There are some great discussions taking place with regard to the Church and how there seems to be a transition taking place. I know that personally, I have sensed and experienced the tension of being a Christian moving out of "church".
By "church" I mean whatever this thing is that has become largely social, political, and completely disconnected with people. It is the monolith of meetings with no measurably significant depth or breadth. The following are links to these discussions:
http://www.kinnon.tv/
http://www.theuneditedlife.com/
http://www.theviewfromher.com/
http://livewithdesire.typepad.com/
Each one of these sites has a number of other links that can lead you to a vast multitude of thoughts that are a consistent whole - there has to be a better way of doing what many of us have felt is not significant and rewarding - to ourselves and others.
I hope that your journey is not in neutral. I hope that you are moving forward and hanging around others who are trying to make sense of this life and our higher purpose in being here. I do not want my life defined by the amount of carbon that I use and try and offset that with some financial remuneration. There has to be more...
WH
4.21.2007
Blue Collar, White Collar
My two vocational worlds collide every day.
In one I work at UPS - a LARGE corporation that is mainly blue collar, union backed workers who deliver packages all over the world, and I dare say has drawn the ire and/or admiration of each person reading this post - depending on whether or not UPS was able to keep their on time delivery promise. I am part of management, technically white collar but in reality I am more a part of the blue collar workforce. These people are the backbone of the company. If I could take you on a tour of our unload process that occurs five EARLY mornings each week you would be impressed with the sheer immensity of the task as well as the off-color atmosphere we live in. Most of these people live paycheck to paycheck and have a limited or interrupted education. Most are congruent - you know how they feel on the inside because they tell you. They commiserate together and provide support to each other in a variety of ways - some illegal some not.
The other world is very white collar - I am a REALTOR. The company I work for is the oldest in the State of South Carolina - Eulalie Salley. In this world I brush shoulders with the movers and shakers of the community and those who are financially secure or moving in that direction. I have clients who are millionaire developers as well as struggling young couples trying to buy their first home. I am in this venue from 11 am to 4 or 5 pm each day. The environment is elegantly decorated and being constantly massaged to appeal to the "first impression" of those seeking a real estate transaction. Typically, these people are NOT congruent. They do not tell you how they feel on the inside. In their world, to be that transparent would invite attack and overthrow. There is usually no support from your closest acquaintances and you deal with your shit in private - it seems to be a lonely place.
Funny thing - I exist in both worlds. My greatest challenge is to try and be redemptive in both worlds. How does a person bring the Kingdom to these worlds? How did Jesus do this? I can tell you that it is easier for me to communicate the basic values of respect and mutuality in the Blue Collar world. In fact, as I read the early writings if the first century, I find that Jesus seemed to have an easier time connecting with the Blue Collar World that the Professional and Rich. Interesting.
Here is the dilemma - I am actually trying to work my way out of the UPS world and into the REALTOR world. There are many reasons for this, good reasons actually. Once this transition takes place how do I maintain a "Blue Collar" mentality in a White Collar environment?
Lord have mercy.
WH
In one I work at UPS - a LARGE corporation that is mainly blue collar, union backed workers who deliver packages all over the world, and I dare say has drawn the ire and/or admiration of each person reading this post - depending on whether or not UPS was able to keep their on time delivery promise. I am part of management, technically white collar but in reality I am more a part of the blue collar workforce. These people are the backbone of the company. If I could take you on a tour of our unload process that occurs five EARLY mornings each week you would be impressed with the sheer immensity of the task as well as the off-color atmosphere we live in. Most of these people live paycheck to paycheck and have a limited or interrupted education. Most are congruent - you know how they feel on the inside because they tell you. They commiserate together and provide support to each other in a variety of ways - some illegal some not.
The other world is very white collar - I am a REALTOR. The company I work for is the oldest in the State of South Carolina - Eulalie Salley. In this world I brush shoulders with the movers and shakers of the community and those who are financially secure or moving in that direction. I have clients who are millionaire developers as well as struggling young couples trying to buy their first home. I am in this venue from 11 am to 4 or 5 pm each day. The environment is elegantly decorated and being constantly massaged to appeal to the "first impression" of those seeking a real estate transaction. Typically, these people are NOT congruent. They do not tell you how they feel on the inside. In their world, to be that transparent would invite attack and overthrow. There is usually no support from your closest acquaintances and you deal with your shit in private - it seems to be a lonely place.
Funny thing - I exist in both worlds. My greatest challenge is to try and be redemptive in both worlds. How does a person bring the Kingdom to these worlds? How did Jesus do this? I can tell you that it is easier for me to communicate the basic values of respect and mutuality in the Blue Collar world. In fact, as I read the early writings if the first century, I find that Jesus seemed to have an easier time connecting with the Blue Collar World that the Professional and Rich. Interesting.
Here is the dilemma - I am actually trying to work my way out of the UPS world and into the REALTOR world. There are many reasons for this, good reasons actually. Once this transition takes place how do I maintain a "Blue Collar" mentality in a White Collar environment?
Lord have mercy.
WH
4.12.2007
Formerly Known as "The Pastor" from SCP
One of the blogs that I read regularly had this post today:
Formerly Known as "The Pastor":
In a post entitled, The People Formerly Known As “The Pastor”, John Frye writes the following:
There are thousands of us. You probably know many of us now as insurance sales agents, real estate agents, or doing anything besides "church." We started with idealism about being voices for the kingdom of God and soon realized we became mutated forms of USAmerican business leaders. Even Jesus became a CEO. We traded immersion in the Bible for hyped-up seminars and books about good management, strong leadership and slick public relations. We learned that the size of our church parking lot mattered more than the size of your hearts for God...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor discovered somewhere in "doing church" that they were being paid as surrogates for the congregation's spirituality... People seem to tell others more about their pastor(s) than about Jesus, their Savior. Of course, this made pastors feel good and loved and valued. Then it dawned on us, we were feeling good for all the wrong reasons...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor wrestled with conflicting ego issues. Some felt the rush of power over people. Some even said that in order to get to God, you had to go through us... We were "the Lord's anointed." Don't touch us. Being charged with the eternal well-being of souls is heady stuff. And, sadly, it went to our heads. We became commanders rather than servants. We liked the feeling of bossing people around...in the name of the Lord, of course... On the other hand, others of us were scared to death of you. You gave us our paycheck. You gave us benefits. Unknown to us, you called us to your church in order to get your way... We became people-pleasers at the cost of our own dreams. Eventually the commanders among us got kicked out of the church and the fearful among us got scared out. Selling shoes looked mighty appealing.
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor ran up school bills, too, going to college and seminary. It's costly learning Hebrew and Greek these days. Our peers in the "market place" were making twice, sometimes 3 and 4 times the salary we were offered. We were told to live by faith... We officiated at very high-priced weddings and worried how we would get our own kids married. Spring Break meant Disney-World for you and your kids and a trip to see relatives for us...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor were angry people. Not that you would know it. Our spouses and children knew it. We lived in glass houses. Our kids had to be angels while yours were smoking pot and having sex. And, God forbid, that anyone in the church say anything negative about your kid(s)... You wanted to drop them off in a very safe environment with very safe people and then you could forget all about them and do your church thing. You would listen to "Focus on the Family" and then pay church staff to focus on your kids.
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor began to smell something rotting in the whole "church" thing. Only once in the New Testament is the term for the service of pastor used as a noun (Ephesians 4:11-12)... Having accepted a corrupted image and Christendom model of "the pastor," we finally began to see that corruption infiltrating the church. In its current expression, "the pastor" certainly isn't biblical. And don't get some of us started on the injustice of limiting the equal status of women in ministry.
These were the highlights for me. You can read the whole post here. I love this because John is still serving as a pastor... which makes him a better man than me. Even after all he has written here, he still is in the thick of things. Good for him (I think). Oh, but there is one thing he told me he wouldn't do... and that's give away a car. But he did say he'd have me a free bagel ready if I ever visited his church.
-------------
I can say "been there, done that, got a t-shirt".
WH
Formerly Known as "The Pastor":
In a post entitled, The People Formerly Known As “The Pastor”, John Frye writes the following:
There are thousands of us. You probably know many of us now as insurance sales agents, real estate agents, or doing anything besides "church." We started with idealism about being voices for the kingdom of God and soon realized we became mutated forms of USAmerican business leaders. Even Jesus became a CEO. We traded immersion in the Bible for hyped-up seminars and books about good management, strong leadership and slick public relations. We learned that the size of our church parking lot mattered more than the size of your hearts for God...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor discovered somewhere in "doing church" that they were being paid as surrogates for the congregation's spirituality... People seem to tell others more about their pastor(s) than about Jesus, their Savior. Of course, this made pastors feel good and loved and valued. Then it dawned on us, we were feeling good for all the wrong reasons...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor wrestled with conflicting ego issues. Some felt the rush of power over people. Some even said that in order to get to God, you had to go through us... We were "the Lord's anointed." Don't touch us. Being charged with the eternal well-being of souls is heady stuff. And, sadly, it went to our heads. We became commanders rather than servants. We liked the feeling of bossing people around...in the name of the Lord, of course... On the other hand, others of us were scared to death of you. You gave us our paycheck. You gave us benefits. Unknown to us, you called us to your church in order to get your way... We became people-pleasers at the cost of our own dreams. Eventually the commanders among us got kicked out of the church and the fearful among us got scared out. Selling shoes looked mighty appealing.
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor ran up school bills, too, going to college and seminary. It's costly learning Hebrew and Greek these days. Our peers in the "market place" were making twice, sometimes 3 and 4 times the salary we were offered. We were told to live by faith... We officiated at very high-priced weddings and worried how we would get our own kids married. Spring Break meant Disney-World for you and your kids and a trip to see relatives for us...
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor were angry people. Not that you would know it. Our spouses and children knew it. We lived in glass houses. Our kids had to be angels while yours were smoking pot and having sex. And, God forbid, that anyone in the church say anything negative about your kid(s)... You wanted to drop them off in a very safe environment with very safe people and then you could forget all about them and do your church thing. You would listen to "Focus on the Family" and then pay church staff to focus on your kids.
The People Formerly Known As The Pastor began to smell something rotting in the whole "church" thing. Only once in the New Testament is the term for the service of pastor used as a noun (Ephesians 4:11-12)... Having accepted a corrupted image and Christendom model of "the pastor," we finally began to see that corruption infiltrating the church. In its current expression, "the pastor" certainly isn't biblical. And don't get some of us started on the injustice of limiting the equal status of women in ministry.
These were the highlights for me. You can read the whole post here. I love this because John is still serving as a pastor... which makes him a better man than me. Even after all he has written here, he still is in the thick of things. Good for him (I think). Oh, but there is one thing he told me he wouldn't do... and that's give away a car. But he did say he'd have me a free bagel ready if I ever visited his church.
-------------
I can say "been there, done that, got a t-shirt".
WH
4.08.2007
What a Great Weekend...
What a great weekend for a number of reasons. Allow me to extrapolate.
First, it's Easter. I am not one who focuses on the death of Jesus Christ as much as His life, and His resurrection. Don't get me wrong. His death was necessary and the Perfect Sacrifice had to be offered in order for the end of our vain attempts and rituals of atonement to occur. BUT, without His life and resurrection I have no hope. Paul wrote too many really good points in 1 Corinthians 15 for me to repeat, so you can read for yourself. In light of this I think that focusing on the cross is to emphasize the wrong aspect of Christ's life. It is however easier to have crosses hanging in our churches than to have empty tombs. I mean, if Jesus had been put to death by lethal injection would we have empty surgical tables hanging on our church walls and on chains around our necks? I focus on His life.
RLP does it again. Here is a link to Real Live Preachers latest post - Oh the Humanity. This is why I love this guy.
Finally, the weekend was especially special since I was able to take my Dad to the Master's Tournament at Augusta National yesterday. One of my co-workers called at 1 pm and said that he had 2 badges available for the rest of the afternoon. We were dressed and ready to go in minutes. It was cold and windy BUT for my Dad, who was an avid golfer for years, it was like a pilgrimage. I mentioned in previous posts that my parents just moved down to Aiken (It was actually 3 weeks ago today), and it is so good to have them here. I have seen them more times in the past 3 weeks that in the previous 3 years. I am happy to have them close and happy to be able to be a part of enabling my Dad to experience things that he has wished for but never had the opportunity - like seeing the Master's.
Life is good:) Oh, and each day brings another opportunity to work my way out of a job at UPS by working hard at real estate. It looks like I will have at least 3 closings in the next month.
I hope that your Easter weekend is a good one. The rest of my day will probably be spent relaxing, watching golf, hanging out with my family, and being thankful for the Kingdom of God.
WH
First, it's Easter. I am not one who focuses on the death of Jesus Christ as much as His life, and His resurrection. Don't get me wrong. His death was necessary and the Perfect Sacrifice had to be offered in order for the end of our vain attempts and rituals of atonement to occur. BUT, without His life and resurrection I have no hope. Paul wrote too many really good points in 1 Corinthians 15 for me to repeat, so you can read for yourself. In light of this I think that focusing on the cross is to emphasize the wrong aspect of Christ's life. It is however easier to have crosses hanging in our churches than to have empty tombs. I mean, if Jesus had been put to death by lethal injection would we have empty surgical tables hanging on our church walls and on chains around our necks? I focus on His life.
RLP does it again. Here is a link to Real Live Preachers latest post - Oh the Humanity. This is why I love this guy.
Finally, the weekend was especially special since I was able to take my Dad to the Master's Tournament at Augusta National yesterday. One of my co-workers called at 1 pm and said that he had 2 badges available for the rest of the afternoon. We were dressed and ready to go in minutes. It was cold and windy BUT for my Dad, who was an avid golfer for years, it was like a pilgrimage. I mentioned in previous posts that my parents just moved down to Aiken (It was actually 3 weeks ago today), and it is so good to have them here. I have seen them more times in the past 3 weeks that in the previous 3 years. I am happy to have them close and happy to be able to be a part of enabling my Dad to experience things that he has wished for but never had the opportunity - like seeing the Master's.
Life is good:) Oh, and each day brings another opportunity to work my way out of a job at UPS by working hard at real estate. It looks like I will have at least 3 closings in the next month.
I hope that your Easter weekend is a good one. The rest of my day will probably be spent relaxing, watching golf, hanging out with my family, and being thankful for the Kingdom of God.
WH
4.04.2007
Jason Is Home!!
I just received a call from my son! He arrived back in the States last night at 10pm ish. It was great to hear his voice and he said it was great to be home. He gets 30 days leave and will probably not take all of the days at once. Hopefully, after April 20th he and Candace will be heading this way for a visit.
Even though Jason is stateside, others are still serving their country. Continue to pray for the families and armed forces.
WH
Even though Jason is stateside, others are still serving their country. Continue to pray for the families and armed forces.
WH
4.01.2007
Jessie's Ethic...
My daughter has written poetry over the last few years and she is REALLY GOOD. The following is one that she has on her MySpace:
fight ignorance.
reach for clarity in the pitch black.
dwell where secular and sacred collide.
speak for the voiceless.
let scars fade into tales of redemption.
find where passion meets desperation.
This could be an ethic for life.
GREAT NEWS! Jason, my son in the Marine Corp, will be stateside Tuesday. We are very excited and relieved. Hopefully he will be able to visit in a few weeks once he gets his leave. Please remember to pray for and support the entire armed services as they serve this country.
My parents are settled in here in Aiken. I am glad that they are close and I am able to spend more time with my Dad. We are planning on having breakfast every Saturday morning just to talk and hang out.
I hope that your Easter is full of life and hope. Please do not confuse following God with religion.
WH
fight ignorance.
reach for clarity in the pitch black.
dwell where secular and sacred collide.
speak for the voiceless.
let scars fade into tales of redemption.
find where passion meets desperation.
This could be an ethic for life.
GREAT NEWS! Jason, my son in the Marine Corp, will be stateside Tuesday. We are very excited and relieved. Hopefully he will be able to visit in a few weeks once he gets his leave. Please remember to pray for and support the entire armed services as they serve this country.
My parents are settled in here in Aiken. I am glad that they are close and I am able to spend more time with my Dad. We are planning on having breakfast every Saturday morning just to talk and hang out.
I hope that your Easter is full of life and hope. Please do not confuse following God with religion.
WH
3.15.2007
It's About Time To Blog...
I am sitting in the Columbia, SC airport (one of my favorites due to the free wireless access) catching a flight to Philly to oversee my parents move to Aiken, SC. The movers will show up in the morning and we will pull out to drive south just after they close the truck doors. We'll drive south until we need to stop and then finish the trip Saturday.
They will spend the night in Aiken at a local hotel and the movers will be there Sunday to unload. Hopefully, by Sunday afternoon they will be moved in. I have spent the past few weeks, and especially the past few days, making sure that their new home is ready - appliance delivery and set-up, cable, broadband, phone, insurance, punch lists for the builder, trash and recycle bins, the closing, etc.
I will give an update with some pictures next week - hopefully.
WH
They will spend the night in Aiken at a local hotel and the movers will be there Sunday to unload. Hopefully, by Sunday afternoon they will be moved in. I have spent the past few weeks, and especially the past few days, making sure that their new home is ready - appliance delivery and set-up, cable, broadband, phone, insurance, punch lists for the builder, trash and recycle bins, the closing, etc.
I will give an update with some pictures next week - hopefully.
WH
2.20.2007
The Week In Review...
Just some of the highlights of the past week:
February 14th - Valentines Day was great. Jen and I drove to Columbia, SC to see Billy Joel and eat at our favorite Thai place, Baan Sawan. Oh, did I fail to mention that I forgot my wallet and realized that fact 45 minutes into a 1 hour drive. We gave up our reservation, drove back to house, picked up my wallet and had a wonderful gourmet meal at Hardee's drive through. Nothing says "come hither" louder than my wife eating chili cheese fries in her "going out" clothes. Billy was AMAZING and he can sure play that piano.
February 15th - I broke a personal record for getting an offer on a listed house - 9 minutes. The house went on our local MLS at 5 pm Thursday evening and at 9 minutes after that I received a call that some buyers were placing a full price offer, sight unseen. They had to drive down from New Jersey to see it. Now, the rest of the story is that nothing EVER goes that smoothly and we are still in negotiations. Hopefully all will be settled by the weekend.
Weekend - Nothing very big just relaxing around the house and getting some To-Do's checked off, watching TIVOed shows and hanging out. Jessie had a great weekend seeing one of her favorite bands and getting to have conversation with some of the members after the show.
Today - This was a great day. My son, Jason who is in Iraq, called and will be coming home at the end of March or first week of April. He is counting down the days as are we and look forward to seeing him after this past deployment. My parents (his grandparents) will be all moved into their new home here is Aiken by then, so his homecoming will be especially good for them.
I hope that all was well with all of you.
WH
February 14th - Valentines Day was great. Jen and I drove to Columbia, SC to see Billy Joel and eat at our favorite Thai place, Baan Sawan. Oh, did I fail to mention that I forgot my wallet and realized that fact 45 minutes into a 1 hour drive. We gave up our reservation, drove back to house, picked up my wallet and had a wonderful gourmet meal at Hardee's drive through. Nothing says "come hither" louder than my wife eating chili cheese fries in her "going out" clothes. Billy was AMAZING and he can sure play that piano.
February 15th - I broke a personal record for getting an offer on a listed house - 9 minutes. The house went on our local MLS at 5 pm Thursday evening and at 9 minutes after that I received a call that some buyers were placing a full price offer, sight unseen. They had to drive down from New Jersey to see it. Now, the rest of the story is that nothing EVER goes that smoothly and we are still in negotiations. Hopefully all will be settled by the weekend.
Weekend - Nothing very big just relaxing around the house and getting some To-Do's checked off, watching TIVOed shows and hanging out. Jessie had a great weekend seeing one of her favorite bands and getting to have conversation with some of the members after the show.
Today - This was a great day. My son, Jason who is in Iraq, called and will be coming home at the end of March or first week of April. He is counting down the days as are we and look forward to seeing him after this past deployment. My parents (his grandparents) will be all moved into their new home here is Aiken by then, so his homecoming will be especially good for them.
I hope that all was well with all of you.
WH
2.09.2007
This Is Just The News I Was Looking For...Really
Today's news from The Register is awesome. The story is about a psychic museum that didn't see that it was going to close due to unforeseen circumstances. My kind of story.
Kind of like The Psychic Hotline which would be really impressive if my phone rang just when I was thinking of calling them.
WH
Kind of like The Psychic Hotline which would be really impressive if my phone rang just when I was thinking of calling them.
WH
2.04.2007
OK Sis. OK.
I love my sister. She would never say this but she is the SHIT out in Phoenix when it comes to real estate. She is president elect of the West Maricopa County Regional Association of Realtors, that now has over 6000 members.
Anyway, we don't talk often, don't really have to. She keeps track of my "doings" via this blog. As you can see I haven't written in a month and Sis sends me an email reminding me to blog. So here I am!!
There has been SO MUCH to blog about in the past month I just haven't taken the time to do so. Highlights in the last month have been Apple's iPhone and a number of things happening in the real estate business for me. We have had family challenges, church struggles, and personal issues. Since I am somewhat private I can't go into details, nor do I want to. Maybe later I will do a re-hash.
I have an open house today at one of our townhome's in Aiken. I sit from 2-4 and watch as people stroll through the home and answer any questions they may have. We have three left to sell (out of five) and our investors will move on to another project.
Jen is going to church and then afterward we will be going downtown to the Aiken Brewery to watch the Superbowl. Maybe I can get the first half in before going off to bed for the start of another week at UPS.
WH
Anyway, we don't talk often, don't really have to. She keeps track of my "doings" via this blog. As you can see I haven't written in a month and Sis sends me an email reminding me to blog. So here I am!!
There has been SO MUCH to blog about in the past month I just haven't taken the time to do so. Highlights in the last month have been Apple's iPhone and a number of things happening in the real estate business for me. We have had family challenges, church struggles, and personal issues. Since I am somewhat private I can't go into details, nor do I want to. Maybe later I will do a re-hash.
I have an open house today at one of our townhome's in Aiken. I sit from 2-4 and watch as people stroll through the home and answer any questions they may have. We have three left to sell (out of five) and our investors will move on to another project.
Jen is going to church and then afterward we will be going downtown to the Aiken Brewery to watch the Superbowl. Maybe I can get the first half in before going off to bed for the start of another week at UPS.
WH
12.31.2006
Ask the Fruitcake Lady - Session 2
Thank you to abroadincostarica.com for linking to this site.
Here she is again. My favorite "go to person" for advice. The "gingerbread man" question is my favorite.
WH
Here she is again. My favorite "go to person" for advice. The "gingerbread man" question is my favorite.
WH
12.25.2006
Home For The Holidays
After a whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, FL (we left Friday and returned last night at 10 p.m.), Jen, Jessie, and I, along with our faithful dogs, CInnamon and Lily, are hunkered down for Christmas. This will one of the first years that Jessie has waken up in her home - one of the side effects of divorce. I'm glad for her.
We will drink coffee, make and eat cookies, open presents, watch TV - spend time together. I will post some pictures from Amelia and here this afternoon.
Big surprise. In today's local paper, there was an article about the 2nd LAR in Iraq. This is Jason's battalion. It was about the Marines helping the Iraqi forces put out a fire that had started in the Iraqi mess hall. It was emotional for me just to read about something that he was close to, that I can connect with. Please pray for Jason and the tens of thousands of other men and women serving around the world. It's a lonely place to be - without your family.
"To us a Child is born and a Son is given..."
Merry Christmas.
WH
We will drink coffee, make and eat cookies, open presents, watch TV - spend time together. I will post some pictures from Amelia and here this afternoon.
Big surprise. In today's local paper, there was an article about the 2nd LAR in Iraq. This is Jason's battalion. It was about the Marines helping the Iraqi forces put out a fire that had started in the Iraqi mess hall. It was emotional for me just to read about something that he was close to, that I can connect with. Please pray for Jason and the tens of thousands of other men and women serving around the world. It's a lonely place to be - without your family.
"To us a Child is born and a Son is given..."
Merry Christmas.
WH
12.23.2006
Surviving Another Peak Season
The Christmas Package Rush is over! A big THANK YOU to everyone who ordered gifts online. You helped feed countless temporary workers with UPS - those we call Seasonal Workers. These are the driver helpers, the unloaders, the sorters, etc. who helped move the packages that are now under your tree.
The latest stats are that UPS moved over 100 million packages in the last seven working days before Christmas. The peak day was December 20, when 248 packages per SECOND were moved.
All I can say is that I am glad that it is over. This past Friday was the worst day I have experienced at UPS. Some freaking genius decided that our start time would be 5:30 am since the package volume was projected to be lower by 9 thousand packages from peak day (we started at 3:30 am on peak day). These were the same "bean counters" who stated that our peak would be lower than last year - we were UP from last year, by the way.
Without a bunch of details, we were not down as much as forecasted and we were behind before we started. Add to that we were dealing with pouring rain ALL MORNING LONG.
I am glad that is over. Hopefully, this will be my last peak season. I am working hard at the real estate profession and it looks like it is only a matter of time before I have enough regular income to allow me to quit.
That will be a good day.
I hope that all of you have a great holiday weekend with family and friends. I know that I will.
WH
The latest stats are that UPS moved over 100 million packages in the last seven working days before Christmas. The peak day was December 20, when 248 packages per SECOND were moved.
All I can say is that I am glad that it is over. This past Friday was the worst day I have experienced at UPS. Some freaking genius decided that our start time would be 5:30 am since the package volume was projected to be lower by 9 thousand packages from peak day (we started at 3:30 am on peak day). These were the same "bean counters" who stated that our peak would be lower than last year - we were UP from last year, by the way.
Without a bunch of details, we were not down as much as forecasted and we were behind before we started. Add to that we were dealing with pouring rain ALL MORNING LONG.
I am glad that is over. Hopefully, this will be my last peak season. I am working hard at the real estate profession and it looks like it is only a matter of time before I have enough regular income to allow me to quit.
That will be a good day.
I hope that all of you have a great holiday weekend with family and friends. I know that I will.
WH
12.21.2006
My Demented Dog
Lily is A Spaz
This is a clip of my hound mix. She was adopted and had NO personality. She has come into her own as you can plainly see.
Here she is seen rolling on her back and chewing her "squeaky".
WH
This is a clip of my hound mix. She was adopted and had NO personality. She has come into her own as you can plainly see.
Here she is seen rolling on her back and chewing her "squeaky".
WH
12.16.2006
The Fruitcake Lady
It's the Fruitcake Lady
This lady has passed on but I have to say that she gives advice that many would like to have the balls to give.
WH
This lady has passed on but I have to say that she gives advice that many would like to have the balls to give.
WH
My Daughter, The College Student
My daughter, Jessie, just received her acceptance to The University of Georgia so she will be attending in the Fall.
This was her first and, really, only choice for college so she is very excited that she was accepted and knows what she will be doing in the Fall. She is off for the Christmas break from high school and doesn't have to be back at school until after the new year. She will be relaxing and working at the restaurant as hostess.
We are so proud of her and are looking forward to the next giant step in her life.
WH
This was her first and, really, only choice for college so she is very excited that she was accepted and knows what she will be doing in the Fall. She is off for the Christmas break from high school and doesn't have to be back at school until after the new year. She will be relaxing and working at the restaurant as hostess.
We are so proud of her and are looking forward to the next giant step in her life.
WH
12.12.2006
My Daughter The Artist/Writer
This is a picture (sorry about the flash) of a painting that my daughter has done. More than the artwork is the text itself. She is a really good writer and has a way of expressing her thoughts that is concise and emotive.
Have a look:
"Jessie's Painting"
WH
Have a look:
"Jessie's Painting"
WH
12.09.2006
Brandon Hits It Out of The Park
One of the blogs that I read is Bad Christian. Brandon expresses much of what I feel and think and he can put it into words that I wish I had said. His post today was particularly insightful.
Have a read - What's A Disciple Really
Maybe tomorrow, when those of us who have a church we attend, attend, we should ask these questions and look into this mirror. We may not like what we find.
WH
Have a read - What's A Disciple Really
Maybe tomorrow, when those of us who have a church we attend, attend, we should ask these questions and look into this mirror. We may not like what we find.
WH
12.07.2006
Well There's a F***ing Newsflash
It took James Baker, a few others on the commission, and a rising tide of unhappy people to declare that "we need a new approach". Un-freaking believable!
Bush: "we need a new approach" on Iraq:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday that a new approach was required on Iraq, one day after a scathing report by the Iraq Study Group called for changing U.S. strategy.
Here's a link to Michael Yon's blog and a commentary from Joe Galloway - Duh! He states what is clear and concise. He covers his points quickly and he can, if you take the time to read other items he has written, back up what he says with a tremendous grasp of history, military tactics, and political understanding.
Politically I am a fiscal Republican and a social Democrat BUT the past few years have shown that both parties have strayed from the course that they founded their agendas upon. Somehow, there needs to be a third political party that can actually make a difference and get enough numbers to sway the Congress and Senate to do the job of actually taking care of the country and not covering their own asses.
That being said, my heart goes out to all who have family, or who have lost family, in this seemingly unending fiasco in the Middle East. Every time I hear about a death of a military member I dread the knock at our door and the door of my son's new wife. The fact that the knock hasn't taken place here does not minimize the fact that someone's door is being knocked on by sharply dressed bearers of unimaginable news.
Keep your head down Jason. I love you.
WH
Bush: "we need a new approach" on Iraq:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday that a new approach was required on Iraq, one day after a scathing report by the Iraq Study Group called for changing U.S. strategy.
Here's a link to Michael Yon's blog and a commentary from Joe Galloway - Duh! He states what is clear and concise. He covers his points quickly and he can, if you take the time to read other items he has written, back up what he says with a tremendous grasp of history, military tactics, and political understanding.
Politically I am a fiscal Republican and a social Democrat BUT the past few years have shown that both parties have strayed from the course that they founded their agendas upon. Somehow, there needs to be a third political party that can actually make a difference and get enough numbers to sway the Congress and Senate to do the job of actually taking care of the country and not covering their own asses.
That being said, my heart goes out to all who have family, or who have lost family, in this seemingly unending fiasco in the Middle East. Every time I hear about a death of a military member I dread the knock at our door and the door of my son's new wife. The fact that the knock hasn't taken place here does not minimize the fact that someone's door is being knocked on by sharply dressed bearers of unimaginable news.
Keep your head down Jason. I love you.
WH
12.06.2006
Sad and Tragic end to a Great Man's Life
You can read the story at the link below. James Kim was a devoted and committed father and husband. He left them for one reason only - to find help for his family.
The search for James Kim ends: roundup The body of CNET editor has been found, authorities said Wednesday.
Heartfelt thanks go out toward an entire community of law enforcement, search and rescue, and even a company who rerouted their satellite to scan the terrain that James was lost in.
I am sorry for friends and family and my prayers are certainly with is wife and kids.
WH
The search for James Kim ends: roundup The body of CNET editor has been found, authorities said Wednesday.
Heartfelt thanks go out toward an entire community of law enforcement, search and rescue, and even a company who rerouted their satellite to scan the terrain that James was lost in.
I am sorry for friends and family and my prayers are certainly with is wife and kids.
WH
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
