In just a few short hours, my little girl will be on a bus headed to her first full day of kindergarten. The whole day. 9:00 am to 3:15 pm, she will be in school.
How did this happen? How did my little girl turn 5 and head off to school without me noticing? When did she get so big? It is really not possible. There is no one this the same little girl with the full head of dark hair who I cradled in my arms. There is no way this is the same little girl.
And yet, it is. Her bright blue eyes full of energy and some trepidation. Her excitement to go see kids in her class and already for recess. Her nervousness about riding the bus by herself without mommy or daddy with her. Yes, this is my little girl. She is growing up...too fast.
When she was born, my supervisor told me to cherish those moments because they go by so fast. I laughed and many times, during long, sleepless nights when she would cry or not want to go to sleep, I would wonder, as I was swaying her in my arms, when does this start going fast.
And now here I am today, wondering where this time went. I wonder how things did go so fast and how my little baby girl turned into a beautiful, inquisitive, insightful little girl. She has faced adversity unlike many kids her age and yet, she acts no different. If anything, she is tougher and wiser because of it.
I am so proud of her today as she starts kindergarten. Being the softy I am, I have shed more than one tear privately realizing my little girl is growing up. Still, I am so very proud of the young girl she has become and relish the opportunity to watch her continue this path in to something special.
I love you Ella. Best of luck on your first day of kindergarten!
Aug 25, 2011
Aug 8, 2011
Not everything is political
As many folks know I am a very politically driven person. Often, I allow politics to seep into conversations where it may or may not be appropriate.
One thing I am sure of, the death of the US Navy SEALS team this weekend is not political, nor should it be. I already have heard on the news and seen people posting on Facebook and elsewhere this should be a reason for us to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan.
Look, I agree our job there is ending and we need to withdraw our troops, but the death of these men does not deserve to be politicized. They knew the risks. They understood their job and they died protecting the beliefs and the freedoms of this country. In many cases, this was what they were born to do. Some have the courage to serve and put their lives on the line while others do not. Don't make their decision political.
I don't care what party affiliation you are. I don't care if you support or don't support this president or any president before him. Now is not the time for politics!
We need to pay tribute to these men with honor and dignity, just as they served this country. We need to recognize their sacrifices and we need to understand their willingness to protect us in the process. We need to understand their sacrifice was not for political argument. It was in service to this country and they need to be remembered for that service.
One thing I am sure of, the death of the US Navy SEALS team this weekend is not political, nor should it be. I already have heard on the news and seen people posting on Facebook and elsewhere this should be a reason for us to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan.
Look, I agree our job there is ending and we need to withdraw our troops, but the death of these men does not deserve to be politicized. They knew the risks. They understood their job and they died protecting the beliefs and the freedoms of this country. In many cases, this was what they were born to do. Some have the courage to serve and put their lives on the line while others do not. Don't make their decision political.
I don't care what party affiliation you are. I don't care if you support or don't support this president or any president before him. Now is not the time for politics!
We need to pay tribute to these men with honor and dignity, just as they served this country. We need to recognize their sacrifices and we need to understand their willingness to protect us in the process. We need to understand their sacrifice was not for political argument. It was in service to this country and they need to be remembered for that service.
Jan 28, 2011
..."slipped the surly bonds of earth"...
Twenty five years ago today at just a little more than a minute into its accent into space, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and fell back to Earth, taking with it the lives of its seven crew members on board.
At that point in time, I was sitting in Mrs. Wagner's third grade class at Franklin Township Elementary School. I was 8-years old at the time and my aspiration for when I grew up was to be, of all things, an astronaut. For so many the realization of what happened that day was shocking. Even for grown adults, seeing the shuttle destroyed live on the air was devastating. For a third grader who wanted to be on that shuttle, devastating doesn't begin to explain how I felt.
Needless to say, my life path changed that day. it most likely would have anyway. Who, in third grade, knows what they want to be and then follows through on this 20 years later. Still, the shock of that day for me was personal. I didn't know anyone on board that shuttle, except in the public way that we all grew to know Christa McAuliffe. Many of us didn't even know the names of the astronauts as this was a routine, everyday mission for them. They were doing what they were born to do. But still, the personal attachment of a dream is just as poignant. It is no less devastating when that dream is ripped away by tragedy.
Three years later, sitting in my reading class in Mrs. Phiel's sixth grade classroom in the newly built Franklin Township Elementary, I remember watching the space program get back off the ground and launching a shuttle for the first time since Challenger. I remember actually clapping and cheering for this while others in the class looked at me as if I had two heads. Indeed, while my career aspirations had changed, my love of space exploration and travel was still there.
The devastation of seeing Columbia fall apart in the morning sky several years later was shocking, but it was very different than that morning in 1986.Perhaps my more adult and less naive mind grasp what had happened. Maybe its because I had seen it before. Perhaps my senses had been dulled by other world and personal tragedy. Whatever it was, I was still riveted to the news, but not the same ways as I was with Challenger.
In every person's life, there are "where were you when" moments. For a generation is was the Kennedy Assassination. For my generation it was the Challenger and 9/11. They are moments that we wish we never experienced but also moments we will never forget.
To those astronauts that perished that cold morning in January 1986 we will never forget your sacrifice and we will not forget your mission. As President Reagan said in lieu of his State of the Union speech that night in January...
At that point in time, I was sitting in Mrs. Wagner's third grade class at Franklin Township Elementary School. I was 8-years old at the time and my aspiration for when I grew up was to be, of all things, an astronaut. For so many the realization of what happened that day was shocking. Even for grown adults, seeing the shuttle destroyed live on the air was devastating. For a third grader who wanted to be on that shuttle, devastating doesn't begin to explain how I felt.
Needless to say, my life path changed that day. it most likely would have anyway. Who, in third grade, knows what they want to be and then follows through on this 20 years later. Still, the shock of that day for me was personal. I didn't know anyone on board that shuttle, except in the public way that we all grew to know Christa McAuliffe. Many of us didn't even know the names of the astronauts as this was a routine, everyday mission for them. They were doing what they were born to do. But still, the personal attachment of a dream is just as poignant. It is no less devastating when that dream is ripped away by tragedy.
Three years later, sitting in my reading class in Mrs. Phiel's sixth grade classroom in the newly built Franklin Township Elementary, I remember watching the space program get back off the ground and launching a shuttle for the first time since Challenger. I remember actually clapping and cheering for this while others in the class looked at me as if I had two heads. Indeed, while my career aspirations had changed, my love of space exploration and travel was still there.
The devastation of seeing Columbia fall apart in the morning sky several years later was shocking, but it was very different than that morning in 1986.Perhaps my more adult and less naive mind grasp what had happened. Maybe its because I had seen it before. Perhaps my senses had been dulled by other world and personal tragedy. Whatever it was, I was still riveted to the news, but not the same ways as I was with Challenger.
In every person's life, there are "where were you when" moments. For a generation is was the Kennedy Assassination. For my generation it was the Challenger and 9/11. They are moments that we wish we never experienced but also moments we will never forget.
To those astronauts that perished that cold morning in January 1986 we will never forget your sacrifice and we will not forget your mission. As President Reagan said in lieu of his State of the Union speech that night in January...
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."
Jan 6, 2011
And so...
Well my friends, I am back on my Blog. I realized the other day that it has been almost a year since I posted anything to this page. Partially because I post articles and stuff that I used to post here, to Facebook more often now. But also just neglect. I have been doing this Blog since 2001...ten years now...and never had I only had one entry in a year until 2010. Oh well.
So here is Captain Cynical checking in for 2011 and hoping to do better in updating this page.
Now, on with the show...a coworker the other day posted a status update on Facebook that made me think. Her status was "The optimist knows the work week is half over. The pessimist knows there is half a week left to work. The realist is glad to have a job. Which one are you?"
When I read this, I immediately thought, that is a hell of a good question. Throughout my professional career, I have fallen on all three sides of that question. But, where do I fit now. Every time I complain about work or people at work, I try to remind myself that in this world we live in, I should be grateful to be employed. No matter how often I remind myself of that, I still complain again the next time.
The realization for today that has carried on for sometime is that perhaps a level of appreciation, no matter how small or how inconsequential, can go a long way to making someone's answer to this question positive. Perhaps with some recognition of a person's abilities, talents and value, they would value their job more and they would in turn be happy to be at work. They would look at the calendar and comment "Wow...I can't believe its Wednesday already!"
We all have bad days at work...that's part of life. But when you have people putting in the bare minimum to get the bare minimum and that is considered effective, perhaps your leadership chain can be questioned. If nothing else, your motivation abilities can be called into question.
I would love to see all current leaders sit in on a class on leadership development. Some would nod in agreement because they understand and personify what is being discussed. Some would nod in agreement because they saw the guy next to them nodding. Some would be offended that they had to be there and wouldn't be listening no matter what was said. And then there are some who would listen to every word and as soon as they leave the room, all of that information would be lost.
So...what is my answer to the original question? Half over, half to go, happy to have a job. I honestly still don't know. I am happy to have a job, but if it means that I am tormented by the incompetence and lack of respect from other, than is it worth it. I am happy the week is half over, but more because I know there were two days until the weekend. I cringe thinking there are two days left, but not because of the work. More so, it is the realization that I need to deal with levels of disrespect and intolerance for two more days before getting a break.
Well...like I said, I am back.
So here is Captain Cynical checking in for 2011 and hoping to do better in updating this page.
Now, on with the show...a coworker the other day posted a status update on Facebook that made me think. Her status was "The optimist knows the work week is half over. The pessimist knows there is half a week left to work. The realist is glad to have a job. Which one are you?"
When I read this, I immediately thought, that is a hell of a good question. Throughout my professional career, I have fallen on all three sides of that question. But, where do I fit now. Every time I complain about work or people at work, I try to remind myself that in this world we live in, I should be grateful to be employed. No matter how often I remind myself of that, I still complain again the next time.
The realization for today that has carried on for sometime is that perhaps a level of appreciation, no matter how small or how inconsequential, can go a long way to making someone's answer to this question positive. Perhaps with some recognition of a person's abilities, talents and value, they would value their job more and they would in turn be happy to be at work. They would look at the calendar and comment "Wow...I can't believe its Wednesday already!"
We all have bad days at work...that's part of life. But when you have people putting in the bare minimum to get the bare minimum and that is considered effective, perhaps your leadership chain can be questioned. If nothing else, your motivation abilities can be called into question.
I would love to see all current leaders sit in on a class on leadership development. Some would nod in agreement because they understand and personify what is being discussed. Some would nod in agreement because they saw the guy next to them nodding. Some would be offended that they had to be there and wouldn't be listening no matter what was said. And then there are some who would listen to every word and as soon as they leave the room, all of that information would be lost.
So...what is my answer to the original question? Half over, half to go, happy to have a job. I honestly still don't know. I am happy to have a job, but if it means that I am tormented by the incompetence and lack of respect from other, than is it worth it. I am happy the week is half over, but more because I know there were two days until the weekend. I cringe thinking there are two days left, but not because of the work. More so, it is the realization that I need to deal with levels of disrespect and intolerance for two more days before getting a break.
Well...like I said, I am back.
Jan 13, 2010
Here's...
I never suspected that my first Blog entry of the new year would be in reference to television. Actually, if I had to guess, if it wasn't about the kids or the job, TV would be the next logical subject for me.Nonetheless, here I am writing about the current late night situation on NBC. I am a Conan fan. I have been since he debuted at 12:30 and I was very excited to watch him transition on to The Tonight Show. I love his brand of humor and have watched more episodes (actually almost every night) of The Tonight Show with Conan hosting than I did in Leno's 17 years on the show.
I understand that Conan is not everyone's favorite. He definitely attracts a different audience than Leno or Carson or any of the predecessors of The Tonight Show. My argument is not about whether or not you like Conan, my argument is simple...
Give the guy a shot! Jay Leno announced 5 years ago he was leaving The Tonight Show in 2009. At that time, Conan was announced as his successor on the show. Here's my point...if the guy who did my job before I came to work at my employer suddenly failed at his new job, would he be offered my job and I be moved to something less than what I am doing? Not at all...this just doesn't happen.
Conan's ratings have been lower than Jay's, even losing the ratings battle to Letterman. Let's examine this now too.
1) When Jay took over The Tonight Show he had powerhouse shows like Law and Order, LA Law and even NBC's Must See TV lineup on Thursday nights to provide a strong lead for the affiliate (local) newscasts, ultimately providing a strong lead in to The Tonight Show. In addition, later shows like ER continued this strength in leading in to the late night lineup.
2) Letterman's rating went up after his big sex scandal this past summer. Scandal always leads to viewership. Leno can attest to this as well when he had on Hugh Grant immediately after his scandal. After that, Leno's rating grew and he continued to beat Letterman year in and year out.
So, Conan was not given a shot. His shot was squashed by a guy who should understand what it takes to make it at 11:30. Instead, he is going to comfortable move back to his slot, taking down the immediate future of the next generation.
I won't stop watching NBC completely, but my late night viewership will be switched. Whether I go to Letterman or I go to wherever Conan lands, I will be more than happy to tune my TV to something other than NBC. Fortunately, most of the crap they are producing now, allows me to keep my eyes off of their network a lot easier.
Anyway...my thoughts on that. Maybe this will be my theme for 2010 entries...bitching about anything and everything that has no direct relationship to my life at all :-)
I'M WITH COCO!!!!
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