The Working Place For The Nice Girl

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/06/24/nice-girls-still-dont-get-the-corner-office/?ncid=webmail

I just read this article and this topic was on my list of things to blog about - mainly the spirit of the workplace lately and it's progression over this difficult time, with this recession and past lay-offs - it has changed dramatically, no one can deny that. Not only are most people not getting raises for fifth year in a row, they have been asked to take furloughs, unpaid vacations and cut back dramatically on hours. Resulting in, at least in my personal situation of a 35% income loss, and to some a great more. Plus, we all know that everything else, like the cost to consumers is on the rise. These things plus other stressful situations is making everyone a bit more cranky! No more mr or misses nice guy!?

I know I have found myself trying to figure out the best way to deal with it all. Being a young woman, who already had some issues with the "working world" (yes, the "Good 'ol Boy" system still lives, and being blond doesn't help), it has been challenging and I do not have any clear directives as of now. Because as the article stated - no one "wants" to be the "bitch", but you can't constantly be the one everyone "abuses" either. I love how articles like this always have the same advice: "take the middle road", or "be a little of both - don't be a push over, but don't be mean - either way, no one will want to work with you!".

But they don't exactly tell you how. And yet I still know both kinds of people in my work place and no, no one wants to work with them. Yes, I have ideas about how these people could be better, but it still wouldn't make them "middle of the road". I would consider myself middle of the road and consistent. I don't say "yes" on good days and "no" on bad days, although I will say "come back later!" I take on the work load I want and think I can handle. I also take on things I think will grow or challenge me. I don't take on things volunteers can do, I tell people to "go get volunteers!" or "can the committee get together and do this at a meeting". I try not to make more work for myself, but I also feel like sometimes I dilute the work I am doing. My attention is so spread out, hardly any one project gets my full attention. Plus, friends complain to me, that there are the pet projects from upper management. Despite a declining economy and less staff - pet project still exist...damn! Those are my "PET" peeves, I hate pet projects (for other people). I'll admit I have one occasion. However, if I had more time, there are a couple of work projects I wish I could do better.

That being said, I am doing the best I can. I do believe others are doing the best they can and I give them the benefit of the doubt. However, if the recession is just enough to throw you over the edge - jump back and take a second to think about what your about to do. Making a scene, "cracking up" or having a melt down, is just not healthy for anyone. And right now it doesn't seem like it's not going to save your job or get people off your back. 'The mentality is "lay-low" and "stay off the radar" or "don't bring attention to yourself". It's everyman for himself! You don't want to be a "target", because that could mean you could lose your job.' That's what I have heard anyway. How is that possible - how did we get here?

Just by bringing up the slightest thing, shedding light on an inequality or uneven work load, or a hostile environment, make YOU the target? What happen to the squeaky wheel? They REPLACED it! Or in many cases they took it off and made the other three wheels work that much harder...

So the "Nice Girl" is someone totally different today, than just a year ago and will be totally different I think after this recession. Right now, there are just too many factors and variables to consider in each work place. If you have a nice working relationship with your supervisor or a mentor in your work place - ask them. If you really have to or want to say "NO!" to someone or something, ask them first for advice. Same goes for reporting inappropriate behavior or discrimination, ask them for advice on who and how to report it. It might just mean, keeping a log of it for right now and waiting it out!

DIY: Homemade Paper Crafts - Decorate with Paper!

DIY: This is an addition to my last post - how to make a homemade paper banner. This one is personalized - you can see I drew it out first. I used LIME GREEN, BLUE and white paper to make this, I also added bright colored ribbon, and yarn to the ends and the middle to make it more festive. The options are endless, and still pretty cheap. Plus if you are making the decorations yourself - you can make them all match!

This is basically the look you get with a homemade banner. This was my Christmas one.

I then tried homemade paper books this year. At the community center one of the groups is called the Book Making Club and I took a couple of their samples to learn how. Basically you can make them any size and color. I used red and green for the Christmas. Plus I used stamps, glitter and the other supplies are scissors, a punch, thread and a threader, a sharpie and a computer to make the photos that went in the "books". I also made these books ornaments. It was a lot of fun and really popular.

This is the what the front looked liked after I finished.

Here is the photos and a finished one.

Enjoy!

Kids Are Heros Blog - Check it out!

WOW, I get teary eyed when I see a child play nice with an animal or carefully move a little bug to safety, or help a younger child with something. These children are amazing! Of course I work in the profession of children and teens - and I would argue with adults that are "children-at-heart" = so I am lucky to work in a profession where I hear a lot of these wonderful stories and get to facilitate many wonderful missions!

http://www.justgabe.com/blog-for-kah/

Where were you on 9-11-01?

‎9-11-01: What were you doing 10 years ago on that Tuesday? I was on my way to a work trainning (still part time with the City of Mesa, AZ), driving on the US60 west bound, and everything was, in slow motion. I could tell something was different or wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it. The cars were slow but steady (not in any hurry, but going and not 'backed up' like they usually were) and whatever was on the radio was not making any sense.
I listened to 92.3 at the time. And have NEVER listened to them since (based on their coverage of that day). Then my mom used my cell phone for the first time, to call me and told me what was happening (back when cell phones weren't 'big' to me). My husband was working graves, so he was still asleep and had no idea what was going on either. My first fear was he would be called to go somewhere that would be dangerous. I finished training, as everyone in the class agreed to continue...true American fashion...then returned home and watched TV for the next 48 hours.

I cried the most for the people in the planes. By then we had heard the 'cell phone calls' and we knew that the people on the plane knew they had been hijacked. So I just kept thinking how fearful those people were, knowing they were going to die. And then I was sad for the families of people who searched in vain for WEEKS for bodies that didn't exist! They had no one to bury, no body to identify...just mad me sad. God bless American!

Since then by the way, I have gotten Satellite Radio and listened to Howard Sterns coverage of that day, (I think it was the one year anniversary tribute), and I have listened to him ever since! No one does radio like him.

Cost of Living in 2010 - by who's deffinition??

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15/u-s-consumer-prices-rise-0-1-increase-0-1-excluding-food-energy-costs.html
Well, I heard good news and bad news this week, and I almost couldn't believe my ears: The good news was, some cities and companies are considering pay increases in the 2011-2012 fiscal year budgets for about 1% - 4%; the bad news I heard - "the cost-of-living in the US has not gone up much".

My question was - is it better to suggest a "cost-of-living" increase or just a all over merit increase? To me "cost-of-living" increase sounds more essential and merit sounds more like "optional". Yes, some of us deserve both - however most people who have to deal with the bottom-line won't see it that way. So, I was then told - no, don't suggest a "cost-of-living" increase, because it could be "argued" that the cost-of-living hasn't really gone up? Really??

That's news to me because I have a small child and I am pretty sure that in just 2 years that cost of milk has, I have also had to join a carpool in 2008 because of, that sky high jump in GAS prices! Not to mention health care - it use to cost just $25 for a co-pay, now it's $35...
GAS 2009 $2.66 - 2010 $2.91 (I didn't do 2008 b/c there was that HUGE summer jump)
MILK 2008 $2.74 - 2010 $3.50
STAMPS 2008 $.39 - 2010 $.44
MOVIES 2008 $7.00 - 2010 $10.50

(wiki.answers.com)

Apparently rent has been steady, car prices are lower, and "COMMODITY" costs such as home furnishings, electronics and airlines prices are steady or lower in some cases, due to  "retailers" trying to "stimulate" the buyer...
It also includes "CORE" measures, which excludes "CONSUMER" costs such as, the (volatile) cost of food,  building materials, metals and energy costs.

Which I would argue, even though rent is steady and buying a home costs are down - what about building a new one? If copper and metals are at an all time high, and building materials are more expensive, then buying a new house would cost more, right? Besides that I don't buy new houses every year, or cars, or electronics, or furniture!~

I buy GAS, MILK, STAMPS and MEAT!!

Creative Monster or Plain Old Fun?? Are we making "fun" too much work??

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/07/27/128804395/playground#commentBlock

OK so New York City put in a $7 million dollar playground... surprise, surprise, surprise. No, not really. One - New York does everything big and no surprise with BIG price tags, and Two -New York is always on the cutting edge, and I would venture to say they set the bar on this one - yes, they set the monkey bar(s) a little high. When states are cutting and closing parks - New York is building them. That's always good news to me!! And this "state of the park" facility is awesome - why not mix up some traditional ideas with new ones. After all we are trying to encourage kids to get out and play more

However, are we making "fun" too much "work"?? As a recreational planner, I am often reminded, not to "over schedule" the fun and not to make people "work" to hard to get results. Fun is typically simple and creative play should be unscheduled, uncensored and spontaneous. Your thoughts?

Preggers?? I LOVED this book - you gotta read it!

Dear Preggers,
Haveing been there-done that, please allow me to suggest a book or two. I am not a big reader, so know that I looked through dozens of books at the Library, on-line and in book stores; trying to decied which ones to read. Were they worth it? Too wordy? Too bias? Too many big words? So hopefully I can help you cut through the crap and read ones that ultimatly helped me in my expereince.

"Birth - The surprising history of how we are born" by Tina Cassidy:
I LOVED this book! And I would recommend it to those pregnant or planning to, and wanting to know about the modern American birth experience! Out of dozens of books, this one was comprehensive, easy-to-read, and as neutral as it gets! I am not a huge history buff, but the way Tina explains the history of birth, pregnancies, techniques, procedures and doctors from birthing huts to hospitals. I was fascinated and couldn't put the book down as I moved from era to era!! It helped me a lot to understand our present day fears, the evolution of today's "standard" practices and helped me to develop my birth plan.
http://tinacassidy.info/

I have scene in some reviews of this book, with a comparison to a the movie. It is very different from the movie "Birth" with Wilson - which is more of a documentary and I think the confusion of it's relationship with this book overshadows it. Read the book first, then see the movie - you'll see!

I would also recommend "What to Expect, When your expecting" (lastest edition) - but that is kind of a given and it's easy to find, it is not as inclusive of the history. I found Tina's book at my library, but ended up buying one at amazon.com. Yes, it was that good - I had to buy a copy of my own, because I kept telling people to read it!! So now I shove it in their hands :)

As always best wishes and enjoy!

Playground Politics

So I texted a couple friends, my mom and my sister about this little boy that threw a stuffed animal at Eme today. I was just saying to them; I could of spanked him, or very easily started crying. I don't know who was more hurt by the ordeal...clearly not Eme, not bothered one bit she went on to play with a ball.
These are my favorite replys:
1) Did you throw it back?
2) That only means he likes her
3) What a little shit!
4) ...kids are at that age...
5) Where was your tazor?
And finally my moms (insert loving motherly voice) = "honey, it's totally normal to feel that way, you will do anything for your kid, include kill another kid!"

Getting lucky...again?

Reading "Maybe Baby" - a collection of letters by real people, deciding to have or not to have a baby, or additional babies in some cases. A look into some peoples obsession with having children and how they "force" that on others, how some people choose NOT to have children and wish others would just leave them alone about it. That lingering sense of only "feeling" complete by having children, and so on... it's interesting. I guess I got the book becuase I wanted to ready what others thought when deciding to have another baby; maybe I thought, it would help to know the motavation behind the initial decisions to have or not have children in the first place. I can't alway make sense of my thoughts on the subject and I would say that "society" may play a role and sometimes makes it difficult to sort through my own feelings.

Which lead me to ask - when people find out I had an EASY pregnancy, an EASY 5 hour birth and now have an EASY baby - why do they say "oh, just wait till the next one!". Is a family only allowd one good baby? Will I be "punished" for having it easy and therefore "cursed" with a difficult baby in my future? Maybe no one can really apprechiate my journey in motherhood because I haven't had to deal with a "bad" baby. Somehow I got "lucky" the first time around and God might be keeping track to make sure he even's the score. If not God, then who. Who is keeping track of who gets good babies and who gets bad babies. And, if they are going to have more than one, who makes sure at least one of them is "bad"? I am not sure I understand this "spitful" universe where "bad baby karma" exsist. But people seem pretty certain they understand the role of these "Baby Gods" and that my "luck" is about to run out... Hmmmmmm?

P.S. I know for certain it is NOT Mother-In-Laws. Somewhere around our first anniversary she told Rich " I hope you have a baby just like you!", she still claims he does not deserve Eme.

A Brides REVENGE on her Bridesmaids?

WARNING: This dress will self destruct in T-minus 30 seconds!

NOTE: Don't "Lady-Hate" and NEVER make your "friends" wear this color! This is a crime against women; wait it's so ugly, it's a crime against weddings! It should be out lawed! Why is that fabric color even made? How do you order this color anyway?

Yes, I am thinking of a Sushi theme and the dresses are going to be "wasabi"

google images "wasabi"

I HATE getting political, but...

AZ PROP 100-

YES or NO?
YES says - YES we NEED money for our schools, our schools are in crisis and the outlook is grim if we don't pass this tax, we'll have nothing. We can't do anything with any less.

NO says - NO, NO new taxes! Stop taxing the poor to give to the rich. There has never been a "temporary tax" in AZ, despite them starting out that way - they become long term and still the government finds a way to spend that money too!
What do I say? I agree that our state is in crisis, and I agree we need more money to go to parks, recreation, school age programs, schools, education, ect. Heck, I work in government, so this is the sort of thing I should support. But, I am also a tax payer. The problem is the people who write these taxes and proposals. They will find a way to write in, or they are forced to write in these "loop holes" for unrepresented circumstances. That allow politicians to take from the that "ear marked" money, and you guessed it, put it in the general fund. Or put it wherever the self propelling politician decides he needs it! NO MORE TAXES!!! Enough is enough! Balance what you have and stop overspending, and STOP pulling funds from important programs. I want to say NO on prop 100 - becuase I want them to start spending a different way and be held responsible! BUT, I also know a few teachers who will could be laid off and even more programs cut if it doesn't pass... so I will voting YES... this time.

 
http://yeson100.com/blog/post/they-get-it--they-really-get-it?action=comment

A Soda Tax?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-florez/a-day-of-judgment-for-big_b_482324.html

Well as a Parks and Recreational professional myself, and an active adult person, I have both participated and planned programs that promote health, exercise, outdoor activity and fight obesity. I too, plan or try to plan programs that could potentially fight childhood obesity - however that funding is going away. After school "open gyms" are rare, if not obsolete in some community in AZ, and those help with youth crime rates too. After school programs, pools, parks, facilities for recreation are ALL cutting programs, staff, hours and/or worse closing! So, yes, if a soda tax supported parks and recreation, I could support a small tax. HOWEVER, don't be fooled, I work in government, I see where taxes go and where they don't go! I fear politicians will see this tax as another pay day - they will be so crafty as to write in their own self sustaining loop holes that allow them to pull the funding from parks and recreation whenever they feel like it. Much like they have with State Parks Funding, Heritage Funds, Arts and Cultural Funds, etc. So I proceed with caution!! They may use this "front" of helping childhood obesity and long term health care programs to successfully doop the public into funding their financial problems...again.

Zinger envy? for all the times you think of something to say AFTER the fact and wish you had; BEWARE of zinger regret!!

Obama Budget good for nature - major step forward for conservation (surprise?) http://ping.fm/dzXpb

My Blog Style

OK, so I have decided, I will blog the way I journal. Very natural and honest, with the bit of wit I always deliver in my stories. I will have blogs labeled - "All in a days work" - about work and career field stories; "City Kitty" - opinions and critiques about travel, tourism, parks, events, shopping, liesure activities, dining, work ethics, etc; "The family kat" - about my family; and finally "Old but not outdated" - references to old journal entries and/or my childhood. Then there is also the added joy of my Twitter and Ping entries. Enjoy!