Drinking from the company Kool Aid

It's amazing how this statement can be thrown around. One side you can be a company suck up, flip side you can choose to subscribe and drink said Kool Aid and see what happens and try to make a difference.

I have been at my company conference this weekend. I leave Sunday. I have to say one thing the owners of my company know how to put on a party. That aside.

Well it has been an interesting day. I have to say I am very glad I was chosen to go. This experience has given me a whole new look into the company I work for. I have to say I am inspired by what was demonstrated today. I have worked for several transportation companies in the past. I have NEVER seen a company take such turn in their business model. These guys have literally turned the company upside down and emptied the basket. Then looked through the contents and decide what needed to go, what to keep and what was missing.

These events always show the company rah rah bit. This was different! The ownership and new management teams are bringing such ferocity to this company, that you literally get the sense that failure is not an option. My company is not hurting by any means. These guys have decided that "now is the time to draw the line in the sand." They are looking at this economic downturn as a time to act and trounce the competition. By going forward adding new services and etc. They are not cutting back. But that does not mean they are not paying attention to costs and spending money like no tomorrow. In fact they're planning for tomorrow. They have many new faces that are ready for the task. Each of then have brought a piece for the puzzle. Now the task is to get that puzzle put together. I almost feel like being on the ground floor of a new company.

Here is one of the examples, that the family who owns the company really appreciates their employees. During Q&A a driver asked, Since we give so much to charity. Would it be possible to have a scholarship fund for employee's children? Initial answer from HR was that's a good idea we'll have to look at the possibility. Q&A moves on. About ten minutes later one of the owners who was present called the other two. Response all three, Yep lets do it. Now there will five scholarships for $5k apiece available. This done in literally ten minutes, all because someone asked.

I'm leavin on a jet plane!

Well I am getting ready for a trip. Granted it's for business, but I can call it what I want. So I am going to Ohio. I know, it's Ohio, the buckeye state, home of The Ohio State University. And Ohio where it's round on both ends and high in the middle. It's a business conference so it should be interesting. Plus the bonus side of the trip is it will be the first time since my break up that I have left the kids behind. My meaning is I have left the state without them and am not minutes away. So for the kids phone calls will have to do. LOL. The funny questions are, "are you sleeping at the airport?" Why are getting up so early?" My only concern is all my co-workers said behave when I left. Really how much trouble could I get in. I am a saint. Plus it's Ohio there can't be that much trouble available.

Yippie

Tomorrow will be one month with out cigarettes and minimal use of smoking cessation products, i.e. the patch and lozenges. I feel pretty good. I also managed to kick the wintergreen lifesavers addiction also.

The dating scene.....

The dating scene kind of cracks me up. When your twenty something it's all you want to do. Go out to the bar, pickup women, and just plain get out. We get all spiffed up smelling good trying to look our best and for what...to go home liquored up and maybe lucky enough to bring some one home...LOL. Me, I mostly just ended up liquored up. Now fast forward almost 20 years. I'm trying to figure out how to impress the fairer sex. I drink more responsible have almost too many morals for the one nighter and don't really care for the bar scene. So now dates change from clubbing to let's find something different to do so one can talk. It's not all bad. It's just funny how our lives change with maturity, the things we like to do. I find myself questioning myself regularly now. I am not questioning the decisions I make. Rather I am questioning the things I like or don't like. Did I like them because of someone else or was it something I always liked. I know what my core likes are so that's what really matters.

How you look at life.

It's funny how things make you look at life differently. Since my split with the wife and the pending divorce, and a near future business trip, I realized I needed to take care of some business. It's kind of morbid but it has to be done. My upcoming trip is what made me suddenly realize this. It basically boiled down to if something happened to me what would happen to my kids and their financial well being. So of course calls had to be made. Talking about your own death is kind of odd to say the least. This was all ironed out when I was married but now all of it has to be redone. Hurray for me.

Well it's official...

Well today was the day. A new President takes office. This is now a time for "change". How much change will we have. Will our country get stronger, stay the same or get weaker. Now most people know that I didn't vote for Obama. Which is fine. My personal feelings aside, I hope he will become one of our best presidents. My only fear is that now the fat cats in Washington will become drunk with power. This will definitely become an interesting four years.

Ice fishing with the kids...

Took the kids ice fishing this weekend. I haven't done it myself for a couple years. I t was the first time kids got to go. Some long time friends invited us up to their place. Well we hit the lake the kids thought it was pretty cool driving on the lake. Of course the boy pointed out the fact that you could not do this in the summer. Curiously I asked him "why?" His response "Come on dad this is simple, there's no ice in the summer!" I was kind of hoping for some kind of a more scientific answer but I guess I'll have to live the answer.

So we get to the fish house. One grown up gets the kids going. We aren't even there five minutes and a rotten little kid is already pulling up a fish. I think all the kids at one point in time had a chance at bringing a fish up through the hole. It was definitely a fun evening. The final score ended up kids with seven keepers and adults with the big old goose egg.

Would you...

I set up face book account. Over all I think it is pretty cool. I have seen many people that I grew up with, went to school and college with. It's kind of neat seeing how these people are doing. It's funny for me I have always thought that I had two distinct groups of friends. To explain I transferred schools in ninth grade. So I had to make an entirely new set of friends. The younger set pre ninth grade I know I still would talk to some on a daily basis, had I not moved. I have only really kept in steady contact with a couple friends from high school. Looking back and seeing other people who been friends growing up makes me think, did I miss out? Would I be somewhere else if I hadn't moved? It's questions that will never be answered, but sometimes wondered about.

But the "would you" part comes from a thought I had about Facebook. If you had a crush on somebody in grade school or high school, and knew that they were single, divorced or what ever. Would you try and pursue a relationship. If you did, would it be odd? Because you were kids before the reacquainting and now it's 20 plus years later. Would that fire be rekindled. Would you look at each and say NO. It kind of made me wonder though.

I hurt!

Went and played hockey with the boys yesterday. I had a lot of fun. It's been quite awhile since that last time I played. All I can say now is "oh the pain" I think I found alot of muscles that haven't been used in quite a while. Now it's recovery time. lol

Is the economy that bad?

If the economy is that bad why would we spend four bucks on a cup of coffee. I splurged this morning on a Caribou Coffee. This is a complete rarity for me. One is I have a hard time justifying the purchase. I just wanted a treat this morning. Two, I have been boycotting them for the past few years. I don't like who owns them. My political aspirations showing through. So I was tortured this day with my hypocrisy.

It does make me wonder how people can bitch about the economic well being of this country. Then turn around and spend like drunken sailors. Then complain when the bill comes due.

Hmmm...Question of the day.

If an alcoholic gives you all their booze, are they trying to give you their disease?

Is he famous?

My son asks me tonight. "Is he famous, dad?" I asked, "Who?" The who was the guy on the commercials for seen on TV crap. I told him no he isn't famous. He loudly said "YES HE IS, he's the wonder putty guy." Then I realized it was the Oxi Clean Guy. I guess he is famous if a kid can remember that.

I love this quote

25% of people cheat on their taxes yet expect honesty from their elected officials. Larry Winget

I was asked to leave.

Dropped my kids at daycare this morning I usually wait till my boy gets on the bus and chat with my daycare lady. She is an awesome neighbor and provider. While we were chatting it up my daughter comes up to me and says, "Dad, you need to leave now! This is my space. Why are you still here?" I replied "Cause." As she's walking through the kitchen I hear, "Cause is not an answer, if I can't say cause, you can't either!" I think I'm in trouble since my rule is being used against me.

My boy can cook!

It has been brought to my attention that my boy can cook. OK well kind of, He has apparently made dinner twice now. Once was spaghetti O's in the microwave. The second time tonight he was making waffles. Well it's a start. Guess choices are somewhat limited to him. Since he is not allowed to use the stove yet. Now if I can get him to grill me a steak and get me a beer I'd be set. He was so proud of himself when he told me.

2009

Well started of 2009 with a step in the right direction. I haven't a smoke in a week and I managed to workout everyday, I just have to keep it going. I have New Years resolutions but I think I will refer to them more as goals for the year and life.

My goals for 2009

1. Quit smoking entirely for myself and my kids.
2. Lose weight
3. Become more physically fit.
4. Expose my kids to experiences in life.
5. More random acts of kindness. LOL
Those of you that really know me,
already know, I am very big hearted.
6. Finally find a smokin hot rich super model who's into
chubby guys. I know I have my work cut out for this one..LOL

News Story I saw...

Read a little news story that caught my eye. Twin baby's that have different Birthdays. In Michigan, the baby's were born 26 minutes apart. Thereby giving them different birth months, days, and years. I would how long it will take them to start the arguing about "I'm a year older than you." When will stat planning to live a life as both, to get two birthday parties.

2008 in review

Well 2008 has been interesting to say the least. I have had many things happen over the past year. The biggest would be deciding to get divorced and being thrusted into single parenthood. This resulted in many disparaging moments. It has also created many great moments. I have a new found freedom. I don't mean that I was repressed or tied down. My decision making needs have changed. It tested my fortitude. I think it also brought out some of the best in me. It has also made me question myself. It has made me seek advice and help from friends and family. Which I appreciate greatly, even when I sound frustrated. I have reconnected and met a few more friends whom I have come to love dearly. A couple of them stepped up and really helped me through a couple troubling moments. In all I have have some GREAT moments in a troubling year.

My kids have grown so much over the past year also. My son is becoming his own keeper more and more everyday. It's cool to watch him develop as a person. I find my self missing the moments when I was the center of his universe. He played baseball this year and loved it. It was fun watching him the other kids play. He's made a lot of friends. He's started 1st grade and is learning at a good rate. He also tirelessly asks questions.

My little girl. All I can say is wow. She has grown so much this year. It literally feels like a snap of the finger and she was just a babe. I can't believe how literal she has become. She can keep a conversation going better than some adults I know. She just a spitfire. Her love of cars thrills me, but I have tried to balance that with the girly things also. It is a funny sight to see me brushing her hair and painting nails.

We also bought a dog this year. His name is Bristol and he's a German Short Hair. The kids have grown to love him. I think the dog loves them, even though his ears and tail has been pulled. Among countless other things. He takes it comes back for more.