Had today off - of course it rained most of the day.
Navy Jack - Happy anniversary.
RockIsland - I was the initial diagnosis back in November when her back first flared up. The doctor reccomended shots. I grabbed the Old Overholt, she asked me where the .22 was....
Charline - kids will keep you busy. You still have the high school years to look forward to - sports, church groups, choir, scouts, plays, etc. Wonderful times though.
I picked up my 2010 Lionel catalogs yesterday. Unlike the 2009 volume 2, I found something that screamed 'BUY ME' in the 2010 catalog - the jet powered RDC. Stopped by the LHS and put one on order today. That thing looks like E.J. Potter might have had a hand in putting it together.
Picked up the new tub today. Tomorrow's chore will be framing in the surround.
All for now.
8NT - did that storm hit you hard? It was just some wind and rain when it got here, although it might have been worse in other areas? How's the wife doing?
Prayers for all and our loved ones and friends.
Charlene was doing a little better today, but doesn't feel "herself" yet. They put her on another prescription - cost us $20, but without our insurance it would have been $4000. We'll know more in a few days - praying she does not have to go in the hospital for a few days due to this viral infection. It's one she got sometime in the past few months, but it has not been a problem up until now? It's called CMV, I think - usually we get it when we are kids and it's no big deal. She'll get some immunoglobins in a transfusion on Monday.
The lady who is training a new class of workers had to take off for an adoption thing - her baby was ready! So, I had to fill in for a couple days. No big deal, right? But, they were 2 of the hardest days of training I've ever had. Some people don't seem to realize that they are there to learn how to do a job and they are expected to work at this! One lady said that I was getting too complicated. Man, she hasn't seen anything yet! We all got a good laugh out of that one!
I guess I'm stressed out too, though. Just come home and veg out - play some games and then I'm talking on the computer and falling asleep! Last night, Char woke me up to go to bed
Tardis took off, so thanks SJ - I appreciate the backup. I'll catch you guys tomorrow night, I promise! Wes was complaining about the loop-de-loops. Guess I should tell him about the inertial dampeners at some point? Mike and Rich installed them a few weeks ago, so we could "stomach" SJ's flying
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Brutus.....funny you should bring up the training (for better performance) and some folks' attitude towards it.
I took a job at a $3B corporation and assumed responsibility for a function I knew like my own name, but it was in an industry far different from whence I came. The function was malfunctioning with a lot of finger pointing. Morale was in the tank.. The company was hemorrhaging. This function was key, and radical performance improvement was an URGENT matter.
It didn't take me two weeks of sitting with my managers AND most of their/my staff, right at their desks as they were doing their jobs, to see what was wrong. The folks were not being managed, they were not being trained in the "how," they did not know how to use the tools they were given (systems), they were not being held accountable for their individual performances, and some you wouldn't have hired to water your lawn
Anywho, I brought in our "inside" system experts just for the systems training and mandated 5 full day courses for each employee which could only be done on a rotational basis over three weeks so that we could keep the day to day bases covered. Both the "inside" experts and my employees were mortified because I stated my requirements: (1) practical function user manuals that a normal person (me) could understand, and a test at the end to measure each employee's proficiency, what they knew and how well they learned.
You know where this is going and how it turned out. The "how to" system documentation and user manuals were atrocious, where they existed. And we had many employees flunking the proficiency test at the end of the five days, one scoring as low as 14%.
Everyone was "exposed" so to speak, top to bottom in my world (my responsibility), and cross functionally with the folks whose job it was to support us.
I reported the dismal results up the chain of command, from the poor manuals and lack of system functionality to my own folks' poor performance. I had some red faces amongst my own when I started asking the tough questions: "So how is it that your Joe and Mary get consistently rated "very good' BY YOU on their performance reviews and yet AFTER training they still have difficulty just navigating the very functions they need to do their jobs. I KNOW the job isn't getting done because our numbers are in the tank. What do you think?"
Everything fell into place after that, with both our performance and our support, and quickly. But your point was well taken about the attitude and the culture for success. We have a responsibility to mold and to develop our team, then give them the tools and the direction to get the job done, hold them accountable, and then recognize/reward success. But none of it works very well without the culture and attitude to win, top to botom.
My gut tells me that in our country a culture and attitude of survival, resentment, fear, and entitlement may be taking over. Winning is fast becoming a distant afterthought.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Mornin' boys. Mornin' English.
navyjack - Happy 40th.
RockIsland - With that last paragraph, you have described the city of Baltimore to a T...
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cloudy 50 degrees. Going up to 80 today, with a few showers later.
Today is a busy day. Lots of chores to do. I have some paperwork to work on later. No time for trains today. Nascar race today.
navyjack.....Happy 40th anniversary.
Dining car is here and it's the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Saturday.
Chuck
Morning all
Lots of posts to catch up with
May God bless
Jim
fifedog Mornin' boys. Mornin' English. navyjack - Happy 40th. RockIsland - With that last paragraph, you have described the city of Baltimore to a T...
Fife......the first and primary failure was that of management or those in power. The employees who needed help were left to their own devices and set up for failure. The good employees sunk to the level of the bad ones. And all of them became long termers, collecting a paycheck with nothing but poor results and morale to show for it.
By the way, I didn't lose/terminate one single employee out of 54 total. Those who we discovered were in way over their heads were either re-assigned or we created positions more in line with their capabilities that would strip off time-consuming, simpler, but necessary work off the plates of those who scored the points. Each was treated as important as the next. And not one person quit either, demonstrating that each, given the opportunity and the respect, can nonetheless thrive with pride. All of the oars were pulling in unison.
This same motley crew of mine injected a positive cash flow of about $300 million in cash per month into our bank account within the first 9 months because upper managemerent gave me a lot of leeway and support to get things right. These folks of mine restored my faith in people when expectations are clear but also when given the chance.
This Easter I am praying for those less fortunate than I am, those who have not been given what I have been given, and for "upper management" who have lost their morale and ethical way.
NAVYJACK
40 th and many more !!!!!!
Good Morning AlOvercast but going to 70s. Rain expected.
I've been out this morning washing down the porch and front windows for granny, can't have spotted windows for the kids to see. Also got the boat trailer down off the blocks and ready for the boys to move tomorrow. Let the earn dinner. Thumbed Lionel catalog, to pricy for me. Have a great day...S.J.
navyJack congrats on the anniv.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Good morning Coffee Potters. Thanks Jack - very interesting! We are not facing that level of failure, but it does seem that some of these folks are acting like 3rd graders to me. One fellow just left for an hour at lunch the other day. Another came in 1/2 hour late. Then the first guy left an hour early the 2nd day. One lady was typing all day. I never asked about it, but she told me that she was typing notes - likes to have everything in the computer. I asked a manager to come in and check out what was happening through a back door. Sure enough, she and a few others were on their emails or other crap. I talked with the lady who is in charge of all the training for our office and she told me that in their other jobs, they have been given opportunities for retraining etc, some many times. We suspect they have no real respect for the job or the training process. Well, this job is not done that way. Once they have been introduced to the materials and methods and literature that we use - mostly chapters of the code of federal regulations and medical literature, they will be expected to begin a period of up to a year of "on the job training", but their production requirements will gradually ratchet up. At the same time, the government is adding new regulations like crazy this year and they will profoundly impact our workload. It's going to be a bumpy ride, that's for sure! They need to step up!
grits for breakfast.....tommorrow i think that i deserve a good breakfast....eggs.....whole hog.....toast......and last but not least grits.....i would like to have s--t on a shingle,but that is too much to ask. if i could take the wife out i would take her to a good country restaurant and order what i want, but i have to rely on her. check this out guys....the navy has forsaken the old dungaree work uniform in favor of tiger stripes to be worn aboard ship????, and sailors will no longer do tasks like ships maintainance, now it will be contracted out. what will sailors do on long sea voyages? oh i forgot.....dont ask.....dont tell.....sad is it not????navyjack
Good (late) Morning all,
My first time on the April pot, just to busy lately. Retirement is wearing on a guy.
Happy 40th Anniversary to "NAVY JACK".
Weather here yesterday was great, upper 70s and sunny, today not so great, cool and cloudy with a stiff breeze.
Has anybody posted anything about a get together at York this year, looked around but didn't see anything. What say you LAZ.
Jefelectric .... good lord it's been a long time !!! Was wondering the other day where you've been .
Navyjack ... man I hate to see the old work uniform go ! What will they eliminate next ... the Navy's not gonna look like the Navy soon if they change too many uniforms .... .... you mean NO more scrapeing paint and painting ..... LOL .... can't say I would'nt have missed that ... of course if I'd have stayed out of trouble more I would'nt have gotten duties like that .... not that I was an onery sailor ...
Jefelectric, Laz has mentioned a get together at Denny's I think on Friday Morning. I can't make York this year as we are busy with the next movie. Hope you have a great time....and don't be a stranger.
Navyjack, congrats on the anniversary. I am sure whatever you get, it will be made even better with your bride by your side.
Well, I was about to post this morning when the phone rang. Had to come in and do an emergency case. So, how does someone hit a parked freight train so hard that they transect their aorta? I could see hitting a deer, but a train? Anyway, all is fixed and well. I had a number of plans for the day, but that is out. Bride has both kids at a birthday party at the FunPark, so I may try to catch up with them to see what the rest of the day will bring.
It is Easter weekend, and regardless of your being of the faith or not, it is a good time for a spirit of renewal. Try to take the time to be closer to your family, kinder to everyone, and look to the day with a smile.God is good,Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Aloha everyone. Grey, cold and rainy this am. More like April than the last few days. Went to the doc yesterday to get meds for a sinus infection. Hope to blow through it soon. Enjoyed all the trappings and symbolism of a Seder dinner and ceremony last evening. Church tonight. Family here tomorrow. Happy anniversary NavyJack!
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Doug, I noticed yesterday that it was warmer in Chicago than in LA. Guess that's not true today. We have much of the same situation here with the weather. To be a little nicer tomorrow, unless that changes overnight. Hope you are feeling better.
thank you guys for all the good wishes. it was great to eat meat today after eating fish for a week(holy week). our priest was over and broke his fast also. i am so stuffed i think i will have to forget about dinner tonight. wish i could share the food with you all. one of the desserts gigi made was custard. oh my stomach is groaning. am subscribing to ctt. i think it is a more professional magazine and the people who edit the articles are not biased. also anyone who runs this good a forum deserves my business. now i will only have to figure out how to hold the mags when they come in the mail. navyjack
Afternoon all!
Beeyoutifull day here today. Nice breeze and maybe 80?
Missus, daughter, and I had Waffle House this morning - eggs, toast, bacon, GRITS, and a waffle -
Daughter landed a full time job at a local restaurant here today. She starts next week. Hopefully this will calm the drama, but drama is like gravity, it is ever-present.
Gonna fire up the grill this evening = great day to do it.
BBQ at wife's niece's house by the lake tomorrow - gonna be even nicer!
JefElectric - LAZ had a York post - maybe it fell off the page. Meet Fri am at Denny's on 30 for breakfast - photo Fri at 1 pm as usual.
NavyJack - Congrats! on the 40th!!
Have a great evening all!
Happy Easter tmorrow!
Regards, Roy
Well, I am back here...both on the forum and at the hospital. Had left, caught up with wife and kids. Got to ride go-carts and then got to a BBQ place to eat some lunch as I had missed both breakfast and lunch. Before our food arrived, I got called back for an emergency case. No sooner got my scrubs on and another call for an emergency case. Getting swamped this weekend. It may be a minor inconvenience for me, but it is a lot worse if you are the one having to have emergent surgery. At least we will be going home at some point, before the day is through.
Lately, I have found myself looking at more and more locomotives...Chief, you are a bad influence. Lucy, if you are still around, I will take a few more of those steamers off your paws! Had all great plans to run trains for the last two days, but patients have had other plans for my time. Looking forward to Monday morning when I get off call.
God Bless,Dennis
Good Evening All
Weather is the thing today, 76 till early afternoon then the wind came and temp dropped to 55. Lots of rain in michigan today but it missed us. Grannys got easter dinner ready for the oven and the stove and just left heading for bed. Banilla is ready and I will wait for the thingy....S.J.
Good evening all,
IIABSDISEI after a morning rain. The sun is shining on Indiana even after the sunset as Butler will play in the championship game! This has been a great day. Started off with a good breakfast of bran muffins. Then went to Indy for a great train meet. Scored two Alaska pieces of rolling stock and a Witches' Cauldron for the Black Cave Flyer. Lots of vendors and lots of buyers. Ate lunch at Steak'n'Shake. Came home to find a Trains magazine waiting for me. Went upstairs and finished laying all the new standard gauge track. Then watched Butler win a nail biter. TBIL. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Evening all. I see Lucy must have taken my laptop to the wireless. Always take laptop in case of Town emergency. Got tired of going to wireless as it worked off and on. Must have been her as she has added Kibbles and Bits [her dog food] to the "menu".
Been beautiful weather. We striper fishing and caught on 30" long [about 13 lbs]. Started to mow grass up there and here everyweek now. Brought electric golf cart home and will trade it in for a gas on Tuesday. Also Hunters Haven is holding a new Ruger .380 APC [a pocket "auto" pistol] for me.
Travel to Mom's and back to MIL's for afternoon meal.
Hungry, have not eaten since breakfast. Time for some popcorn.
Glad Howard is not floating away.
Later.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Good Evening,
Navy Jack, HAPPY ANIVERSARY, All the best.
Ole Timer: You should do what my wife's brother and I do. Whenever he buys something (a lot of AF on ebay) that he does not want his wife to know about, he sends it to my house. My wife knows about it, and she never tells her. Normally my wife doesn't mind when I buy a few things, but when she is in one of those moods, I just tell her that it is for her brother. Works out fine. Remember,"It is better to beg for forgiveness than plead for permission." So she gets mad for a while, you just take your new treasure and lay low for a while, but the important thing is that you got it.
Spanky, Good luck with the house.
John
THANKS GRITTERS ICE FREE.
John Baker
Hello all
It's been a wonderful week.
Monday evening a local group did a reenactment of the Last Supper at our Church. It was very interesting and thought provoking.
Thursday evening we went to Mass
Friday was Veneration of the Cross and the last seafood buffet for this year. We kept the average over 775 again this year.
Mrs. and I will do our usual 7:00 AM mass in the morning. The whole family will be at my parents house for Ham and Lamb at noon tomorrow. (My Mrs is doing the cooking)
Navyjack Congrats on 40 years.
Jack I'm afraid you're right about our country.
Happy Easter everyone and added prayers for those who may need them
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Not sure why I am still up, but one last hello before I say goodnight. Was perusing the CTT review section and came upon this for the C&O Alleghenny review. Thought that some who have either been fortunate enough to find one, or those who are now in the hunt may enjoy this:
http://www.trains.com/ctt/default.aspx?c=a&id=109
Well, wife and kids are in bed and I have about two hours left before I may have to go back and take care of a patient.(there is a time limit on a procedure we sometimes do).
Hope not to have to go in again. Kids are both sick and wife could use a break.Dennis
Well, took kids to see Clash of the Titans with a friend and his son. It was very crowded and we had to split up in the theater. Then we went to a pizza place and I had two coupons. I gave one to my buddy. He paid first. When I tried to use mine for my kids and I, it was rejected - one per "party". Hey, we were two separate customers, just at the same table right? Nope. Okay - so I went back to the dining area and gave some family a coupon worth $10 off their bill. The restaurant still was out $10 and although I did not get it taken off of my bill, I did get some slight satisfaction. Oh - and I won't eat there again. I recommend none of you eat their either. If you ever visit me, I'll show you the place - it's not a chain restaurant or anything like that. Oh, the movie was pretty good - we all liked it a lot. Then I did a little shopping tonight so the kids will have something tomorrow, although they are both in on the "bunny" thing this year.
Tardis is ready and beacons are on the screen - let's hit it!
HAPPY EASTER
Hope all have a good day will talk to you all later, Welcome back chief.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Happy Easter to Everyone.
It is a clear and sunny 50 degrees. Going up to 75 today with sunshine most of the day.
Today is a relaxing day. Few things to do around the house and then, just taking it easy. Nice ham dinner planned. No race or ballgame. I may run trains later and do some reading. Spend some time outside.
Dining car is here with the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Easter Sunday.
Happy Easter guys, and continued prayers for those who need them. Today will be wonderful family day for me. Hope it is for you too. The sun is coming up, and it will be a nice mid 70s day if the winds don't swing in off the waters.
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