the video presentation was money well spent.  I think that the images of marching toy soldiers was really good.

I love listening to comments of people as they walk out.  Most of them are, “Wow,” “Now I understand what you are talking about Dad,” and “We’re getting tickets next year!”

But the best comment of them all , from a 40 year old man, last night was “This is the closest thing that mom and dad would come to an acid trip!”

I couldn’t help but start laughing.

Then I was stunned into ewww mode.

Now the USA has catwalks that go to stairs that escort people from the second level to the main concourse level.

The USA staff had turned on the fans to suck out all the smoke and haze from the USA and with the wind caused a fairly plump 40 year old woman’s dress to fly up…

and show those of us who heard her gasp…

her lack of underwear.

Ladies, if you can pound down a dozen donuts and call it a snack, for the sake of those around you. WEAR UNDERWEAR!!!

All I could think of was Wynonna’s Big Brown Beaver from Primus.

Thanking You!

For the record, I’m not nervous about the wedding.  I have to thank my family, friends and co-workers for supporting me during this Perfect Storm of events and things till the New Year!

First it was big work event, followed by TSO, followed by the kids, then the wedding.

You guys are making this EASY!

So let me ask you one more time to get me your song titles for the music that you want to hear at the wedding.

Otherwise…

It’s hearing the 17 song play list over and OVER again!

Love, Luck and Lollipops , ROCK ON!

Back again…

Yup, able to write for a bit. Let's see here, Joe came to the blogosphere, drank all the liquor, tried to taunt my deceased dog, and posted once. Coming up when you visit the blog: Joe's New Blog, Tech football and wedding thoughts as well as a bunch of others in this Uber (tm Iggy Inc).

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Monday Update…

What the hell am I talking about? I'm a very allergic man, and that's the way I'll (ACHOO) like it. The Wedding... Now I'm really getting excited for the wedding coming in 60+ days, why? A new start? Yes, but not exactly. A chance to see my kids? Yes, but not exactly. It's change. (Actually there is more of it, well thought of and written for your consumption at http://www.donahue.org It's tax free!)

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Burning the midnight oil…

Going to finish a project tonight that colleagues messed up. One didn't do the project. One didn't want to do it, so put it aside so it couldn't be done by the assigned date. One decided to tell me to put the project under a rug. No one would notice.

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