How Could The Time Change ?

At just before 7:30am this morning, I dropped off my oldest son at the church, which was to be the meeting place for people helping with a fellow scout's Eagle Project.  There was NO ONE there.  In fact, no one showed up until about 10 minutes before 8:00am.  I know this because my son texted me at that time to let me know people were finally there.

A little background:
Yesterday evening around 8:00pm, I received a call from the very scout whose Eagle Project this activity is for.  He reminded me of the project, confirmed that Josh Jr would be able to help, and informed me that we would be meeting at the church at 7:30am.

Fast forward back to the present time ... my son asked the scout why they were "late" to which the young man responded "Oh yeah, the time changed to 7:45am."

I'm calling BS!

You're telling me that after 8:00pm the night before something came up and the meeting time needed to be pushed back by 15 minutes?!

I.  Don't.  Think.  So.

The lesson to be learned here (and the message I provided to my boys, who will be doing their own Eagle Scout projects in the next few years), was this:

Be EARLY when you are in charge.

I explained to my sons that it is respectful of others when you are "early" for events that you are responsible for.  It is respectful any time to be early, but it should just be common practice to be plenty early when you are in charge.  I believe this scout and his father should have been there at least 20-30 minutes before others were scheduled to show up.  This is, after all, the HIGHEST achievement in Boy Scouts.  The least you can do is take it very seriously.

I can promise you that my sons WILL BE early for their Eagle Scout projects.  First ones there, last ones to leave.


Song Of The Day:
One of my favorite tunes from the 80's is by Howard Jones.  The song "No One Is To Blame" isn't really about people not taking responsibility, but it applies to the concept of this post.  Better to be early and BE PREPARED (the scout motto) when you are in charge than pretend that no one is to blame.

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Did I Bite Off Too Much ?

Monday was Labor Day, which meant most Americans had the day off from work.  This is great for most people, but sometimes annoying for me ... because I always have Mondays off.  So I was off work today, Friday, as a "comp day" for the holiday and I think I scheduled way too much for myself today!

These plans below seemed reasonable when I made them, but at 7:30pm tonight, as I write this, I am convinced I am an idiot.  So much for this being a "vacation" day from "labor."  Quite the opposite in fact.

Drop off the U-Haul trailer.
Pick up the rototiller and trailer.
Rototill the front yard.
Return the tiller and trailer.
Level the dirt in the front yard.
Dig trenches for the front easement sprinkler system.
Purchase needed items for the front sprinklers.
Install the front sprinkler system.
Bury the lines for the front sprinklers.
Re-level the front easement dirt area.
Connect the front easement sprinkler line to the manifold.
Weed the edges of the front yard.


It's a bad sign when your
feet have dirt stains
under your socks!

Move landscaping items to the shed.
Sweep out the garage.
Sweep off the front driveway.
Sweep off the sidewalk in front of our house.

On the plus side:

I got all but the items listed in BLUE above done.

 

On the minus side:

I can't feel anything below my neck.

 

On the "didn't you learn anything from today" side:

Fertilized topsoil is being delivered on Monday morning

and then sod is being delivered Monday afternoon.

Song Of The Day:
The song "Promises, Promises" by Naked Eyes was on my MP3 player today and I felt it would be a fitting tune for the day.  When I set goals for myself (To Do Lists included) I am essentially making a promise to myself to get something done.  Like the lyrics in the song I never had a doubt, in the beginning when making the promises to myself.  And then later, when I cannot complete the list, I think why do I believe I could get this all done!

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Wait, They Charge You ?

Sometimes it can be difficult to explain things to a child.  There are certain concepts that, from the mind of a child, make virtually no sense.

Here's an example from today:
After spending about 4 hours in the hot sun (loading a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer with the mostly dead sod from my front yard), my oldest sons got home from school.  After they ate a snack and checked in with mom, they joined me on a ride to Don's Garden Center.  This was the location I had chosen to "dump" the dead sod, because they charge a very low price for that amount of recyclable yard waste.

During the drive there I explained how I would be paying the owners of this shop for the privilege of giving them our sod.  This concept was easily understood until I explained that the owners will mulch and break down the dead sod, turning it into fill dirt and other fertilizer base.

Ben asked me "Oh, so then they give you that back for the yard?"

Well, no.  They keep it.

Josh Jr then asked "What do they do with it then?"

They sell it to people who need fill dirt or fertilizer.

Ben asked "So then they give you the money when they sell it?"

Well, no.  They keep that money.

At this point, both boys seemed angry.  The line of thinking was So they charge you to give them something that they are going to charge someone else to take?

The concept of time (months) and space (a place to keep all this stuff) were lost on my well-intentioned and reasonable boys.  It only got worse when they realized we would be unloading the whole trailer ourselves.

They don't even help you unload it?!

This is the front yard after the sod was cut and piled up.
Note the "crescent rolls" on the left.  Those were HEAVY!
 

Song Of The Day:
It's a TbT (throwback Thursday) so here is "True" by Spandau Ballet.  Despite the disbelief of my sons, what I was telling them was true.  Sometimes it is hard to understand things, but that doesn't make them any less true.

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How Are YOU Going To Complain ?

While driving to work this morning, the traffic on Powers Blvd was backed up from Research Pkwy all the way back to the Woodmen Rd overpass.  There is a third lane for about 1/3 of a mile just past the overpass, but that is supposed to be for merging traffic coming from Woodmen Rd.

As typically happens, some drivers began to move into that third lane, presumably because wherever they are headed is more important than the rest of us who are patiently waiting in traffic.  When this happens once or twice during a long wait, I am fine to just sit there, but when I see dozens of cars "jumping the line" I feel compelled to do something.  My typical "move" is to pull out into that lane, without actually leaving my current place in line.  I will sit 2/3 of my car in that extra lane, and 1/3 of my car just waiting in line.  Almost always, the person immediately behind me will recognize what I am doing and allow me back into my lane as soon as the extra lane fully disappears.

Watch this clip of how to "handle" jerky drivers

This morning, some insensitive I-really-AM-more-important-than-you guy (in a sporty BMW) decided that he deserved to get around me, even if there wasn't any room.  He did not even slow down as he came racing up behind me, and I am sure he didn't expect me to pull further out into that extra lane.  In fact, I know he didn't because he honked his horn loudly as he swerved to fly past me.  Perhaps he is unaware that his other option was to apply his brakes and get in line like the rest of us.

But it got me to thinking the title of this blog post.  Who is he going to complain to about the "jerk driver" (a.k.a. Me) who "cut him off" this morning?  How is that story going to go over well?  What people is he going to find that will empathize with him for the rough start to his day?


Song Of The Day:
If you can find it, the song "It's Better Than That" by Trout Fishing In America would be perfect for this post.  Not because adults should be jerks, but because adults who act appropriately get to enjoy being grown up, and it is kinda fun.
If not, might be a good chance to use "International Harvester" country song (because the video is pretty good).

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Where Is That Wind Coming From ?

This is a post specifically tailored to my co-workers at Progressive.  Those who don't work in our building are free to read on, but I can't promise you'll be able to relate as well.

Has anyone else noticed that the hallway between the South Building and the annex / cafeteria / atrium area is like a wind tunnel?

In the office where I work, we have two main buildings that are connected by a third building or annex.  As you walk down the hallway toward the annex there begins to be a draft of air pulling you toward the annex doors / entry way.  This is an interesting phenomenon to me.  I am certain there is an easy mechanical explanation to this (I know there is a forced air heating/cooling system in both of the main buildings, so logic suggests that some of that air would make its way to the annex).

I just think it also makes for a really cool "I'm in a music video" kind of windblown hair look for the ladies in our office.  As long as you're walking away from the annex that is.  :)


Song Of The Day:
Could the song today be anything other than "Windy" by The Association?  I think not.  Another great band name too!  Except this one sounds like the title of a John Grisham or Stephen King book.

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Do You Know What I Like About Your Hands ?

Catalina, age 6, asked this question to my mom (a.k.a. Grandma Julie) when she was hanging out with her recently.

The conversation, as best as my mom could recollect, went like this:

Catalina:  Hey Grandma, do you know what I like about your hands?
          Grandma Julie:  No sweetie, what do you like about my hands?
Catalina:  (grabs my mom's hands)  They look like cheese pizza!
          Grandma Julie:  (silence)

Gotta love the honesty and unique perspective from a child!  :)


Song Of The Day:
I've been looking for a great post to try and connect the song "I Believe" by the UW MadHatters to.  I believe this is as good a post as any.  I believe that children can teach us how to not take life so seriously.  I believe kids simply try to find joy in whatever situation they are in.  I believe kids make us laugh because they just are instead of censoring themselves.  I believe my mom's hands do kinda look like cheese pizza but I believe she was a very good sport about it.  Thanks for being such a great Grandma to my kids mom!

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Fantasy Football Part 2 - The Big Mistake ?

I feel a disclaimer is deserved here at the very start of this post.  I only set up a fantasy football league because my wife asked me to.  Okay, so she never really asked but she mentioned multiple times that she would love to play fantasy football this year.  I hate being a commissioner of a fantasy football league ... but I love my wife more than that, so there you have it.

The FF league commisioner has the responsibility to set everything up for the league.  This includes the draft (date and time, etc.), the positions being filled on each team, the participants invited into the league to manage a team, and, of course, the point settings.

It is with that last item that I made a MAJOR mistake.

Without getting too technical, there is supposed to be a balance in possible points in most FF leagues.  Offensive players typically generate the most points (QBs, RBs, WRs, and a few very talented TEs).  Defenses or Defensive players and Kickers generate fewer points, but enough to tip the close games one way or another if you played the right people.  I wanted to add in points for Special Teams players, specifically for those men who risk life and limb to return punts or kickoffs.  Those are some of the most exciting plays and players to watch in a football game, so why not get some points for having one or two of those people on your FF team?

Somehow I set up "Return Yards" with an exceptionally high value (1 point for every 5 yards).  This has caused players who only do ONE thing to generate more points than any other position player.  Like, WAY more points.  So much so, that my oldest son dropped many of his drafted players for "no name" return men, because they were projected to earn twice as many points.  It's not his fault for taking full advantage of the point settings.  It is mine.

Sadly, there is no way to adjust these point settings once the draft is done, so I am going to have to figure out a way to create an honor system in our league to keep any one player from having a "stacked" team filled with kick returners.


Song Of The Day:
Every year with Fantasy Football, I believe every participant is a "King Of Wishful Thinking" about their team, players, and match-ups.  This is a great song by Go West.  Enjoy it!

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