I started at Norwest in Greenwood Villiage Colorado on March 7th, 1994 at the age of 44½. In 1996 we moved from Littleton Colorado to Plymouth Minnesota. Norwest bought Wells Fargo in 1998 and took the Wells name. In 2008 Wells Fargo bought Wachovia. I expect to work one more year ... to just past my 22nd anniversary.Comment: Image Source. Looking back 6 years (earlier blog post)
... it being a Gallup copyrighted question, we have a few good reasons. 1. Even on basic grammar considerations it isn't that great a question. The question consists of the following statement which is accompanied by an agreement scale: 'I have a best friend at work' Does it mean my best friend works with me? Or does it mean that I have a colleague who I like more than other colleagues who I would consider a friend? Or does it mean I can identify anyone as being more friendly than my other colleagues? Many people tell us they have a 'good', 'close' or even 'totally awesome' friend at work, but 'best friend' is often described as confusingComment: The YouTube version of the above:
A major water main break in downtown Minneapolis at mid-afternoon Thursday cut off or reduced water service to much of downtown and workers were not expected to finish repairs until the evening.
The break was caused when an unidentified excavation contractor working for a utility company was working near the pipe shortly after 2 p.m., according to Marie Asgian, the city’s superintendent of water distribution. The break occurred at Hennepin and 2nd St. N., she said.
Water surged through nearby streets. “We’ll work into the night, whatever needs to be done,” Asgian said. “Nobody is going home until this is complete.” She said the cast-iron pipe will be repaired by cutting it and placing a sleeve over the break. She said that will happen after the break is isolated.
Typically those pipes rest eight feet below the surface.
The main is one of several major pipes carrying water across downtown to distribute through the city and caused a major impact downtown, with reports of lower pressure extending beyond Abbott Northwestern HospitalComment: people are leaving! Sign on the restroom ... only use for emergency. We are working until 6
It's that time of the year again - annual performance reviews. Once again I have to document my accomplishments. Since I have been doing the annual accomplishments list for a number of years, one would think that I would be better organized. I've often thought that I should set aside half an hour every week to document my weekly accomplishments and then I could easily cull through that material to list my annual accomplishments. Well I haven't done that yet. If I make it a couple of more years I will be retired (I prefer the term "redirected") and won't have to worry about this annual exercise of vanity. My wife never asks me about my accomplishments. She just loves me for the way I am (amazing grace!).
I did manage to list 10 items. Here's the truth - it's all vain.
“ Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
There is a key word and a key phrase that explain what Ecclesiastes is all about.
The key word is translated “vanity” in the KJV. Recent study of the language indicates that the term is richer than that. It points to something vain (”empty”), it is true, but also carries with it the idea that what makes it useless is that what is done will not last. If we would coin a term to translate it, we would have to say that “All is impermanence.” Throughout the book evidence of every kind is adduced to prove this fact. For instance, a man slaves throughout his life, but what it gains him, only those who follow can enjoy. He dies before he can benefit from it.
The key term is “under the sun.” This phrase refers to the world as it is presently constituted–a world of sin and its consequences. And, in particular it refers to the life of those who live only for this world. It is a world under the sun rather than a world under His Son.
Pessimism? Is that the theme of the book? Yes and no. Is there a pessimistic attitude on the part of the writer? Yes, for those who live their lives merely “under the sun,” where all is impermanent. No, for those who see the hand of God even in the midst of the useless lives of those who don’t recognize His goodness. Throughout the book, God is said to give good things (with an emphasis on the blessings of food and marriage) to those who love him, in order to sustain such persons in the midst of a world where all goes to pot (see my blog on that subject).
And the factor that changes all is God’s warning that this world is not the end—He will bring our thoughts and deeds into judgment. He advises youth to make the most of the body they possess while they can because in this world, under the sun (the curse of sin), it will soon fall apart.
So, Ecclesiastes (in its essence) is a tract for the times, calling men to repentance and faith.
Only one life - T'will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ….. will last!
Today yet another change of managers. I attempt to list my managers over 16 years
Places I've worked since we've been in Minnesota (12 years)
I'm moving from 100 Washington (14th floor) to 255 2nd Avenue S (1st floor) on August 6th. Today I packed up 4 boxes. My office is a complete mess!
Workers shifting to 4-day week to save gasoline
Excerpt:
When Ohio's Kent State University offered custodial staff the option of working four days a week instead of five to cut commuting costs, most jumped at the chance, part of a U.S. trend aimed at combating soaring gasoline prices.
"We offered it to 94 employees and 78 have taken us up on it," said university spokesman Scott Rainone.
The reason is simple: rising gas prices and a desire to retain good workers. And while so far only the university's custodians are eligible, Rainone hopes the option will be offered to all departments -- including his own.
"In our office, we have people who travel anywhere from five or six miles to a couple who are on the road 45 to 50 minutes," Rainone said. "As the price of gas rises, the level of grumbling rises."
Regular gasoline averages $3.94 a gallon in the United States, up 33 cents in the past month and 88 cents since the beginning of the year, the Energy Information Administration said this week.
The federal government has offered four-day workweeks to eligible employees for years as part of a flexible work program that also includes telecommuting.
But the surge in gasoline prices is pushing more private employers as well as local governments to offer a four-day week as a perk that eliminates two commutes a week.
Comment: I would like this!
Earlier: KVM switch
Comment: Photo quality poor (camera phone with shaky hand!). I had these ports installed today. I am still awaiting activation. The green and blue ports are data.
My manager gifted me with some neat new tools.
Before I arrived at work today, a deranged individual (someone said a teenager) entered the building, went to the 22nd floor and started a fire in the elevator lobby. The fire department arrived to put out the fire and the police arrived to arrest the young man. The building was evacuated.
By the time I arrived shortly after 8, things were back to normal.
I understand that all this took place at about 7 a.m.
Happy Friday!
