Team work is a concept that lots of folks talk about and few actually believe. At my current employer, I find that teamwork is not rewarded. Individuals are rewarded for achievements even though their achievements are often due to contributions from many other people. I happen to get a bonus when the company does well financially, but the people who I depend on to finish projects, make new products, and help out from time to time do not get such bonuses. So when it comes down to it, they have no incentive to help me finish projects that increase revenue because it is not going to affect their bottom line. Since the company eliminated end of the year bonuses a few years ago, there is not even a sliver of an incentive in place other than vague threats to replace people.
Another nice concept at play is what I refer to as "when the going gets tough, get mean as hell" management. I am driven to do my job in the same manner whether times are good or whether times are bad. When times are good, management leaves me alone and asks few questions about what is going on. When times get bad, all of a sudden I have to answer picayune questions regarding every decision that I make. Not only is this demoralizing, but it is a waste of time. Time that could be spent doing my job, is instead spent answering worthless questions. The same level of work that was outstanding a few weeks ago, is now "unacceptable".
Needless to say, this leaves very little incentive to do more than look for a new job. Please keep a good thought out for me as I try to extricate myself from this employment hell-hole.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Goal Keeping Experiment Ends
It looks like yours truly has hung up his goalkeeping gear for good after only one season. Not a totally unsucessful effort, but not stellar by any means. The team deserves someone in there who can do a better job keeping the ball out of the net and I guess I proved that person is not me. It will be back to the field for what looks to be my last season of organized soccer.
I guess I can find other athletic pursuits that do not require the time commitment of playing on a team and give a good sense of accomplishment. I will miss the game, but there are very important things to take care of on the horizon and I am looking forward to those things!
I guess I can find other athletic pursuits that do not require the time commitment of playing on a team and give a good sense of accomplishment. I will miss the game, but there are very important things to take care of on the horizon and I am looking forward to those things!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Driving in Virginia
My apologies for being away for so long, I will try to be more regular with these communications.
I have lived in the DC area for 8 years now and drving in Virginia never ceases to amaze me. What an unbelievable system of signs they have there. If you do not have first hand knowledge of your route, you may as well count on getting lost because there will not be sign to help you navigate how to get around.
After finally seeing the latest Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith on Saturday night at the Arlington Drafthouse, I thought it would be a simple matter of reversing my directions from the theater to get home. Basically, I had taken the beltway, to the GW Parkway, to Route 50 west to the Arlington Drafthouse. So when I hop on 50 and head east toward DC and see a sign for the GW parkway, I naturally turn onto it. The only problem was it was a southbound only entrance.
WTF is wrong with that state? How hard is it to add "Southbound Only" to the huge sign that directs folks to the GW Parkway from Route 50? For all I know there is a northbound entrance later down the road, but there aren't any f-ing signs that would give you a clue about that.
Needless to say, this continues to leave me with the impression that Virginia is a state less interested in actually planning wise responses and more interested in randomly reacting to them.
I have lived in the DC area for 8 years now and drving in Virginia never ceases to amaze me. What an unbelievable system of signs they have there. If you do not have first hand knowledge of your route, you may as well count on getting lost because there will not be sign to help you navigate how to get around.
After finally seeing the latest Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith on Saturday night at the Arlington Drafthouse, I thought it would be a simple matter of reversing my directions from the theater to get home. Basically, I had taken the beltway, to the GW Parkway, to Route 50 west to the Arlington Drafthouse. So when I hop on 50 and head east toward DC and see a sign for the GW parkway, I naturally turn onto it. The only problem was it was a southbound only entrance.
WTF is wrong with that state? How hard is it to add "Southbound Only" to the huge sign that directs folks to the GW Parkway from Route 50? For all I know there is a northbound entrance later down the road, but there aren't any f-ing signs that would give you a clue about that.
Needless to say, this continues to leave me with the impression that Virginia is a state less interested in actually planning wise responses and more interested in randomly reacting to them.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Chelsea Out-Arrogants ManU
Good for Chelsea.
In one year they have managed to become more arrogant than Manchester United. As an Arsenal fan, I could really care less if ManU fell off the face of the earth. At least ManU established a dynasty of titles and solid play in Europe that their fans could be boastful of. One season in which Chelsea wins the league title and doesn't win the FA or Champions League and their general manager is talking about "dominating" European Football.
I imagine I will not be the only one to say "that's a shame" when they get their asses handed to them this year.
In one year they have managed to become more arrogant than Manchester United. As an Arsenal fan, I could really care less if ManU fell off the face of the earth. At least ManU established a dynasty of titles and solid play in Europe that their fans could be boastful of. One season in which Chelsea wins the league title and doesn't win the FA or Champions League and their general manager is talking about "dominating" European Football.
I imagine I will not be the only one to say "that's a shame" when they get their asses handed to them this year.
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