One of the benefits for working for my current employer is that I get a ton of vacation days. Because if my tenure, I currently garner 120 hours of vacation a week. Three whole weeks, pretty nice. I also have the luxury of carrying over 80 hours of vacation from one year to the next. The first couple of years I quickly accumulated the 80 hours to carry from one year to the next. So now I'm faced with having to consume those 120 hours of vacation, otherwise I will loose them. Over the last couple of years this has posed a problem.
For me to take a vacation day, my preference would be to leave town. Here in lies the rub. Typically out-of-town trips the family takes are usually during the summer months, when schools aren't in session. Summer time is also the busiest time of year for my vocation, so to take three weeks off is unlikely. When I first started with my current employer, I typically could use up vacation during the week between Christmas and New Years. Several years ago my employer chose to eliminate this week in an effort to reduce overhead costs (lighting, heating, etc) and provided this week as holiday leave. This year my employer chose to do a similar thing with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, again another day I typically take as vacation. So now I have less days in which to account against my vacation days.
I'm sure many do not feel the predicament I am in. My own brother-in-law is one who doesn't have the same number of available vacation days, and so was very stingy with his allotment since he had a new baby due this year. To compound my vacation day situation, I have like five months worth of six days. So when my bride had our kids, I simply counted these as "family sick" days and it didn't impact my vacation allowance.
My bride often tells me that I should just take a couple days off and go fishing or something. Given the fact we have one car and the cost of gasoline is averaging $3 a gallon, even this advice is falling on deaf ears. Of course her response is that she could simply provide me with enough "honey-dos" to consume my available vacation distribution. Again, not something I'd like to do on a day off.
I am thankful I have the availability to use vacation and the liberty to take it when I want, but finding the right fit of purpose and timing is what complicates the equation for me. I hate to loose these days, but I also would hate to waste the wonderful opportunity of a day way from the job. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much, and just need to take a day of vacation to put it all into proper perspective.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Black Friday
For several years, my family has enjoyed a rich shopping tradition the day after Thanksgiving. As we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, we'd comb through the newspaper advertisement, and make our Christmas wish list. Then my mother, her sister, and my uncle (who loves to sniff out a great deal); would develop their strategic plan to capture as many of the wish list items at ridiculous low prices. This typically would involve rising before the sun on Friday, and waiting in line to enter stores at 5am, 6am, or 7am. Once I greeted my own bride to this strike team, the baton was passed to the next generation. List are made divided by stores and opening times, and assignments are handed out. Cell phones and SMS messaging has enabled enhanced communications in the event an item isn't available at one location, the other squad of shoppers can be notified in time to pickup an item at the secondary target. You may think the tactical analogy is taking this event too far, but I assure you it accurately depicts this family ritual.
In recent years the Internet has fueled this ritual. With websites such as bfads.net, the family no longer has to wait for the Thursday paper to determine what items can be captured on Black Friday. Beginning in late October, once a week I've found myself searching for leaks of what to expect in the full color advertisements destined to be delivered to us on Thanksgiving. With this bit of advance intel, we can be completed by 11am and ready to spend the remaining hours on Black Friday vegging out on the couch watching college football and congratulating ourselves on the amount of money we saved with our early morning exercises.
However this new bit of information, also robs us of the jubilation that can be found as we pour through the print ads in hopes that the kids toys or dad's electronics maybe available at lower than low prices. We still check the print ads, know full well that our intel may have been compromised or a legal order may have prevented our source from acquiring the goods for a certain big box retailer.
Last year one of my wife's friends, who got a kick out of this family ritual, got the last laugh when she bunked the whole system by taking the advertisements to her local big box retailer that offered price matching. At 11am, armed with the print ads, she simply waltzed into the price matching retailer, and collected the goods she desired at the advertised price of the other outfits. In one fell swoop she dismantled the tactical approach by using the published rules of engagement. She systematically refuted the whole system, and probably saved more because she didn't expend the extra gas running from retailer A at 5am, then retailer B at 6am, as well as not having to purchase the Cinnamon Dolce Latte to ensure she was prepared for the tactical exercise. Although she may have found a more efficient method, did she have the same euphoria of the hunt?
In recent years the Internet has fueled this ritual. With websites such as bfads.net, the family no longer has to wait for the Thursday paper to determine what items can be captured on Black Friday. Beginning in late October, once a week I've found myself searching for leaks of what to expect in the full color advertisements destined to be delivered to us on Thanksgiving. With this bit of advance intel, we can be completed by 11am and ready to spend the remaining hours on Black Friday vegging out on the couch watching college football and congratulating ourselves on the amount of money we saved with our early morning exercises.
However this new bit of information, also robs us of the jubilation that can be found as we pour through the print ads in hopes that the kids toys or dad's electronics maybe available at lower than low prices. We still check the print ads, know full well that our intel may have been compromised or a legal order may have prevented our source from acquiring the goods for a certain big box retailer.
Last year one of my wife's friends, who got a kick out of this family ritual, got the last laugh when she bunked the whole system by taking the advertisements to her local big box retailer that offered price matching. At 11am, armed with the print ads, she simply waltzed into the price matching retailer, and collected the goods she desired at the advertised price of the other outfits. In one fell swoop she dismantled the tactical approach by using the published rules of engagement. She systematically refuted the whole system, and probably saved more because she didn't expend the extra gas running from retailer A at 5am, then retailer B at 6am, as well as not having to purchase the Cinnamon Dolce Latte to ensure she was prepared for the tactical exercise. Although she may have found a more efficient method, did she have the same euphoria of the hunt?
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Making Your Mark
This evening I took my lovely bride to a college theater production. It's been sometime since we ventured to a theater arts production. We once had season tickets, an outgrowth of my bride's experience in college as a theater major. Kids helped to refocus our finances in other areas, and season tickets were some of the collateral damage. As we took our seats, we looked up to see an old professor of mine with his wife. Now this specific professor is famously known around campus for his effort to know each of his students by name. For 15 weeks each semester he crawls the aisles of his four classes to greet each student by name.
As we conversed prior to the opening curtain, I offered that I used to be one of his students. At this point the professor seemed a bit embarrassed that he didn't remember me. The reality is that I've been out of college for eleven years, following the completion of my master's degree. I also only had one graduate course with this professor, so I didn't really expect him to recall my name.
On the drive home, my wife and I commented on how embarrassed the older professor appeared to be. I added that I didn't really think he'd remember, because I never went out of my way to be memorable. Then I recalled a conversation with one of my old bosses, which he declared that I needed to toot my own horn from time to time. In many ways the evening's encounter highlighted the fact that in certain circumstances I tend to blend into the crowd. This defense mechanism could be construed as a weakness. There are times when being a face in the crowd is acceptable, but at other times there exist a need to be noticed. The difficulty as I see it is determine when to do either.
As we conversed prior to the opening curtain, I offered that I used to be one of his students. At this point the professor seemed a bit embarrassed that he didn't remember me. The reality is that I've been out of college for eleven years, following the completion of my master's degree. I also only had one graduate course with this professor, so I didn't really expect him to recall my name.
On the drive home, my wife and I commented on how embarrassed the older professor appeared to be. I added that I didn't really think he'd remember, because I never went out of my way to be memorable. Then I recalled a conversation with one of my old bosses, which he declared that I needed to toot my own horn from time to time. In many ways the evening's encounter highlighted the fact that in certain circumstances I tend to blend into the crowd. This defense mechanism could be construed as a weakness. There are times when being a face in the crowd is acceptable, but at other times there exist a need to be noticed. The difficulty as I see it is determine when to do either.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Birthdays aren't ordinary days
It has been my experience that at some point in my adult years, birthdays loose their significance. Whether this is by design because we don't relish the thought of growing older or it's a factor of inconvenience given the breath of busyness that we are involved with, birthdays just don't seem to be as big a deal as they were when we were kids.
Or at least that was what I thought. Thankfully my children haven't surrendered to this notion. Last week I celebrated a birthday. The night before my six year old approached me with the information that tomorrow would be my birthday. I responded that this was true, but that it would be just an ordinary day. Apparently this was a challenge for my children, and one that I am thankful they took on. The morning of my birthday, my wife rolled over at 7am to wake me up, but cautioned that I was to remain in bed because my children had something special for me. Fifteen minutes later, I was greeted with a tray of waffles, coffee, and blackberrys. It was most unexpected, first that my children were up that early and secondly because I'm not normally a breakfast eater. So with tray in hand, all three of my children accompanied by my bride climbed into bed to observe me partake into this birthday breakfast. As they watched wide eyed, I consumed the entire breakfast.
For lunch, I was called home again to a special birthday luncheon with the family. My wife pulled out all the stops preparing a special entree, and for desert the children had assisted in making some yummy cup cakes. Not to be out done, there were candles on most of the cup cakes. I had a hint that something was up when my eight year old made the comment that she hoped I could blow out the candles. So you guessed it, after the traditional birthday song, I attempted to blow out the candles only to have them re-ignite. All three of my children were beside themselves with laughter, although I think the two year old was just mimicking his older sisters.
That evening we had a church event, but my children continued to tell everyone they saw that it was my birthday. Several people inquired my age, at which I responded, "I younger than I look, but older than I feel." Such a vague response didn't pacify some and my children were glad to provide the requested information.
To say the least the day was not ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. All thanks you my children who firmly believe that birthdays are special. Honestly I agree with them, but too often the demands of job, chores, and a litany of other items seem to usurp the priority of celebrating my own birthday. To my kids I am thankful that they saw fit to provide me with a reality check.
Or at least that was what I thought. Thankfully my children haven't surrendered to this notion. Last week I celebrated a birthday. The night before my six year old approached me with the information that tomorrow would be my birthday. I responded that this was true, but that it would be just an ordinary day. Apparently this was a challenge for my children, and one that I am thankful they took on. The morning of my birthday, my wife rolled over at 7am to wake me up, but cautioned that I was to remain in bed because my children had something special for me. Fifteen minutes later, I was greeted with a tray of waffles, coffee, and blackberrys. It was most unexpected, first that my children were up that early and secondly because I'm not normally a breakfast eater. So with tray in hand, all three of my children accompanied by my bride climbed into bed to observe me partake into this birthday breakfast. As they watched wide eyed, I consumed the entire breakfast.
For lunch, I was called home again to a special birthday luncheon with the family. My wife pulled out all the stops preparing a special entree, and for desert the children had assisted in making some yummy cup cakes. Not to be out done, there were candles on most of the cup cakes. I had a hint that something was up when my eight year old made the comment that she hoped I could blow out the candles. So you guessed it, after the traditional birthday song, I attempted to blow out the candles only to have them re-ignite. All three of my children were beside themselves with laughter, although I think the two year old was just mimicking his older sisters.
That evening we had a church event, but my children continued to tell everyone they saw that it was my birthday. Several people inquired my age, at which I responded, "I younger than I look, but older than I feel." Such a vague response didn't pacify some and my children were glad to provide the requested information.
To say the least the day was not ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. All thanks you my children who firmly believe that birthdays are special. Honestly I agree with them, but too often the demands of job, chores, and a litany of other items seem to usurp the priority of celebrating my own birthday. To my kids I am thankful that they saw fit to provide me with a reality check.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Will the iPhone generate sales for other PDA-Phones?
So today is the day. Folks have been talking about it for months. The manufacturer has been teasing us for longer with glimpses, snippets, an promises. But today at 6pm local time the world will no longer have to wait with baited anticipation for Apple's iPhone. Or will they?
Industry analysts are skeptical about supplies, the exclusive contract Apple has with AT&T as the preferred wireless service provider, as well as just the iPhone itself. Of course curiosity and techno fanatics will consumer hundreds of thousands of these devices, but my question is whether the iPhone will fuel a resurgence of the PDA-Phone combo devices?
In the last year we have seen several manufacturers begin pumping PDA-Phone devices into the market. Motorola, Samsung, Treo, even the huge business PDA player RIM has introduce some snazzy Blackberry additions prior to Apple's big release. Is all this activity a beacon to a new PDA-Phone age, or simply each manufactures' attempt to generate some sales in the wake of Apple's big splash.
Personally, I believe Blackberry sales will increase through the third quarter of 2007. Whether it's because folks aren't happy that the iPhone isn't available, doesn't work as promised, or simply because current blackberry users are willing to upgrade their devices to compete with the "cool" factor that the iPhone is obviously generating. I believe the same will be true for Treo sales as well, for similar reasons.
So while all the current blackberry, treo, and blackjack users out there are comparing the feature sets and battery life cycles; we should be celebrating the iPhone's release. Again I believe that the whole PDA-Phone market will benefit from the iPhone's introduction. This also means that I will benefit, since I've been a PDA-Phone user for several years now.
Industry analysts are skeptical about supplies, the exclusive contract Apple has with AT&T as the preferred wireless service provider, as well as just the iPhone itself. Of course curiosity and techno fanatics will consumer hundreds of thousands of these devices, but my question is whether the iPhone will fuel a resurgence of the PDA-Phone combo devices?
In the last year we have seen several manufacturers begin pumping PDA-Phone devices into the market. Motorola, Samsung, Treo, even the huge business PDA player RIM has introduce some snazzy Blackberry additions prior to Apple's big release. Is all this activity a beacon to a new PDA-Phone age, or simply each manufactures' attempt to generate some sales in the wake of Apple's big splash.
Personally, I believe Blackberry sales will increase through the third quarter of 2007. Whether it's because folks aren't happy that the iPhone isn't available, doesn't work as promised, or simply because current blackberry users are willing to upgrade their devices to compete with the "cool" factor that the iPhone is obviously generating. I believe the same will be true for Treo sales as well, for similar reasons.
So while all the current blackberry, treo, and blackjack users out there are comparing the feature sets and battery life cycles; we should be celebrating the iPhone's release. Again I believe that the whole PDA-Phone market will benefit from the iPhone's introduction. This also means that I will benefit, since I've been a PDA-Phone user for several years now.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Where am I?
Have you ever had one of those instances, whether it be an evening, day, week, or month; which you look up and realize that despite all the activities you have been engaged in little progress has been made. It's that realization that despite being able to cross off one item on the ole "to do" list that an additional four items have been added. It's the overwhelming feeling that you are treading water, or worse yet no matter how much exertion you continue to sink. I'm sitting in my office and on either side of me are reams of "to be filled" papers, and some of which I don't even remember placing there. You want to take a breather and tackle things linearly, but neither time nor energies are available to be dedicated to task of catching up. So you continue forward, hoping and wishing for an opportunity to simply catch up. If time does present itself, you are faced with the choice of taking said time to clear the clutter, or do something for yourself. If you clear the clutter, well then you haven't really taken a break, rested, or relaxed. However if you take time for yourself, sure there is a fleeting period of rest, but then you return to the clutter and to do list that never seems to reduce in volume. It's a catch 22.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Blink & You'll Miss It
In retrospect, this past week has been a blur. I have traveled almost 4,000 miles this past week, have spent at least over an hour in at least three states, and only spent a total of 12 hours in the office this week. Looking back it just feels like the week has breezed by.
My week started at 4:30am on Monday with an arrival at the local airport to begin a west coast journey to attend a meeting that was scheduled to begin at 9am Pacific time. Since I can't catch a direct flight, I'm forced to connect in Dallas. There's a whole story related to why I'd subject myself to an early flight out, but this opportunity allowed me to fly first class from Dallas to the west coast in the company of other high rollers like Michael Irvin. Unfortunately the early time tabled was conducive for me to catch a hour of sleep in my first class recliner, so I didn't really even get a chance to fully appreciate the luxuries afford me. Monday evening found me at a beach side seafood restaurant in Malibu dining on Chilean Sea bass. Tuesday found me again traversing the country returning home with a diversion to Oklahoma City because of weather in Dallas. For the hour and half we spent on the tarmac in OKC, I passed the time listening to the young lady next to me fretting about her ability to make it home to Alabama. So to assist I pulled out the treo and navigated the airlines website checking on flights in an effort to comfort this young lady. Upon arriving in Dallas, I watched two other flights scheduled after mine, leave for home. I did get home after 10pm that night exhausted and curious if my trip scheduled next month will allow me to get into Chicago in time to make the first pitch at Wrigley Field (I arrive in Chicago at 10:30am and the game starts at 1:20pm). Wednesday saw a normal day at the office, normal given the fact that I've been absent for the two previous days. Thursday I spent the morning in the office, and the afternoon driving to Dallas. This drive was prolonged by an hour because of construction that diverted (see a theme developing?) east bound traffic to the frontage road and a extreme backup of vehicles. Friday I spent the day in a workshop visiting with other educational technology professionals. Saturday I returned home, so that the rental car could be checked in by 1pm.
I'm not sure how people do this business travel. One of the guys I met out at the west coast on Monday, was also in attendance at the workshop in Dallas on Friday. I know for a fact that he was in Arizona on Tuesday, and who knows where else Wednesday and Thursday. At one point the wife and I decided that if I ever changed careers, I would be allowed to travel one week a month if the job required. After a week like this, I'm not convinced that I'd want to pursue opportunities that required this.
Thankfully I'm home for a couple of weeks before I jet off again. Of course the next time I fly the friendly skies, it's for a guys weekend away that includes the mentioned Cubs day game.
My week started at 4:30am on Monday with an arrival at the local airport to begin a west coast journey to attend a meeting that was scheduled to begin at 9am Pacific time. Since I can't catch a direct flight, I'm forced to connect in Dallas. There's a whole story related to why I'd subject myself to an early flight out, but this opportunity allowed me to fly first class from Dallas to the west coast in the company of other high rollers like Michael Irvin. Unfortunately the early time tabled was conducive for me to catch a hour of sleep in my first class recliner, so I didn't really even get a chance to fully appreciate the luxuries afford me. Monday evening found me at a beach side seafood restaurant in Malibu dining on Chilean Sea bass. Tuesday found me again traversing the country returning home with a diversion to Oklahoma City because of weather in Dallas. For the hour and half we spent on the tarmac in OKC, I passed the time listening to the young lady next to me fretting about her ability to make it home to Alabama. So to assist I pulled out the treo and navigated the airlines website checking on flights in an effort to comfort this young lady. Upon arriving in Dallas, I watched two other flights scheduled after mine, leave for home. I did get home after 10pm that night exhausted and curious if my trip scheduled next month will allow me to get into Chicago in time to make the first pitch at Wrigley Field (I arrive in Chicago at 10:30am and the game starts at 1:20pm). Wednesday saw a normal day at the office, normal given the fact that I've been absent for the two previous days. Thursday I spent the morning in the office, and the afternoon driving to Dallas. This drive was prolonged by an hour because of construction that diverted (see a theme developing?) east bound traffic to the frontage road and a extreme backup of vehicles. Friday I spent the day in a workshop visiting with other educational technology professionals. Saturday I returned home, so that the rental car could be checked in by 1pm.
I'm not sure how people do this business travel. One of the guys I met out at the west coast on Monday, was also in attendance at the workshop in Dallas on Friday. I know for a fact that he was in Arizona on Tuesday, and who knows where else Wednesday and Thursday. At one point the wife and I decided that if I ever changed careers, I would be allowed to travel one week a month if the job required. After a week like this, I'm not convinced that I'd want to pursue opportunities that required this.
Thankfully I'm home for a couple of weeks before I jet off again. Of course the next time I fly the friendly skies, it's for a guys weekend away that includes the mentioned Cubs day game.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Losing it all
For the last couple of months, the wife and I have been attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University through our local church. For the entire span of our marriage we've been in debt, and despite all the good intentions and plans that I may have conjured, we continue this pattern of money mismanagement. So we now sit at the foot of a man who has been on top of the mountain, only to loose it all, and then by the grace of God has been able to re-establish his footing.
Having read the stories about Mr. Ramsey, and having listen to several of his radio shows and read through a couple of his books, I find his advice and story encouraging. Despite the dire straits that I may be walking upon, I find courage that change can happen, and that with some honesty, communications, and grace that I too can enjoy the opportunities presented to my family.
Over the last couple of years I have spent several nights obsessing over the bills that have stacked up against us. I have questioned my ability to provide for my family, and more than several occasions I have lost total confidence in myself and my abilities as a father and husband. Not all dire situations affect me in the manner in which money issues affect me. Job challenges that maybe wrought with unattainable objectives typically drive me to find the critical path to overcome the hurdles. Attacks on me or even the illusion that I may have done something to wrong others, typically drive me to re-examine my own actions and decipher how I need to be more sensitive to how my actions or words evoke others to respond. However money simply takes the wind out of me, and I want to just curl up into the fetal position.
So my wife returned from her ever so exasperating trip to the west coast with stories of a presentation by Phil Vischer, the creator of the VeggieTales. The short version of Phil's plight in the world of Christian animation is that he created VeggieTales and it exceeded all expectations he had regarding it's popularity. As the mania grew, so did his aspirations of what VeggieTales and the Big Idea brand could become. So a series of events came to pass that saw Phil leverage the company, relationships, and himself to the point that ultimately left the company in bankruptcy and he lost his dream, passion, and more than ten years of his life's work. I'm sure I may have over stated the impact here, but the point is simply he overextended the dream to share with the world a message and talent that God had given him. After all this ordeal, he continues lending his voice for the characters he created, helps write scripts, and relishes the exposure that VeggieTales has received since it started airing on NBC on Saturday mornings. Obviously there are some unique and God opened doors in his story, but reading through some of the accounts of the rocky history, I get the sense that in the midst of the storm his confidence, ambition, and very self worth was shaken. And yet, bitterness couldn't be a descriptor of his attitude. He still has a hand, although intentionally limited and guarded, in the developments of the vegetable gang. The language he uses implies peace as he describes the fact that many of the individuals that helped propel VeggieTales success in the early days, who later were laid off, are once again pouring the energies into the developing story line of Bob, Larry, Pa Grape, Archibald, etc.
The silver lining that I take from both Phil and Dave, is that in spite of ourselves, God can work in us. In spite of our own failings, and the pain that it can (and will) cause, peace can be felt. I find it encouraging that although I'm confident that neither Phil or Dave would wish anyone to follow in their footsteps, the fact remains that their path isn't completely bleak. Even as they might have walked in the valley of darkness, they feared no evil, confident that the Lord was present. Sometimes presence is all we need. Sometimes, in absence of miracles, in the absence of words, the knowledge that we are not alone is what sustains us. There are and will be days that when our own short sightedness will get the best of us. There are and will be days when we are allowed to fall flat on our faces. These days don't necessarily represent God's absence, more times than not I believe these represent our own absence from God. I typically find that it is on these occasions when I fell God's presence more than ever. It is on these occasions when my own voice or others I have gathered around me aren't drowning out God's wisdom and counsel. The challenge of course it not to only be listening when I'm flat on my face or in dire straits. He's always present, his Spirit is always offering counsel. May I listen now. May I be conscious of his strength in my weakness, and his words in my silence.
Having read the stories about Mr. Ramsey, and having listen to several of his radio shows and read through a couple of his books, I find his advice and story encouraging. Despite the dire straits that I may be walking upon, I find courage that change can happen, and that with some honesty, communications, and grace that I too can enjoy the opportunities presented to my family.
Over the last couple of years I have spent several nights obsessing over the bills that have stacked up against us. I have questioned my ability to provide for my family, and more than several occasions I have lost total confidence in myself and my abilities as a father and husband. Not all dire situations affect me in the manner in which money issues affect me. Job challenges that maybe wrought with unattainable objectives typically drive me to find the critical path to overcome the hurdles. Attacks on me or even the illusion that I may have done something to wrong others, typically drive me to re-examine my own actions and decipher how I need to be more sensitive to how my actions or words evoke others to respond. However money simply takes the wind out of me, and I want to just curl up into the fetal position.
So my wife returned from her ever so exasperating trip to the west coast with stories of a presentation by Phil Vischer, the creator of the VeggieTales. The short version of Phil's plight in the world of Christian animation is that he created VeggieTales and it exceeded all expectations he had regarding it's popularity. As the mania grew, so did his aspirations of what VeggieTales and the Big Idea brand could become. So a series of events came to pass that saw Phil leverage the company, relationships, and himself to the point that ultimately left the company in bankruptcy and he lost his dream, passion, and more than ten years of his life's work. I'm sure I may have over stated the impact here, but the point is simply he overextended the dream to share with the world a message and talent that God had given him. After all this ordeal, he continues lending his voice for the characters he created, helps write scripts, and relishes the exposure that VeggieTales has received since it started airing on NBC on Saturday mornings. Obviously there are some unique and God opened doors in his story, but reading through some of the accounts of the rocky history, I get the sense that in the midst of the storm his confidence, ambition, and very self worth was shaken. And yet, bitterness couldn't be a descriptor of his attitude. He still has a hand, although intentionally limited and guarded, in the developments of the vegetable gang. The language he uses implies peace as he describes the fact that many of the individuals that helped propel VeggieTales success in the early days, who later were laid off, are once again pouring the energies into the developing story line of Bob, Larry, Pa Grape, Archibald, etc.
The silver lining that I take from both Phil and Dave, is that in spite of ourselves, God can work in us. In spite of our own failings, and the pain that it can (and will) cause, peace can be felt. I find it encouraging that although I'm confident that neither Phil or Dave would wish anyone to follow in their footsteps, the fact remains that their path isn't completely bleak. Even as they might have walked in the valley of darkness, they feared no evil, confident that the Lord was present. Sometimes presence is all we need. Sometimes, in absence of miracles, in the absence of words, the knowledge that we are not alone is what sustains us. There are and will be days that when our own short sightedness will get the best of us. There are and will be days when we are allowed to fall flat on our faces. These days don't necessarily represent God's absence, more times than not I believe these represent our own absence from God. I typically find that it is on these occasions when I fell God's presence more than ever. It is on these occasions when my own voice or others I have gathered around me aren't drowning out God's wisdom and counsel. The challenge of course it not to only be listening when I'm flat on my face or in dire straits. He's always present, his Spirit is always offering counsel. May I listen now. May I be conscious of his strength in my weakness, and his words in my silence.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Inconvenience
In an age where one can transverse the country in a matter of hours rather than days, I would say that we frequently forget the complex maze of dependencies that provide this feat of convenience. It is only when this delicate balance of dependencies is interrupted that the cord of convenience begins to quickly unravel.
I've only had brief experiences of this scene we can glibly label "inconvenience". I've sat in a plane on the tarmac in Austin, Texas for several hours, while our flight between Los Angeles and Dallas was waiting out thunderstorms at our destination. I've driven a rental car the thousand miles along Interstate 20 after mine and all flights were canceled following the events we know as September 11.
All these events were bothersome in many ways, but these few occurrences were manageable because I was the one sitting, waiting, negotiating, and simply passing the time. This weekend my bride counted on the convenience to deliver her to a west coast destination where she was scheduled for several days of renewal and retooling associated with her vocation. Her trip was interrupted almost immediately with an hour delay from her port of embankment. What transpired the the convening 36 hours has been nothing less that inconvenience. A frantic race through the DFW airport to catch a connecting flight that made it as far as the runway and back in a mere three hours and half hours. Constant jocking for spots on alternative flights with every other passenger that was scheduled to depart the airport on that Saturday afternoon and night. Continuous visits to the ticket counter, very hour on the hour to check available flights and standby listings, an additional two hour wait to see if the luggage would make the next flight, a hotel room that was given away for reasons that escaped the not-so-courteous attendant at the front desk, and finally 24 hours of activities never to be recaptured-monetarily and in mind share.
It may make for a good story in hind-sight, but as a husband who's tasked with the unattainable goal of fixing little girl''s hair, I find it difficult not to be able to lend a hand of comfort or resolution. I listen attentively, text feverishly, and even parlay this unraveling account to friends in such a passive way, that I find myself wishing to change places. I don't think the end results would be any different were me rather than her, but at least she would be insulated from the frustration that brings about tears and I wouldn't feel so helpless knowing that not only can't I reach out in comfort, but I can't actually reach out in vindication.
Such an episode makes one pause to consider future travel plans, even those arranged to bring loved ones home. The silver lining, if I can reach beyond the constraints of a self-imposed realist view point, is that despite the inconveniences, my beautiful bride is safe. Appropriate decisions were made following certain risk assessments, and for that I can not nor will I fault anyone. So I fall asleep knowing that despite well articulated business plans hinged on the benefit of convenience, like all other elements of our world Murphy's law is in play making note that things can and will disrupt the best plans available.
I've only had brief experiences of this scene we can glibly label "inconvenience". I've sat in a plane on the tarmac in Austin, Texas for several hours, while our flight between Los Angeles and Dallas was waiting out thunderstorms at our destination. I've driven a rental car the thousand miles along Interstate 20 after mine and all flights were canceled following the events we know as September 11.
All these events were bothersome in many ways, but these few occurrences were manageable because I was the one sitting, waiting, negotiating, and simply passing the time. This weekend my bride counted on the convenience to deliver her to a west coast destination where she was scheduled for several days of renewal and retooling associated with her vocation. Her trip was interrupted almost immediately with an hour delay from her port of embankment. What transpired the the convening 36 hours has been nothing less that inconvenience. A frantic race through the DFW airport to catch a connecting flight that made it as far as the runway and back in a mere three hours and half hours. Constant jocking for spots on alternative flights with every other passenger that was scheduled to depart the airport on that Saturday afternoon and night. Continuous visits to the ticket counter, very hour on the hour to check available flights and standby listings, an additional two hour wait to see if the luggage would make the next flight, a hotel room that was given away for reasons that escaped the not-so-courteous attendant at the front desk, and finally 24 hours of activities never to be recaptured-monetarily and in mind share.
It may make for a good story in hind-sight, but as a husband who's tasked with the unattainable goal of fixing little girl''s hair, I find it difficult not to be able to lend a hand of comfort or resolution. I listen attentively, text feverishly, and even parlay this unraveling account to friends in such a passive way, that I find myself wishing to change places. I don't think the end results would be any different were me rather than her, but at least she would be insulated from the frustration that brings about tears and I wouldn't feel so helpless knowing that not only can't I reach out in comfort, but I can't actually reach out in vindication.
Such an episode makes one pause to consider future travel plans, even those arranged to bring loved ones home. The silver lining, if I can reach beyond the constraints of a self-imposed realist view point, is that despite the inconveniences, my beautiful bride is safe. Appropriate decisions were made following certain risk assessments, and for that I can not nor will I fault anyone. So I fall asleep knowing that despite well articulated business plans hinged on the benefit of convenience, like all other elements of our world Murphy's law is in play making note that things can and will disrupt the best plans available.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Amazng Mind
Next week I have several coworkers heading out to Searcy, Arkansas for a conference. This afternoon I was looking over the shoulder of one of the conference goers as he attempted to determine where he was going, and how he should get there. As he google mapped Searcy, I began to tell him what I remembered of Searcy. It's been over 25 years since I lived there, but looking over the map, I quickly began noting landmarks that I remembered. The house on Virgil street next to the old cemetery. Riding bikes in the parking lot of the Downtown church, which really wasn't downtown. Walking down Grand street with my dad on Saturday mornings from the apartments on Race street to the campus post office. The Kroger where we used to take glass soda bottles for the ten cent refund. The two screen movie theater on the main square where I saw Star Wars.
Despite the fact that I was less than ten years old, all these memories are so vivid. It is just amazing how clear the mind can hold onto and then play back. It may not be in high definition, and sometimes the memories can be jumbled, as if the frames have been placed out of sequence, for the most part it is accurate. I may forget the honey-doos that my bride has requested ten minutes ago, but tripping down memory lane seems to come so easily. It makes me scratch my head and marvel at how incredibly amazing is the technology that we struggle to artificially recreate with RAM and CPU power.
Despite the fact that I was less than ten years old, all these memories are so vivid. It is just amazing how clear the mind can hold onto and then play back. It may not be in high definition, and sometimes the memories can be jumbled, as if the frames have been placed out of sequence, for the most part it is accurate. I may forget the honey-doos that my bride has requested ten minutes ago, but tripping down memory lane seems to come so easily. It makes me scratch my head and marvel at how incredibly amazing is the technology that we struggle to artificially recreate with RAM and CPU power.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Living for tomorrow
This past Friday morning, I greeted a co-worker who returned the salutation with a desire for it to be Friday afternoon. I quickly pointed out that if it were Friday afternoon, we'd be that much closer to Monday morning. This morning, as I reached for the pot of coffee, this same co-worker greeted me with the information that we were five days away from the weekend.
One of the biggest struggles I face is procrastination. So often I subscribe to the philosophy, "why do today that which can be put off til tomorrow." Of course this outlook has the converse ability of bitting me in the butt. I've missed deadlines at the office, because I waited to the last minute to turn my attention to a pressing matter. I've had the humbling experience of utility services being cutoff, not because of lack of funding, but because I just hadn't gotten out to pay the bill. Nothing can be more frustrating to the misses than to come home with the water turned off or the power disconnected, knowing full well that the "disconnect" was solely my own.
I've yet again renewed my focus to be action oriented. I'm carrying a task list with me, with a full intention to close out my day with all the tasks crossed off. Rather than focusing on the bigger picture of a project or initiative, I'm in the mode to ask myself what action item needs to be done next. However, inevitably I face occasions when karma is against me. This evening, I went up to the office to complete two tasks on my list today. After spending ten minutes, I realized that I'd forgotten a piece of paper needed to complete one of the task. I was able to complete the other, but as I returned to my vehicle I found a parking ticket for leaving the van in a fire lane. So I'm 1 for 2 with a fine to boot. Faced with this knowledge, I'm ready to fill out tomorrow's list fully aware that tomorrow is another day. I guess the lesson to be learned, tomorrow is another opportunity to succeed, as long as we aren't neglecting the opportunities to be had today
One of the biggest struggles I face is procrastination. So often I subscribe to the philosophy, "why do today that which can be put off til tomorrow." Of course this outlook has the converse ability of bitting me in the butt. I've missed deadlines at the office, because I waited to the last minute to turn my attention to a pressing matter. I've had the humbling experience of utility services being cutoff, not because of lack of funding, but because I just hadn't gotten out to pay the bill. Nothing can be more frustrating to the misses than to come home with the water turned off or the power disconnected, knowing full well that the "disconnect" was solely my own.
I've yet again renewed my focus to be action oriented. I'm carrying a task list with me, with a full intention to close out my day with all the tasks crossed off. Rather than focusing on the bigger picture of a project or initiative, I'm in the mode to ask myself what action item needs to be done next. However, inevitably I face occasions when karma is against me. This evening, I went up to the office to complete two tasks on my list today. After spending ten minutes, I realized that I'd forgotten a piece of paper needed to complete one of the task. I was able to complete the other, but as I returned to my vehicle I found a parking ticket for leaving the van in a fire lane. So I'm 1 for 2 with a fine to boot. Faced with this knowledge, I'm ready to fill out tomorrow's list fully aware that tomorrow is another day. I guess the lesson to be learned, tomorrow is another opportunity to succeed, as long as we aren't neglecting the opportunities to be had today
Monday, February 5, 2007
Coping with Tragedy
For many of us, we've experience the loss of a grandparent, parent, or even friend. We've mourned the loss in various ways and managed through the grief that lingers, especially if the person was close to us. As we watch the evening news, we may experience sadness in learning about tragic deaths of parents, teenagers, and even children. For my family we attempt to shield our children from these news stories, partly because we are uncertain how our children will process the information and partly because we don't want to overexpose them to the cruel and tragic nature of this world (they'll get plenty exposure soon enough).
Recently a little girl was killed in our city by a drive by shooting. The little girl was asleep in her bed in the front of the house, which received the brunt of the spraying bullets. My children's bedroom faces the front of our house, and it was a matter of days before this event was the topic amongst my children's classmates. My oldest came home one day worried, about being killed in her sleep. So the last couple of weeks, my bride and I have tucked our children into bed, and prayed over them.
This morning I received a call that another little girl had been killed. This time it was a stabbing, but more importantly this time the child attended the same school as my children. Suddenly the tragic events across town were closure than ever. Its very probable that my middle child had played with this latest little girl, and so my wife and I are in the midst of preparing for the eventual questions my children will have.
I enter this preparation wanting to communicate to my kids that they are safe, loved, and that they shouldn't necessarily dwell on this recent event. At the same time I know that I can not completely protect them from everything. I don't want to fuel their anxiety or fears, but I also don't want to give them a false hope of security that "nothing bad will ever happen to them." I'm also unsure what questions they will have, and what information they have already processed.
Experts tell us that the first and most important thing we parents can do is tell and show our children that we love them. When talking about the subject, we should invite kids into our arms. There is reassurance in the clutches of a parent which will help when we don't have all the answers to the bewildering number of questions the children can submit. The second thing the experts tell us, is that we need to allow our children to ask the questions. It's not simply a process of answering the questions, but more about encouraging the children to share their concerns and questions. Finally the experts tell us to answer the questions we can with age appropriate responses. For younger children that view the world in concrete terms we answer them with concrete answers, being aware that every word is being held for future reference. For older children who have a sense of more abstract concepts, we can explain things in a more abstract manner. Of course the most difficult question to answer is that of WHY. Because this is more difficult, because this isn't always apparent in the news reports, because this is often the fuel for anxiety for my own children, this is what I'm most apprehensive about tackling with my kids.
When people told me that raising kids is difficult, I pretty certain they weren't talking about the schedules, homework, or diaper changing. The difficult part is guiding them through the maze of events in their life that often don't make sense or that we've taken for granted the significant impact they hold.
Recently a little girl was killed in our city by a drive by shooting. The little girl was asleep in her bed in the front of the house, which received the brunt of the spraying bullets. My children's bedroom faces the front of our house, and it was a matter of days before this event was the topic amongst my children's classmates. My oldest came home one day worried, about being killed in her sleep. So the last couple of weeks, my bride and I have tucked our children into bed, and prayed over them.
This morning I received a call that another little girl had been killed. This time it was a stabbing, but more importantly this time the child attended the same school as my children. Suddenly the tragic events across town were closure than ever. Its very probable that my middle child had played with this latest little girl, and so my wife and I are in the midst of preparing for the eventual questions my children will have.
I enter this preparation wanting to communicate to my kids that they are safe, loved, and that they shouldn't necessarily dwell on this recent event. At the same time I know that I can not completely protect them from everything. I don't want to fuel their anxiety or fears, but I also don't want to give them a false hope of security that "nothing bad will ever happen to them." I'm also unsure what questions they will have, and what information they have already processed.
Experts tell us that the first and most important thing we parents can do is tell and show our children that we love them. When talking about the subject, we should invite kids into our arms. There is reassurance in the clutches of a parent which will help when we don't have all the answers to the bewildering number of questions the children can submit. The second thing the experts tell us, is that we need to allow our children to ask the questions. It's not simply a process of answering the questions, but more about encouraging the children to share their concerns and questions. Finally the experts tell us to answer the questions we can with age appropriate responses. For younger children that view the world in concrete terms we answer them with concrete answers, being aware that every word is being held for future reference. For older children who have a sense of more abstract concepts, we can explain things in a more abstract manner. Of course the most difficult question to answer is that of WHY. Because this is more difficult, because this isn't always apparent in the news reports, because this is often the fuel for anxiety for my own children, this is what I'm most apprehensive about tackling with my kids.
When people told me that raising kids is difficult, I pretty certain they weren't talking about the schedules, homework, or diaper changing. The difficult part is guiding them through the maze of events in their life that often don't make sense or that we've taken for granted the significant impact they hold.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Old Friends
One of my college roommates called me yesterday and indicated that he was in town. So today we sat down for a cup of coffee to catch up. It always amazes me that despite the fact that I've not seen this roommate in three or so years, we immediately fall into our typical routine. During college we'd see each other around campus and I would bellow his name, followed by a return bellow from him of mine. As I walked into my office this morning, he was sitting at my desk, and my first inclination was to bellow his name.
This roommate has been a youth minister outside of DC for ten years now. Myself, I've been in my current job for nine. We shared insights of our current tenures. We both have struggled with feeling the need to move on, we have both assessed our effectivenesses (respectively), and we both have explored the ramifications of such decisions on our families. During college we'd often sit on the porch of our house and contemplate our futures. Would their be wives, children, success, failures, happiness, or sorrow? For the last couple of years, I've lingered on the thought of returning to those days when the most pressing demand on my time was the pages of reading due the next day. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the family I'm blessed with today, and the opportunities that I've been presented with. However I don't get the opportunity to sit back and reflect, project, or simply enjoy a nice cigar or bowl of tobacco in my pipe.
Without question, I enjoyed the opportunity to share experiences of raising children, being loving husbands, and developing our skills as professionals. Despite the distance that separate us, I find it curious that our similarities out weigh the differences. Maybe this is what bonded us as roommates a decade ago.
I would encourage anyone and everyone to connect with an old friend. It's refreshing to celebrate our younger years, to take note of how the years have faired for each other, and offer blessings and prayers for those years to come. Raise your cup and salute the friendships that have continued to with little maintenance.
This roommate has been a youth minister outside of DC for ten years now. Myself, I've been in my current job for nine. We shared insights of our current tenures. We both have struggled with feeling the need to move on, we have both assessed our effectivenesses (respectively), and we both have explored the ramifications of such decisions on our families. During college we'd often sit on the porch of our house and contemplate our futures. Would their be wives, children, success, failures, happiness, or sorrow? For the last couple of years, I've lingered on the thought of returning to those days when the most pressing demand on my time was the pages of reading due the next day. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the family I'm blessed with today, and the opportunities that I've been presented with. However I don't get the opportunity to sit back and reflect, project, or simply enjoy a nice cigar or bowl of tobacco in my pipe.
Without question, I enjoyed the opportunity to share experiences of raising children, being loving husbands, and developing our skills as professionals. Despite the distance that separate us, I find it curious that our similarities out weigh the differences. Maybe this is what bonded us as roommates a decade ago.
I would encourage anyone and everyone to connect with an old friend. It's refreshing to celebrate our younger years, to take note of how the years have faired for each other, and offer blessings and prayers for those years to come. Raise your cup and salute the friendships that have continued to with little maintenance.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
What do you listen to?
Each morning, I awake to the clock radio detailing the latest rantings of sports related topics from the national syndicate of ESPNRadio. As I take my children to school, I often continue to listen to the sport scores, latest coaching changes, and on-air jockeys discussing their opinions about anything and everything sports related. Once at the office, I point my web browser to espnradio.com and launch a streaming radio session that lingers for most of the day as background audio. After three in the afternoon, I discontinue the espnradio.com stream and open a streaming audio feed from the Dallas ESPNradio affiliate to listen to a DFW sports radio show hosted by a Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports writer. When I leave the office at 5:30pm, my media intake is mostly local television, except for the half hour I walk. During my walking ritual, I pull out my MP3 player and listen to a business podcast I've downloaded on the topic of effective management.
As one might gather from this diary of my listening habits, I don't listen to much music any more. The reality is that I have phases or fads, when my primary media intake is music versus sports talk. Since the NFL season is drawing to a close, and I'm not the biggest basketball fan (until March Madness begins), I'll start reverting back to actual music sources. Of course since my children are now at the age of developing their own musical tastes (although I'm not convinced bubblegum pop is an actual musical genre), and my wife isn't the biggest fan of sports talk, often times car rides have musical accompaniment.
This discussion about listening habits led me to question what do people listen to. Not so much musical styling, but what devices are preferred to deliver audio content. So after a handful of Google searches, I gathered the following numbers.
I'm curious if or when will podcasts become the preferred source for information distribution in a audio format? When will music CDs stop being manufactured because most folks will download the music rather than purchase a CD? Will personal music devices ever replace the traditional AM/FM radio in vehicles?
As one might gather from this diary of my listening habits, I don't listen to much music any more. The reality is that I have phases or fads, when my primary media intake is music versus sports talk. Since the NFL season is drawing to a close, and I'm not the biggest basketball fan (until March Madness begins), I'll start reverting back to actual music sources. Of course since my children are now at the age of developing their own musical tastes (although I'm not convinced bubblegum pop is an actual musical genre), and my wife isn't the biggest fan of sports talk, often times car rides have musical accompaniment.
This discussion about listening habits led me to question what do people listen to. Not so much musical styling, but what devices are preferred to deliver audio content. So after a handful of Google searches, I gathered the following numbers.
- 97% of US Consumers own and listen to traditional AM/FM radios in their vehicles
- 25% of US Consumers own MP3 player equipment for their automobiles
- 1 in 5 Americans over the age of 12 now own a portable MP3 player
- It's estimated that in 2006 13.6 million MP3 units were purchased by Americans
- The average person who downloads music to their MP3 player listens to 12 hours a week
- Forbes Magazine projected that 9 million people would listen to a podcast in 2006
- In March 2006, satellite radio services had an estimated 15 million subscribers
- In January 2007, Steve Jobs said that iTunes sells 5 million songs a day
- In 2002, a third of Americans indicated they'd listen to radio over the Internet, but only 5% said they'd listen within the last week
- Of music stored on the average person's MP3 player, 44% is ripped from the owner's personal CD collection and 25% is from a fee-based music source like iTunes
I'm curious if or when will podcasts become the preferred source for information distribution in a audio format? When will music CDs stop being manufactured because most folks will download the music rather than purchase a CD? Will personal music devices ever replace the traditional AM/FM radio in vehicles?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Cell Phones
In 1997 I joined an estimated 34 million Americans as a cell phone user. I don't remember the specific model but is was a Motorola analog cell phone that predated the StarTac phone that Motorola touted as the first "wearable" cell phone. The phone had the dimensions of a Windows CE PDA (another reference to an outdated technology). I used the phone occasionally, and when my contract expired I packed it away in drawer.
Today cell phones are no longer just "phones". A quick glance through a cellular provider's website details that you have choices of phones in categories such as "camera phones", "music phones", and "smartphones". Some cellular providers are also touting that users can watch videos on their cell phones. In the February 2007 edition of the magazine FastCompany, it was estimated that in 5 to 10 years cell phones that remote control home lights, garage doors, or the thermostat will be as common as camera phones. The same article speculated that in 4 to 7 years cell phones that work like MasterCard's paypass system will be as prevalent as camera phones.
Over the last year, I've uncovered the convenience of SMS messaging with my cell phone. My little sister has been texting with her phone for several years, and today this is probably the best method to touch base with her. My wife is also uncovered the world of texting. My own experience with texting is only palatable simply because I have an actual keyboard on my Treo. If I had to use the key pad, I'm certain that I would not use SMS messaging to the extent I do today.
Recently my wife decided she wanted a new cell phone and one that was pink. So I began the search for an appropriate replacement for her current phone. With all the options available, I've found that choice of color is less likely than getting one with a camera and MP3 player. The other thing is that best option is to get one in conjunction with a 2 year service plan. Other wise you're forking over $150+ for a phone. Talk about a scam. It's almost as bad as the fact that the cell phones available today will not be available in a year from now.
Today cell phones are no longer just "phones". A quick glance through a cellular provider's website details that you have choices of phones in categories such as "camera phones", "music phones", and "smartphones". Some cellular providers are also touting that users can watch videos on their cell phones. In the February 2007 edition of the magazine FastCompany, it was estimated that in 5 to 10 years cell phones that remote control home lights, garage doors, or the thermostat will be as common as camera phones. The same article speculated that in 4 to 7 years cell phones that work like MasterCard's paypass system will be as prevalent as camera phones.
Over the last year, I've uncovered the convenience of SMS messaging with my cell phone. My little sister has been texting with her phone for several years, and today this is probably the best method to touch base with her. My wife is also uncovered the world of texting. My own experience with texting is only palatable simply because I have an actual keyboard on my Treo. If I had to use the key pad, I'm certain that I would not use SMS messaging to the extent I do today.
Recently my wife decided she wanted a new cell phone and one that was pink. So I began the search for an appropriate replacement for her current phone. With all the options available, I've found that choice of color is less likely than getting one with a camera and MP3 player. The other thing is that best option is to get one in conjunction with a 2 year service plan. Other wise you're forking over $150+ for a phone. Talk about a scam. It's almost as bad as the fact that the cell phones available today will not be available in a year from now.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Employee Tenure
Two weeks ago, my dad announce that he was leaving his current job for a new one. This was a little bite of a shock for me, because my dad has only been in his current position four months shy of two years. Dad historically stays in a position for six to seven years, so less than two is somewhat abnormal. My father-in-law on the other worked for over 30 years for the same employer before he retired.
This change has prompted me to think about my own tenure. In August I will have completed ten years with my current employer. This is a drastic difference from the nine months I spent in my first full-time job. Honestly I figured I'd spend two to three years with this employer, before I would have moved so that my bride could pursue a Master's degree. Ten years later, I'm in my third position with this employer, and my bride hasn't made any noise about wanting t pursue a Master's degree.
According to the Department of Labor, the average wage and salary worker has been with their current employer for 4 years. The same report indicates that older workers (defined as 55 to 64 year olds) have been with their current employer for 9.3 years while younger workers (defined as 25 to 34 year olds) have been with their current employer 2.9 years.
So why all this talk about employment tenure? For me it is an opportunity to stop and take stock in what I have vs what I don't have. About a year ago I realized that I was eleven years away from my oldest attending college. Obviously a lot can happen (or not) in eleven years, but I started contemplating how I might be able to assist my kids in paying for their college. Since I work for a university, I receive a significant discount for my kids to go to college. Now this benefit isn't realized until my kids enroll, however without this discount I'm unsure how I will be able to assist my kids to attend college.
Another thought that comes to mind is that I've become quite accustom to the lifestyle that has developed around my current employment. To change jobs, would mean a significant change to this lifestyle, especially if I have to move to another city. I don't think we could stay a single car family. I'm confident I wouldn't have the luxury of coming home in the middle of the day to stay with my sleeping son so that my wife can take my other kids to speech, and I'm not eager to uproot the family from their friends. About five years ago, I was talking with an organization in another state about a position. In the midst of this conversation, more specifically talking with my wife about the opportunity, my bride made it abundantly clear that she was not in favor of a drastic change like that.
As a father and a husband, I'm committed to ensure that my family is cared for. I'm also in need of being challenged and rewarded in my vocation. When these two statements are mutually exclusive, something will have to changed. For the most part, today I'm fulfilling both in my current employment. I do not look forward to the upheaval that would accompany an employer change. Of course it needs to happen, I'll confront my own apprehension for the betterment of the family and my own career.
This change has prompted me to think about my own tenure. In August I will have completed ten years with my current employer. This is a drastic difference from the nine months I spent in my first full-time job. Honestly I figured I'd spend two to three years with this employer, before I would have moved so that my bride could pursue a Master's degree. Ten years later, I'm in my third position with this employer, and my bride hasn't made any noise about wanting t pursue a Master's degree.
According to the Department of Labor, the average wage and salary worker has been with their current employer for 4 years. The same report indicates that older workers (defined as 55 to 64 year olds) have been with their current employer for 9.3 years while younger workers (defined as 25 to 34 year olds) have been with their current employer 2.9 years.
So why all this talk about employment tenure? For me it is an opportunity to stop and take stock in what I have vs what I don't have. About a year ago I realized that I was eleven years away from my oldest attending college. Obviously a lot can happen (or not) in eleven years, but I started contemplating how I might be able to assist my kids in paying for their college. Since I work for a university, I receive a significant discount for my kids to go to college. Now this benefit isn't realized until my kids enroll, however without this discount I'm unsure how I will be able to assist my kids to attend college.
Another thought that comes to mind is that I've become quite accustom to the lifestyle that has developed around my current employment. To change jobs, would mean a significant change to this lifestyle, especially if I have to move to another city. I don't think we could stay a single car family. I'm confident I wouldn't have the luxury of coming home in the middle of the day to stay with my sleeping son so that my wife can take my other kids to speech, and I'm not eager to uproot the family from their friends. About five years ago, I was talking with an organization in another state about a position. In the midst of this conversation, more specifically talking with my wife about the opportunity, my bride made it abundantly clear that she was not in favor of a drastic change like that.
As a father and a husband, I'm committed to ensure that my family is cared for. I'm also in need of being challenged and rewarded in my vocation. When these two statements are mutually exclusive, something will have to changed. For the most part, today I'm fulfilling both in my current employment. I do not look forward to the upheaval that would accompany an employer change. Of course it needs to happen, I'll confront my own apprehension for the betterment of the family and my own career.
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