Thanksgiving... another come and gone... another alone (sort of) far from family and closest friends...
This time of year really starts to depress me so I stay busy with work and other things to keep my mind off it all... the phone calls are great and I love talking to mom, dad, sister, friends, etc... BUT it doesn't replace the feeling of being there.
Why don't I go back east for the holidays? Pretty tough to do - in-laws are 120 miles away from my folks and it'd just be a drive-fest from one part of NJ to the other... I always said trips to see the family are more work that pleasure and that holds true to this day...
Maybe someday now that the kids are older and can handle themselves, but $2k for tix is a bit much... Summer 2012 though will be a different story... will do it because it's been too long.
Love the family, miss the friends dearly but you know what? I wouldn't trade what I have and where I am for anything..
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Is the Work Ethic a Lost Concept?
Seems to me that younger folks (some, not all) have no concept of what work ethic actually is.
People seem to be forgetting that it is a pay for performance world and this is not Major League Baseball!!
There are a number of people who instilled my work ethic in my life. Those people include my parents of course, my first baseball coach who took a bunch of "minor leaguers" and turned us into champs who could take on the "major leaguers" under the lights and kick their asses and my high school soccer coach.
Basically the message was the harder you work, the more reward. People who skate by will not get the bonuses and may not get the bigger raises. They certainly will not get the promotions!
Tenure in a position does NOT give you the right to be promoted. I'll promote a hard worker willing to learn over a person with twice the time in the position who is what I call a "banger" - the one who is in at 8 and out at 5 with no additional efforts.
Hell - I started delivering newspapers at age 11 and something as simple as putting a paper between the storm door and front door on a rainy day netted me HUNDREDS in Christmas tips - just for delivering a dry newspaper... sometimes it's the simple things.
People think I'm crazy to work as hard as I do, but I hope to God that I am able to show my kids that a little hard work can lead to great things!
I want to be an example to my kids and all the kids I have coached in the past years - I hope I live up to the legacy of the people who inspired me.
People seem to be forgetting that it is a pay for performance world and this is not Major League Baseball!!
There are a number of people who instilled my work ethic in my life. Those people include my parents of course, my first baseball coach who took a bunch of "minor leaguers" and turned us into champs who could take on the "major leaguers" under the lights and kick their asses and my high school soccer coach.
Basically the message was the harder you work, the more reward. People who skate by will not get the bonuses and may not get the bigger raises. They certainly will not get the promotions!
Tenure in a position does NOT give you the right to be promoted. I'll promote a hard worker willing to learn over a person with twice the time in the position who is what I call a "banger" - the one who is in at 8 and out at 5 with no additional efforts.
Hell - I started delivering newspapers at age 11 and something as simple as putting a paper between the storm door and front door on a rainy day netted me HUNDREDS in Christmas tips - just for delivering a dry newspaper... sometimes it's the simple things.
People think I'm crazy to work as hard as I do, but I hope to God that I am able to show my kids that a little hard work can lead to great things!
I want to be an example to my kids and all the kids I have coached in the past years - I hope I live up to the legacy of the people who inspired me.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lessons
Back from camping with my son. Big Cub Scout camping trip .. lots to do and he was wiped out after day 1 of a 2.5 day trip.
Monday sucked because it rained most of the day and some of the events were cancelled.
He's shy and anxious about certain things... doesn't really like big crowds so this was a good chance for him to get put into situations that he's not always comfortable with... I stuck close to him though - that comfort factor... sometimes I do just want to kick him into the middle of a situation and have him do for himself but overall he did very well...
Learned how to use a pocket knife properly, found out he was pretty good at archery and handled a couple of situations on his own.
Couple of meltdowns also which frustrated me a little bit (silly things), but he is coming along... I love you buddy and I hope things keep getting better... just have to keep working at it... you teach me new things every day and I see a lot of me in you at that age... I came around and I know you can and will too...
Your imagination is the thing I love most about you... the theme for the camp was right up your alley and your imagination was able to run with it...
Be confident pal... you will do great things... I just know it in my heart... I'm your dad and I want nothing more than for you to be confident in all that you do... just keep working at it... one day you will show yourself and see...
Monday sucked because it rained most of the day and some of the events were cancelled.
He's shy and anxious about certain things... doesn't really like big crowds so this was a good chance for him to get put into situations that he's not always comfortable with... I stuck close to him though - that comfort factor... sometimes I do just want to kick him into the middle of a situation and have him do for himself but overall he did very well...
Learned how to use a pocket knife properly, found out he was pretty good at archery and handled a couple of situations on his own.
Couple of meltdowns also which frustrated me a little bit (silly things), but he is coming along... I love you buddy and I hope things keep getting better... just have to keep working at it... you teach me new things every day and I see a lot of me in you at that age... I came around and I know you can and will too...
Your imagination is the thing I love most about you... the theme for the camp was right up your alley and your imagination was able to run with it...
Be confident pal... you will do great things... I just know it in my heart... I'm your dad and I want nothing more than for you to be confident in all that you do... just keep working at it... one day you will show yourself and see...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Feeling Drained
Not sure if it's work, family or the recent time change but I've been "off" for a couple weeks now.
Work is stressful - new releases, lots to do and not enough time during the day to get things done... I know - same for a lot of folks. I still love the job and I know it's just a temporary bump - I just haven't felt it like this in the year+ I've been there.
Family stuff is OK - lots going on - very busy ... that feeds the stress of course and the holidays loom just around the bend.
The time change is always tough - haven't been sleeping good - trying to get adjusted as best I can (and as fast as I can). Not seeing the sun can weigh on a person - need to try to get out at lunchtime to take a walk a couple times per week.
Work is stressful - new releases, lots to do and not enough time during the day to get things done... I know - same for a lot of folks. I still love the job and I know it's just a temporary bump - I just haven't felt it like this in the year+ I've been there.
Family stuff is OK - lots going on - very busy ... that feeds the stress of course and the holidays loom just around the bend.
The time change is always tough - haven't been sleeping good - trying to get adjusted as best I can (and as fast as I can). Not seeing the sun can weigh on a person - need to try to get out at lunchtime to take a walk a couple times per week.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Slow Down - You Move Too Fast
Everyone seems to be on edge lately... customers, staff, co-workers, family, friends.... everyone...
Maybe it's the unknown of the upcoming election... or maybe the economy.. or the upcoming holidays.... or how about all of the above?!?!?
Customers want everything now and are quick to escalate... staff is stressed because of new software coming out soon ... family and friends just because... it's somewhat wild and not much relief.
I tried to relax tonight but too many things to do ... I checked e-mails before I started this and uncovered a problem at work... 30 minutes later, here I am...
My vice when I'm stressed is food... I snack... i'm a "grazer" and it's not good - especially going into the winter months. Tonight was the last soccer practice with the kids so I did some running around but I can always use more.
Reading helps but reading at night just puts me to sleep :)
I want to take up a hobby .... woodworking or pick up my guitar again... not sure which but I will pick up one or the other over the winter. In the summer it's yardwork and gardening that are my release. Still need to find something for the winter months. An excuse to stop working so much. The wife and daughter don't talk much because they're so busy... we do make a point of eating dinner together every night and it's good - just the way it was when I grew up... the youngest is still too young to sit and carry on a "good" conversation but it's getting better... sitting on the floor playing games with him is a great relaxer too.
Just need to take other's advice and slow down from time to time... I was never one for listening though so it's up to me ...
Maybe it's the unknown of the upcoming election... or maybe the economy.. or the upcoming holidays.... or how about all of the above?!?!?
Customers want everything now and are quick to escalate... staff is stressed because of new software coming out soon ... family and friends just because... it's somewhat wild and not much relief.
I tried to relax tonight but too many things to do ... I checked e-mails before I started this and uncovered a problem at work... 30 minutes later, here I am...
My vice when I'm stressed is food... I snack... i'm a "grazer" and it's not good - especially going into the winter months. Tonight was the last soccer practice with the kids so I did some running around but I can always use more.
Reading helps but reading at night just puts me to sleep :)
I want to take up a hobby .... woodworking or pick up my guitar again... not sure which but I will pick up one or the other over the winter. In the summer it's yardwork and gardening that are my release. Still need to find something for the winter months. An excuse to stop working so much. The wife and daughter don't talk much because they're so busy... we do make a point of eating dinner together every night and it's good - just the way it was when I grew up... the youngest is still too young to sit and carry on a "good" conversation but it's getting better... sitting on the floor playing games with him is a great relaxer too.
Just need to take other's advice and slow down from time to time... I was never one for listening though so it's up to me ...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Vacation Thoughts
I just realized that I never wrote a word about my recent vacation and visit with the boyz back east...
Good times had by all... 3 brothers from separate mothers getting together to talk, drink, laugh and see just how lucky we all are... each with our wives, a son and daughter each, homes and stable jobs...
I don't think I could have survived if I stayed in NJ (honestly)... there would have been too damn much pressure and being a good distance away is good for me... not as many temptations, etc...
Only problem is that the family (mom, dad, friends) are getting older and it gets harder to fathom someone not being there at some point... everyone's healthy overall and I'm thankful for that... I'm also happy that I got to see an aunt, uncle and cousin who mean the world to me...
The upcoming years will certainly be hard, but there was a lot of love back there and always will be... I sure hope they all understand (honestly) why I'm here instead of there...
I talked it over with my friend last night and she thinks everything is OK and I trust her instinct just because of who she is and what she's been for me in the past...
Good times had by all... 3 brothers from separate mothers getting together to talk, drink, laugh and see just how lucky we all are... each with our wives, a son and daughter each, homes and stable jobs...
I don't think I could have survived if I stayed in NJ (honestly)... there would have been too damn much pressure and being a good distance away is good for me... not as many temptations, etc...
Only problem is that the family (mom, dad, friends) are getting older and it gets harder to fathom someone not being there at some point... everyone's healthy overall and I'm thankful for that... I'm also happy that I got to see an aunt, uncle and cousin who mean the world to me...
The upcoming years will certainly be hard, but there was a lot of love back there and always will be... I sure hope they all understand (honestly) why I'm here instead of there...
I talked it over with my friend last night and she thinks everything is OK and I trust her instinct just because of who she is and what she's been for me in the past...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Countdown
Here we go... one week before vacation...
I can't tell you how long it's been since I've actually had one. OK - actually I can - 3 years! Even though we're going "home" and it's sometimes more work than I want to admit, it's still a great time... so many people to see and as always we won't be able to see everyone... We'll do our best, but it's going to be tight...
My mom's got stuff planned, my mother-in-law's got stuff planned, everyone has someplace for us to be...
The one thing I HAVE to do is get my dad alone for 5 or 10 minutes and thank him for the college education he gave me... story goes like this - during the winter there was construction across the street from our building and I watched those poor bastards freezing doing their work outdoors... my mom and dad gave me the opportunity to not have to do that for the rest of my life... I have to thank them for that...
I figure it will be over morning coffee sitting in the back yard or over a scotch or Jack Daniels on the front steps one night...
Hope I don't cry...
I can't tell you how long it's been since I've actually had one. OK - actually I can - 3 years! Even though we're going "home" and it's sometimes more work than I want to admit, it's still a great time... so many people to see and as always we won't be able to see everyone... We'll do our best, but it's going to be tight...
My mom's got stuff planned, my mother-in-law's got stuff planned, everyone has someplace for us to be...
The one thing I HAVE to do is get my dad alone for 5 or 10 minutes and thank him for the college education he gave me... story goes like this - during the winter there was construction across the street from our building and I watched those poor bastards freezing doing their work outdoors... my mom and dad gave me the opportunity to not have to do that for the rest of my life... I have to thank them for that...
I figure it will be over morning coffee sitting in the back yard or over a scotch or Jack Daniels on the front steps one night...
Hope I don't cry...
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Giving Thanks...
I'm sure I'm like a lot of bloggers in the US who are writing on this topic ...
You've got the obvious things - my friends, my family, my health (although my doctor is working me over pretty good to lose that 10 - 15 pounds by my next physical), a roof over my head, etc. etc. etc.
One of the things I'm MOST thankful for is the new job I've been in for the past 8 weeks. After my last gig, this is a wonderful change for me and I'm very happy to have landed where I did. New friends, new challenges and a management team that supports me and my ideas.
The other thing I'm thankful for is the work of all the military men and women who are protecting me, my family and our friends by putting their lives on hold and on the line - every day. Without them and the support of THEIR families, we sure as hell wouldn't be enjoying what we do each and every day of our lives.
If you are reading this and are associated with a military family, unit, etc. - my sincere thanks for all you and your fellow soldiers do for us. We love you all!
You've got the obvious things - my friends, my family, my health (although my doctor is working me over pretty good to lose that 10 - 15 pounds by my next physical), a roof over my head, etc. etc. etc.
One of the things I'm MOST thankful for is the new job I've been in for the past 8 weeks. After my last gig, this is a wonderful change for me and I'm very happy to have landed where I did. New friends, new challenges and a management team that supports me and my ideas.
The other thing I'm thankful for is the work of all the military men and women who are protecting me, my family and our friends by putting their lives on hold and on the line - every day. Without them and the support of THEIR families, we sure as hell wouldn't be enjoying what we do each and every day of our lives.
If you are reading this and are associated with a military family, unit, etc. - my sincere thanks for all you and your fellow soldiers do for us. We love you all!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Fun Weekend Planned
The wife and daughter are going away for the weekend on a field trip... that leaves me and my son.
Not really big plans, but it will be fun. Weather is supposed to be lousy on Sunday so we're probably going to rent some movies, make some food and "camp out" in the family room.
Saturday will be filled with yard work and other outdoor stuff.
We're both looking forward to having some fun!!
Not really big plans, but it will be fun. Weather is supposed to be lousy on Sunday so we're probably going to rent some movies, make some food and "camp out" in the family room.
Saturday will be filled with yard work and other outdoor stuff.
We're both looking forward to having some fun!!
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