30 May 2008

Random Friday Thoughts

I've got nothing of importance for you today so you'll just have to listen to my brain dump!

  • Is it spring yet? My lilacs still haven't bloomed and tomorrow is the last day of May.
  • My employer is implementing a 4-day work week beginning next week. It's being offered to reduce commuting costs (gas just hit $4.19/gallon here). The up side? I'll have either a Monday or a Friday off each week. The down side? People are idiots and based on the behavior I've seen in the office (from fellow employees) since this announcement was made I think it's likely that the 4-day work week will be short lived. Why are some people so drawn to screwing things up for everyone else?
  • When we moved out here, I made a conscientious decision to be active in the community. Much of that involvement surrounds the public school system. I went to my first School Improvement Plan (SIP) Committee meeting at the middle school last night. Someone please tell me why the school district would require each school to write a SIP but have ZERO accountability for actually meeting the goals listed on the SIP? How ridiculous is that?
  • I was elected President of the Middle School Parent Volunteer Organization for the 2008-2009 school year. Do you suppose this little farming community would take issue with the nekkid Thursday PVO President?
  • We leave for a week of "vacation" in San Antonio a week from Sunday. It will be me, Husband and four kids between the ages of 12 and 20. I'm pulling my son out of school for a full week. It was originally only the last 2 days of the school year until we had FIVE snow days this winter. Does that make me a bad mom?
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If you are feeling geeky today and want to waste time at work challenge your brain, Talisman is hosting an “identify this image” taken under a Scanning Electron Microscope game. She's got some pretty cool prizes for the winners. Go show her that the brainy readers come from my blog.

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26 comments:

Ken said...

4 day week is tough if your the kind of person that can't wait to get out of work. 2 more hours a day feels like, a VERY long time!
I did it once and hated the long days.

Unknown said...

LOVE your random thoughts!

Okay, I would LOVE a 4 day week. The substation technicians do that here. I would do it in a heart beat. But yea, SOMEONE always screws shit up.

Four kids? Those ages? How long is that trip? And no, not a bad mom at all, but I'm wondering where you live that school is still in! When is the last day?

President, huh? I read one girl's blog, and she was in some parent's group, and she got kicked out because of her blog! And she has NEVER had those kind of pictures on it. So, just don't tell anyone!!! LOL I'll keep your secret if you keep mine.

Doc said...

People ALWAYS F-up a good thing like 4 day work week... F-ers

Karen said...

My company is doing a half day on Fridays from Memeorial Day to Labor Day for support and non-essential staff. I am still not sure if that includes me.

You are the coolest mom ever for letting your son take a week off of school. ;-)

Knight said...

I hope you have a great time in San Antonio. It's a great city. Lot's to see.

Dana said...

Micky, we are actually adding the extra 1-1/2 hours (I work a 37.5 hour week) to the BEGINNING of each day - my shift will be 7AM-5PM, which is ideal for this morning person!

Bina, The trip is 8 days, and we'll be staying with husband's family in San Antonio. This is NOT what I call a vacation, which is why I'll be driving out to Washington State with just my son this summer!

Our school year was a bit whacked this year due to construction within the district. We didn't start until the day after Labor Day and the last day of school is June 17th (originally the 10th before SNOW!)

I really want to do a vlog of my "commute" to work - it's funny - but there is WAY too much identifying information on the 2.2 mile trip.

Dana said...

Doc, the accounting department is actually the trial group for a company wide implementation of a 4-day work week, making this person's behavior even more of an issue.

Karen, a lot of companies here do "summer hours" (either every other Friday off or half-days on Fridays) - this would actually be a permanent change.

Knight, I've spent quite a bit of time in San Antonio. I was there for almost a year when I was in the Army and have visited several times since. There is no place like the River Walk!

Acrimony said...

You know my opinion about school. ;) Have a safe trip!

Real Live Lesbian said...

Screw school...go have FUN!

Enjoy San Antonio!!!!

Unknown said...

Don’t worry, Dana, spring isn’t officially sprung until June 21.

When I was a county social services supervisor, I gave my staff the option of a 4 day work week. It was affective and those who availed themselves of it were delighted. Of course, there are always those (anally-fixated) folk who resist any change at all.

Plans without effective evaluation of the results are not really plans; they’re stabs in the dark.

Hmmmm… May I suggest that you not share your nekkid Thursdays with the community?

Don’t ask absurd question, just enjoy the vacation.

Blessing for a grand weekend, Dana!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Incredible that you might have this opportunity ripped away by a**hats....

OOOO the farmers would go crazy for the HNT PVO shots!

San Antonio is fab...my brother lives there...enjoy it...great zoo...the river walk...great food...

Last five days of school? all his testing done? Hell ... do it!

Leighann said...

I let the girls play hooky last Friday and they were MAD at ME for making them miss school! How long do you think that'll last?

If I forget to tell you later, have a great trip!

Jay said...

The state of Arkansas is going to institute flex hours for state employees including an option for a 4-day work week for some people. You should see the fit some people are throwing! I don't get it at all. A 4-day work week is a brilliant idea for any company.

Is it spring? Hell yes! It's 90 degrees here today.

San Antonio? Awesome! The Wild Zebra is the best strip club in town. It's on Loop 410. Take the New Braunfels Rd. exit. ;-)

"Do you suppose this little farming community would take issue with the nekkid Thursday PVO President?"

I see no way that they could have any problem whatsoever.

Dana said...

Tali, well, at least now I can stir the pot a bit!

RLL, ha! I'm certain my son will love your response!!

Nick, I'm just afraid my lilacs will bloom while we're in San Antonio!

Dana said...

Bond, I'm saving the HNT in the corn field for the annual calendar photo contest *wink*

Leighann, wait 'til they get to middle school - things change!

Jay, the person here making waves is upset that:
(1) She isn't guaranteed every Friday off - some times she may need to take a Monday
(2) We have 3 options for hours ... 7AM-5PM, 8AM-6PM or 9AM-7PM. Now, we don't have to commit to ALWAYS working one of those time frames, but we *do* have to let our supervisor know what our hours will be for the week each week. She doesn't want to have to tell anyone when she'll be here.
(3) We must have a designated (official) back up person. She doesn't want to have to name one because if they want the same day off during the week, she'll have to negotiate.

Our 4-day week isn't even mandatory - she could always work 5 days!

Deech said...

Dana,

Good post. First off, I would vote for you as president just on the fact that you do HNT.

Secondly, If you are coming to San Antonio, we have to figure out a way to get together for drinks or something. You did know that the SATX part of my handle meant San Antonio TX, didn't you?

Go to my blog page and send me an e-mail. I will be more than happy to buy you Margaritas....

Flyinfox_SATX

As American as Apple Pie said...

They never really do anything those last few days of school anyway. Don't worry about it.

As far as your HNT and blog, you may want to make it more anonymous. That's why I don't post my real name. Just a thought.

Wow! No lilacs yet? That IS late. They are usually there around the 2nd week of May. Maybe the long cold winter delayed them.

Anonymous said...

I thought I already commented but apparently not.

We used to do summer hours at my previous job and it was always a huge pain in the ass. The supervisor hated it and it was almost more hassle than it was worth. It was similar to what you're describing in that you only worked 4 days but it was only from Mem Day to Labor Day.

As for HNT, who cares? You know. I figured eventually someone *I* know might discover my silly little blog but whatever. I don't think anything you have posted has been obscene in the least. Worst case scenario you lose your totally volunteer job. Big deal.

tt said...

1. my lilies haven't bloomed yet either... :(
2.4 da workweek...woo-hoo...tell the bitches to shut-it!
3.schools+ accountability= oxymoron
4.um...probably....from jealousy :)
5. have fun in S.A.!!!
and you're a great Mom!!!

captain corky said...

A four day work week would be sweet and it would make a lot of sense. I think I will suggest it on the annual survey we take in September.

Schmoop said...

Madame President, I fear for your soul. Cheers!!

buffalodick said...

I hope you're not up on murder charges after this vacation....

Dana said...

Flyinfox, you might regret that Margarita offer! I can't make any promisses - this is actually a family event we are a part of so not sure what kind of time restraints we may have, but I will be taking my laptop with me!

Apple, I've considered doing that, but you know what? I'm tired of meeting other's expectations - if someone finds it I'm willing to stand up, shoulders back, chest out and say, "So what?!"

FF, Being that this is a permanent change, I'm really hoping people pull their heads out of their butts and make this work!

Dana said...

tt, I looked at my lilacs this morning and they are almost there - YIPPEE!!

Corky, it really does make sense!

Matt, me in the public scools - scary, isn't it??

Anndi said...

I can conribute 5$ towards your bail fund... 4 kids that age and a hubby... Buff and I share the same concern!

Jeff B said...

Hey, speaking of work and the assorted oddballs that go along with it, What's new with "Mr save the planet one recyclable bottle at a time"?

Somehow I don't think missing a few days of school is going to scar your child for life.

I missed plenty of school and look how I turned out!...Oooh, wait a minute. Maybe that's not a good idea after all.