The Countdown is continuing, and I'm excited. The contractors that I will be paid by wanted me to start tomorrow, but I'm waiting until Monday. They figured the sooner I could start, the sooner they could start billing for me, and I also realize that the sooner I start, the sooner I get paid, but I need to close this chapter and start new. I need to finish some things up, do some (more) housekeeping, just piddle.
Today
Today will be recycling, trash, donating. I have some old towels and sheets I will take, along with some old cat litter boxes to the PAWS Atlanta. But then, they could use newspapers, too, so I guess I won't be recycling. But I will be cleaning. I always have to clean. It's never ending, dust, cat hair, cleaning toilets, taking out trash...
Some Stuff
Dress Codes
I read this, that the City of Atlanta wants to ban baggy pants and bra straps. Can you say Government Intrusions? It's a good thought, they want to try to impress upon young people that showing your underwear isn't cool, but passing an ordinance isn't the way to do it. The best was is to just start speaking out. Older people, such as parents, relatives, neighbors, need to let these kids know that showing 2 pairs of boxer shorts isn't cool. 'Society' has to say it's wrong, and 'society' doesn't seem to be saying too much anymore.
Dog Abuse
In today's AJC there is an editorial about greyhound racing and how bad it is. It compares dog fighting to the greyhound racing industry. I really thought things had gotten better, but I guess not. Is is animal abuse? What about the loosers? How are they treated? And the puppies that don't live up to their promise, what happens to them? I LOVE greyhounds and would love to own one, but I have kitties, and they were trained to chase critters that size. Even if they were 'certified' cat safe, I don't think I'd want to come home from work and find out. But they are beautiful animals, and when they're running, they are just amazing. I've never been to a Dog Track, I've been to horse races but never dogs. So I could really care less if they outlaw dog racing. And maybe they are right, comparing dog fighting to greyhound racing, if the dogs loose, the treatment could be the same...
One More Time
Yesterday on the news I saw that the NAACP Atlanta made a statement calling for the NFL to reinstate Michael Vick after he serves his time. The only place I could find any news of this was on the sports pages on the Internet, so that shows how 'newsworthy' this statement was. I don't believe the NAACP speaks for anyone any more, their ideas are so outdated and uneffective. As was spoken earlier on this blog, Michael Vick is more than disturbed. Most people are amazed by his stupidity, but the bottom line is he is an animal abuser and he needs treatment. Unfortunately, I fear that if he doesn't go back to sports after serving his time, he'll be back in jail pretty quickly. He's not a smart man, and obviously doesn't know how to make good decisions.
On The Shelf
I made a journey to a book store yesterday to get a book that was recommende to me by a woman in the networking group. It's called 'The First 90 Days' about how to make the best impression you can when you start a new job. I am so going to read this! It addresses building coalitions, how to interpret corporate thinking, stuff like that. Boy, I could use that!
I was also interested in a book called 'Mysteries of the Middle Ages' about the 'rise of feminism, science and art from the cults of Catholic Europe'. Sounds cool to me. Thomas Cahill has written several books on how the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have effected our lives today and I can't wait to read some of these. I so get off on stuff like that.
I also purchased ( for $1) a book called 'Diversity: Leaders not Labels' by Steadman Graham. It deals with trying to transcend race and build relationships in the workplace. Sounds good to me. I'm also assuming this book was written about 'professional' work places, not grocery stores or cafe's, where the 'diverse' culture sometimes don't speak English, or just don't want to do their job.
Something to Think About
The current trend in US Business is to outsource some or all basic business operations. But there are many dangers to outsourcing, and American businesses need to get over the 'Bottom Line' mentality. Just because it's cheaper to send your IT needs to India (or wherever) is it the smartest move? Here's an article on security issues , but I've also heard rumors of foreign companies holding databases and software applications hostage. If you send the backbone of your company to someone who doesn't have any 'ownership' of the business, either financially or idealogically, then can you expect a good product? Can you expect a product at all?
The motivational aspect in today's business is profit, specifically the CEO's retirement/severance package, not employee welfare, business ethics or even longivity of the company. (Bob Nardielli and Home Depot, for instance, not to mention Enron, MCI, the list goes on) Money talks, I guess and those of us who don't have it are jealous of those who do. But to bankrupt a company, lay off employees and then leave with a $billion severance package...that can't be right.
More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'
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8 comments:
Good points on the blog today. I, too, am concerned about the Greyhound situation. I had one before, and they're some of the best dogs you can have. As much as I love to see thoroughbreds race, I really don't like the idea of any animals being put through the training they go through, simply for the entertainment of humans. I know that gambling and breeding are a huge business, but I don't support it, especially after seeing what happened to Barbaro last year. He was one of the lucky ones that got to live longer than most that are put down immediately upon getting hurt.
As for Vick, I think you're being way too kind about his mentality. As far as an animal-abuser needing treatment, I don't believe treatment works for murderers. Yes, that's what he is. He just didn't do it to humans. The manner in which he performed these murders, along with his buddies, is totally sadistic and is part of his nature. You don't rehab repeat murderers do you? There is evil in this world. It's a reality and you can't avoid it. So what if he goes back to jail. There isn't any amount of punishment that's too bad for him. No, I don't want to see him back in the NFL, and I doubt the new commissioner wants him back either. Like seeks like, and he couldn't stay away from his home-boys. That tells you something.
I agree with the outsourcing situation to a point. In some instances, it hurts us (depending on the industry and jobs involved) and our security. Some jobs that don't pose a security risk and can be performed for a lot less money enable companies here to create more jobs at home, thus more people getting employed. There is a fallout coming though. Some are finding that the salaries in India (although not at the level they are here yet) are getting high enough where it's not feasible to keep some positions over there. It's actually becoming cheaper to hire some technical talent here and forego the costs of communication and cultural break-downs. It may take awhile longer, but I believe you'll see the cycle turning in our favor. We just have to wait out the cycle.
As for CEOs, they are hired with a whole different mentality than other employees. Nardielli was chosen as the best person at the time (along with being available) to lead Home Depot to the next level. That's how companies determine CEOs. Who's the best fit to get the company where they want to be in a particular time frame. He was it at the time, and Home Depot was willing to pay for the package. Now that they've learned a lesson, you've seen a change in the new CEO's restructured package. He has to prove himself before obtaining so much. It will be interesting to see what Nardielli does with Chrysler. Remember, the board and stockholders approve a lot of these negotiations. At least he didn't rob employees blind.
As for Enron, Tyco, and others, they are a handful that thought they were above the law and should all go prison for life for bilking employees out of their money. There is no excuse for that. For the most part though, you don't have corporations behaving like these guys, and believe it or not, most are on the up-and-up.
'For the most part though, you don't have corporations behaving like these guys, and believe it or not, most are on the up-and-up' Where is your research to back this up? I think that most have just not gotten caught, yet....
So anonymous, are you one of those that believes corporate America, in general, is corrupt? If so, what research do you have in which to form those assumptions? Believe me, after the disasters of those previously mentioned, the SEC is watching like a hawk. Remember, the SEC became very lax under the previous administration, thus making it easier for these corruptions to occur.
Now kids, quit bickering. Red Lady, why don't you expand this point on the Tea and Crumpets blog? You and anonymous can get into it there.
I want a fight on this blog.....
Can't we all just get along??? ....Rodney King
Barb, you are too funny! I like your sense of humor. I tried to post a response, but evidently it didn't take for some reason.
Inmyhumbleopinion is correct, this is not "our" blog to bicker on, thus I'm surprised at the combative tone "anonymous" has taken toward me, especially since I was addressing the person this blog belongs to. Since I have been the one called down for responding to "anonymous", the one that initiated the dialog, not to worry. "Anonymous" won't have the pleasure of pulling the "bait and switch" act with me again. Perhaps we can "all just get along" if only one just capitulates to another's direct hit.
and the caveman said "What????"
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