Most of you no doubt know, but I was RIF'd this week after 12 years with the company.
RIF stands for Reduction in Force, I've since come up with a better acronym that I will not share on my PG blog.
I have seen the inevitability of that happening for some time now.
The lousy Obam-economy most certainly was a driving factor, but not the sole reason.
My former boss, visibly upset and tortured by what he was told to do said to me "your position has been eliminated" I will not be replaced, nor will the others that have lost their jobs.
Two day later another bloodletting in the HQ in CT resulted in the woman who handled my territory in inside sales let go after 42 years with the company.
Basically the only job she had for her entire adult life.
The product engineering manager, who started the same month I did was also given the heave-ho, as well as the young man who started as an intern while at UConn and had risen to manage the quotes department.
Several other veteran, well respected and productive people nationwide were axed in this third so called RIF.
We appreciate all of the prayers and concern, we're alright for a few months whilst I decide which direction I want to lead us.
A lot of that depends on what is available, and in this miserable economy only the Good Lord knows.
I am not alone, two close friends of mine in the industry who recently experienced the same thing called to lend advice, and to offer support.
One just found work after three months, a much more lowly job than he had but work, nevertheless. The other is still looking after six months.
I have received nothing but good will and support from all of my business contacts, their initial reaction has all been "What the 'fill in the blank' were they thinking?"
One Christian brother who I dealt with at UNC told me "If we took the top 15 reps in the industry, regardless of product you were at the top of the list!"
That means more to me than money, everyone has also told me "We did business with your company because of you, not because of them"
Many also said good luck with them keeping our business.
Corporate bean counters do not understand where the business really comes from, it comes from people dealing with people that they trust, respect and like.
They will find out the hard way, well deserved and good riddance to them!
I plan on taking a few courses at JCC while I am exploring, and after this week when I wrap up the initial tasks like transferring my cell phone, having the fleet car picked up, COBRA, preparing a resume (It's been almost fifteen years since I last had to do that!) etc. I plan on taking a few days to unwind and vent a bit.
That primal scream you hear in the either will most likely be me!
Don't be afraid to call us, I'm over my initial snit and am moving on.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ode to Dad's everywhere.
Another Father's Day is upon us.
My own Dad left us over 33 years ago.
I am now almost a year older than he was when he slipped out of our lives and into the promised life to come.
Last year was a tough year for me, even though I swore to myself that I would not focus on that.
My 55th came and went anyway.
We all have our appointed time, and nothing we do will change that.
I also had to face the fact that I was no longer a young buck.
Nothing major, but in general I simply have not felt great for almost a year now.
Other than the Arthritis I am dealing with, everything else seems to be fine, including my cardiovascular health.
So I am fortunate. Simply getting older.
Adjusting to that fact is something all Dad's have to face up to.
I can't work in the yard all day like I used to without paying the price.
So I now spend money on something I vowed I would never do.
Someone else mows my yard and trims every two weeks.
I've also learned that I can live with it looking a bit shaggy every other weekend.
That would have driven me to break out the mower just a couple of years ago and waste most of my Saturday in the Southern summer heat.
Now I sit on the front porch and have a nice cold drink, or share a glass of wine with the Queen.
Perhaps I am getting a bit smarter after all!
To be a wise Grandpa someday, I have to develop some smarts!
Although when they are old enough I will insist my grandkids (girls too, I'm all for true feminism!) to get their heinies out there and mow the yard for their Dad without being fussed at. And to help Mom around the house.
Something that he never did, actually.
Most of our head butting contests revolved around him doing the little bit around the place we asked him to.
The same strength of character and drive that makes him the fine young man he is today, also made him a stubborn pain in the neck at times in his teen years.
He would purposely wait until almost dark before finally caving and doing the yard.
Many interesting mowing patterns resulted.
I think he would have had a great career in mowing ball parks, it would have been easy to adapt to mowing the team logos onto the field.
Of course, I had many memorable moments driving my own father to the brink of insanity.
One that still sticks in my mind is him 'teaching' me how to put a new brake master cylinder on my car, and then how to 'bleed' the air out of the brake system.
I was in the car, my only duty to pump the brake pedal when he told me to, while he was under the car with a wrench on the nipple, which bled excess air out of each wheel in turn.
Timing is critical on this, and given my propensity to daydream when I was bored, disaster was sure to happen.
I must have responded with less alacrity than he wanted, and when he screamed at me to "wake up, and pump the d*** pedal" I did so, vigorously.
The result was a face full of brake fluid for the old man, who had let the wrench slip off the nipple while yelling at me.
He came rolling out from under the car, temporarily blind, and regaling me with his impressive country boy/WWII vet command of profanity.
While thrashing around the carport, trying to find a rag to wipe the fluid from his face, he kicked the tray from the toolbox, scattering small fittings and tools all over the yard.
At this point, I was trying not to laugh. Not very successfully at that.
He finally got most of it wiped away, and after going inside to wash his face, returned, somewhat sheepishly.
"Don't just sit there like a knot on a log, come out here and help me find all of these Cotton'Pickin' tools!"
I know all of us who were fortunate enough to have Dad's who actually raised us have similar stories.
And all of us repeat phrases and actions to our own kids we swore we would never use.
The President has recently been talking a lot about Fatherhood.
Sadly, it is needed in this day and time.
Half of all homes are second marriages, and many women raise their children without the fathers. These 'men' care more about themselves than the children they help bring into the world.
But there is no substitute for being there, 24/7 for your own children.
It is a sacrifice for both parents.
That's what being a Father is.
Dependability. Not flash, not Cliff Huxtable or Pa Walton.
Just being there for them.
Sometimes you cannot be their friends when they need a good swift kick in the Gluteous.
But ultimately, you will be.
I now simply 'hang out' with my son.
We have conversations about just about everything. He listens to me again, without rolling his eyes with expressions of bewilderment.
I admire and respect him too.
It was worth all of the time, money and sometimes grief that being a Dad brings.
Thank you to my Dad, to his Dad, and to my nephews Luke, Martin and Brandon, who are fine fathers in their own right. They had good Dad's who were there for them.
And I know my own boy will also be a fine Father when his time comes.
Grill them a steak today, and then just leave them alone to watch golf, read that book they never have time to read, or better yet sit there and ask them about their father.
Happy Father's Day!
My own Dad left us over 33 years ago.
I am now almost a year older than he was when he slipped out of our lives and into the promised life to come.
Last year was a tough year for me, even though I swore to myself that I would not focus on that.
My 55th came and went anyway.
We all have our appointed time, and nothing we do will change that.
I also had to face the fact that I was no longer a young buck.
Nothing major, but in general I simply have not felt great for almost a year now.
Other than the Arthritis I am dealing with, everything else seems to be fine, including my cardiovascular health.
So I am fortunate. Simply getting older.
Adjusting to that fact is something all Dad's have to face up to.
I can't work in the yard all day like I used to without paying the price.
So I now spend money on something I vowed I would never do.
Someone else mows my yard and trims every two weeks.
I've also learned that I can live with it looking a bit shaggy every other weekend.
That would have driven me to break out the mower just a couple of years ago and waste most of my Saturday in the Southern summer heat.
Now I sit on the front porch and have a nice cold drink, or share a glass of wine with the Queen.
Perhaps I am getting a bit smarter after all!
To be a wise Grandpa someday, I have to develop some smarts!
Although when they are old enough I will insist my grandkids (girls too, I'm all for true feminism!) to get their heinies out there and mow the yard for their Dad without being fussed at. And to help Mom around the house.
Something that he never did, actually.
Most of our head butting contests revolved around him doing the little bit around the place we asked him to.
The same strength of character and drive that makes him the fine young man he is today, also made him a stubborn pain in the neck at times in his teen years.
He would purposely wait until almost dark before finally caving and doing the yard.
Many interesting mowing patterns resulted.
I think he would have had a great career in mowing ball parks, it would have been easy to adapt to mowing the team logos onto the field.
Of course, I had many memorable moments driving my own father to the brink of insanity.
One that still sticks in my mind is him 'teaching' me how to put a new brake master cylinder on my car, and then how to 'bleed' the air out of the brake system.
I was in the car, my only duty to pump the brake pedal when he told me to, while he was under the car with a wrench on the nipple, which bled excess air out of each wheel in turn.
Timing is critical on this, and given my propensity to daydream when I was bored, disaster was sure to happen.
I must have responded with less alacrity than he wanted, and when he screamed at me to "wake up, and pump the d*** pedal" I did so, vigorously.
The result was a face full of brake fluid for the old man, who had let the wrench slip off the nipple while yelling at me.
He came rolling out from under the car, temporarily blind, and regaling me with his impressive country boy/WWII vet command of profanity.
While thrashing around the carport, trying to find a rag to wipe the fluid from his face, he kicked the tray from the toolbox, scattering small fittings and tools all over the yard.
At this point, I was trying not to laugh. Not very successfully at that.
He finally got most of it wiped away, and after going inside to wash his face, returned, somewhat sheepishly.
"Don't just sit there like a knot on a log, come out here and help me find all of these Cotton'Pickin' tools!"
I know all of us who were fortunate enough to have Dad's who actually raised us have similar stories.
And all of us repeat phrases and actions to our own kids we swore we would never use.
The President has recently been talking a lot about Fatherhood.
Sadly, it is needed in this day and time.
Half of all homes are second marriages, and many women raise their children without the fathers. These 'men' care more about themselves than the children they help bring into the world.
But there is no substitute for being there, 24/7 for your own children.
It is a sacrifice for both parents.
That's what being a Father is.
Dependability. Not flash, not Cliff Huxtable or Pa Walton.
Just being there for them.
Sometimes you cannot be their friends when they need a good swift kick in the Gluteous.
But ultimately, you will be.
I now simply 'hang out' with my son.
We have conversations about just about everything. He listens to me again, without rolling his eyes with expressions of bewilderment.
I admire and respect him too.
It was worth all of the time, money and sometimes grief that being a Dad brings.
Thank you to my Dad, to his Dad, and to my nephews Luke, Martin and Brandon, who are fine fathers in their own right. They had good Dad's who were there for them.
And I know my own boy will also be a fine Father when his time comes.
Grill them a steak today, and then just leave them alone to watch golf, read that book they never have time to read, or better yet sit there and ask them about their father.
Happy Father's Day!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"We are SO non-biased!"
Somtimes real events are far more bizarre than fiction.
Whether you call it "The Drive-by Media" "The State Run Media" (not original terms, credit Rush for both)
or "The Old Dead Media" (one I did come up with during the last two year election cycle)
their bias slip has been showing for many years now.
Their latest escapade will be tomorrow night.
The ABC Evening News will be broadcast from the Obama White House.
Not on the lawn outside, but from within the White House!
I half expect the President Of The United States (Or POTUS, in Secret Service parlance)
to wander by the anchor desk, wearing FDR's Cardigan sweater, holding a cup of Joe.
With his two adorable daughters and his new puppie in tow.
Perhaps we will be treated to the pup piddling on the carpet (one can only hope!), and the kids will pull the John-John trick and crawl under the desk, giggling.
His immaculately turned out wife will then come on the set to retrieve her young'uns and dog, dressed to the nines as usual.
"Why, this old thing! It's just something I threw on to knock around the house!
Later on we're going to build a campfire on the East Lawn, roast weenies and have Smores!"
The All American family to be sure.
The Anchor will feign surprise "Why, Mr President, we had no idea you were at home!"
Recipes will no doubt be shared, and we will all be assured in heart warming fashion that everything is AOK on the home front.
Unemployment at 10%, the national budget doubled, and the deficit approaching two trillion dollars already. In just five months.
Oh, and the NutBar sandwich who runs a now nuclear armed North Korea in a particularly feisty mood.
And black leather, helmeted storm troopers on motor cycles rampaging through the streets of Tehran, clubbing and sweeping away people protesting their recent "election".
They may get to those stories.
That depends on how many recipes The First Lady has to share with us.
I'm waiting for them to share the one for Humble Pie.
Whether you call it "The Drive-by Media" "The State Run Media" (not original terms, credit Rush for both)
or "The Old Dead Media" (one I did come up with during the last two year election cycle)
their bias slip has been showing for many years now.
Their latest escapade will be tomorrow night.
The ABC Evening News will be broadcast from the Obama White House.
Not on the lawn outside, but from within the White House!
I half expect the President Of The United States (Or POTUS, in Secret Service parlance)
to wander by the anchor desk, wearing FDR's Cardigan sweater, holding a cup of Joe.
With his two adorable daughters and his new puppie in tow.
Perhaps we will be treated to the pup piddling on the carpet (one can only hope!), and the kids will pull the John-John trick and crawl under the desk, giggling.
His immaculately turned out wife will then come on the set to retrieve her young'uns and dog, dressed to the nines as usual.
"Why, this old thing! It's just something I threw on to knock around the house!
Later on we're going to build a campfire on the East Lawn, roast weenies and have Smores!"
The All American family to be sure.
The Anchor will feign surprise "Why, Mr President, we had no idea you were at home!"
Recipes will no doubt be shared, and we will all be assured in heart warming fashion that everything is AOK on the home front.
Unemployment at 10%, the national budget doubled, and the deficit approaching two trillion dollars already. In just five months.
Oh, and the NutBar sandwich who runs a now nuclear armed North Korea in a particularly feisty mood.
And black leather, helmeted storm troopers on motor cycles rampaging through the streets of Tehran, clubbing and sweeping away people protesting their recent "election".
They may get to those stories.
That depends on how many recipes The First Lady has to share with us.
I'm waiting for them to share the one for Humble Pie.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Summer Reading suggestions
Revisit (for many it will be a first look) our founding documents.
The Declaration of Independence;
The Constitution Of The United States Of America;
The Federalist Papers
The Writings of Jefferson
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Then compare what you read against what our Government is now doing.
Your opinions may change. (hopefully!)
The Declaration of Independence;
The Constitution Of The United States Of America;
The Federalist Papers
The Writings of Jefferson
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Then compare what you read against what our Government is now doing.
Your opinions may change. (hopefully!)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Update from Boone
Last Friday, Ariel passed the last of three CLEP tests he needed to fulfill all graduation requirements.
He's now finished with the undergraduate phase of his academic life.
The Army will pay for grad school someday, several years down the road.
Full Time Active Duty status for two years while in grad school.
Not a bad deal!
Magna Cum Laude, quite an accomplishment!
He will commission on 7 August, and will start his active duty career on 14 November as a Gold Bar Recruiter at App.
Two more semesters in the college atmosphere without the rigors of classwork!
Great Duty, only one other newly commissioned 2LT will serve with him.
They will also share an apartment until next April when they report for their intensive training as a platoon leader/Infantry officer.
This will include Ranger School, one of the toughest training regimens in the U.S. Military.
Only Special Forces training, Seal or Air Force Para training is more demanding.
He now has a rare gift.
Several months to travel and see the world without the encumbrances of job and family!
He plans on seeing as much family as he can here in the States, and is just starting the planning for a potential trip to Europe in September with two of his cousins on my side of the family.
My cousin Rob has lived in Germany for many years, and has offered to squire the boys around.
Dave and Robert are his nephews, and as a retired Air Force Master Sgt he has keenly followed Ariel's training and military career.
Wow! His old man is jealous!
The Queen and I could threaten to tag along, but we don't want to cramp his style.
Some of the family will be able to attend his commissioning rites in August.
Rest assured there will be a lot of pictures posted for those who cannot.
He's now finished with the undergraduate phase of his academic life.
The Army will pay for grad school someday, several years down the road.
Full Time Active Duty status for two years while in grad school.
Not a bad deal!
Magna Cum Laude, quite an accomplishment!
He will commission on 7 August, and will start his active duty career on 14 November as a Gold Bar Recruiter at App.
Two more semesters in the college atmosphere without the rigors of classwork!
Great Duty, only one other newly commissioned 2LT will serve with him.
They will also share an apartment until next April when they report for their intensive training as a platoon leader/Infantry officer.
This will include Ranger School, one of the toughest training regimens in the U.S. Military.
Only Special Forces training, Seal or Air Force Para training is more demanding.
He now has a rare gift.
Several months to travel and see the world without the encumbrances of job and family!
He plans on seeing as much family as he can here in the States, and is just starting the planning for a potential trip to Europe in September with two of his cousins on my side of the family.
My cousin Rob has lived in Germany for many years, and has offered to squire the boys around.
Dave and Robert are his nephews, and as a retired Air Force Master Sgt he has keenly followed Ariel's training and military career.
Wow! His old man is jealous!
The Queen and I could threaten to tag along, but we don't want to cramp his style.
Some of the family will be able to attend his commissioning rites in August.
Rest assured there will be a lot of pictures posted for those who cannot.
Monday, June 8, 2009
6 June, 1944, D-Day remembered.
65 years.
Until recently, that was the expected life span of the average male in this country.
One of my Grandfathers made it exactly, the other lived another 12 years past that mark.
When I was a school boy in the sixties, D-Day and the end of WWII was only twenty years past.
Now the 'end' of the Vietnam war is 34 years in my rear view mirror.
Most of the men who saw action on June 6th, 1944 are gone now.
Only a relative handful of the hundreds of thousands that were involved are still living, both Allied and German alike.
All of them are old men in their eighties and nineties.
By the time June 6th 2014 is upon us, virtually all of them will be gone.
My sister told me recently that the last of the "Bedford Boys" had passed away.
Bedford VA is still a small All-American town halfway between Roanoke and Lynchburg.
A disproportionately high number of their boys, who were Reservists by the way were killed and wounded on D Day.
That is why the National D-Day Memorial is located there.
Dedicated by President George W. Bush during his first term, it is a stirring and somber reminder to us of the sacrifice that millions of young men made during that awful war.
It pays homage to all of our allied troops as well, even though our American boys suffered the worst casualties simply by the luck of the draw on landing beaches.
Omaha Beach. The name still stirs vivid emotions for me.
Watch the opening sequence of "Saving Private Ryan" Not with young children under any circumstance.
Then watch the D-Day episode of the excellent series "Band of Brothers", which gives perspective to what our Airborne troops went through.
My son is now one of them.
Then lastly, watch the excellent epic "The Longest Day", and read the book by Cornelious Ryan on which it is based.
Then you may gain a small inkling of the sheer terror and horror those young guys went through on the day that literally saved civilization from a tyranny no one can imagine.
A footnote, my thanks and regards to the citizens of Normandy, France.
Even though most of them who were alive on D-Day have passed, their children and grand children carry on a wonderful tradition of thanks and respect for our lost sons.
Each local family adopted the grave of one of our boys in the American Cemetary at Normandy, almost 10,000 of them.
They lovingly care for it year round, often bringing flowers, and having picnics there, which is a great sign of respect and thanks in their culture.
This is perpetual, passing on through the generations.
When a veteran visits who was there, he is lauded by the local citizens.
We should all pause and thank them as well, if we did not notice the significance of this Saturday past.
Until recently, that was the expected life span of the average male in this country.
One of my Grandfathers made it exactly, the other lived another 12 years past that mark.
When I was a school boy in the sixties, D-Day and the end of WWII was only twenty years past.
Now the 'end' of the Vietnam war is 34 years in my rear view mirror.
Most of the men who saw action on June 6th, 1944 are gone now.
Only a relative handful of the hundreds of thousands that were involved are still living, both Allied and German alike.
All of them are old men in their eighties and nineties.
By the time June 6th 2014 is upon us, virtually all of them will be gone.
My sister told me recently that the last of the "Bedford Boys" had passed away.
Bedford VA is still a small All-American town halfway between Roanoke and Lynchburg.
A disproportionately high number of their boys, who were Reservists by the way were killed and wounded on D Day.
That is why the National D-Day Memorial is located there.
Dedicated by President George W. Bush during his first term, it is a stirring and somber reminder to us of the sacrifice that millions of young men made during that awful war.
It pays homage to all of our allied troops as well, even though our American boys suffered the worst casualties simply by the luck of the draw on landing beaches.
Omaha Beach. The name still stirs vivid emotions for me.
Watch the opening sequence of "Saving Private Ryan" Not with young children under any circumstance.
Then watch the D-Day episode of the excellent series "Band of Brothers", which gives perspective to what our Airborne troops went through.
My son is now one of them.
Then lastly, watch the excellent epic "The Longest Day", and read the book by Cornelious Ryan on which it is based.
Then you may gain a small inkling of the sheer terror and horror those young guys went through on the day that literally saved civilization from a tyranny no one can imagine.
A footnote, my thanks and regards to the citizens of Normandy, France.
Even though most of them who were alive on D-Day have passed, their children and grand children carry on a wonderful tradition of thanks and respect for our lost sons.
Each local family adopted the grave of one of our boys in the American Cemetary at Normandy, almost 10,000 of them.
They lovingly care for it year round, often bringing flowers, and having picnics there, which is a great sign of respect and thanks in their culture.
This is perpetual, passing on through the generations.
When a veteran visits who was there, he is lauded by the local citizens.
We should all pause and thank them as well, if we did not notice the significance of this Saturday past.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)