Just got finished watching The Kennedy Center Honors and it's perhaps the best two hours I've spent watching television in quite sometime. I don't often get to watch the show and I don't really care about any other awards show out there, but the Honors always catches my attention.
This year, they honored a bunch of people with quite varied artisitic backgrounds, as they do every year. Steven Speilberg. Dolly Parton. Smokey Robinson. Zuben Mehta. Andrew Lloyd Weber.
All of them have made significant contributions to the arts. All of them have done so much more than the benefactors of the arts could ever hope to do - by using their inherent talents to mold and shape the world and the lenses through which normal, everyday people see and understand the world.
But it's the benefactors, too, who have made these individual's journeys possible. It's the people who have given them permission to pursue a dream, support when the times got tough, and challenged them to find focus when focus may have been lost. Now, they're an inspiration to many others - artists and non-artists, alike.
I'm blessed to be surrounded by amazing, budding artists myself. Pianists who win world competitions - like Dima, who will go to teach in the Czech Republic this summer after he completes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, sharing his talent and knowledge with other great artists. A friend who has a dream of beginning his own conservatory to pass along the love of the art to a new generation - and perhaps has the ability and resources to establish such a place now. Friends who've studied classical guitar - and one currently pursuing a master's degree in cello. (I'd put her up against Yo-Yo Ma any day, but my ear isn't as trained as others, perhaps.) Filmmakers who yearn for the strenuous journey of their senior year, just to be able to travel to Los Angeles to show off their work - to people who can truly discover and appreciate their talent. Classical ballet dancers who know all too well that a career in classical ballet is often over before most even consider a career.
The president of the Kennedy Center shared his thoughts about arts and the Center's mission during a brief vignette in the show. He noted that art bridges the gaps in society and makes us all realize the humanity we share. He noted that art cannot be left to survive on its own, that it is often overshadowed by the reality of the world events happening around it. Art must be supported and encouraged everywhere, regardless of the roadblocks and setbacks it faces.
Art has the power to heal and to teach. Nowhere is that more obvious than the annual Kennedy Center Honors awards - and those who have been blessed enough to receive such an honor.
12.26.2006
12.20.2006
Ten Lessons Learned From Vacation
1) Save the shopping for the day when it rains. Relish in the sun and outdoors every other day possible.
2) FLY to Florida, if you're further away than Georgia - which means everywhere except in Florida itself. The state's so freakin' large, it takes forever to get south of Orlando.
3) Go on vacation with people who eat like you do. I like Indian food, but I don't think I can eat Indian for quite a while now. And I'd love to have a cheeseburger, but that's not happening on this trip to paradise!
4) Pay for your massage with cash - and don't wait for the incompetent hotel staff (where you're not staying) to figure out how to charge your credit card. Yep, they were using the old carbon copy papers and that ridiculous machine that requires one to push really hard to get an imprint of the numbers.
5) Get more than one type of beer.
6) If you don't want to get into a fight about answering the phone, keep it on silent. Check it only when you want to return calls. It's vacation, for heaven's sake.
7) Give the people credit for at least trying to make it feel like Christmas - even though it's 80 degrees out and sunny. It was their decision to move somewhere that there's only one season, so they've got to mark the yearly changes somehow. (I can't really get over hearing "White Christmas" so often down here, though.)
8) Buy - and read - at least one "bodice ripper." If nothing else, it provides fodder for daydreaming.
9) Make a list of what you want to do while on vacation and do it. One caution: keep it short.
10) Never, never, never take any work with you.
2) FLY to Florida, if you're further away than Georgia - which means everywhere except in Florida itself. The state's so freakin' large, it takes forever to get south of Orlando.
3) Go on vacation with people who eat like you do. I like Indian food, but I don't think I can eat Indian for quite a while now. And I'd love to have a cheeseburger, but that's not happening on this trip to paradise!
4) Pay for your massage with cash - and don't wait for the incompetent hotel staff (where you're not staying) to figure out how to charge your credit card. Yep, they were using the old carbon copy papers and that ridiculous machine that requires one to push really hard to get an imprint of the numbers.
5) Get more than one type of beer.
6) If you don't want to get into a fight about answering the phone, keep it on silent. Check it only when you want to return calls. It's vacation, for heaven's sake.
7) Give the people credit for at least trying to make it feel like Christmas - even though it's 80 degrees out and sunny. It was their decision to move somewhere that there's only one season, so they've got to mark the yearly changes somehow. (I can't really get over hearing "White Christmas" so often down here, though.)
8) Buy - and read - at least one "bodice ripper." If nothing else, it provides fodder for daydreaming.
9) Make a list of what you want to do while on vacation and do it. One caution: keep it short.
10) Never, never, never take any work with you.
12.19.2006
Leadership Responsibility Without Authority (LRWA)
For me, the clarification of this phenomenon by codifying it is new, but the phenomenon itself is not. I'm currently participating in a leadership position in a non-profit where I certainly have responsibility, but often do not have the authority to make decisions. I can suggest decisions and hope that the "powers that be" think the decisions are useful and beneficial, but it is implied and understood that you only make decisions without further approval in the most extreme circumstances.
However, it doesn't seem that everyone in a leadership position in this organization is subject to these same rules. In fact, it might be said that some (well, particularly one and perhaps others) reject the notion of responsibility without authority and instead claim that authority. It might be said that this individual is one of the best leaders in the organization, perhaps simply because he refuses to give into the notion of LRWA. I'd bet that it's quite a bit easier to fulfill those requirements of your position if you categorically claim what you know you need to do your job.
Herein lies a great question: what are the motivations of the leader? Are they personal gain or the good of the organization? Should leaders without authority be encouraged to take the authority they need to complete the job? Is this a skill that should only be encouraged in more senior leaders, allowing the newest leaders of an organization to learn about the norms, values, and mission of the organization more fully? Perhaps an even more apt question: if you don't trust that your leaders know the organization's norms, values, and mission, why do you select them as leaders?
I'd postulate that sometimes an organization's leadership cannot be selected with the perfect individuals in leadership positions, but that the individuals who show the potential and willingness to be developed may become the perfect individuals for leadership positions.
In such a case, I'd say that more senior members of such a leadership team should be encouraged to take the authority to effectively carry out their duties, but only if an individual has the following skills:
- an understanding that their decisions are perhaps the best possible decisions for the organization
- the intelligence to seek out advice and counsel for any decision in which they feel some sense of unease in making, especially from other senior individuals within the organization
- the strength and persistence to explain their reasoning and choice to the "powers that be" or others in the organization, when questioned
- the knowledge and acceptance that mistakes do happen
- the willingness to try to correct mistakes
- acknowledgement of those mistakes and that they happened as a direct result of their decision (I'd bet that this fear is what moves many organizations to permit leadership responsibility without authority.)
- acceptance of a challenge to continually improve their leadership within the organization
Certainly, I must concur that experience is the best instructor. That said, encouraging leadership experiences in new leaders may be the best possible method of training future leadership. LRWA is an integral part of this training, but may also limit the education that the organization's future leaders can receive.
However, it doesn't seem that everyone in a leadership position in this organization is subject to these same rules. In fact, it might be said that some (well, particularly one and perhaps others) reject the notion of responsibility without authority and instead claim that authority. It might be said that this individual is one of the best leaders in the organization, perhaps simply because he refuses to give into the notion of LRWA. I'd bet that it's quite a bit easier to fulfill those requirements of your position if you categorically claim what you know you need to do your job.
Herein lies a great question: what are the motivations of the leader? Are they personal gain or the good of the organization? Should leaders without authority be encouraged to take the authority they need to complete the job? Is this a skill that should only be encouraged in more senior leaders, allowing the newest leaders of an organization to learn about the norms, values, and mission of the organization more fully? Perhaps an even more apt question: if you don't trust that your leaders know the organization's norms, values, and mission, why do you select them as leaders?
I'd postulate that sometimes an organization's leadership cannot be selected with the perfect individuals in leadership positions, but that the individuals who show the potential and willingness to be developed may become the perfect individuals for leadership positions.
In such a case, I'd say that more senior members of such a leadership team should be encouraged to take the authority to effectively carry out their duties, but only if an individual has the following skills:
- an understanding that their decisions are perhaps the best possible decisions for the organization
- the intelligence to seek out advice and counsel for any decision in which they feel some sense of unease in making, especially from other senior individuals within the organization
- the strength and persistence to explain their reasoning and choice to the "powers that be" or others in the organization, when questioned
- the knowledge and acceptance that mistakes do happen
- the willingness to try to correct mistakes
- acknowledgement of those mistakes and that they happened as a direct result of their decision (I'd bet that this fear is what moves many organizations to permit leadership responsibility without authority.)
- acceptance of a challenge to continually improve their leadership within the organization
Certainly, I must concur that experience is the best instructor. That said, encouraging leadership experiences in new leaders may be the best possible method of training future leadership. LRWA is an integral part of this training, but may also limit the education that the organization's future leaders can receive.
12.17.2006
Bad night, good morning
It's the beach, and yes, it took forever to get here, but now I'm happy. About to go for a run while the camera battery charges. May try to figure out how to post some photos for you guys.
Beautiful weather. Reminds me of a JB song - "The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful . . ."
Going to hit the beach!
Beautiful weather. Reminds me of a JB song - "The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful . . ."
Going to hit the beach!
12.14.2006
Liz, MBA
Yep, it feels good to actually have those letters after my name now. Actually walked in graduation today. Forgot the book I'd hoped to have read during the boring parts, but realized I could get a lot of text messages out instead, so I did. Here's my favorite of the day, courtesy of my long lost friend, Ashley: "Congratulations to you, congratulations to you, you look like an MBA, and now you are one, too!"
So, tomorrow might be the diatribe about leadership and responsibility without authority. Got more ideas today when I got the Center for Creative Leadership's newsletter.
And since I keep losing my connection to Blogger, I'm going to read.
So, tomorrow might be the diatribe about leadership and responsibility without authority. Got more ideas today when I got the Center for Creative Leadership's newsletter.
And since I keep losing my connection to Blogger, I'm going to read.
12.12.2006
Headaches suck.
Not that this was a great epiphany for me, but mine's annoying right now, and I thought I'd share the sentiment. The Imitrex is hopefully coursing through my veins right now, and soon I can think about sleeping.
Last day of work is tomorrow. Sent the email today, but evidently some had already heard. No matter how much you try to control the grapevine, you just can't sometimes. At least for this grapevine message, people will ask you whether it's true or tell you what they heard. For others, they just file it away in their memory. (*&^ing gossips.
Had a pretty good day, regardless. Got another chance to eat at Undercurrent (yep, I'm seeing my new friend, Ben, all too often these days) and the food was great again. Now, if I can only find out where the check from my firm for the party last week has disappeared to . . .
And here's the interesting quote of the day, courtesy of John Alexander from the Center for Creative Leadership: responsibility without authority. Ok, so perhaps it's not a quote, but it is a truism, or at least I think so. I've had several positions (paid and more so, not) where I've had responsibility, but not authority - to make decisions, to implement ideas, to solve problems. It's perhaps a problem, especially with volunteer leadership: you want true leaders, but you won't empower them to truly lead.
That one requires more thought for when my head's not throbbing, so perhaps I'll expound later. Time to feed the cat so she quits crying.
Last day of work is tomorrow. Sent the email today, but evidently some had already heard. No matter how much you try to control the grapevine, you just can't sometimes. At least for this grapevine message, people will ask you whether it's true or tell you what they heard. For others, they just file it away in their memory. (*&^ing gossips.
Had a pretty good day, regardless. Got another chance to eat at Undercurrent (yep, I'm seeing my new friend, Ben, all too often these days) and the food was great again. Now, if I can only find out where the check from my firm for the party last week has disappeared to . . .
And here's the interesting quote of the day, courtesy of John Alexander from the Center for Creative Leadership: responsibility without authority. Ok, so perhaps it's not a quote, but it is a truism, or at least I think so. I've had several positions (paid and more so, not) where I've had responsibility, but not authority - to make decisions, to implement ideas, to solve problems. It's perhaps a problem, especially with volunteer leadership: you want true leaders, but you won't empower them to truly lead.
That one requires more thought for when my head's not throbbing, so perhaps I'll expound later. Time to feed the cat so she quits crying.
12.11.2006
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Cocoa, no grumpy. No cocoa, grumpy.
Luckily, there's cocoa in my house.
So, the house looks kinda like the holidays now, thanks to my entire Sunday afternoon being dedicated to decorating. Just don't have a tree. I've been told we should get a live tree - you know, the ones with the root ball still attached? Well, although the Farmer's Market does have some (five, to be exact), when you want to plant the tree later, you have to dig a hole double the size of the root ball. In this case, we're talking about at least 5 feet in diameter and a 1.5 feet deep. Yeah, right. I'm not digging a hole like that.
Went to the NCSA's presentation of The Nutcracker last night - on 6 hours of sleep. Pretty awesome. I never realized that the Sugar Plum Fairy was the prima donna of the show. I always thought it was Clara. Honestly, I'm still trying to commit the story to memory, so I can say that misconception probably came from that lack of understanding.
I also think it's funny that many people think it's over after the first act. You get these odd, quizzical looks that say, "That was it?" I can't be too critical though - I'm pretty sure I did that one year.
And I've gotten perhaps my biggest Christmas present this year: I'll be starting a new job the day after Christmas. Hope that it's a job that I really like. Doesn't really pay more than the job I'm leaving (a bonus at next Christmas, but bonuses are never guaranteed, so I'm not counting it), but I certainly think that I'll enjoy it more. More variety, a chance to really shape the job (since it's a new position), and some pretty cool people.
Mmmm, off to enjoy the cocoa. Bonne nuit.
Luckily, there's cocoa in my house.
So, the house looks kinda like the holidays now, thanks to my entire Sunday afternoon being dedicated to decorating. Just don't have a tree. I've been told we should get a live tree - you know, the ones with the root ball still attached? Well, although the Farmer's Market does have some (five, to be exact), when you want to plant the tree later, you have to dig a hole double the size of the root ball. In this case, we're talking about at least 5 feet in diameter and a 1.5 feet deep. Yeah, right. I'm not digging a hole like that.
Went to the NCSA's presentation of The Nutcracker last night - on 6 hours of sleep. Pretty awesome. I never realized that the Sugar Plum Fairy was the prima donna of the show. I always thought it was Clara. Honestly, I'm still trying to commit the story to memory, so I can say that misconception probably came from that lack of understanding.
I also think it's funny that many people think it's over after the first act. You get these odd, quizzical looks that say, "That was it?" I can't be too critical though - I'm pretty sure I did that one year.
And I've gotten perhaps my biggest Christmas present this year: I'll be starting a new job the day after Christmas. Hope that it's a job that I really like. Doesn't really pay more than the job I'm leaving (a bonus at next Christmas, but bonuses are never guaranteed, so I'm not counting it), but I certainly think that I'll enjoy it more. More variety, a chance to really shape the job (since it's a new position), and some pretty cool people.
Mmmm, off to enjoy the cocoa. Bonne nuit.
12.07.2006
Hormones and holidays
Yep, evidently my hormones are working well. No problems there at all, not that I was concerned that there might be a problem. It's just that for years - and I mean years - almost 13 of them - my hormones were fairly stable all the time, not just 3 out of 4 weeks of the month. It really, really sucks to be a woman sometimes.
Anyway, the hormones also got me to finally use my $10 Vickie's card, which has been burning a hole in my pocket for a while - and they made me very, very indecisive when I was trying to find something to wear to the office holiday dinner tomorrow. Most people who know me understand that indecisiveness is a part of my personality; multiply that by 10 and you know how bad off I was tonight.
Things I learned today while shopping this evening:
(a) if it's this cold (currently, 27 degrees, but it feels like 13 with the wind, which is flying at 21 mph), it's probably better to shop at an indoor mall;
(b) you need a coat, gloves, AND a hat - or ear muffs, at least;
(c) a cowl neck sweater isn't the best thing to be wearing - nor are tall boots - when you know you'll be trying on lots of clothes;
(d) I really can't afford stuff from White House/Black Market.(I'd post a link of the dress with the photo, but they don't have it on their website. Think it might be one of those dresses people say "damn" about again. Figures.)
Also what's been on my mind:
- I'm much too busy for not being in school any longer. Haven't had a free night this week, and I've almost completely booked my weekend. I've got projects I've promised people I'd do that are waiting for me, in addition to cleaning the rest of the house, mailing the graduation announcements, trying to make it feel like the holidays in my house, and getting ready for vacation. (No, Jim, you shouldn't ask me to do anything else at least until I come through on something you've asked me to do so far.)
- I absolutely can't wait for vacation. I'm very, very jealous that a friend of mine is livin' the dream in the islands of Turks & Caicos where the weather seems to be pretty good - 77 degrees, no wind, maybe a little rain. Damn. I'd like to be there. Have I mentioned I don't care for winter at all?
- I think we ought to be able to physically check out of work and other not-so-appealing parts of our lives when the holidays roll around and we're mentally checked out anyway. Seems to always happen that I'm very busy right before the holidays (and I do my shopping earlier than most - usually done by Thanksgiving - so that's not the problem). I worry more about the stuff I've got to be doing in my personal life more so than what I need to be doing professionally and it completely shifts my perspective. I tend to focus on the stuff I can't get done and it just stresses me out.
And, may I mention, that Undercurrent has an awesome bar and a pretty cool private room in which to have parties? Had a couple of drinks there earlier this week with the aforementioned friends and love the atmosphere. Hosted a reception for work there last night and it went over fantastically. If you ever feel like having a martini or a wine in an awesome spot, this is it.
Anyway, the hormones also got me to finally use my $10 Vickie's card, which has been burning a hole in my pocket for a while - and they made me very, very indecisive when I was trying to find something to wear to the office holiday dinner tomorrow. Most people who know me understand that indecisiveness is a part of my personality; multiply that by 10 and you know how bad off I was tonight.
Things I learned today while shopping this evening:
(a) if it's this cold (currently, 27 degrees, but it feels like 13 with the wind, which is flying at 21 mph), it's probably better to shop at an indoor mall;
(b) you need a coat, gloves, AND a hat - or ear muffs, at least;
(c) a cowl neck sweater isn't the best thing to be wearing - nor are tall boots - when you know you'll be trying on lots of clothes;
(d) I really can't afford stuff from White House/Black Market.(I'd post a link of the dress with the photo, but they don't have it on their website. Think it might be one of those dresses people say "damn" about again. Figures.)
Also what's been on my mind:
- I'm much too busy for not being in school any longer. Haven't had a free night this week, and I've almost completely booked my weekend. I've got projects I've promised people I'd do that are waiting for me, in addition to cleaning the rest of the house, mailing the graduation announcements, trying to make it feel like the holidays in my house, and getting ready for vacation. (No, Jim, you shouldn't ask me to do anything else at least until I come through on something you've asked me to do so far.)
- I absolutely can't wait for vacation. I'm very, very jealous that a friend of mine is livin' the dream in the islands of Turks & Caicos where the weather seems to be pretty good - 77 degrees, no wind, maybe a little rain. Damn. I'd like to be there. Have I mentioned I don't care for winter at all?
- I think we ought to be able to physically check out of work and other not-so-appealing parts of our lives when the holidays roll around and we're mentally checked out anyway. Seems to always happen that I'm very busy right before the holidays (and I do my shopping earlier than most - usually done by Thanksgiving - so that's not the problem). I worry more about the stuff I've got to be doing in my personal life more so than what I need to be doing professionally and it completely shifts my perspective. I tend to focus on the stuff I can't get done and it just stresses me out.
And, may I mention, that Undercurrent has an awesome bar and a pretty cool private room in which to have parties? Had a couple of drinks there earlier this week with the aforementioned friends and love the atmosphere. Hosted a reception for work there last night and it went over fantastically. If you ever feel like having a martini or a wine in an awesome spot, this is it.
12.02.2006
I'm baaaack!
Ok, so it's been just a really, really long time since I've blogged, but now that I'm unofficially done with school, I figure I'll have more than enough time to take care of blogging now.
So here's what's happened in a nutshell recently:
- Still got the job that I don't like; Is anyone out there hiring a marketing manager?
- Will officially finish the MBA on December 14. Classes are now over, so I feel like I've been freed, but I bet I'll feel bored pretty soon.
- Golf tourney was wonderful and is marching on. Has been without me for a while, but I haven't had time to deal with it.
- Rolled off of two boards as well, so I'll have even more time.
What's next with all this free time?
Well, I'll find a job I like.
I'll read books I want to read, when I want to read them. (A nice little trip to Ed McKay's last night set me up nicely for that.)
I'll get to go on a real vacation for the first time in over a year and a half - Marco Island, FL. Yes, it will be December, but it will be Florida and a beach - two of my favorite places.
I'll actually walk and get the MBA (because my husband walked to get his MSA last year and I sat through it, so he's got to, too).
I'll cook.
I'll knit. And then I might learn how to knit with more than just one type of stitch.
I might clean the house, but given the situation it's remained in this morning, I might not do that until I really, really have to.
I'm gonna go out with girls to celebrate to the Wake Forest v. Ga Tech game tonight.
I'll watch more of the boys in blue try to play the way they're destined to: beating everyone's butts and winning the national championship.
I'll work out again, so that I can wear that black dress that people say "Damn!" about - and look good in it. (I'm sure I could wear it now, but whether I'd look good in it now is up for debate. Now, granted, that was just under two months ago, so I'm not that bad off, and truly, I'm still trying to gain back the 16 pounds I've lost in that time, but there's no muscle there and at least I can tell I don't look the same as I did then.)
I'll find another reason to wear that black dress. :) There are evidently people who are more than upset that they missed the dress. Too bad there's not a picture yet.
And I'll read the book that came with my Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT so that I can remember how the thing really works. And then I'll figure out how to post some of those photos on the blog.
I could write more (oh, lots and lots more, but my tolerance for blogging isn't back to what it used to be yet), so you'll just have to wait.
So here's what's happened in a nutshell recently:
- Still got the job that I don't like; Is anyone out there hiring a marketing manager?
- Will officially finish the MBA on December 14. Classes are now over, so I feel like I've been freed, but I bet I'll feel bored pretty soon.
- Golf tourney was wonderful and is marching on. Has been without me for a while, but I haven't had time to deal with it.
- Rolled off of two boards as well, so I'll have even more time.
What's next with all this free time?
Well, I'll find a job I like.
I'll read books I want to read, when I want to read them. (A nice little trip to Ed McKay's last night set me up nicely for that.)
I'll get to go on a real vacation for the first time in over a year and a half - Marco Island, FL. Yes, it will be December, but it will be Florida and a beach - two of my favorite places.
I'll actually walk and get the MBA (because my husband walked to get his MSA last year and I sat through it, so he's got to, too).
I'll cook.
I'll knit. And then I might learn how to knit with more than just one type of stitch.
I might clean the house, but given the situation it's remained in this morning, I might not do that until I really, really have to.
I'm gonna go out with girls to celebrate to the Wake Forest v. Ga Tech game tonight.
I'll watch more of the boys in blue try to play the way they're destined to: beating everyone's butts and winning the national championship.
I'll work out again, so that I can wear that black dress that people say "Damn!" about - and look good in it. (I'm sure I could wear it now, but whether I'd look good in it now is up for debate. Now, granted, that was just under two months ago, so I'm not that bad off, and truly, I'm still trying to gain back the 16 pounds I've lost in that time, but there's no muscle there and at least I can tell I don't look the same as I did then.)
I'll find another reason to wear that black dress. :) There are evidently people who are more than upset that they missed the dress. Too bad there's not a picture yet.
And I'll read the book that came with my Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT so that I can remember how the thing really works. And then I'll figure out how to post some of those photos on the blog.
I could write more (oh, lots and lots more, but my tolerance for blogging isn't back to what it used to be yet), so you'll just have to wait.
1.15.2006
No, I really didn't forget that I have a blog . . .
it just hasn't been front and center in my mind. And, if I weren't procrastinating about reading six chapters right now, I probably wouldn't be posting. So there.
This one's short, but perhaps I'll reward myself for completing the six chapters with another post when I'm done.
This one's short, but perhaps I'll reward myself for completing the six chapters with another post when I'm done.
10.24.2005
More about the ice cream fiasco
From my dear friend, Esta:
"I wanted to add to the great ice cream fiasco of 2005. The ice cream was gone! And I totally freaked out Nancy (I think she means Maria. I thought Maria's name was Nancy for at least three straight days . . .) to try and get it. Not funny at the time but I hope she thinks so later. She was very aggravated and exasperated. She wasn’t trying to hear anything about any ice cream. She just thought I was begging for some or something.
I asked her for it once and she huffed about needing help and how the red truck needed unloading . . .so Stefan and I went over and began to unload the red truck. I stood up there and made sure it got done and several people began to help and take things to put away. When I got the last thing out of the red truck, I went and asked her for it again. She still didn’t want to give me a minute to understand what I was talking about let alone walk up into the trailer to look in the deep freeze chest. I wasn’t gonna walk away without it and I had just put my 16 hours in and finished my area so we were well over ready to go home and had done the extra work for her that she had asked of us already. Jordan tried to help but to no avail.
I almost packed it in and left without it, but I would have felt so bad leaving it and missing out on it as a gift that Justin went out of his way to give me not once - but twice! So I held my breath and lowered my head and latched my little self onto Nancy’s arm and pleaded for her attention. When she finally calmed long enough to understand that I was retrieving Justin’s gift for the second time, she took the thirty seconds to look for it and alas it was already gone. "
Ahh . . . yep, I think it really did turn into a fiasco. Needless to say, everyone is happy again and maybe there'll be ice cream in our futures!
"I wanted to add to the great ice cream fiasco of 2005. The ice cream was gone! And I totally freaked out Nancy (I think she means Maria. I thought Maria's name was Nancy for at least three straight days . . .) to try and get it. Not funny at the time but I hope she thinks so later. She was very aggravated and exasperated. She wasn’t trying to hear anything about any ice cream. She just thought I was begging for some or something.
I asked her for it once and she huffed about needing help and how the red truck needed unloading . . .so Stefan and I went over and began to unload the red truck. I stood up there and made sure it got done and several people began to help and take things to put away. When I got the last thing out of the red truck, I went and asked her for it again. She still didn’t want to give me a minute to understand what I was talking about let alone walk up into the trailer to look in the deep freeze chest. I wasn’t gonna walk away without it and I had just put my 16 hours in and finished my area so we were well over ready to go home and had done the extra work for her that she had asked of us already. Jordan tried to help but to no avail.
I almost packed it in and left without it, but I would have felt so bad leaving it and missing out on it as a gift that Justin went out of his way to give me not once - but twice! So I held my breath and lowered my head and latched my little self onto Nancy’s arm and pleaded for her attention. When she finally calmed long enough to understand that I was retrieving Justin’s gift for the second time, she took the thirty seconds to look for it and alas it was already gone. "
Ahh . . . yep, I think it really did turn into a fiasco. Needless to say, everyone is happy again and maybe there'll be ice cream in our futures!
10.01.2005
The Ice Cream Incident
Ok, so here's the deal:
There's this really nice guy, Justin. And, at some point, my fellow chairmen (Kim and Esta) and I had a discussion with him about what else we needed for the media tent. We told him ice cream. He asked flavors: Esta - Chunky Monkey, Kim - New York Fudge, and me - Half Baked.
Yesterday, he walks in and hands me a tub of Chunky Monkey, which threw me for a loop really. I didn't remember the conversation that we'd had earlier in the week regarding the ice cream. And, for the life of me, I can't stand banana anything, which is basically what Chunky Monkey is.
So, the ice cream sat on the desk until I finally decided to put it in the Coke cooler (yes, it's not a freezer, but it was cooler than the tent!). By the time I finally found someone to eat it, we pulled it out and found it a bit soupy. Ugh.
Needless to say, the ice cream then quickly made its way into the nearest trash box (we have boxes, not cans here, you see).
At some point after that, Justin found out. :(
So here's the public apology for throwing out the ice cream. Justin - we hope you still love us and we really do appreciate the ice cream!! (Next time, I'll at least have a bite, even if I don't like it. Heck, I eat raw fish, I could probably stomach a spoonful of banana ice cream.)
There's this really nice guy, Justin. And, at some point, my fellow chairmen (Kim and Esta) and I had a discussion with him about what else we needed for the media tent. We told him ice cream. He asked flavors: Esta - Chunky Monkey, Kim - New York Fudge, and me - Half Baked.
Yesterday, he walks in and hands me a tub of Chunky Monkey, which threw me for a loop really. I didn't remember the conversation that we'd had earlier in the week regarding the ice cream. And, for the life of me, I can't stand banana anything, which is basically what Chunky Monkey is.
So, the ice cream sat on the desk until I finally decided to put it in the Coke cooler (yes, it's not a freezer, but it was cooler than the tent!). By the time I finally found someone to eat it, we pulled it out and found it a bit soupy. Ugh.
Needless to say, the ice cream then quickly made its way into the nearest trash box (we have boxes, not cans here, you see).
At some point after that, Justin found out. :(
So here's the public apology for throwing out the ice cream. Justin - we hope you still love us and we really do appreciate the ice cream!! (Next time, I'll at least have a bite, even if I don't like it. Heck, I eat raw fish, I could probably stomach a spoonful of banana ice cream.)
9.29.2005
New job - new job!
More on that later - and yep, I'm really enjoying the golf tournament. Turns out, you can get lots of cool stuff volunteering in the media tent.
So, check it out: Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.
And, if you wanted tickets, you're too late: I'm fresh out. Sorry.
More about the fun with golf later.
So, check it out: Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.
And, if you wanted tickets, you're too late: I'm fresh out. Sorry.
More about the fun with golf later.
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