Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post…When just surviving is the only choice: Kelly Erickson Interview

…the opportunity to realise just how much I affect people, to be told just how much…

Aw, Steph, you didn’t know that already? I haven’t done my job, then, because you’ve been a wonderful force in my life, and a lot of others.

But I know what you mean. In REAL life. Much as I like this keyboard and screen, affecting those folks who are right in front of you is awesome.

How often do I talk about shoe leather, get out from behind the screen, and “real” people here? Go read this one from Seth:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/01/time-to-start-a.html

When I read the last sentence, I felt like he’d been reading over my shoulder!

Anyway, I am very glad your job is such a power for good in your life.

Regards,

Kelly

steph’s last blog post…Rocking Chair Musing

There. Neatly back on topic.

Feel better, dear Friar. It’s tough to be cooped up and sick.

Until later,

Kelly

That’s too bad – it would be a good day to ski really. Well, rest up, get better, there’ll be other days for sure.

Brett Legree’s last blog post…week 6 – final exam.

Hah! Funny how much you and I think alike (we write about the same thing without even knowing what the other guy wrote).

Argh. Didn’t ski. Parking lots were full. Finaly found a spot, then I had a stomache ache. Backtracked to the visitor center, could barely find a spot there.

And I’m still not feeling great (cough cough). So I bailed out and listened to my body. I’m back home, to get some more sleep.

Good think I didnt’ go. I also forgot my lunch..I would have starved on the ski trails.

Guess it’s one of those days (sigh).

I know what you mean about them being biased, but it still exists on different levels regardless. Two examples – sleep deprivation, and smoking.

The first one – sleep deprivation. While I know it is hard to quantify, I also find it quite hypocritical when a former manager (who is very well known for surviving on 3 hours sleep, and boasting about it) tells us we cannot return to work after one beer at lunch. Sure, I understand that some jobs are critical and so they have to paint all of us with the same brush.

So where is the pupil response testing at the gate to see if we’ve had enough sleep? Blood tests for presence of antihistamines, cannabis, etc.?

note that I don’t want this to happen, I’m just a guy who likes to challenge the system when the system is flawed.

(Funny, Friar wrote this and I didn’t even notice until now.)

Second one – smoking. There are certain areas where people are not allowed to drink or eat or even chew gum. But, special allowances have been made for smokers. And maybe there should be. But as a gum chewer, I feel as though I’m being discriminated against – maybe I should be allowed to go outside every two hours and chew gum for 5 minutes.

Figured I’d better add to Friar’s rant since he’s gone skiing for the afternoon…

-Brett

Brett Legree’s last blog post…week 6 – final exam.

Yeah, I can understand if you’re operating a nukular reactor or something. You obviously can’t be sloshed like Cap’n Boson from the Exxon Valdez.

But c’mon. Most of the factory is just officework/paperpushers. No different from any other workplace.

Actually, the “official” procedure (that they always drill into our heads that we must follow) says you’re obligated to show up “fit for work”. It says nothing about banning beverages altogether. The zero tolerance thing is only a knee-jerk over-reaction.

Yet, they see no problems in making staff work around the clock, if there is an emergency or major deadline. (I wonder how “fit for work” a sleep deprived manager is who’s been answering emails at 4:00 AM?).

I also wonder if the CEO and marketing VPs abide by the same rules?

I can just picture them taking a prospective client out to dinner, for a potential billion-dollar sale.

Sorry, Mr. Client. I won’t have a glass of wine with you. The rules, you know.

(Okay..I’m done rantin’ now!).

PS. WHAT was your post about again?

Friar’s last blog post…Perfesser Friar’s Psychic Predictions for 2009

I’ve heard that quote a lot, too. I don’t know who said it. I’ll have to hunt around.

Beer at The Factory? C’mon, remember the Exxon Valdez? Imagine you come back with just one beer in you and accidentally push the paperwork that causes a leak. (I’m only half kidding here.) It would make international news.

They don’t want to seem biased (and legally, they probably couldn’t) saying these positions MAY drink and these may not, so what choice do they have but to say all of you can’t?

Brett,

Steve Jensen was suggesting to Tyler Shaw that he take whatever time he needed for his new baby, since he knew he’d get BB’s work finished, as well. Imagine The Factory like that. Whew.

I know you all have safety issues and such, and some folks can’t work R-O there because they need to be on site, but surely a lot more flexibility could be built into a lot more positions.

Okay, surely *some* flexibility. A lot more would be pushing it, starting from zero.

Let your email buddy the CEO know that Cali and Jody’s book Why Work S*cks is a worthwhile read. Hey, maybe send it to him via interoffice mail!

Oh, boy. Psychic predictions from the Perfesser. I’m out of here. (I love my CommentLuv!)

Until later,

Kelly

Beer in the fridge. Hmph. Must be nice.

As opposed to our workplace. If we have even ONE BEER with our lunch, in a restaurant off-site, we’re NOT ALLOWED to return to work for the rest of the day.

Even though we’d be perfectly legal to drive a car 60 mph on public roads. We’re NOT allowed to go back to work, to push paper around and fill out forms.

I bet you Steve Jensen would allow you to have a beer.

Friar’s last blog post…Perfesser Friar’s Psychic Predictions for 2009