End of Summer

Today marks the last Sunday of the summer vacation for Linda and the boys. They start back in school on Thursday. I think they've had a pretty decent summer vacation. Here are a few highlights.
1) Linda spent 10 days in Spain with her dad and little sister.
2) While Linda was in Spain, the boys and I got to spend boy time together.
3) Linda took the boys to overnight scout camp (2 nights) I had to work.
4) I spent one day out of three with the boys in scout day camp while Linda was in Spain.
5) Linda interviewed for and got a new position at the school where she works, she will now spend half of her day working with the kids and science stuff. She seams excited about the new adventure.
6) We spent a day at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, celebrated Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company's 50th anniversary, swam at our community pool and a nearby water park, and played with friends.
7) Sadly we were not able to get to Oregon this year to visit my mom, dad and grandma, nor were we able to go camping very much, but we did camp some.

It is hard for me, as I continue to work my job, to remember what is was like to have summers off, and I try not to be resentful of my family and the fun they get to have in my absence. But, Linda does her best to make sure I don't feel it too much by still getting up in the mornings with me and by taking such wonderful care of our boys and the household chores.

Colorado Smoking Ban

Today is the first day of the Colorado smoking ban. Not a bad thing. While I have enjoyed smoking a nice cigar on my weekly pool nights, adding to the smoke in the room, and while I will miss being able to do that, I understand the need. I will enjoy the smoke free environment as well. I have some friends who smoke and I have some friends who dislike the smoke in the bar a great deal. So things will change.

Today I read a letter to the editor in the Denver Post this morning from a Pastor Emeritus of the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church. He wrote, "...if you'd rather stay hooked, not to worry: In the 'Great Hereafter,' you'll find you've made one of two choices: smoking or non-smoking!" Did this pastor emeritus just did tell me I'm going to hell because I choose to smoke? My relationship with God is personal, and not foisted on anyone else, because it is my own. How dare this man tell me or anyone else they are going to hell because they smoke. It is closed minded tripe like this that turns me off to organized religion.

Father's Day

As father's day approaches and I reflect for a moment on what it means to be a dad, I just wanted to take a minute and say thanks to mine. You have and continue to share with me your life, your beliefs, your hopes and desires and have helped make me who I am today. You allow me to be my own person and love me without reservation no matter which direction I choose. I can only hope that my kids feel the same way about me as life goes on. Thanks Dad! Happy Father's Day.

Long Time

I know ,I know, it's been a long time since my last post. I've gotten a number of complaints from my few readers regarding this and I am hereby pledging to them that I will try harder to get to this machine and post something more often.

My last post was quite a rant about work. As I continue to tell everyone, I love my job, I love what I do. I am still, however, having issues with trouble employees that I only "own" part time. But enough whining.

Just a quick note about respect today, as it applies to me, my work, and my life. I try to take the tack of treating everyone with respect and professionally, especially in the work place. I see a lot of people who choose to take a different tack, using emotion and whining and threats to try to get what they want while they try to make their new world fit into their old box. What I say to them is; open your minds people. You might learn something, and together we might actually accomplish great things. Keep your mind closed and we'll never advance. More to come.

Musings for the Evening (Work Rant)

Another weekend is coming to an end, and I'm getting ready to start the stress of the week that will inevitably hit first thing in the morning. The team I have working for me is heavily dependant on me and my getting them the answers. I am striving to inspire some initiative in them. The hardest part is that I am responsible for their outcome (as the lead on this effort) and the easiest way would be for me to just try to do it all myself. They haven't yet proven to me that I can trust them, that I can keep doing the top level, management stuff and know that they are getting the rest of it done, and done right. We as a team were/are handicapped form the start on this project, since not a single one of us has been involved in the decision making process that has been going on for some time, nor do we have actual experience with what we are doing. We are trying to learn the hardware, the software, the plan, the process, and the people, whole trying to produce quality product on a short fuse. UGH! Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying learning all this new stuff, but I am frustrated and feel my hands were tied from the start.

Bottom line, as always, I will not fail. I will do what it takes to ensure my team does not fail in being ready on time as well. No matter the naysayers on the sides of the team that we need support from. Give me what we need or get out of our way. Don't try to drag us down into your pit of despair, we will take a positive outlook and drive to the finish.

Crazy Days

Today was one of those days where I didn't have 5 minutes to spare. From the minute I got to work this morning until I left 10 hours later, I was going non-stop. While this does make the days go by much faster, I usually get a chance to eat my lunch and thumb through the newspaper (yeah, I still read the hard copy) for about 15 minutes between tasks. Recently I was "asked" to put some of my leadership skills to test and was given an assignment that is WAY out of my comfort zone, and a large stretch for me technically as well. The greatest part about it, my other position won't be back filled by anyone full time. Rather I "get" to keep doing that job as well. So, bottom line, busy times, stressful times, exciting times at work. Once again I'll say, "It's a good thing I love what I do."