g'mornin sunshine

back in chi-town...
nice to be in high 60's weather
pitty it's 5am

coming and going

the security check point puts the kibosh on most gate greetings
but i just met holly for bday drinks at LV airport

PowerPoint?

Helping bad presentors give bad presentations since the '90s.
Ever see the technology get in the way of the message?

time to strip

done with conference crap for the day... time to hit the strip.

I'm here in las vegas until my 11:50 flight friday night. holly, if we can actually run into each other... very cool. otherwise, bummer. call me

Welcome to Vegas

mmmmmmm toasty.

Have a nice monday.

That's what I heard from my friendly barista at carribou coffee as I picked up my go juice...

That's very polite and friendly, thanks be to you.

Realize this however, I had made it through 5/8 of the day with out thinking or realizing that it was Monday, and that I was supposed to be unhappy and lethargic. By buying coffee, I may have been admitting it subconsciously... but outwardly I was ok with the day until she laid that one on me.

Damn and blast. My stapler is a swingline, and I can burn the building down.

Testicular Verillity

Stealing a phrase from our state govenor.

This field I'm in... it's up and down. It's either boring as hell... or a pressure cooker. I've accomplished more the last 3 work days than I did in the previous 15 or 20. All of it, under the gun. We'll see if I can keep up and not crack under the pressure.

I'm doing better about not thinking about it when I'm not in the office. I'd lose whole nights of sleep worrying and thinking about stuff for AIESEC. There I was mostly thinking about improvements or 'getting it right.' Now, it seems, I'm mostly thinking about what a pain in the ass some things are, and if I really screwed the pooch or not.

One thing's for sure. I'm going to think twice before bringing another conference to a large vegas venue! I've encountered more ball busting beauracracy there than ANYWHERE else, ever!

For the moment

I'm on a nice little exercise/endorphin high.

I'm awake, alert and did i mention awake? I might even do some work this afternoon.

the question is... how do i maintain?

Ugh

this is just... ugh

and not like a hip hop dance "UGH! nah nah nah nah" kind of thing... this is totally weather related.

woke up at 4:30 to say hi to the storm. and then wandered around for a bit.

woke up at 5:56 and climbed down from the loft to turn off the alarm. Stared at the couch for a good minute or two debating the need to go to work today.

blah blah blah... drove to the train station and sat in the car fiddling with the recline lever on my seat for a minute or two debating the need to go to work today.

i don't know if i could have walked any slower to the office. but i'm pretty sure i missed crossing with the light on Wells just standing there blankly.

and now i'm here in the office. we're totally enveloped in clouds and i'm wishing we could turn off the lights.

oddly, though i'm hungy... looking at food is making me queasy.

this... is going to be a loong day.

The good son

Sigh. Mom has designated Memorial Day weekend her birthday celebration. So it's either be the good son or the ingrate devil spawn of a child. Or something like that.

I'm still going to Vegas. I'll get there on Wednesday and have time to explore. Run the conference Thursday and Friday and fly out late on Friday night. All in time to join the masses worshiping at my mother's feet.

OK, it's not quite that bad. But I would feel pretty lousy if my mom didn't enjoy her birthday as much as she deserves. She'll have all her children and grand children and some of her siblings with her to celebrate her 60th birthday.

VEGAS BABY!

Who's up for vegas next week? seriously. there's a 50% chance i'm going to go the 25th to the 27th for the company... and i figure, why not get some people together for an extended weekend. yeah?

**UPDATE**
Yeah, it's official. I'm going to Vegas Baby!

I'll be there May 25, 26 & 27 for work. Staying at the Mirage and running a conference during the day on that Thursday/Friday.

I'd like to extend the whole thing through the memorial day weekend. You know... like until or over my birthday on the 29th.

The girlfriend can't come so the potential for debauchery is high. If that's your sort of thing...

Hot Potatoe

I've been watching the corporate version of hot potatoe all day. I've seen the same stack of papers get moved around the office at least 8 or 9 times today as each person either sends it to another person for review or information or decision. I was included on one information loop. It just got kicked out of our room for somebody else to take to the CEO.

If he decides in the affirmative (the "good customer service" solution) it will return to me for processing. If he decides in the negative (the "stick to corporate policy" solution) it will get passed one or two more times more than likely back to the person who started the whole mess. Either way, somebody will get yelled at, and I'm 99% certain it won't be me.

**Update** It just got kicked back to our room to fester. It seems somebody chickened out, and wants going to do another information loop. However, the people he wants information from... aren't here today.

At least the game will start up another day... I'm thinking of it as a rain delay or the seventh inning stretch. "Buy me some peanuts or cracker jacks... I don't care if we ever get back..."

life is but a game

There's a Vegas conference coming up in a couple weeks. The program manager doesn't sound too enthusiastic about it; he jokes every now and again about not going and asks if i want to go instead. Sounds fun. oh, and FYI i heard through a contact that vegas isn't going to be using the "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas" slogan for much longer. just a bit of trivia to make myself seem cool to y'all.

ooh it's also possible that i'll get to go to another rooftop cubs game in july or so.

there's been a lot of talk in the trade blogs (all two or three of 'em) about some of the outrageous bribery, er... rewards programs. One of the most amazing is a cash prize of $10K or the use of a 2005 Jaguar for a year for the top 10 planners that bring $50K or more of meeting revenue with in a certain time period. Reward and incentive programs are usually more subtle, like upgrades or free nights based on how much business you've brought the chain. Even some of the independent hotels are starting to collaborate on such programs.

As quite possibly the only person in my company besides the financial, clerical and graphics staff who doesn't recieve any kind of kickback on a conference, I can't say that I wouldn't mind a little 'shumtin, shumtin' back on the business I bring a hotel. Independent planners charge hotels a commission based on sleeping room revenue, and I'm seriously considering adding that to some of my contracts. Especially considering that I'm underpaid when compared to others in my field who have the same responsibilities and work in the same region. By more than I'd like to admit.

Some of that was needing this job when it came along. Some of that is I really haven't been in this field very long. The commission from the hotel would bring things back in line with the report that I read. All things considered, I'm doing pretty well. It's far better than if i was an hourly retail worker. Plus I have 'real' experience for my resume. I've got all my bills under control and should be able to start saving real money with the paycheck we receive today.

It's just that once you're part of a system, it's natural to try and figure out how to make it work for you. I had one professor who devoted a large chunk of a lecture to 'gaming the system.' When he worked at IBM in the late 60's they would change their purchasing system every three to five years because that's how long it would take employees and vendors to figure out the system and take advantage of it.

He even treated his class as a system for us to figure out and exploit. We were treated like independent contractors competing for the points we needed for a good grade. By the time my class came around a lot of the bugs had been worked out, and those holes patched up. But there were more than enough points to be had for all.

The biggest difference between that experience and this real life thing is the consequences. The worst that could happen was that you'd be failed out of class for cheating. The most likely cause of that had nothing to do with the 'game' that was our grade. Here, in the real world... if you cross a big line, there could be jail time. There are a lot of shades of gray between here and there.

Now don't get worried, I have no intention of even getting over in the dark and cloudy gray. I'm not sure there's much in my job function that could even approach illegal, but I bet there's a bunch I could do that would be grounds for termination. I already know there's a bunch of stuff that'll get me a stern talking to; most of the lectures so far have been just simple mistakes and misunderstandings.

Oddly enough, some of the same incentives that I could benefit from personally can really only be exploited if our company was performing at a much higher level. So in many ways, I'm protected from exposing myself to serious temptations.

What is the difference between taking advantage of your situation and unjustly enriching yourself?

"Special" Coffee

I just got an iced mocha from the carribou downstairs... and now my head is spinning. It's almost like a nice mellow buzz. i just hope i don't get hung over later. maybe this is my reward for not being addicted caffiene like the rest of the world.

Other fun-ness... right at close of business yesterday, i asked a question that i knew would start a shit storm. and then walked out the door. i'm still glowing.

had a long long lunch with an old friend from high school yesterday. we lost touch when i graduated... then reconnected 4 years later, kept in touch a while... and then randomly said hi again a month or two ago after another 2 or 3 year hiatus. random friends are fun. She's in the event planning world also, though her focus is a bit different. She's doing youth entertainment stuff for the Chicago Jewish something or other. This lunch was mostly about catching up and her showing off her engagedness. Maybe soon we'll start trading trade secrets.

I'll tell you of my latest obsession. On the train home each day, just after passing under I355 and a bit before the Lisle stop, if you look carefully there's a very odd sight. If you look far back from the tracks, past a small wooded section and into a back yard you can see a throne. A nice bright, white porcelin throne. What makes it really unique is where it's positioned. It's up about 6 to 8 feet in the air on the top of a dead tree. Since it's about an eighth or quarter mile from the tracks, and I'm usually speeding along at about 50mph when I pass it, I can't see clearly if there are any rungs to get up there. I've been riding the train for three and half months now, and just noticed it this week. I tried to point it out to Heather yesterday, but she missed it. Maybe today.

Is there an opportunity here?

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050511-4897.html

If so, can AIESEC capitalize on it?

Life as a Whipping Boy

Man, there's always one day that's bad when the CEO comes to town. Today was it. I just hope today is the only day.

I should have gone with my first instinct from yesterday and this morning.

I should have played hookie.

return to spring

dinner with heather last night was wonderful. her intuitions were all wrong and the meal was quite tasty... as predicted.

we watched some tv and enjoyed each other's company. nothing worth mentioning, other than that couple who won the amazing race... whoa. they deserved that. it was a true underdog, don't give up story.

on the drive home i was struck by how much i liked driving during the spring and summer. with the windows down, the smells pass over you in a cool breeze. as you drive along, the sound of trees and signs passing by is relaxing. i swear i could hear each blade of the tall grass i passed at 30 mph.

this is my favorite weather, warm days and cool nights.

Why is the entire dorm moving furniture?

That was the thought on my mind when i woke up this morning. Obviously, as i don't live in a dorm, it was incorrect. It was the rumblings of a mother of all storms coming my way. By the time i was dressed and ready to leave it was upon us.

As i walked out the garage door i couldn't even see my car at the end of the driveway not more than 30 feet away. i took it on faith that it was there, and was rewarded for that faith by a large blast of lightning which lit up both sky and car briefly. Huge pelts of rain started to hit as i unlocked the door and threw my gear and my body inside.

i reconsidered going to work.

however apathy was overruled by stronger apathy. if i didn't go, i would have to walk back to the house in the torrent. the path of least resistance meant driving to the train station and hanging out until the storm died. if i sat longer than a half hour, got hit by lightning or swept away by a tornado i would feel justified in playing hookie. however, when a lightning strike a half mile from the road i was driving on threatened to blow me, my car and passing cars into the ditches with powerful waves of light and sound... that didn't seem so amusing.

the rest of my commute passed without incident. i invoked the name of God no more and arrived at work on time, and dry. i'm quite pleased with my 64" umbrella and have used it more often than i would really like.

wander away

today's a strange enough day, that if i did wander away i bet they might notice.

oddities of the day :

• taking a wrong turn on my way to the train station. it wasn't even a turn onto an alternate route. it wasn't even an alternate route for going to any of the other places i drive regularly.
• the guy who brought and drank 6 assorted beers (3 - miller light, 2 - mgd light, and a bud) on the 40 min train into the city. he also freaked out the people sleeping by putting all the empties in a row and stomping on them to flatten them.
• deciding instead of naming the beer guy my personal hero i'd rather just be slightly envious and annoyed.
• Porche Turbo being towed around the city. The tow truck passed me twice on my walk to the office.
• dizzy spell and spots in my vision forcing me to hold on to the toilet stall during my morning constitutional.
• a 6 pound jump in my weight from yesterday to today without any explanation (no binge eating or high calorie ingestion yesterday).
• a number of cute girls on my train today. normally they hide from me.
• a random ''buck up buddy" / "hang in there" apology from accounts payable.
• a random "aren't I loosing weight?" from the girl who has decided to start going to the building gym 1 day a week.
• a random "you're losing a lot of weight" to me from the sales girl who maintains too much eye contact.
• cute girls standing on a street corner in matching overcoats which are, if you look closely advertisements for a department store. this is the third time this month i've seen these coats in the morning... all on different street corners. they say, and do... nothing. they just stand there. i guess i'll never understand marketing or pr...
• invitation to have dinner with heather today. it's odd because we rarely see each other week days, and she's going to cook. (she alternates between thinking she's not a good enough cook to cook for me (lie) and thinking i'm too picky to eat what she wants to make (lie).)

Shhhh It's a secret

Wow... this has the power to evoke so many emotions. It inspires hope & awe & fear in me. Hope it touches you too.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Blogging Identities - One for each personality

Gotta admit, this is why I've kept my name among friends and my legal/business name separate online. I was quite shocked when I could google myself and actually get relevant results, but that's been years now.

I'm still struggling with the idea of tie-ing my name to a career related weblog. It would be good for when I want to go solo. A solid reputation to point to and what not. However, I'm not sure what my current employer would think. It's not like I post company secrets or vent petty things about the people. Yet, I wonder if they'd actually understand my reasons for doing it, or understand too well.

If it ain't nailed down...

Huh... the plants were reposessed today. We had several trees and other assorted greenery throughout the office. Emphasis on past tense. I don't know if it has anything to do with the impending move, but the company we rented the plants from took 'em back.

I knew they were maintained by a separate company, and I kinda thought maybe the building provided that service. The corporate beast lives in a strange jungle.

It kinda reminds me of Stan Freeburg's record, 'History of the United States of America: Part I' where he reenacts the indians selling manhattan island to a dutch guy. At the end, after the sale is made:

• real estate agent: "OK, strike the trees"
• [sounds of a set being packed up]
• dutchman: [obviously upset] "Hey! Where are you going wit my trees?!"
• agent: "What?! you think you bought a furnished island?"
• indian chief: "Joke on you. Whole island solid concrete. Nothing grow except for tiny square spot in middle of island."
• dutchman: "How am I going to get people to live on a solid concrete island?!"
• agent: "You know the saying. It's a nice place to visit but..."
• all: "You wouldn't want to live there."

something to think about

for all you entrepreneurs... Today, this caught my eye.

From Fresh Inc - Working on vs Working in your business

It describes three types of organization for firms and what that means for long term success. In short they are:

• The Craft Organization -- started by a tradesman applying their skills on their own. Slow growth because they don't have time to step back and work on growing the company.
• The Promotion Organization -- started by an entrepreneur who has a vision. Quick growth that stagnates because the business outgrows the entreprenuer's skillset.
• The Administration Organization -- company with a group that plans and budgets for controlled growth. Unlike the previous two, the owner isn't critical in day-to-day operations and can run themselves.

Something to think about if you're running or planning your own business.

coping

oh man

how do you help somebody deal with an anxiety attack? Especially when they're incapable of doing anything while they're OK that would prevent or delay a future attack?

I wanted to be profound

But I didn't sleep much last night, and can come up with very little.

• Why does it bother us so much when somebody drives for miles with their blinker on?
• I'm glad today is the day I eat out. I can't wait for sushi.
• I know why the people with wheelie backpacks and whatnot bother me so much... it's cus they tend to ignore that the bag takes up space and usually rolls over what ever person they've just cut off.
• The crush of the morning commute isn't so bad when there's space to move at your own pace. I'm not in a hurry, my legs are just long. I don't mind that you hate your day to day life and would rather waddle along than walk as quickly as I am. Just don't weave all over the place with your damn wheelie bag and force me to stay at your pace for long.
• Upper Wacker is level three of pedestrian frogger. Two lanes of traffic from the left, One aiming down the ramp from the left, One going up the ramp from the right and then two lanes of traffic from the right. Wells is only level one.
• The pace to make all the lights walking to the train station from my office is only slightly faster than the saunter I use on my way to the office.
• The 5:08 semi-local and the 5:22 express race to my stop each day. The semi-local only wins occaisionally.
• I understand why some people run to their cars after getting off the train home. The parking lot is a pain to get out of. I hope they don't mind if I think it's funny to see grown men and women in suits running to be first. I wonder if these were the same people who ran to the swingsets at recess?