Appreciation at work

I had a long talk with my new boss earlier this week. It was a very frank discussion about whether my expectations were being met regarding my job. I gave him the most honest feedback I could give. I pointed out the things that were satisfactory which were plentiful. When it came to this things that were lacking, I suggested things that I would like to do to improve them. I left the conversation very satisfied. I appreciate my boss's efforts to make sure that I am happy with what I am doing for the company.

The really interesting thing is that since that discussion, my boss's boss, who currently assigns my tasks because he is locally and my boss is not, has been visiting my cube often to tell me that during the next year I will be much more focused on certain things and getting my opinion on other important things. Curiously these are the same things I told my boss that I wanted to do.

Coincidence or not, I feel very appreciated at work. I like it and it motivates me to work harder and improve myself. I hope it was a conscious effort because I would like to work for a company that has the values that it takes for managers to manage this way.

Snow plowing on a private street

I live on a private street. When it snows it gets plowed last and usually very badly. After getting a foot of snow early this morning, I hear the plow go by at 9:00 AM. That is early. I was impressed. Then I looked out the window to see how clear the road was and I was surprised to see that road almost completely clear. The plow driver had taken the extra time to clear the huge piles of snow that other drivers leave. This is important to me because the huge piles are usually directly beside and infront of my car (I park on the street on the outside corner of a elbow in the road). Thank you plow man whoever you are and please come back next time.

A music adventure

I am always on the prowl for good music. I am not exactly in the mainstream when it comes to artistic preferences. That make traditional channels for music fail. I also like to support the up and coming artists. Especially when they do something completely different. Unknown and different are huge hurdles for musicians.

I recently found a web site that makes an effort to help out these new artists, both the progressive and the conservative types. The site is www.thesixtyone.com. It describes itself as mp3.com meets digg. It uses a reputation system to allow listeners to vote for songs. Once the songs get enough votes they get published on the main page of the site.

I think this is a great thing. It is also motivating for a musician like myself that has thought about a career in music. I am busily listening to music of all genres and voting for the one that are exceptional.

Acquaintances and Japan

On of my wifes friend was nice enough to think about me when an employer in Japan asked her if she new any Engineers in the US that would like to relocate to Japan. I am an engineer and I have considered relocating to Japan. I even know a little Japanese! I am interested to see if anything comes from it, but it was very nice of her to think of me regardless of the outcome.

Think positive.

In a world where it is easy to find things to complain about, I am going to use this blog to mention as many of the little good things that I notice during the day as I can remember.

My first thought is that this is going to be difficult. Of course this is pessimistic and exemplifies why I need to think about the positive things. I am sure I will get better at seeing the positive things with practice.

To start with I am going to mention the good things that I run into everyday:

My family - Just having a family is such a positive thing. Companionship. Empathy. Support.

My house - I like my house. It insulates me and my family from extremes of weather.

Music - I have to mention this because I listen to and create music everyday. It is my creative outlet. Good music of any genre is enjoyable to listen to. Creating music instantly improves my state of mind.

More positive things to come...

Waste of money

Why can't the US Mint learn from its past mistakes?! The Susan B., the Sacagawea, and now this:

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/

The first two failed. The Susan B. because it was too much like the quarter. The Sacagawea failed because no one knew what they were. Both were gobbled up by the coin collectors. This new design is nothing revolutionary. It reminds me of the British Pound coin in its size and coloring.

However, we still have a paper dollar and all the coin machines will have to be updated to take these. These are two major obstacles that have never really been solved. Also what about the cash registers. Where do these new coins go. There are only so many slots and they are all taken. How about we scrap the penny? It is truly not worth making any more. It is worth more as scrap zinc.

I just wish the US Mint would stop wasting money designing new currency they is just going to fail like the other attempts. Besides, the portraits they chose for there new coins are just plain ugly.

It takes a News Anchor...

I watched the Bob Woodruff special the other night. It was very enlightening. At first I thought, "It is sad that it takes a news anchor getting wounded in specific way to shed light on an little know battlefield injury." I felt that there are other injuries that were just as note worthy that were not getting the same coverage simply because no well known person has been injured that way. It turns out that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is very common.

The fact that a person can have TBI without showing external wounds makes it easy for doctors to misdiagnose as PTSD or simlpy miss it completely. Any person near an explosion can suffer from TBI. A helmet does not protect against the shock wave that rattles your brain.

The other part of the story was about how the VA Hospital system is unprepared to treat TBI. This was not a shock to me. The VA has never been good at its mission. There was some mention about the preparedness of the Military hospitals, but I don't remember any direct comment about it being adequate or not.

It was interesting that the Walter Reed Military Hospital scandal story broke soon after this special. I would hope that the Military and Civilian leaders of our country would listen to the media stories and investigate weaknessess in the system.

With more wounded coming home everyday, I can't see how the level of care is going to improve. The VA hospitals have always been a joke. I would say something needs to change. Less wounded would be a good start.