One of our cats is up a tree...literally...after escaping from the house two days ago...after hours of calling his name...after hours of scanning the far reaches of the earth...we found him 100 feet away in a tree...
Why do we assume that every time somebody/thing in our life "takes a break," it's to take off on a far-away adventure? Maybe sometimes people just need to get away from what they are used to for a while to catch their breath. Of course, cats are not humans, even though we talk to them as if they are, but even if they had the same genetic make-up, etc., would they travel far when given the opportunity?
Of course, we all take our travels. We all venture out at one time or another in our life. But really, where do the great majority of us eventually end up, or really want to end up? Back home, or at least close. Age has a funny way of letting us forget the adventure and return to the comfortable. Yes, we move to far away places...we take extended trips...we experiment with a different location....but in the end, even that magic goes away. When we can no longer climb mountains, try new jobs, try new lifestyles, try "perfect" places to live...we glance towards home. Why? Maybe because it's the only real place we know...maybe it's the only real place that can give us true comfort. No, it's not perfect...it's not ideal...it may even hold bad memories...but it is home. It may be the only place where, eventually, you'll run into someone who says "Oh my gosh, it's so good to see you again! How have you been?" More importantly, they'll probably mean it.
Oh, our cat will come down...as someone said "Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?" And I know once he is home and safe in the house, we'll say "How have you been?"...and mean it....
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Appreciation
I had one of those "blue" (blue as in nice, smooth, touching, as opposed to a sad blue) moments yesterday. I met with my boss's boss upon his impromptu invitation to meet for a few minutes at the end of my working day. The conversation covered all the bases and was very productive for the both of us, but the most important take-away for me was the fact that he just wanted to say thank-you and how much he appreciated the work being done. I don't care who you are, it's nice to be appreciated.
I've "soapboxed" for years about this matter, both up the chain and down it. To say (a sincere) thank you to someone is one of the most powerful statements one can make. If it's from the heart, well deserved, and timely, it can produce more results, productively and emotionally, than money, gifts, and accolades. Whether you're at the top, in the middle, or at the bottom, appreciation is the balm that soothes the soul. It's one of those few things that can be put "in reserve" for a bad day, difficult customers, complaining clients, and poor corporate decisions. Appreciation can take the sting out of a twelve hour day better than Motrin. Very few people in business understand that it's more productive to lead someone through a door than pushing them through. Everyone is their career needs to work for someone that you respect and want to see succeed.
In the words of Jim Halpert "Not a bad day."
I've "soapboxed" for years about this matter, both up the chain and down it. To say (a sincere) thank you to someone is one of the most powerful statements one can make. If it's from the heart, well deserved, and timely, it can produce more results, productively and emotionally, than money, gifts, and accolades. Whether you're at the top, in the middle, or at the bottom, appreciation is the balm that soothes the soul. It's one of those few things that can be put "in reserve" for a bad day, difficult customers, complaining clients, and poor corporate decisions. Appreciation can take the sting out of a twelve hour day better than Motrin. Very few people in business understand that it's more productive to lead someone through a door than pushing them through. Everyone is their career needs to work for someone that you respect and want to see succeed.
In the words of Jim Halpert "Not a bad day."
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Punkd'!
I was tricked today. Tricked bad. But paybacks are always fun. I received a phone call from my boss asking if I would want to work a grand opening for the company. I said sure. Ellen is going to Spokane, WA and the weekend is going to be quiet. It wasn't until I received the original forwarded email that my boss had received about the grand opening. It mentioned that the "suits" would be there on time. What suits? Suits for what? I shot him off a questions about the suits and received a picture back of two previous "volunteers" who were wearing the very familiar Kool-Aid costume and one wearing an "Oreo" costume. Oh my God! I had been punkd', tricked, Rick-rolled, and taken-in one big swoop. So, on Saturday, in Rome, Georgia, I get to make the decision of whether I am going to be Mr. Kool-Aid or Mr. Oreo. I'm already working on the payback. It will be mean, quite embarrassing, and unforgiving.
Ever wonder about those times you check something like a watch, calendar, etc. and notice a very unique event. The other day while driving in my little red truck, I looked at the odometer (or something said to look at the odometer) just as it turned 250,000 miles..right on the button. This is not the first time something like this has happened and I always wonder if there just isn't something "there" that makes us look at certain items at a precise moment. I'll save that for the more cerebral friends I have and return to trying to figure out how to survive this circus we call life. Maybe I think of some ways to circumvent this life while dressed up as Mr. Oreo!
Ever wonder about those times you check something like a watch, calendar, etc. and notice a very unique event. The other day while driving in my little red truck, I looked at the odometer (or something said to look at the odometer) just as it turned 250,000 miles..right on the button. This is not the first time something like this has happened and I always wonder if there just isn't something "there" that makes us look at certain items at a precise moment. I'll save that for the more cerebral friends I have and return to trying to figure out how to survive this circus we call life. Maybe I think of some ways to circumvent this life while dressed up as Mr. Oreo!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I'm at Redbud..it must be Wednesday!
After 17 years of formal education, numerous certificates of accomplishment in business, 35 years of successful sales and sales management experience, I now put cookies and crackers on the shelves of grocery stores. I am blessed. I do have a place to go in the morning...and on Wednesdays I'm on Redbud road in Calhoun, Georgia!
I always wanted, someday, to try something "different." I was somewhat hoping it would be when I turned sixty-five, but Novartis cut that short by a couple of years. Ellen is now the major breadwinner of the family and probably for the first time since we've been married, I (we) notice a difference in our ages. Ellen is eight years younger than me, but that fact has never once been an issue (except when it comes to some music "Remember that song? No. I was four years old!) Retirement, or the prospect of retirement, has entered my mind. I have no intention of not working, but the thought of dabbling and putzing around the house doing different projects has entered my mind. I'll probably work at the pace I do now (God willing) until I'm sixty-five or six. Then I'll reboot - if Ellen, the breadwinner, will allow me!
There are too many things to write about at one sitting about my career, but I will start at the end and say this - family comes first. I didn't always feel this way, but I certainly have since the cancer scare of around 16 years ago. When I had those jobs that we all sometimes love, I found myself totally involved. There were times (years) of very intense dedication to the task. In those cases, I travelled a great deal, both domestically and internationally, and dedicated long hours to my job. Unfortunately, many of those years were when our children were very small and Ellen was left alone, at home (In Idaho), to handle the all important task of raising the children AND working. My (our) scare changed priorities in less than one minute...sixty seconds...or at least until I stopped crying in the doctor's office. In a very undramatic action, a switch was thrown and all that had motivated me in the past disappeared. To jump to the end of my bout with cancer, my left kidney was removed, and for reasons that make a person believe in miracles, the outcome was the best it could be. No chemo, no radiation, no anything. I was told I was the luckiest man in the world. I took that to heart and refocused my entire being on my family. I would say that the most difficult part of the entire experience was refocusing my efforts at work. The drive that was so much part of my make-up was gone, or certainly reduced. Only a fool would say that money is not important because it is, but suddenly making money for someone else didn't have the same meaning to me as it did before. The mainstream elements of the corporate world were no longer part of my life. In fact, they were not even in the top ten list of things that were important to me.
Do I get upset, regretful, or anxious from time to time now? Sure, but it doesn't take too long to remember that just waking up this morning and seeing my wonderful wife lying next to me is one of the greatest gifts I have, and have ever had. In fact, just waking up is a blessing.
I always wanted, someday, to try something "different." I was somewhat hoping it would be when I turned sixty-five, but Novartis cut that short by a couple of years. Ellen is now the major breadwinner of the family and probably for the first time since we've been married, I (we) notice a difference in our ages. Ellen is eight years younger than me, but that fact has never once been an issue (except when it comes to some music "Remember that song? No. I was four years old!) Retirement, or the prospect of retirement, has entered my mind. I have no intention of not working, but the thought of dabbling and putzing around the house doing different projects has entered my mind. I'll probably work at the pace I do now (God willing) until I'm sixty-five or six. Then I'll reboot - if Ellen, the breadwinner, will allow me!
There are too many things to write about at one sitting about my career, but I will start at the end and say this - family comes first. I didn't always feel this way, but I certainly have since the cancer scare of around 16 years ago. When I had those jobs that we all sometimes love, I found myself totally involved. There were times (years) of very intense dedication to the task. In those cases, I travelled a great deal, both domestically and internationally, and dedicated long hours to my job. Unfortunately, many of those years were when our children were very small and Ellen was left alone, at home (In Idaho), to handle the all important task of raising the children AND working. My (our) scare changed priorities in less than one minute...sixty seconds...or at least until I stopped crying in the doctor's office. In a very undramatic action, a switch was thrown and all that had motivated me in the past disappeared. To jump to the end of my bout with cancer, my left kidney was removed, and for reasons that make a person believe in miracles, the outcome was the best it could be. No chemo, no radiation, no anything. I was told I was the luckiest man in the world. I took that to heart and refocused my entire being on my family. I would say that the most difficult part of the entire experience was refocusing my efforts at work. The drive that was so much part of my make-up was gone, or certainly reduced. Only a fool would say that money is not important because it is, but suddenly making money for someone else didn't have the same meaning to me as it did before. The mainstream elements of the corporate world were no longer part of my life. In fact, they were not even in the top ten list of things that were important to me.
Do I get upset, regretful, or anxious from time to time now? Sure, but it doesn't take too long to remember that just waking up this morning and seeing my wonderful wife lying next to me is one of the greatest gifts I have, and have ever had. In fact, just waking up is a blessing.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Reconnecting
Yesterday was a great day for many reasons. First, it's always good to not see your name in the paper. Second, I headed to work...good or bad job, a lot of people can's say that right now. And third, I reconnected with some good friends. After years of not hearing from someone who shaped my career and is personally responsible for so many good and interesting facets of my life, I called a friend I had worked with for several years. I (and it seems many others) have been sending him emails for several years and not received any replies. He travels a great deal internationally and for extended periods, so the non-response was really not a concern. After a couple of years, however, one begins to wonder if everything is ok. So when I called his restricted cell phone and he answered, the small bit of anxiety went away and was replaced with excitement. Turns out the email address he used was very outdated and no longer used.
This friend, Tim, was a co-worker, boss, confidant, and mentor for many years...a very unusual combination that rarely works. The two of us, and the company we worked for, had the opportunity to take a new molecule from its conception and turn it into a viable marketable tool. This entire process, which took about five years, culminated in the product being purchased by a multi-national animal food chemical company. During those times of working together, I learned more about marketing than I would have ever learned in an academic setting. Not that my post-graduate class work wasn't counted on, but when your career (and income) is on the line, there is a certain amount of very realistic "highs and lows" that enter your life. Aside from the actual business side, I was given the opportunity to travel the world, literally. Interestingly, the only part of the planet that I did not travel was greater Europe. But when it came to far-away places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, central and south America, Norway, and the entire North America continent...my passport is well punched! Of course, at the time, you're focused on the business, but there were those precious times when, seated outside a small cafe, buying lunch from a street vendor in Ecuador, having dinner prepared on heated rocks, or looking out the window of a floatplane, you have to realize you're enjoying special times. Now, that being said, I also remember Holiday Inns in DesMoines, being sick in Surabya, and trying, as a northerner, to sell product in the heart of Delta county, Mississippi.
I'll never forget the moment, when I happened to be standing at the fax machine at work, when the final offer to buy this company came slowly pouring out. I remember reading the offer and turning to fellow colleagues standing close. The offer was sensastional and the "ship" had arrived.
It was never the same after that year...and quite honestly, never the same since. There are only so many times you can celebrate, re-tell the story, embellish, and tell it again. People eventually move on, drift away, and, like all the products you see on late night TV, try to reconstruct that life. It just doesn't happen, at least not to normal folks like we were. Five fabulous years out of a thirty five career, is generally more than the average person will ever experience.
Tim was the man who brought me into that organization and, once again, is personably responsible for many of the mental treasures I have today. He was always a friend, a great boss, and stablle mentor. To reconnect with him today and hear his familiar voice made my day...not to mention that he made most of the life I have today.
This friend, Tim, was a co-worker, boss, confidant, and mentor for many years...a very unusual combination that rarely works. The two of us, and the company we worked for, had the opportunity to take a new molecule from its conception and turn it into a viable marketable tool. This entire process, which took about five years, culminated in the product being purchased by a multi-national animal food chemical company. During those times of working together, I learned more about marketing than I would have ever learned in an academic setting. Not that my post-graduate class work wasn't counted on, but when your career (and income) is on the line, there is a certain amount of very realistic "highs and lows" that enter your life. Aside from the actual business side, I was given the opportunity to travel the world, literally. Interestingly, the only part of the planet that I did not travel was greater Europe. But when it came to far-away places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, central and south America, Norway, and the entire North America continent...my passport is well punched! Of course, at the time, you're focused on the business, but there were those precious times when, seated outside a small cafe, buying lunch from a street vendor in Ecuador, having dinner prepared on heated rocks, or looking out the window of a floatplane, you have to realize you're enjoying special times. Now, that being said, I also remember Holiday Inns in DesMoines, being sick in Surabya, and trying, as a northerner, to sell product in the heart of Delta county, Mississippi.
I'll never forget the moment, when I happened to be standing at the fax machine at work, when the final offer to buy this company came slowly pouring out. I remember reading the offer and turning to fellow colleagues standing close. The offer was sensastional and the "ship" had arrived.
It was never the same after that year...and quite honestly, never the same since. There are only so many times you can celebrate, re-tell the story, embellish, and tell it again. People eventually move on, drift away, and, like all the products you see on late night TV, try to reconstruct that life. It just doesn't happen, at least not to normal folks like we were. Five fabulous years out of a thirty five career, is generally more than the average person will ever experience.
Tim was the man who brought me into that organization and, once again, is personably responsible for many of the mental treasures I have today. He was always a friend, a great boss, and stablle mentor. To reconnect with him today and hear his familiar voice made my day...not to mention that he made most of the life I have today.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Note to Self
I have structured my writing career by editing, rewriting, "sleeping on it," rewriting, condensing, rewriting, final draft, last rewrite, finish. Not with this blog. This blog will flow with no consideration (well, some), what's on my mind, and, other than spelling, no rewriting. The only hard part about this will be me. But that's the plan!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sign of the Times
My sister and her husband just pulled out of our driveway on their way back to Indianapolis. It was a short visit filled with what's great about family and what family values are all about. (By the way, those who know me as a writer, will find this blog to contain fragmented sentences, sentences ending with propositions, etc., the way Steven King suggests to write, not editors). My sisters trip was planned a couple of weeks ago and we were looking forward to celebrating my wife's birthday today, Sunday the 18th. They went back a day early. You see, on the way down from Indianapolis, somewhere around Louisville, my brother-in-law received a cell phone call that he was being released from his job of twenty nine years at once was the previous "RCA" corporation. He knew the call was coming soon, but wasn't prepared to receive it in the car on his cell phone. Having been in the exact situation two years ago, I can tell you that even if you knew the day and hour it was going to happen, when it finally arrives, the emotion is overwhelming. I told him when he arrived that I'm surprised he didn't turn around and go back home. He said something to the effect "Why, I'm off tomorrow!"
This, of course, is one of the reasons he has survived the numerous layoffs at his company over several years. The "old" RCA, at one time, had 26,000 employees in Indianapolis alone! Now they have forty...or, as he said, 39. (Nothing of the former RCA exists in the US.) My brother-in-law, Tim, is incredibly smart, extremely talented (there is a difference), and one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of knowing. And although we had a great weekend with him and my sister (that's another blog), it was only a delay of what he will feel over the next couple of weeks. I remember my ordeal when it happened...feeling down, feeling excited for a new beginning, fear, doubt, anxiety, acceptance...you name it, it's all in that big arena we call being downsized. He, like I, will read all the books like "The Secret," What Color is you Parachute?" etc. There will be a feeling of renewal and even excitement. Like myself, a job will be found, the sun will continue to rise, and life will go on.
What he will hear is what I heard..."You'll find something soon" "You're not alone, all my friends are out of work" "It's part of the employment fabric" etc. But he will also hear the one phrase that I could not "read away" or stuff into a mental foot locker. That comment will be "It's not personal, just business" and "This is probably a good thing!" I'm sorry,,,,it is personal... in fact, it's very, very personal...and, at least in the short run, it's not a good thing. Both comments are part of the new politically correct rhetoric that I find harder and harder to accept as I enter Turn Three (remember Turn Three!)
Time, however, does heal this feeling, but like an ancient volcano, every once in a while it mentally erupts and causes a wave of regret (anger, sorrow, pick a word). Like volcano's, however, the time between eruptions becomes longer and longer. I'm not sure it ever goes completely away.
My brother-in-law will rebound ..he will, once again, find a place to go in the morning...he will continue with the wonderful life he has with my sister....once he gets past the carnage of what I call the "aftermath."
This, of course, is one of the reasons he has survived the numerous layoffs at his company over several years. The "old" RCA, at one time, had 26,000 employees in Indianapolis alone! Now they have forty...or, as he said, 39. (Nothing of the former RCA exists in the US.) My brother-in-law, Tim, is incredibly smart, extremely talented (there is a difference), and one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of knowing. And although we had a great weekend with him and my sister (that's another blog), it was only a delay of what he will feel over the next couple of weeks. I remember my ordeal when it happened...feeling down, feeling excited for a new beginning, fear, doubt, anxiety, acceptance...you name it, it's all in that big arena we call being downsized. He, like I, will read all the books like "The Secret," What Color is you Parachute?" etc. There will be a feeling of renewal and even excitement. Like myself, a job will be found, the sun will continue to rise, and life will go on.
What he will hear is what I heard..."You'll find something soon" "You're not alone, all my friends are out of work" "It's part of the employment fabric" etc. But he will also hear the one phrase that I could not "read away" or stuff into a mental foot locker. That comment will be "It's not personal, just business" and "This is probably a good thing!" I'm sorry,,,,it is personal... in fact, it's very, very personal...and, at least in the short run, it's not a good thing. Both comments are part of the new politically correct rhetoric that I find harder and harder to accept as I enter Turn Three (remember Turn Three!)
Time, however, does heal this feeling, but like an ancient volcano, every once in a while it mentally erupts and causes a wave of regret (anger, sorrow, pick a word). Like volcano's, however, the time between eruptions becomes longer and longer. I'm not sure it ever goes completely away.
My brother-in-law will rebound ..he will, once again, find a place to go in the morning...he will continue with the wonderful life he has with my sister....once he gets past the carnage of what I call the "aftermath."
Friday, April 16, 2010
Entering Turn Three
Why didn't I think of this before? I love to write...I love to communicate...I love to share....even if I am the only one reading what I put to paper! Actually, a good friend of my son's got me to thinking about blogging. It's funny...you know someone...you know a lot about their life...their family...but people, especially men, communicate on a deeper level when they write...
The title must come from my growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana. When I left that town many years ago, the ONLY thing it had going for it was the 500 mile race. When I was thinking about naming this blog, I imagined life as a racetrack. The start of the race is usually slow, but gains speed rapidly..turn one is that mad part of the track where everyone is squeezing for position..turn two is when you think you know what you are doing...the backstretch is pure speed, power, and positioning...and then comes turn three. Turn three is when you back off a little, think about where you are and where you have been, and prepare to enter turn four where you can see the finish line. I find myself approaching turn three in life. Still going, feeling good, busy, but taking my foot off the pedal a little...a time to reflect if you will.
That's where I will start with this blog. My mind is random, I imagine the blog will be also. I love to write about the fun things of life, my family, and my feelings. So strap yourself in, get a cup of good coffee or tea, and we'll start entering turn three on the next blog!
The title must come from my growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana. When I left that town many years ago, the ONLY thing it had going for it was the 500 mile race. When I was thinking about naming this blog, I imagined life as a racetrack. The start of the race is usually slow, but gains speed rapidly..turn one is that mad part of the track where everyone is squeezing for position..turn two is when you think you know what you are doing...the backstretch is pure speed, power, and positioning...and then comes turn three. Turn three is when you back off a little, think about where you are and where you have been, and prepare to enter turn four where you can see the finish line. I find myself approaching turn three in life. Still going, feeling good, busy, but taking my foot off the pedal a little...a time to reflect if you will.
That's where I will start with this blog. My mind is random, I imagine the blog will be also. I love to write about the fun things of life, my family, and my feelings. So strap yourself in, get a cup of good coffee or tea, and we'll start entering turn three on the next blog!
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