tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35210969424027921692024-03-13T10:55:36.011-04:00Observing and commenting.Biting or bitchy... does it matter?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-8489753263114916942010-06-11T14:06:00.002-04:002010-06-11T14:17:13.045-04:00AS THE SUN SLOWLY SETS IN THE WEST....I'll have a double.<div><br /></div><div>As the Census (hopefully) winds down</div><div>Now is the time to pause and reflect</div><div>On what this experience has taught.</div><div><br /></div><div>Belvedere vodka tastes good in a frozen martini glass</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Evening</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Afternoon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">& Morning too.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Bloody Bulls are part of a healthy food group</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>NEVER EVER EVER</b></span> work for the government.</div><div><br /></div><div>...</div><div>My show opened last week, and we discovered, It's A Comedy!</div><div><br /></div><div>We (the company) always have a good time </div><div>but were never sure what the reaction would be.</div><div>It's been gratifying.</div><div>Not only am I lucky enough to be working </div><div>with three wonderful actors who enjoy the journey each night</div><div>But I get to play an SOB.</div><div>What a pleasure.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'll take the $$ till the end.</div><div>I believe both events close June 20.</div><div>Then off to visit Mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>so this might be one of the last blogs</div><div>At least about this subject.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've enjoyed it, Thanks</div><div><br /></div><div>If not, screw you</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Bonne Vie</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-67362573522938028972010-05-28T06:10:00.003-04:002010-05-28T14:42:01.132-04:00SO, IT'S COME TO THIS...I guess 'those who shall not be named' are feeling pressure?<div><br /></div><div>While 'change' has been a constant companion, now change and threats are the mode of operation.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week, old policies have been reinstated.</div><div>Which isn't too bad, since the enumerators already knew the procedure.</div><div><br /></div><div>But now they want to give "New Policy" say at 5:00 pm </div><div>And then expect reports, schedules etc by 8:30 that night?</div><div>Really? Not likely.</div><div><br /></div><div>You want to know who is working this weekend?</div><div>First, it's a HOLIDAY weekend.</div><div>Second, you had always told us NOT TO MAKE SCHEDULES.</div><div>Something to do about 'Night Differential'.</div><div><br /></div><div>These unreasonable expectations truly reveal more about</div><div>those in charge than they realize.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now we wake up to 10 emails</div><div>One which basically says , </div><div>"If I don't have this by the morning (now) something bad will happen".</div><div><br /></div><div>What? </div><div>I'll get hired full time and have to spend the rest of my life</div><div>dealing with incompetence on a level never seen before?</div><div><br /></div><div>Will I have to tell my enumerators that there is another change?</div><div><br /></div><div>Will you lay me off....</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, while I AM GRATEFUL for the income</div><div>the incompetence and threats have long since</div><div>eroded away any measure of satisfaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having never worked for 'the government' before </div><div>I had never experienced an organization </div><div>That constantly and institutionally shoves blame and responsibility downwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>'A Few Bad Apples?'</div><div>Try looking at the orchard owner. </div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, I don't really care anymore.</div><div>I will take the money as long as I can</div><div>Try to motivate and guide my enumerators</div><div>to the best of my ability and turn in our work when finished.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I think it's time to quit reading email from those above.</div><div>It just shows they don't know what they're doing.</div><div>When management starts making vague threats </div><div>You know the proverbial excrement is about to hit the fan.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, my appointment expires in 11 days.</div><div>Eleven LONG days.</div><div><br /></div><div>And while there really isn't work out there, ending this would be like having a tooth pulled.</div><div>Frightening, painful, but in the long run much better for your health.</div><div><br /></div><div>There has GOT to be a play or maybe off broadway musical in this charade somewhere.</div><div>Maybe a farce?</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well, it's only 6:00 am and I'm already to tired to care.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bloody Mary Time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-68260055652145988572010-05-22T05:56:00.003-04:002010-05-22T06:20:38.728-04:00NOTHING NEW HERE, PASS ALONGWell it <i>appears</i> that the Great Payroll issue has been resolved.<div><br /></div><div>It <i>appears </i>that everyone has been paid, caught up, past dues accrued and all is hunky dorry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, we only have to deal with the daily changes in procedure. </div><div>...Been there done that.</div><div><br /></div><div>They added layers of paper work. </div><div>Now they want us to do 'field reports' every other day showing our meetings with the Enumerators, </div><div>Or to let them put in their own words...</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; ">By field reports, I mean everything you do. So send me a summary of what happened for __(insert date)___.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;">They do not have to be super detailed. Just tell me the buildings your enumerators visited. Number of cases completed. Buildings you are trying to gain access to. Whatever thing census-related you did that you think I should know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do so for each day you will work from now on. Send me them either daily or 4 times a week. I should get these reports before I sign your 308 for that corresponding day.</div></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Funny, I had sent in Info-Comms, D-225 for this. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Now they want it on another format so they can ignore it in duplicate.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">What happened to the 5 page report I gave you on Thursday?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">How about the report I sent in last night?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">What happened to all the Info-Coms I gave you?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The emails I sent in? Still waiting for answers to..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">"Is anybody there?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Does Anybody care?"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">So while things sputter along,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">and change is our constant companion</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">We'll continue to kill trees</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">In order to fulfill the government obsession with REPORTS</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">That no one seems to read, digest or act upon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">But It Protects Someone's Job, I Betcha!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Oh well, two more weeks till my Appointment expires!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I'll keep checking to see if my pay hits each wednesday</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">and let the rest of the world go by.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Thankfully, I have rehearsals to keep me grounded in real life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Stage is much more common sense oriented than working for the Government.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The senseless Census takes a good thing and makes it mad.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The Census takes a straight forward process and turns it into</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">a convoluted mess that makes no sense, progress or useful data.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Oh well, if I knew all the answers,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I wouldn't be an unemployed actor!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Keep the faith all.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-63112330185461697422010-05-17T07:12:00.002-04:002010-05-17T07:29:53.178-04:00TICK TOCK ... TICK TOCKWill they finally pay us off?<div><br /></div><div>Counting down to the next day...</div><div>A day of anticipation...</div><div>A day of calculation....</div><div>A day, so far, of frustration.</div><div><br /></div><div>The big question is,</div><div>Will '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those who shall not be named</span></span>'</div><div>Finally pay us, on time, in full, </div><div>No mistakes?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who knows.</div><div><br /></div><div>They certainly don't seem to.</div><div><br /></div><div>With daily changes in the rules,</div><div>A seemingly eternal struggle for control.</div><div><br /></div><div>The integral part of just 'Getting It Done'</div><div>Seems to be the unwanted step child</div><div>in this dysfunctional ... group.</div><div><br /></div><div>With almost daily work rule's changes,</div><div>and making them retroactive,</div><div>Those on high continue to undermine</div><div>any vestiges of competence that linger in their midst.</div><div><br /></div><div>From below it appears like clouds,</div><div>In a strong wind.</div><div>Blowing into each other</div><div>Taking bits and pieces and forming new shapes.</div><div>Only to have those collapse to be replaced</div><div>By another, made up of vapors and mist.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing is solid</div><div>Nothing is secure</div><div>What we were taught is tossed in the can</div><div>Procedure is myth</div><div>Correct is whim</div><div><br /></div><div>If I ran a business, in this manner,</div><div>It would be bankrupt in a month</div><div>But the clients would have walked in a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Good Enough For Government Work'?</div><div>Is this what it means?</div><div>I'm now truly amazed that ANYTHING gets done...</div><div><br /></div><div>Barkeep, bloody mary please...</div><div><br /></div><div>Eat, Drink and be...</div><div>the best that you can be</div><div><br /></div><div>cheers</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-76911741850835918722010-05-12T07:32:00.005-04:002010-05-12T10:28:04.471-04:00NO PAY, NO PLAY?Well, it appears that the US Census is incapable of paying on time.<div><br /></div><div>I was shorted 13 hours on my second pay period</div><div>And now it appears that my third pay was only for those 13 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I had worked 44.75 hours for the third period.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, let's see if we can do the math...</div><div><br /></div><div>Back pay owed, 13 hours, plus $4.50 reimbursement for expense.</div><div>Current hours due, 44.75 plus $4.50 for reimbursement.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pay received?</div><div>APPEARS to be only for the 13 hours owed from previous pay period.</div><div>(We don't receive earning statements until a week after payment)</div><div><br /></div><div>It is half of the pay I received for my first week of 33.25 hours. </div><div>Funny. That doesn't add up for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>What does this mean?</div><div>Not only did <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">I</span> not get paid for hours worked.</div><div>But my team of Census Takers (enumerators) will not receive anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Possible outcomes?</div><div>All my team quits.</div><div>All census work ceases.</div><div>Angry Enumerators picket my building?</div><div>Call me nasty names?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I don't know about all my team.</div><div>But some are like me, living paycheck to paycheck.</div><div>Having been laid off for a LONG time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not getting paid on time means, </div><div>not eating, </div><div>not paying rent, </div><div>not paying bills.</div><div><br /></div><div>Likely response from the Census?</div><div>"You'll receive it."</div><div>"It was just a mistake."</div><div>"Blah Blah Blah Blah."</div><div><br /></div><div>I had attempted to call the LCO (local census office) last week,</div><div>in order to be proactive and find out if</div><div>A. The payroll forms had been turned in</div><div>B. IF not all, Which had been turned in.</div><div>That way I could prepare my team for what might be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Result?</div><div>"BLAH BLAH BLAH, busy.</div><div>Blah blah blah, computer tied up.</div><div>blah blah blah, can't help you."</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I'm just too mad to call.</div><div>Afraid I will call them out on their incompetence.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not saying that the data entry people are to blame.</div><div>But there is NO SYSTEM IN PLACE to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">FLAG</span> when a whole district is not paid?</div><div>No one notices when it appears that a portion of the workforce is not getting paid?</div><div>It appears they moved the deadline date for turning in payroll forms</div><div>WITHOUT telling anyone in the field?</div><div>Of course the people in the office got paid correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow. </div><div>Not only incompetent but...</div><div>what is the word I'm looking for?</div><div>Not sure I can use it in mixed company</div><div>But this really isn't acceptable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once, I can understand.</div><div>We were just getting started, it was crazy, disorganized.</div><div>BUT, twice?</div><div>A whole week's pay?</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry, this just doesn't fly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course my options are limited.</div><div>I CAN'T quit, I would lose my unemployment.</div><div><br /></div><div>So once again the CENSUS has us by the short hairs.</div><div>Once again, 'those who shall not be named'</div><div>have screwed those who actually <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">DO</span> the work.</div><div><br /></div><div>There will be no consequences for those in charge.</div><div>And the little people will be expected to ...</div><div>Just Carry On...</div><div>Be Grateful For Work...</div><div>Accept incompetence from those above...</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, at least I can blog about it...</div><div>It's too early to drink yet!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-65255341232976614352010-05-07T10:21:00.002-04:002010-05-07T10:25:01.113-04:00GUESS I SHOULDA KNOWN.....<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Here I thought...</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I’v got my Census Takers their Binders</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Now, I can observe them on their rounds</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Correct and guide when uncertainty occurred.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Everything would start working as planned.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">What a cockeyed optimist I am.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">First, a little time-line info.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">On Tues, 5/4 around 6:00PM - I received Binders for my crew.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When I got home, I emailed my crew, </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Letting them know I had them,</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">And would assign them Wednesday, 5/5.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Because I don’t trust things to come to me correctly </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">From ‘those who shall not be named’</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I spent Wednesday morning going through the binders.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Making sure what was supposed to be there, was there.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Then assigned the Binders to my enumerators on Wednesday.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Spent some time reviewing procedure etc with them one at a time</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">And wished them well and sent them on their way </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I reminded them I had to ‘observe’ them doing some interviews</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">During the first week.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Thursday I scheduled and observed two of my enumerators.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">And scheduled three more for today, Friday.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Well</span>, imagine my surprise when Thursday evening, around 9:00PM</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">An email was delivered. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">( I didn’t get it till Friday, today)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">It stated that </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“...Give a list of all the AA Binder #'s you have assigned to your district. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Include a brief summary of how the enumeration process is going along. Give an expected time frame of when you will finish the binders you currently have. “</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">And I thought, </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">you mean the Binders I JUST GOT and JUST CHECKED OUT?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">What data was I supposed to base this summary on? </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Fantasy? Best hopes? Wish fulfillment?</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">...Time frame to completion?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">How about the same time frame it will take for</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> ‘those who shall not be named’</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> to get their act together.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Needless to say, I didn’t send them any such thing.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Because if the past is any indication,</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This information would be used to blame.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“”Why don’t you have this done as you said in your estimation?!?!”</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Incompetence and disorganization seems to mean blame those below you.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Those who are actually out in the field, doing the work.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As someone who spent thirty years working in Government told me.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Get used to it.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So, I’ll just keep plugging along.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Helping my enumerators where and when I can</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Fending off those from above </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Who seem intent on creating confusion, discontent</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">And distrust to those above. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Is it too early to have a cocktail at 10 in the morning?</span></p><div><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-79681547619085500212010-05-05T20:23:00.004-04:002010-05-05T20:35:28.571-04:00THE COMFORT OF ROUTINEAs the sun sets<div>And sirens scream</div><div>The horns do honk</div><div>And neighbors scream</div><div><br /></div><div>I settle into an easy pattern of routine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ahhhhhhhh</div><div><br /></div><div>All binders have been assigned. </div><div>My Enumerators sated.</div><div>Eager to begin </div><div>and take back taxes they hated.</div><div><br /></div><div>This as getting my tax money back.</div><div><br /></div><div>Starting tomorrow they will make their rounds.</div><div>I'll "observe" each on on their sundry grounds</div><div>In order to ensure they have their patter down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't expect </div><div>Many missteps</div><div>But a few</div><div>Will give us something to laugh about</div><div>When we all say adieu.</div><div><br /></div><div>This blog has been my saving grace</div><div>Without I might have been disgraced</div><div>My mouth would lead me into lairs</div><div>Where wiser men never would have dared.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I hope you have enjoyed my time.</div><div>The future unsure my words decline.</div><div>If events unfold with a spark of glee</div><div>I'll gladly report them all to thee.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sweet journeys</div><div>And dreams</div><div>You wishes Fulfilled</div><div>Outstretch your arms</div><div>Your hope to fill.</div><div><br /></div><div>adieu</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-4513671692374228832010-05-04T19:36:00.006-04:002010-05-05T07:27:29.069-04:00HIP HIP HOORAY TAH RAH TAH RAHThe Binders Are Coming!<div><br /></div><div>The Binders Are Coming!</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, they're here.</div><div>In Census speak, "binder" is an AA Binder (Assignment Area Binder)</div><div><br /></div><div>When you are an Enumerator it means WORK!!</div><div>So I was quite happy to notify my crew that I had a binder for each of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, who knows how long this elation will last.</div><div>This may be the only binders we get.</div><div>And we would be out of luck and work.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I don't think so.</div><div>This is New York and how many people do You think DIDN'T fill out their questionnaires?</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, to be doing what my job title entails, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Crew LEADER</span>.</div><div>Think of it as a pit boss of market research who works from home.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be able to start your day with fresh ground coffee you make yourself.</div><div>Have some breakfast.</div><div>Then Juice, and I don't mean orange.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I do my morning ablutions and start the day.</div><div>It's so fun, nice, convenient to work from home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of my Enumerators use email so instructions only need be sent out once.</div><div>For our daily meets, we live within a 3 block radius of each other</div><div>So we meet at my apartment building, or a coffee shop.</div><div>Convenience is such a pleasant word.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was worried for a bit.</div><div>I only had 3 binders at first and 8 enumerators.</div><div>Who should I assign them to?</div><div><br /></div><div>Should I help those who are unemployed and most in need?</div><div>Or should I assign to those with the most ability who will make my job easier?</div><div><br /></div><div>A Quandry.</div><div>And not one I'm familiar with or wanted to handle.</div><div>Compassion or efficiency. Which would win out?</div><div><br /></div><div>But luckily it has been resolved in the best of ways.</div><div>All will work.</div><div>Which means so will I.</div><div><br /></div><div>So this evening is a good one.</div><div>The day was without turmoil and has ended on an up note.</div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to getting started </div><div>And hope for a long run.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take your time to answer, dear readers.</div><div>Tell them to come back some other time.</div><div>Make appointments and miss them.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We'll keep coming till the end.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Au revoir mes amis.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">boisson jusqu'à vous vous sentez joli</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-70930192525808071862010-05-03T18:53:00.002-04:002010-05-03T19:19:05.774-04:00CALMER... SLOWER...PEACEFUL...Sigh....<div><br /></div><div>Much easier day.</div><div>At least it ended that way. lol</div><div><br /></div><div>I was up early, and not necessarily for Census, I just am.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had been told yesterday I was training another group this morning down on Seventh Avenue.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I got up, got ready. </div><div>Had my coffee and prepared to start training. </div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived as usual a half hour early, as per SOP. </div><div>And was a bit surprised to see a trainee already there.</div><div>Turns out he was told to show up at 8:30! </div><div><br /></div><div>A courier from the LCO (local census office) was also at the training site,</div><div>So we waited, and waited and waited...</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally I decided I should try to find Someone who knew what was going on.</div><div><br /></div><div>The courier told me to call a Specific person at the LCO. </div><div>So, I did. </div><div>I explained the situation and asked if she knew what was going on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Evidently the training for the site I was at had been canceled.</div><div> Surprise!</div><div>So, I asked "What should I do?"</div><div>She said she'd call me back.</div><div><br /></div><div>We waited, and waited.</div><div>So I decided, I'll call her back. </div><div>She said all of us should go to Another training site,</div><div>where I could drop off my trainee and see if they needed me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, they didn't need me so I left.</div><div>Got to go to a meeting with My supervisor and fellow CLs (crew leaders) and get some AA Binders assigned.</div><div>Actually doing what I was trained to do.</div><div>Felt good. </div><div>Of course Sara received more binders than any of us. (got ya' Sara)</div><div><br /></div><div>But I had been on the clock for 2 hours at that point so didn't feel too bad.</div><div>Went home, did a little administrative work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Took a nap.</div><div><br /></div><div>Got up, did a little more work and called some of my crew to schedule meetings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then took another break and ate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had a meeting with two of my crew and then finished for the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>THIS is what it should be like.</div><div>Civilized.</div><div>Evenly paced.</div><div>Time for a nap in the middle of the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that's living.</div><div><br /></div><div>So now I'm having my Belvedere, straight up in my frozen martini glass.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking out my wrap around windows on the 17th floor and feeling mellow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, sometimes things get better.</div><div>But I'm not fooled. </div><div>I won't expect this to be an everyday occurrence.</div><div>But I will certainly enjoy it when it happens.</div><div><br /></div><div>May pleasant surprises greet you when needed.</div><div>The unpleasant occur when able to deal.</div><div>Good friends abound and funds aplenty.</div><div>And booze enough to float a barge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pleasant days and nights to you all.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-86012525732489134232010-05-02T17:34:00.007-04:002010-05-02T20:09:21.077-04:00OY GEVALT!!!With a lovely Texan lilt...<div><br /></div><div>Wow.</div><div>Just wow.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">AM</span> having a cocktail.</div><div>And will most likely have another.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started work this morning at 8:15. That's when I signed in.</div><div>Was SUPPOSED to be able to leave after I had "the folders" done.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who don't know... when you work "fer the govmint" there is a LARGE number of dead trees created. There are 10, count 'em 10 separate forms to fill out just to apply/work for the Census.</div><div>And of course the order and purpose is obscure and pointless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I've done this a couple of times so I expected to be able to leave fairly early. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">As I Had Been Told To Expect To.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>HAH!!!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>9 Hours of working later, </div><div>I'm home, cocktail in hand still trying to figure out </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">What The Hell is Going On!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This will come as no surprise.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started the day with NO PAPER work, (folders) for our new traineess</div><div>And no "kits". </div><div>You know, their books, supplies and silly things like that.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I started in with some of the verbal training you CAN give without supplies. </div><div>WHY we do this, the HISTORY, Swearing them in, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, folders showed up with the Attendance forms (D-275) </div><div>So I thought, </div><div>GOOD, I CAN GET STARTED NOW~</div><div><br /></div><div>Silly me...</div><div>Not even half the people I had HAD folders or were on my attendance form.</div><div>So, I handed out what I had and started them filling them in . </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this is a process in itself. </div><div>Nothing is as you would think. </div><div>If you get ahead and SUPPOSE you know... </div><div>let's say, where to sign your name, or fill in a line. </div><div>You'll be WRONG.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">THE RIGHT WAY THE WRONG WAY, THE CENSUS WAY!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I told everyone I would go slow because, SUPPOSEDLY folders for everyone were going to show up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well.... by noon, I had finished those who HAD their folders and sent EVERYONE to lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, there were 25 people, sitting around, being paid, doing nothing.</div><div>None of this was my responsibility, fault, or any doing of mine.</div><div><br /></div><div>After lunch the kits showed up...</div><div>but of course NOT ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE.</div><div> So we gave out what we could. </div><div>Mostly to those who had folders and then untill we ran out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I told everyone who didn't have a folder we were going to put them in another room </div><div>And when their folders arrived I would train them while everyone else got finger printed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right? </div><div>Logical? </div><div>Silly me....</div><div><br /></div><div>The folders did show up.</div><div>I told those waiting to get fingerprinted in one room to study certain pages in their kits while they waited </div><div>And I started working on the paper work for the rest in another room.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now by this point it's 1:30? 1:45?</div><div><br /></div><div>We started them on the process. </div><div>Pain-stakingly going line by line.</div><div>So that everyone fills out the forms correctly.</div><div>And this takes an hour to an hour and half at least?</div><div><br /></div><div>Just does.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, around quarter to 3-3:15 everyone has their forms filled out.</div><div>I moved everyone into the same room,</div><div>because I want to start training Everyone on the Payroll forms (D-308s) at the same time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I Thought training everyone at once would be </div><div>Economical and </div><div>Efficient.</div><div>Silly me Again...</div><div><br /></div><div>The "OFFICE" started calling, complaining about, </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"WHY DON'T WE HAVE THOSE FORMS?"</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I thought...</div><div> "You mean the ones you got to us over half way through the day? </div><div>You mean the ones you didn't have ready to start the day with? </div><div> THOSE FORMS?!?!?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, as you can imagine...</div><div>I wasn't TOO sympathetic with the poor <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">overworked</span> management wanting to get out of the office on a Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I had to stop and and go through the forms that THEY sent late.</div><div>To check for accuracy, order, make sure everything is checked off and done SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).</div><div> I had done this for those who HAD their forms during my nonexistent lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>So people are getting fingerprinted, I'm checking forms, answering questions and dismissing people who have completed their work for the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm getting a LITTLE dazed... frazzled? </div><div><br /></div><div>Ok , I'll just say it.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">DENSE</span> by this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>And unknown to me, someone had told SOME of the people WHERE their class was to be held the next day </div><div>and not told me.</div><div>So now, I don't know who knows where to go and who doesn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only saving grace for this day is that I will most likely NOT be seeing any of these people again during my Census time. </div><div><br /></div><div>They all lived in the Village or Lower East Side of even Brooklyn. </div><div>None of them are likely to be working in my Crew Leader District.</div><div>So whatever I did wrong they can blame on someone they'll never see again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good Goddess I need another drink NOW!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm GLAD I have a job</div><div>I'm GLAD I have a job</div><div>I'm GLAD I have a job</div><div>I'm GLAD I have a job</div><div><br /></div><div>If you say something enough, does it make it true?</div><div><br /></div><div>Sweet drinks and happy dreams...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-59250093010191679642010-05-01T20:03:00.006-04:002010-05-02T19:29:41.894-04:00YIPPEE KI YAY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">SCREEEEEECHHHHH!!!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"> Crash </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Kapow</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">Sproing! </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Kablam !</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This will come as a surprise to no one, but...</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember when I had said everyone was trained and now the next step is getting them out in the field?</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only am I starting to teach a whole new group, tomorrow morning but...</div><div><br /></div><div>I received a call this evening in the manner of an "emergency".</div><div><br /></div><div>It turns that our LCO (local census office) had called a LARGE number of people, telling them to report for training to various locations. </div><div>But of course they were not only NOT assigned to a district, they were NOT given ID numbers AND allowed to finish training. </div><div>Their D-308s (payroll forms) were not collected <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">as per instructions</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">NOW</span> all of a sudden field supervisors have to correct all this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though none of these people are in our district.</div><div>And the instructions were NOT to collect the forms. </div><div>Now "it's an emergency" these forms must be collected today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now this is after 5PM on a saturday night. Most of the crew leaders are approaching their overtime limit and don't even know any of these people. </div><div>And how many of these people are going to be home? This is New York.</div><div>And the LCO will NOT pay anymore than already budgeted. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, let me see if I get this. </div><div>Management screwed up and the lower level supervisors are supposed to fix it without being paid?</div><div><br /></div><div>Really? </div><div>They don't know me very well do they?</div><div><br /></div><div>This employment is what is referred to as "time limited employment". </div><div>After 8 weeks your appointment expires and if needed you can be extended. </div><div>This is just so no one accrues time for Federal Benefits. </div><div><br /></div><div>Understandable.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no chance of it turning into a real job or lasting longer than the Census takes.</div><div>(And after what I've seen I wouldn't take it if offered) </div><div>And management expects us to GIVE them time? </div><div><br /></div><div>Silly dears. Not bloody likely.</div><div><br /></div><div>I gave enough time to get my 45 hours and not one minute more.</div><div><br /></div><div>What's the old adage? You get more with honey than vinegar?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, you definitely get more by asking nicely, politely, with gratitude, than with threats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Frankly, fire my ass. </div><div>I'll go back on unemployment and show up at your door step protesting in full costume, signage and the press.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't know me, believe me I'd do it. </div><div>I have.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm starting to feel like Rep Bachmann from Minnesota about the Census. </div><div>But of course my reasons are based on personal experience. Not flights of fantasy and distortions of history. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's just an example, on a scale I've never experienced before, of "Do what I say, not what I do". </div><div>And much like the managers of the mines in WV they expect you to get everything done irregardless of proper procedure regarding payroll/hours or pretty much anything else. </div><div>But of course they can use those procedures to call you out when it suits them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds like a cross between <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Don Blankenship, Dick Cheney and Senator Boehner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">"I live in a fantasy world. What I say is true irregardless of the facts".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Luckily in our case no one can be injured.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Well, I'm having a martini. Planning tomorrow class and wondering... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Will I have a job for a fourth week?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Do I want this job for a fourth week?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Don't get me wrong, I am VERY GLAD to be working. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">I think I'm pretty good at what I do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">But I don't tolerate rude disrespectful behavior from anyone. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">I don't take bullying either. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Treat me as an adult and we'll get along.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Oh well, we'll see what we shall see.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">I guess I shouldn't be surprised by anything from this organization anymore.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:12px;">Barkeep! Set up another round!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-78349966752335324802010-04-30T11:18:00.000-04:002010-04-30T11:49:48.498-04:00SLOW AND GRACEFULLY...I just finished with my last trainee and gave the info to my CrewLeaderAssistants.<br /><br />I still can't believe they have me as a "CREW LEADER".<br /><br />I mean, really. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">ME?</span> Kind of like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">MEN IN TIGHTS </span>but in New York...<br /><br />Hopefully we'll receive info soon about our next step.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">NOT</span> about doing the Census. I just spent a week training them on that!<br /><br />But on <span style="font-weight:bold;">WHEN</span><br /><br />I wonder how many conflicting calls, emails, info blasts we'll all get?<br /><br />Will one person be giving out that pertinent info or, will our LCO (local census office) have a variety of people call from lists (all outdated) to pass along information (that inevitably is incorrect) to we low level few, the poor, the gifted, the clueless about where our AA binders (for you non-government speak this refers to the area being interviewed on Census Questionnaires) are and when to assign them and when to begin.<br /><br />Wanna start a betting pool about this one?<br />I'll choose - "none of the above"<br /><br />Oh well, confusion leads to $$<br />And as I've said before, I'M A HO I AM.<br /><br />So while the training aspect of this joyous journey through Census Land has passed. I look forward to the endeavors of the next part of our journey.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>The Valley of DOOOR MEN</b></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"YOU AIN'T GETTING IN THIS BUILDING"</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Mountains of Refuses</span></b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU THAT?"</span></div><br />And of course my favorite...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Plains of Confusion. </span></span></div><br />Let's hope we all have a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">merry band</span> that will do their best, realize they have no power. And other than the pay, their safety is the most important aspect of this glorious journey we've all embarked upon.<br /><br />May the wind be at your back<br />May your shoes not crack<br />The ho's and addicts ignore you<br />and all respondents adore you.<br /><br />Fair journeys to us all.<br /><br />Where's my margarita?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-43216614668737350852010-04-29T19:08:00.000-04:002010-04-29T19:24:31.843-04:00BEGINNING OFTHE END?Or end of the beginning.<br /><br />I can't believe it! <br />It "appears" that all our little probationary Census Takers have finished their training!<br />Well, almost... there are a few loose ends and canons to take care of.<br /><br />Everyone keeps saying, "The Census is Coming! The Census is Coming!"<br />Supposed to start May 1. I wouldn't bet my last dollar on it.<br /><br />For my district, I will be finished "training" by tomorrow noon. I am also meeting with and training my CLAs (Crew Leader Assistant).<br /><br />I HOPE NO ONE IN MY DISTRICT sent the Questionnaire back!<br />I want to work as long as I can.<br />Or until I get a show, whichever pays more.<br /><br />It will seem strange and lonely not to see my fellow Crew Leaders and their Enumerators every day, <br />but I'll get over it.<br />Hopefully now I can focus on and review just what the heck MY JOB IS!.<br />I know I have responsibilities both administrative & supervisory. <br />But I can't for the life of me recall what it is.<br /><br />Guess I'll have to dive back into the .... manuals.<br /><br />da da dummmmm<br /><br />Not exactly what you would consider light reading.<br />More like what you would grab on a flight to Australia. <br />Put you right to sleep.<br /><br />But I'm sure it will all come back to me, if I ever knew it in the first place.<br /><br />After all, I'm An Actor. I can make anyone believe I am what I want them to believe.<br /><br />Wait ... isn't that a psychotic? Well, is there really any practical difference?<br /><br />So,<br />To all the ones I've known before<br />to all the ones I've moooooned before<br />I'll have a drink of wine<br />I'll have it one more time<br />To all the ones I've known before...<br /><br />Good Luck to you all. I hope we don't fall away <br />but I'm sure we'll see each other again someday<br /><br />and say, "Wait, who was that guy?"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-67698157641563957022010-04-28T21:34:00.002-04:002010-05-04T07:39:04.185-04:00YOU BETTER SMILE WHEN YOU SAY THAT!Whew!<div><br /></div><div>It's 9:30pm and I'm finally sitting down, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">martini in hand</span></span></b> after a fairly long day.</div><div><br /></div><div>First training of the day, I arrived at 8:30 this morning. Had the usual group, trying to prep them to take their first tentative steps out into the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>The little darlings. So hopeful, so expectant. So unprepared.</div><div><br /></div><div>Trying to get them used to unrealized expectations. </div><div>I had told them they would be going out in the field today.</div><div>NOT!</div><div>But we did get a bit of the next day done so they don't have to spend too much time on their last class day, whenever it might be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course we did have a few who, hopefully, benefited from the delay of doing "live field work". </div><div>They WEREN'T ready at all. Fairly nervous, unsure, resentful.</div><div>You know, like a bride on her wedding night. So we had practice sessions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I had an evening group, unknown to me or me to them so daring was called for. Give 'em a laugh or shock. Anything to help them remember the endless drivel I'm reading to them that hopefully will help when they go out on their own.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully they will all realize that they will get it, and if they don't they won't die. They'll get paid and they'll either continue or not. It's neither earth changing or shattering.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a paycheck.</div><div><br /></div><div>So to all my fellow Crew Leaders I raise my frozen martini glass and spit in your eye.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's hoping we survive longer than predicted, make more money than expected and have better memories than Johnny Walker can supply.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good Luck to you one and all.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-23224626302355435382010-04-27T17:53:00.001-04:002010-04-27T18:07:17.396-04:00EITHER I'M GETTING BETTER AT THIS OR JUST NUMB!Well, I made it home without having a single alcoholic beverage. <div><br /><div>While my feet are a bit tired. I'm not quite in the haze I was yesterday.</div><div><div>Today Was a lot to hash out. We started training our little "trainees" on How To Take The Census!</div><div><br /></div><div> ta dummmmm</div><div><br /></div><div>As usual I stood up front and did my schtick.... I mean read the manual verbatim.</div><div>Hmmmmmmm ..... well, I did as well as can be expected.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a LOT to cover and the poor little lambs seem to get more and more glazed as the day wore on.</div><div><br /></div><div>We did have few who seemed to obsess over one little issue. And go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on ...( you get the picture) about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even if we moved to another subject they always brought it back to what they were worried about/didn't understand.</div><div><br /></div><div>At that point I DID WANT A DRINK, I even asked one of my fellow Crew Leaders if he brought a flask. Which got a laugh. Some of the trainees were annoyed at the pointlessness of going over the same thing so many times.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's kind of fun observing my trainees and seeing which ones are going to need hand holding and which are going to be just fine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also seeing who I want to use as my Crew Leader Assistant </div><div><br /></div><div>OOOOOOHHH Doesn't that sound exciting and fun?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have one who wants to be and one I think might be better at it. I wonder if I'm even going to get one?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well, tomorrow should be fun. I start the morning with training. Then when my little angels get kicked out of the nest I won't be there! </div><div>I have to go and train DAY 2 MORNING (second time) at a Night Class!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess this will be as close as I ever get to miss seeing my child take its first step.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll live.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till next time Live, Dream, Drink and Drive.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-72701547263174437642010-04-27T05:44:00.000-04:002010-04-27T05:55:44.231-04:00Second Day of "First Day"Well, we did it again only better.<div><br /><div>The Wonderful World Of Census led us yesterday into indoctrinating another group of Census Taker Trainees. Instead of getting all of them together at one time our fearless leaders decided to break it up into numerous smaller groups all over and at various times. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the people who train them, including this poster, get to repeat themselves endlessly, confusedly and everywhere. </div><div><br /></div><div>I gotta say my second day of "First Day Training" did go much smoother. But I don't expect that to be a pattern. And who knows I might get to do a third day of "First Day Training".</div><div><br /></div><div>But as of now I'm getting ready to do a day of Second Day Training to a group consisting of 4 Crew Leader Districts and might even be teaching some evening classes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since the First Day was all about paper work, getting everyone fingerprinted and into the "System" it was pretty boring. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward too(?) actually training them on how to do what they're going to be doing. Since the class after Second Day (today), Third Day, actually includes some field work, getting out and asking questions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then they "should" have one more day of class work to review and be out in the field doing Census Taking.</div><div> Wow, if this is any example of how things get done for the government I think it's time to move to a Very Small Island and start my own. But for now, confusion leads to more hours and I'll take every $$$ I can get.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till later fellow sufferers/travelers and those who just wonder what the heck I'm babbling about.</div><div><br /></div><div>The no longer lonely but hopefully paid Crew Leader.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-67750660659024540722010-04-25T18:55:00.000-04:002010-04-25T19:58:26.817-04:00FINISH OF DAY ONE!!OY!!!<div><br /></div><div>The first day, what can I say?</div><div>Wait, let me have a pitcher or margaritas first.....</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, now I can continue.</div><div>Whew, doing paper work for the federal government can be soooo frustrating.</div><div><br /></div><div>The paper work is LONG and everyone thinks they know what to do next. Even if you tell them not to get ahead they do, and then it's wrong. Because?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;">There is the right way, the wrong way and THE CENSUS WAY.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we fingerprinted.</div><div>I thought elementary kids with finger painting could be rough. They ain't got nothing on a roomful of... mostly middle aged people. (I can say that because I am one) </div><div><br /></div><div>But we got through it and do it once again tomorrow for a whole new group of Enumerator Trainees.</div><div>I think a hip flask is going to be part of the ensemble tomorrow. And around lunch time I'm going to point to a corner in the back of the room and scream, "Oh My God, it's Michael Jackson!"</div><div>Then turn and take a sip of some smooth brandy. AHHHHHH</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, income is income and that's what I need.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till the next installment of the the Lonely Census worker! HiO Silver AWAY!!1</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521096942402792169.post-18690574917128543522010-04-25T06:03:00.001-04:002010-04-30T12:57:43.059-04:00First DayWell after two weeks of training, hmmm (<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><i><b>training</b></i> refers to the acquisition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge" title="Knowledge" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">knowledge</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skill" title="Skill" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">skills</span></a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competence_(human_resources)" title="Competence (human resources)" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">competencies</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"> as a result of the teaching of</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocational_education" title="Vocational education" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">vocational</span></a> or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies.) </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Ok, maybe that's a little too strong. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">My first day of imparting what little I've learned to those who will be doing it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">Now THAT'S a scary thought.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">Today we Crew Leaders start the process of training those who will be going door to door for the next eight weeks (or more or less) on the proper procedures to follow in order to get the data to the Census!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">It's one of those experiences where you truly learn by doing. The fire will burn the chaff away, hopefully.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">As I say, "There is the right way, the wrong way and THE CENSUS WAY".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">So as I get ready to head off into the sunset, uh... sunrise, Get along you little doggies and let's round up those recalcitrant populace who don't answer the Census Questionnaires.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;">More to come, if I survive.</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0