How Could This Get Any Worse?

First Denver Nuggets game experience - Post #6

While stuck in the traffic jam mentioned in a prior blog post, I watched a woman slide her car right into the back of a police car.  This occurred while the officer was tapping on the driver's window to "wake her up" or "get her attention" or "check on her well being."

I doubt the lady was drunk or high, but her state of mental capacity may have been diminshed due to the exhaust fumes from all the cars ... I know I had to roll the window down to get some fresh air from above.  I felt nauseous after the first 30 minutes of crawling traffic and noxious congested air.

I felt bad for this driver, because I am certain the collision was a true "accident" but it also made a bad traffic situation worse, as the officer had to radio for backup and there began to be another slow crawl of drivers past yet another crime scene.  Thankfully it was just a few minutes after this that the traffic opened up and it was smooth sailing all the way home.


Song Of The Day:
I am sharing two versions of today's song because I love them both.  Michael Jackson's original "Smooth Criminal" is amazing (especially the legendary video including the impossible lean dance move).  But giving credit where credit is due, Alien Ant Farm's reinvention is equally enjoyable.  Listen to it HERE.
The refrain of "are you okay?" in the song is the main reason I paired it with this post.  I am certain the driver wasn't really okay and it is even more sad that things went from bad to worse as the police officer was trying to help her.

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Was That The Garage Door ?

This picture is from nearly a year ago,
but I love his smile in it!  :)

Without fail, my "little guy" (Spencer) runs to the door to greet me whenever I come home from work.  He has even woken up from a nap when he hears the garage door open, seemingly just to smile and say "Up-pa, up-pa" so I can lift him for a hug.  I simply love this!

Today's Song Of The Day is titled "Unconditionally" and is performed by Katy Perry.  I heard the song many months ago and was sure it would be a big hit ... but it seems to have been overshadowed by the popularity of her song "Roar" (which is a great song, don't get me wrong).  That's too bad, because this song is applicable to so many scenarios.  But lately I think about my children's unconditional love for me, and mine for them, when I hear this song.

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What Do You Do During A Traffic Jam?

First Denver Nuggets game experience - Post #5

Right off the bat you should be asking yourself "What does a traffic jam have to do with a Denver Nuggets game?" and then you'll find yourself realizing how silly that question sounds.  Of course there will be traffic congestion around a professional sporting event.

Then you'll probably wonder "You just sit in a traffic jam right?!  It's not like you can do much ... especially if you're driving, right?!" ... and now my mom (and probably my wife) will be worried that I wasn't just focused on driving during the traffic jam.

Here's the deal.  On the way back from the game, I hit an absolute standstill of traffic on southbound I-25.  The cars were literally not even moving for minutes on end.  At one point, I know there was no movement for at least 20 minutes, which could be terribly frustrating.  My personal solution (besides sending a few text messages to my wife and my buddy Aaron) was to work on a crossword puzzle from the USA Today app on my iPad (see photo below).

Although traffic can make anyone tense, I found that working on the crossword puzzle helped me to relax and forget about the fact that I was not going to be home until the week hours of the morning (it ended up being around 1:30am when I got home).

I obviously do not recommend texting or playing a game on any electronic device while driving, but in a pinch when the traffic literally isn't moving for minutes at a time, this puzzle was a sanity-saver.


Song Of The Day:
When I think of expanded vocabularies (an benefit of completing crossword puzzles) I think of the TV show Frasier, but I also think of Weird Al Yankovic.  His song "Traffic Jam" is both hilarious and demonstrates his vocabulary and wit.  Of course my favorite part is the nearly excessive repetition of the phrase "bumper to bumper" ... because when you think about it, that is NOT an exaggeration.

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What's In The Box ?

This afternoon I received a suspicious package at my desk at work.  I hadn't ordered anything.  I wasn't aware that anything had been ordered on my behalf.  The only indication of any sort was the name of one of my co-workers listed on the bottom of the outside label invoice.

So I opened the package and this is what I found:

A little back story is relevant here.  In the past 6 months at work, I have effectively left my former team behind.  Those team members that work in the office moved to a new Supervisor's team around September.  Those that work from home remained with me, until the start of this week when they too moved to different Supervisors.  My role shifted to entirely focusing on our Sales New Hire and Academy (on the job call handling training) process and work group.  I hope this helps explain the message from the team on the card in the picture above.

I am not a very emotional man, but I do believe that I develop lasting relationships with people that are important to me.  Some of these employees worked with me directly for a half-decade or more, most of them for at least 3-4 years.  Monthly meetings, individual coaching sessions, conversations about a myriad of things, and having gone through some major organizational changes together forges bonds beyond just working together.

I was so appreciative of their thoughtfulness and grateful for the time we had working so closely together.  I certainly hope we will be able to maintain at least a portion of our relationship (and I'm grateful for Facebook allowing us to be connected outside of work, which often makes it easier to stay in touch) .


Song Of The Day:
I am not willing to say "goodbye" especially when no one is gone but we are just separated a little more than we used to be due to assignment changes.  So "This Ain't Goodbye" by Train, which is possibly my favorite song on that excellent CD, is my song of choice for this post.  If any of those former teammates read this post, let it be known that this ain't goodbye ... we're still co-workers and friends and I will only miss seeing and talking to you as often ... but the relationship(s) are not over!

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Where's The Trash Can ?

Some years ago, I noticed that my brother-in-law had a cool trash can holder.  It was a specially made wooden contraption that held the kitchen trash can inside it, thus keeping the smells inside and little kids' hands outside of the garbage.

In typically Josh fashion, I decided to construct my own trash can holder.  After studying the design I built one out of scrap wood (mostly particle board), and we used it for a year or two before it basically came apart at the seams.  I promised Karen (and myself) that I would re-build it ... and then somehow 5 to 7 years went by and we still had no trash can holder.

Enter Spencer's grabby hands (and smelly diapers) and I found inspiration and commitment to revisiting this oft overlooked project.

So over these past few weeks, I have constructed version 2.0 of our trash can holder.  Today I *finished it, including routing some edges, sanding, cleaning, staining and re-assembling.  So I figured I'd share some pictures in my blog.
*I still want to put a coat of polyurethane on the exterior so it will last longer.

The most fun part has been watching the kids go to throw things away where the trash can used to be only to realize it isn't there anymore!  But even with the extra trips to the new location, everyone seems pretty happy with the trash can holder.
I'm just glad it's done!  :)


Song Of The Day:
Thank goodness for the group Garbage and their song "The World Is Not Enough" or I might have had a hard time finding a tie-in song for today's post.  It's not my favorite James Bond theme at all, but at least it doesn't suck and the group name works for my trash can post.

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Who's Thinking About Insurance Right Now?

First Denver Nuggets game experience - Post #4

I continue to love working at Progressive ... and I have plenty of confidence in our advertising geniuses ... but I sometimes wonder how certain promotions or advertisements can be effective.

Take for instance, the following signage at the Nuggets game.

I am certain the placement is more focused on the exposure to a TV audience than people at the arena, because who is thinking about insurance needs while at an NBA game?  I would guess that number is close to zero if not already there.  If not, I have to wonder who goes to an NBA game and finds themselves so lost in thought that they consider their insurance needs?


Song Of the Day:
I'm a pretty big fan of Jason Mraz's lyrical creativity, but some of his songs are more about the tune than just the words.  I'm featuring "Absolutely Zero" here, as my answer to the blog post title question, but it's a great song besides the fact that it fits nicely here.  Just because music is melancholy doesn't mean it has no place in my otherwise peppy and upbeat musical catalog.  Sometimes a brooding tune is just what you need to hear.

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Which Is It ?

Sometimes I am confused.  My default in these situations is to ask questions (if you don't know this then you've probably never read my blog before).  But sadly, there remain many times when asking questions still doesn't get you the answer you're really looking for.  And after a while, it feels futile to continue asking for clarification, so you just have to accept what information you do have and hope for the best.

There is a difference between being an integral part to a grander plan and just being in the right place at the right time.  Being an integral part means that plans are molded around you, at least in some way.  You are essential.  You are needed.  Without you the plan may succeed, but likely not as well.  Being in the right place at the right time is good, but it is not reassuring at all.  You could, after all, have just as easily not been in the right place or the right time and therefore just as easily missed this opportunity to play a part in some bigger plan.

Either way, I think the more important part is knowing which one you are.

If you think you're "an integral part," but you're really not, then you're setting yourself up for disappointment later when reality sets in.
If you think you're just "in the right place at the right time," but you are actually an integral part, then you might not be as committed to the plan, because it isn't really about you only to find out later it was any you missed a big opportunity.

And that's my lead-in for using "Blurred Lines" as the Song Of The Day in today's post.  I've loved this song since I first heard it (not so much the lyrics or the video, but the melody and tune itself) and Robin Thicke is very talented.  The "integral part" and "right place, right time" possibilities are some blurred lines that I wish I had clarity on right now, but I don't.  So I'll just sing along and hope for the best.

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