New Job

I've recently been promoted to the position of Administrator of Policies and Procedures. This is a far different type of job than my last one (Technical Instructor). Not only is it different than my last job, it is different than what I thought it was.

I started the new job on a Monday, and the person who had the position before me came in (he's retired, but was contracted for 4 months to do a project) and went over the job duties. One of the job duties is writing technical specifications for contracts. I've never wrote a contract in my life. I started feeling overwhelmed. That night I dreamed of writing a contract for a bus and receiving a Flintstones type bus with everyone slicking their feet out of the bottom.

The rest of the week my anxiety level was high. I hate change anyway, and this just intensified it. It has gotten easier as the weeks pass, but I'm still a bit anxious. One of the things about this job is that during any given day you are working on 5 or 6 projects. I am a very linear thinker. I like finishing something before I start something new. With 5 to 6 projects, you work on this a little, then that a little, and then check on something else. It makes me feel I'm not getting anything done. I've been going home thinking, I've gotten nothing accomplished. This is not true, I've gotten a little bit of many thing accomplished. I've just not finished anything.

I know I just have to give it some time. After all, it's a new job.

Ben Franklin Day?

I am a veteran, so I understand Veterans Day. I honor those who have fallen defending my freedom, so I understand Memorial Day. I am an American, so I understand the 4th of July. I am a Catholic (lapsed), so I understand Christmas. I live in Atlanta, I partially understand MLK day.

I don't understand Presidents day. I understood Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday. These men did something that deserved honoring them, but lopping them in with Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, William Taft is insulting to them.

I don't understand Columbus day, ether. Are we celebrating someone getting lost? Because, if we are I think we should have a Labrador121 day. I get lost all the time.

Another one I don't understand, but I do like, is Thanksgiving. Are we celebrating that the first settlers didn't die, or the way we back stabbed the Indians for helping us. But, I'll forgive this holiday because it has pie.

I recently heard of a petition to make Saint Patrick's day a Federal holiday. I can partially see this because Saint Patrick was a righteous dude (you don't get the title of saint by being a bum), but, lets face it, it would be a holiday for the Irish so they can drink (remember, on Saint Patrick's day everyone is Irish). And, we already have a Christan holiday (Christmas) even if it doesn't resemble one anymore.

I would like to see a new holiday; Ben Franklin day. If anyone in American history deserves a day, it's Ben. This is why I think this:

1. Every holiday we celebrate has become a reason to eat, drink and party. Who better than Ben Franklin epitomizes this spirit?
2. The public library, which allows me to use their Wi-Fi to blog. I also blog at the coffee house, which Ben has no relationship with.
3. Ben was a great inventor. A person who used his head and hands. Isn't that inspiring to the generations of couch potatoes.
4. Last is my main reason. Day Light Savings Time. I can run and do things again.

Support Ben Franklin Day.