Really?....Seriously?

Ok I am going to talk some business here. I work for a company that is really good at using buzz words like "empower" and taking "responcibility". Upper management says that the "culture" needs to change and it all starts with middle management. This is where my jaw drops, really it starts with middle management? Why wouldn't it start at the top? I am pretty sure that the people don't feel empowered because they have been taught to be dependent. They remember making a decision and getting their balls stomped on meaning "don't even think of making a choice with out upper management".

Let me give you a example, I chose three people to be trainers on the production floor. Every other production line has a name, like 5HP, 5M, 5GA....you get the point. So I gave the task to the trainers to come up with a name for the cell. They come up with naming the cell "basic training" which will be screen printed on camoflage material which is scrap.....I liked it and in the spirit of "empowerment" I gave them the ok. did I get my balls stomped? well not exactly but it wasn't really embraced either.

I think it goes back to the idea that the problem is not others but rather me, meaning that if you get out of the way people will amaze you in their ability's.

A Battery Of Tests

It was Wednesday night, the kids are in bed and I am ready to sit down in my PJ's to a bowl of mint chocolate ice cream. With blanket in hand the door bell rings, it is my neighbor, old man Sonntag.

"Hi Paul, your car lights are on".
"hey thanks for the heads up". This would have been bad, waking up and ready to head out the door to work in the morning is a hell of a time to find out you need a jump.

As I get to the car, I press the keyless entry and nothing happens. I get the car open turn the key to start the car and get the dreaded "click, click, click". My neighbor happens to drive up, helps me jump the car and we get nothing. After a bunch of tests we determine that the battery is dead. So at 9:30 at night I head off to the south of town to Wal-Mart to buy a new battery. $56 later and 10:30 at night I have new battery and all is right with the world.

I got 69,000 miles off my original battery, which I believe is about 20K more than my Dad's fully loaded Camery. Hyundai is just keeps giving me reasons to buy another one.....fuckers.

That's it, it is over

Today was d-day, it is the day that the kids start to get ready to head back to school tomorrow after 11 days off. It is the day that the x-mas tree gets taken down along with all the decorations and splendor that goes along with Christmas.

So the tree is along the side of the house, mounds of garbage to be taken out and toys to be taken to the basement or bedrooms.

I have to start getting ready to head back to work after 10 days also, it was nice to be off over the holidays. I remember my dad taking off that last week of the year also, it was nice to have him home to put together toys and in general just being there.

So now we are into 2007, what it holds is beyond me, hopefully all good and I am sure there are going to be some challenges. I like challenges, they make me really appreciate the simple things that make me smile. Tommy sleeping in his tent that Santa gave him for his room was just the greatest. Dominic putting on his storm trooper helmet that is way to big for him along with his costume and authentic storm trooper gun rocked. Knowing that the gift that Jen got from me was the right one and me wanting so badly to just take a nap once during my 10 days off and not getting one will always be remembered.

Well for those that still read this gibberish hope that the holidays brought only good memories and here's to a wonderful 2007.