Nobody asked me, but...: 08/01/2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Getting closer

Continuing the saga...

Was in Maryland this week, moving 90% of the office to the new development lab / office space. It's only that much as we're supposed to support our customer (sans dev lab) during the relocation effort. We can do it, to a point, without a lab. Fortunately support calls are down this time year due to vacations (gee, what does that word vacation mean?) Got to my office at 05:45 on Monday, and the moving vans were there already. By 08:30 we were on the road. These guys get paid by the job, not the hour!

One truck driver says to me We're taking Route 40, not 95 When I asked why he explained I-95 always has a weigh-station, but 40 usually doesn't in the mornings. When I asked why he was concerned, he answered Well if we get weighed, we'll be shut-down. OK! Let's go! Fortunately, there was no weigh-station, but I was sweating going down.

I spent the morning and late afternoon at the new lab, positioning equipment and the like. System Admins and Network engineers showed up on Tuesday, and we began reconstituting the lab. I left around 4:00 PM and headed home (3 hour drive). I clocked enough hours that tomorrow, Friday, I staying home.
During lunch Monday, I received 2 phone calls from a prospective employer. We had spoken last week and he indicated that I should get the offer letter (per our discussion) early this week. As I was at lunch with my colleagues, taking either call was out of the question. I did speak with the guy and he repeated his offer, and that I should get my offer tomorrow (Wednesday), with a requested start-date of 6-September. Now that would work for me, as I am supposed to be in Maryland beginning 1-Sep, so I can easily end my employment on 31-Aug if I got the offer letter today.

Well today came and I phoned him, looking for the letter. He apologized profusely and blamed upper-management being on vacation (again that word!), so he's put me off to next week, and a start date of 12-Sep. So we wait again. I do understand the hurdles of management, and I've been in his shoes with people I've hired, but that does not make this any easier.
If you read this far, drop me a line or comment and say as much. I wondering how much longer I can pretend to blog, and if I do hang-it-up I want to know who I should reach-out to with a personal sign-off.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Despite intense pressure from organized labor, the voters of Wisconsin spoke and turned-away the recall election efforts. Pressure over fiscal policies brought forth by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Walker brought calls for recall of 4 of the Republican legislators.

Ironically, when the entire Democrat minority of the Legislature left the state in order to deny the majority the ability to debate. Whereas the Democrats were derelict in their elected duties, only 2 of those members face recall election next week.

Happy to see the voters speak their mind, and that their legislators have been vindicated.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

What's next for Rep Giffords?

This is the sort of post that will anger a few, perhaps.

What's next for Gabrielle Giffords, the US House of Representative from Arizona who was tragically attacked early this year by a crazed gunman? She miraculously survived being shot in the forehead, in what most reasonable guesses and arm-chair experts would have predicted would have been fatal wound.

I am happy to see someone survive such an attack (eclipsed, perhaps, only by knowing they have the thug who did it).

But what's next? Reports say she's continuing her speech therapy, for example, and I - along with millions - wish her well.

But what about her seat? Last night she returned to the House to cast her vote for raising the debt-ceiling, and with predictable and justified standing-O's, she left soon after. Not surprising, considering how soon after it's been since she was released from hospital.

For the record, I am pleased with many of Rep Gifford's positions, including:

Increased border patrols
Endorsing 9/11 Commission findings
new rules for the House of Representatives targeting ethical issues
advocated for a national day of recognition for cowboys

That she had already earned rock-star status from her husband being an astronaut and active-duty military member - not to mention she's also extremely attractive in her own right - makes her an even brighter spot on the political landscape.

But what about her representation of her district? How long will the people of 8th-Arizona go without their voice in the Congress? What is to be done for those people if Ms.Giffords requires another year or so of rehabilitation to regain more of her speech ability?

Anyone who knows me is aware I am not one to dismiss the possibilities of anyone affected by different abilities, but in the real world of politics, one has to ponder when the well-wishing for her recovery must be balanced with whether or not she is able to carry out her duties as an elected official. For whatever standard is determined for Gabby today will be the same ruler used when the next elected official faces such an impairment (i.e. stroke). And in that vein, no one should be chastised if they dare to challenge her for her seat - either in a primary or the general election.

For if we are truly concerned for a fair and level playing field, then Ms. Giffirds must be allowed to demonstrate to her constituents her ability to lead and serve.