This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. Highly recommended.
Friday, February 27, 2009
An Isolated Incident
I traveled to SMU last week and heard about this article there. It is long but well worth reading.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/2009-02-01/feature2.php#
Finding my Successor, Not Replacement
This weekend I am back in Oxford to meet the potential leadership consultant candidates. It has made me think back two years ago about going through the process myself. It is funny to think that I was just as scared and guarded as the guys who are here now.
I am here with two other consultants to show the candidates around and get to interact with them some outside of the interview setting. I read through all of the candidate's applications and essays and it made me want to go back and read my essays. I still have them on my computer and I was really surprised by some of what I wrote. I don't know if I am ready to post them here but I like being able to go back and see what I thought about the job and the differences between what I expected and how things actually are.
While I was in the office, I bumped into the past executive director and mentioned to him (as a joke) that I was hoping to find my replacement in the next pool of applicants. He stopped and said, "Lightbulbs get replaced. People don't. You are unique and cannot be replaced. You will be looking for your successor." Now, I am not so great that he was trying to say that I alone cannot be replaced, but he brought up an interesting point.
The interviews are also bringing some finalty to my term with the Fraternity. This semester has been one of lasts, but now I really feel like I am on my way out.
This job has been an incredible experience. I won't say that every day has been great and I loved the job every minute. There have been rough days, weeks, and months. Going back and reading those essays has made me think about how I have changed and the ways my experience in this job impacted me.
I am not done processing that yet but when I do, I will try to put some things up here.
I am here with two other consultants to show the candidates around and get to interact with them some outside of the interview setting. I read through all of the candidate's applications and essays and it made me want to go back and read my essays. I still have them on my computer and I was really surprised by some of what I wrote. I don't know if I am ready to post them here but I like being able to go back and see what I thought about the job and the differences between what I expected and how things actually are.
While I was in the office, I bumped into the past executive director and mentioned to him (as a joke) that I was hoping to find my replacement in the next pool of applicants. He stopped and said, "Lightbulbs get replaced. People don't. You are unique and cannot be replaced. You will be looking for your successor." Now, I am not so great that he was trying to say that I alone cannot be replaced, but he brought up an interesting point.
The interviews are also bringing some finalty to my term with the Fraternity. This semester has been one of lasts, but now I really feel like I am on my way out.
This job has been an incredible experience. I won't say that every day has been great and I loved the job every minute. There have been rough days, weeks, and months. Going back and reading those essays has made me think about how I have changed and the ways my experience in this job impacted me.
I am not done processing that yet but when I do, I will try to put some things up here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Road is Life
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” - Jack Kerouac
I am findig it very hard to concentrate on anything except for my trip. I have been busy planning and trying to figure out where we will stay and what to do and train schedules. My biggest frustration so far has been trying to find an objective review of hostels. One person will say it was the best place they stayed in Europe and rate it five stars and then the next review will be rated one star and totally trash the place. Oh well. I guess we will just have to chance it and maybe we will get lucky.
There are so many opinions about travle to Europe. Some say it will be wasted by trying to do too much and other say its best to keep moving.
When all is said and done, i think it will be hard not to try to put my view out there for people to read and do exactly as I did. For me, travel is a very personal thing and there is no wrong way to go.
I guess we will find out how right I am soon enough. Europe calls.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
From Wanderings Abroad Will Actually Go Abroad
After three years of talking about it, I am finally going to take a trip to Europe. I depart on June 8 and will stay for a month.
Here is a tentative list of countries I will visit:
Ireland
England
France
The Netherlands
Germany
Austria
Czech Republic
Italy
Spain
I will keep this blog updated as I plan out more details.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sometimes I Really Hate to Fly
I stole this from someone else's blog but I pretty much agree with everything in it, especially after flying today. Here it is with some slight editing.
I have decided to inform the world how they can stop pissing me off while joining me in flying around the country. Ten requests.
1. Realize that the laws of physics still apply to airplane overhead bins. Do you have some sort of shrinking charm that makes you think your bag will magically fit in there?! Are you Harry Freaking Potter?!
2. Walking in airports is governed by the rules as driving. Stay to the right. DO NOT just STOP in the middle of the damn walkway to hang out or to look through your bag. Pull over!
3. In case you are too stupid to realize, let me explain. The tray table and back of the seat in front of you is attached… to ME! Quit banging it! Stop pulling on my headrest to stand up and pushing on it to sit down. There are armrests for that! I am riding in a plane not on a mechanical bull!!
4. Shut the hell up. Most people work hard and fly to get there and back. That means they need to work or sleep on flights. No one wants to hear your stupid conversation. Not even the person you are talking to. So only speak in low tones if ever. And NEVER talk on a flight before 9am. Some people got up yesterday to get there early enough. Shut up and let them sleep.
5. Airlines are evil. All of them. Get used to it. Quit being shocked when they crap all over you. Learn the system, know your rights and push back or shut the hell up. You look stupid and waste my time when I am in line behind while you yell about a snowstorm making you late for Aunt Edna’s retirement party.
6. If you can’t learn how to pack, then you will be checking your luggage and will have to pay for it. Shut up and deal with it. You want to bring 5 pairs of shoes for one weekend, well you just paid a "stupidity tax." Tough.
7. Don’t fart on my freaking plane! Unfortunately airlines aren’t nice enough to pass out Beano with their drink service. But until they do, squeeze those cheeks. I don’t want to be stewing in your fumes for two hours. YOU don’t even want to be stewing in them for two hours. Learn what food makes you fart and DO NOT EAT IT BEFORE YOU FLY.
8. I don’t care how badly the airline screwed you over so stop trying to tell me. No matter how bad your story is mine is worse. They keyed my car, punched my mother, pissed in my coffee and send my luggage to Anchorage. What in the world makes you think I am sitting in 5C waiting for you to vent to me. Shut it.
9. If you can’t carry your luggage through the aisle of the plane without hitting me you have to check it. And if you are too stupid to realize that backpacks change your general surface area then you are too stupid to leave your house. Seriously, you know how narrow that aisle is! If you hit me with your backpack when you turn around to ask your homey for some granola again I am going to punch you.
10. Speaking of that, get your butt out of my face too. When you stand in the aisle and bend over to the side, your butt is in my face! Bend with your knees.
I have decided to inform the world how they can stop pissing me off while joining me in flying around the country. Ten requests.
1. Realize that the laws of physics still apply to airplane overhead bins. Do you have some sort of shrinking charm that makes you think your bag will magically fit in there?! Are you Harry Freaking Potter?!
2. Walking in airports is governed by the rules as driving. Stay to the right. DO NOT just STOP in the middle of the damn walkway to hang out or to look through your bag. Pull over!
3. In case you are too stupid to realize, let me explain. The tray table and back of the seat in front of you is attached… to ME! Quit banging it! Stop pulling on my headrest to stand up and pushing on it to sit down. There are armrests for that! I am riding in a plane not on a mechanical bull!!
4. Shut the hell up. Most people work hard and fly to get there and back. That means they need to work or sleep on flights. No one wants to hear your stupid conversation. Not even the person you are talking to. So only speak in low tones if ever. And NEVER talk on a flight before 9am. Some people got up yesterday to get there early enough. Shut up and let them sleep.
5. Airlines are evil. All of them. Get used to it. Quit being shocked when they crap all over you. Learn the system, know your rights and push back or shut the hell up. You look stupid and waste my time when I am in line behind while you yell about a snowstorm making you late for Aunt Edna’s retirement party.
6. If you can’t learn how to pack, then you will be checking your luggage and will have to pay for it. Shut up and deal with it. You want to bring 5 pairs of shoes for one weekend, well you just paid a "stupidity tax." Tough.
7. Don’t fart on my freaking plane! Unfortunately airlines aren’t nice enough to pass out Beano with their drink service. But until they do, squeeze those cheeks. I don’t want to be stewing in your fumes for two hours. YOU don’t even want to be stewing in them for two hours. Learn what food makes you fart and DO NOT EAT IT BEFORE YOU FLY.
8. I don’t care how badly the airline screwed you over so stop trying to tell me. No matter how bad your story is mine is worse. They keyed my car, punched my mother, pissed in my coffee and send my luggage to Anchorage. What in the world makes you think I am sitting in 5C waiting for you to vent to me. Shut it.
9. If you can’t carry your luggage through the aisle of the plane without hitting me you have to check it. And if you are too stupid to realize that backpacks change your general surface area then you are too stupid to leave your house. Seriously, you know how narrow that aisle is! If you hit me with your backpack when you turn around to ask your homey for some granola again I am going to punch you.
10. Speaking of that, get your butt out of my face too. When you stand in the aisle and bend over to the side, your butt is in my face! Bend with your knees.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)