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!

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/

My first Custom Mascot - Tortilla Chip

Well here it is - my first Custom Mascot. A tortilla chip for a Salsa fest, here is his journey to full fledged live size chip! Here is his own face book page!

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002541409762

This is the official APRA Arizona Salsa Festival logo. The mission - first to have a successful event so that APRA can keep on, keeping on; and second for me to produce a life size "tortilla chip" to be the mascot of the inaugural event!

So there is NO pattern for a giant chip - or pizza, sponge or cheese wedge. Trust me, I looked and scoured the Internet for ANYTHING remotely close. Nope! I was on my own. So the first thing I did was get dimensions and of course make them larger than life :)

I carefully scaled my salty friend and then went to the craft store. This is what Chip started out at...

A pile of tan felt. I started with the eyes, one so that I wouldn't get confused when cutting the larger pieces of fabric. But also, in the making of the eyes, Chip immediately had character, and it gave me the extra boost I needed to actually "see" that I could do this. Well once the piece were cut, it did not take long to sew together. I soon had a felt "shell" of a chip and next I added it's color. Without the orange, brown and added darker tan (like the logo) - it kinda looked like pizza dough or a sponge.

Next came the hardest point for me, which was making Chip structurally sound and actually "crisp looking, or remotely triangular. I first tried plastic mesh from a hobby store but the weight of the costume weighed the corners down, and once the persons head was in - it just drooped to almost their shoulders. I also didn't want to use anything to "industrial" because people would need to be comfortable in their and I didn't want the costume to weight a ton from a bunch of steel rods. I also needed it to be "squishy" like a mascot and pliable - so wooden dowels wouldn't work - they would just snap if under pressure. What to do?

I figured it out! Unfortunately, the artist added a sombrero to Chip, so keeping a hat on him, and finding a hat big enough was the next step. Then instead of slaving away over making orange tights and a shirt for the "under ware" I bought GOLD colored cotton blend Haynes. A long sleeve shirt and sweat bottoms (which have not arrived yet) off of Amazon because it is a rare color and not carried in stores.

Supplies and materials at craft store = $59.45, a hat at the costume store = $19.99, Sweats on Amazon, plus shipping = $54.97.

Total cost = $134.41

Total time = approx. 20 hours

One of my favorite pics of Chip - dancing at the Salsa Festival. He made it! From office floor to standing (dancing) at event!

How to make a tortilla chip costume

Making a life size tortilla chip

tortilla chip costume 

tortilla chip mascot

life size tortilla chip

custome mascots







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!!

Funny things about Work

RE: Christmas Lunch Program
It's true, there is no holiday program* for today's employee lunch. So fear not, you may eat your lunch in "peace". You will not be forced into any ritualistic merriment or obligatory socialization. However, I must tell you that I am disappointed...I had prepared a silly game of all “NEW words learned in 2009” and had put together a town version of the “Night before Christmas…and all through the parks, not a person was stirring, not even Don Clark…”

Even with the “singing ban" of '08, I thought I would press on – singing would surely make a comeback? Unfortunately, all hope was lost when I heard “there isn’t going to be any of that fun stuff this year, is there?”.
No. No, sadly, no fun stuff.

I don’t want to inconvenience anyone…once a year…for 15 minutes…to have some fun…especially this time of year. *(However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, if we are so lucky, there is a rumor that the TM might play a musical ditty from his banjo – but it wasn’t finalized – so I guess you will just have to show up to find out :)

As for those who like to walk on the wild side of fun, you are invited to have lunch with me tomorrow (or anyday for that matter) - TBD. Stay "tuned" - ha ha ha!~


RE: NEW! Sign in Restrooms:
It's so funny when you see a sign that points out something obvious, like "slippery when wet", or "do not pick up hitchhikers", or my favorite "Danger: high voltage, do not touch". You had me at "Danger".


Somethimes you even think to yourself - "do they even need a sign?". That is what I thought when I saw the newly installed signs in the restrooms: Employees must wash hands before returning to work. Then someone placed a handwritten post-it next to the one in the women's restroom that said "But we're not food handlers".

Hmmmm, I guess they do need a sign after all. I wish that person would wear one, so we know who to avoid!


RE: Capitol Christmas Tree Event
I heard a rumor that it was a HUGE sucess? Granted I started it and, I would be correct! It was a wonderfully unique and historic event that we were lucky to be invited to partake in. Yes, it was done at no cost - for my financially fiscal friends - you may put your mind at ease that the band was donated by Jim May Productions and Target sponsored the events refreshments. So except for Cassies' and my time - which let’s face it, is priceless! That said, I also owe a HUGE thank you to Judy Becker, Steve Sikorski and Terri Larson, who went above and beyond to assist with this project. Having happily agreed to have the tree stopping here, I was blissfully unaware of the impact on the other departments – streets, code, engineering, etc. So thank you for the bottom of my tree!

I hope this event was the start of an economic turnaround in town! Go shopping!!

The best part was getting the tree (a 70 foot "wide-load" trailer)out of the Target parking lot, I heard they had to tip the tree upright to get it out of here, ha ha ha.

Everyone Mind Their Own Budget, Please

Vicious rumors are swarming my office (like Killer Bees, stinging the closest victims) , mostly about budgets – Who is spending what, what are they spending it on? Did they overspend? Did they have to spend that much? They probably didn’t go through all the proper procedures in purchasing. Did they “shop around”? They probably didn’t get three quotes, which means they just went out and bought the most expensive one! Don’t they know were on a budget?!?

But some of the rumors are targeting people's work and getting kind of personal; do they have enough work to do, did they leave early, did they get back from lunch late, did they get to work late, did they make a personal erand, are they on the internet, are they goofing off, did I hear someone laugh? (Godforbid someone have fun at work or enjoy themselves) Thanks, I have a mother and a supervisor and a department director!
Let the rant begin!

Titled: The Parks Department Spent All The Money?

APRIL FOOLS!

That's what I thought yesterday when someone told me that was a RUMOR going around after yesterdays director/budget meeting. I said "Seriously? No one is silly (stupid) enough to believe that? You have to be joking?" - Considering the spending Gestapo and MUNIS make it nearly impossible to spend anything - yet alone for "parks to overspend their budget". I have news for you, for those of fueling rumors - NOT HELPING MORAL! Remember all budgeted items are approved, by coordinators, by supervisors, by directors, by accounting, by council, by town manager… there is no need for any more budget police – I doubt you are uncovering something that nobody knew about. And, there is no reason for anyone to be “upset” at another departments costs of operating. Because ultimately – “operating”, means serving the public to the best of our abilities and resources.
Furthermore, we are all working for the same mission – essentially we are all on the same team. We need to be more considerate of each other, to stay human. Some of the “medaling” that is going on, is downright disturbing work. I personally can’t believe how cruel we’ve become. Nit picky and nosey. For instance, consider that if someone comes in a little late or leaves a little early – that since they worked over the weekend; worked the last 14 days in a row; stayed late and worked through lunch this week; or attended the last 15 council and commission meetings; that they might have to cut out early to tend to their neglected families, pets or homes… or grab a card for a loved one… pick up medicine… I don’t know, life happens. Don’t miss it and don’t stop other from living it. Take a message and move on. Everyone feels abused occasionally, hourly or salary—we’ve ALL has to put in the OT: and oh yeah - no one is getting raises (going on year three).

1) If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!

2) If you change your perspective, your perspective changes. And...

3) You can only make happy people, happy.

There is work to be done, if not there are others to help. So I hope we can all remain focused on doing our OWN jobs to the best of abilities and not about the lives of others. Worry about yourself, my mom use to say - it may reduce the stress your life.

The "Hot Seat" - risky business donations

Today someone bought and donated park benches to our department, to be used as “memorial benches”. Benches people buy in memory of someone. We have a memorial tree and bench program. They are placed in one of our parks and a small plaque commemorates the person(s). But our risk management does not allow us to accept them without proper authorization. Because they are placed in our parks, they have to meet strict structural standards. Such as meeting a certain weight tolerance, being made of only certain materials, they must be able to connect to the foundation in a certain way, and they must be fire resistant and retardant – Thus, brings me to the conversation I overheard in my cubical, quote “well, we don't know what they are made of, we do not know if they are just going to catch on fire”. I guess that gives NEW meaning to “being in the hot seat”.


When I heard that, I have not laughed that hard in a long time, and it was hard to get serious again. It's a shame that wasn't caught on tape!

Where's my EJECT button?

Seriously! When I am on the phone with a heated a customer (rarely), or responding to a aggressive e-mail (often, I think people are meaner in e-mails than they would be in person), or "putting out fires" (occasionally), or getting aggervated with a particular program (who here likes budgets?) - I envision the gauge on my cubical cockpit entering the RED danger zone, the dial aggressively shaking over the "EJECT you idiot before it's too late!". And then... I press it. Swooooooosh. Up. Out. Certain death, averted.

My Boss the Comedian

Wow, this morning my boss was on fire. Although I would LOVE to use this material later - I have to give credit where credit is due! So in our car pool this morning, the driver, our third "carpoolio" squealed the tires while taking a corner. And my boss said - "Wow, you put all 4 cylinders to use there". Then he laughed at himself and began to tell us about one of his daughters first cars. He said "she had this old white Suzuki, and it sounded more like a sewing machine than a car, it had a huge "S" on the side, and I said 'does that stand for Singer?', I mean that thing had over size tires and rarely ran well in forth gear. It had to have perfect conditions, flat, no weather, or it was third gear all the way!"


It was funny. I had a car like that, I think everyone has. I guess it's funny because you don't expect someone, like your dad, to be so funny. I guess that was kind of ageist of me.

Too hung-over to hike?

A woman called to get a refund from 1 of our scheduled hikes, she said she was "too hung-over" (note the date is the day after superbowl)

Duck poop is a problem!

A lady called 2day said she wasn't going to bring her child to the park, untill we "picked up" all the duck poop. Ducky Diapers?

My Supervisor shares his history

So every now and then my supervisor finds it necessary to share a story about a past work experience, and sometimes I find it very helpful and sometimes I just find it entertaining. I know a story is coming because he'll say "I don't know if I ever told you this" - did I mention he has a very short memory. He'll often finish with "my wife says I should write this stuff down". So some stories I have been privy to on more than one occasion and I thought maybe I would write them down for him. Anyway, here are a couple he shared recently:
The Cow:
He once got a call from the Mayor who wanted to donate a Cow statue to the parks and rec department to be used in a playground. The mayor insisted on him coming to view the Cow, and as it turns out, find a way to move it, in the drive way of a yard sale. So he went down there. Sure enough the Cow was about 1/3 the size of a real cow, but it was in no way appropriate for a playground. He pointed out that the Cow had sharp horns and a thick sharp base. It took some convincing but the Mayor finally let go and did not make him put the Cow in a playground.
The Contractor:
There was a problem with one of the pumps on the town's lake fountain. So naturally the whole town was aware of the situation and shared their concern and opinions till the fountain was fixed. But, nothing in government is ever done fast enough! So a citizen called and wanted to know "what the hold up was", that the amount of time to fix the pump was "unacceptably untimely". He also felt the need to tell him that he himself was a contractor and he had never scene a "project" take this long. So my supervisor kindly reminded him that government works at a different pace than the private sector. For instance unlike the private sector - we have to submit a project plan, then we have to get at least three bids, then we have to get approvals on the bids, then we have to enter into a contract and get that approved too. And at any time during this process we have to stop to answer questions and research alternatives. The citizen accepted this.

Parks and Recreation - The Pack Rat

Today our parks maintenance crew member, Phil, came in to the office and he had a story to tell us about how they had removed about 1000 brush bushes from one of the park washes. He said they had been removing brush and dead dried bushes all morning, and when they came back from lunch they begun raking the rock back into place and filling the holes. He said "as if it was a cartoon, one by one little creatures appeared looking for their missing homes and shelters, it was so sad". He described the first encounter with a road runner. The road runner came bouncing through, it's long legs skipping easily over the dessert debris, and then slowed down as it stopped at the very point where a barrel cactus had been, and stared. In a very bird like way, it tilted it's head side to side and looked from Phil to the missing cactus. It came closer to inspect the situation, despite the presence of Phil, it gave Phil one last long look of disapproval and then skipped away. The second encounter a short time later, was with a bunny. Slowly, yet agile the bunny enter into the wash and twitched it nose in curiosity. And, if possible the droopy eyes become even more saddened at the loss of an apparently important piece of its' habitat. Then the last and most humorous encounter was with a pack rat, who's' hole was partly covered already. The tiny pack rat popped out, then shook its' head and twitched its' tiny paws to "dust" off the dirt. After blinking its' eyes a couple times and turning it's head side to side, it twitched again as it looked around in confusion. It put its' tiny paws on the ground and sniffed, as if to ask itself "am I in the right place?". Then it looked around again, still blinking the dirt out it's eyes. During what can only be described as the "acceptance" - the tiny pack rat popped back into a standing position and looked straight up to see there was no longer a roof over his hole. Its' little shoulders seemed to collapse and Phil swears he heard a tear drop. Ahhhhh!

So, we naturally gave Phil a hard time; joking that it is suppose to rain tomorrow and the poor little pack rats' home is going to flood; that it probably took that pack rat 2 years to collect all that crap and build a roof; that we would have to encourage the critters to apply for a "Relief Fund" to repair their homes.