wow

My president is Black! Today, the world changed. Today my generation saw a leader they are behind and can believe in become the 44th president of the United States of America. He has us excited, hopeful, willing to serve, encouraged, motivated, compassionate, supportive, engaged, and ready to get to work in creating a society that is as it should be.
Viewing the events of the day on TV has been amazing. Seeing all of the people. Watching President Obama take the oath of office. Looking at Mrs. Obama, the children....a black family going into the White House...
We have a leader! Obama will lead US. He will lead the U.S. but he will lead US also. For four years at least, but his influence will shape the country and the world forever! We will not go back to the political figures of the past. We will not accept a leader who does not seek to include all of us in the progress of this country. We will no longer accept a leader who is unwilling to listen to different views/ideas. No longer will we elect a person who lacks compassion and character. No more polarizing figures. No more leaders who are not of the people.
Obama has taken the first official step in shinning his light on the world...and we are so ready for some light!

No other option than for me to do big things....the impossible is possible!

AFC North

As a fan of the Cleveland Browns it pains me to watch the Steelers and especially the Ravens, play in this conference championship game. However, I remain hopeful. That our new coach can bring in a new vision and understanding of what needs to be done to make the Browns a winner. Update our uniform, have a good...make that great draft, sign some quality free agents and beat the fucking Steelers and Ravens in 09!

Who's in charge

I've come to realize that its okay to question people in power. It's okay to ask them questions because they not only have a responsibility to provide an answer, they also need to know that someone is holding them accountable. I've always been reluctant to ask questions. Not sure why, but that's how its been.
Anyway, going forward especially during my remaining time working for the county, I'm going to ask questions! Who, what, when, where, why. Somebody has to be made aware that shit aint working out right. Shit sucks actually. And its possible that people in leadership positions just don't know...we can't expect them to know everything. Nothing says that just because I'm not in management I don't have worth while ideas. Ideas that deserve considerationan even implementation.
They are going to know who I am by the time I leave...cause I'm going to start calling out everyone and letting them know they need to be held accountable.

Thankfully unthankful

I find it funny....and at the same time, upsetting, that I'm stuck in a job that I don't like. During a time when finding another job is virtually impossible. I'm employed with my counties local government. Hit by lay-offs while trying to assist the growing number of people who need assistance. Morale is low, nobody is motivated to do anything 1) because they don't know if their job is next to be cut 2) they know that no matter how good a job they do, there won't be any type of reward 3) they are being asked to do more than they have ever been asked to do, but haven't been giving the direction on how the tasks at hand can possibly by accomplished.
There has been an endless stream of conversations about those who have lost their jobs, not too many on the people who are still working but are miserable at their jobs and can't find new one's.

Don't confuse me, I'm thankful to still be employed. That doesn't mean that I have to enjoy what I do.

My only wish is that I had an opportunity to find employment elsewhere. Doing something that I at least could find some fulfillment in....

Tomorrow means what

Today, our lame ass administration began the task of reducing the budget(i.e. laying people off). We received an email this morning, suggesting that today would be the beginning of the layoffs. They didn't tell us who, just that bad news was coming....for someone. Cuts are going to go well into December. So, until the beginning of the year I'll be more uncomfortable at work than I have been. I have no idea if I'll be laid off. No clue. So everyday I'm expected to get up, go into work and act like the place isn't crumbling around me.
How do you work with knowing that you might not have a job tomorrow? That's a question I can't answer. What I can do. What I will do, is look for another job. Something that could potentially sustain me until I'm in the position to open up the sneaker boutique. Something that I won't miss when we move....
This financial crisis is exposing the inadequate leadership of soo many companies, states, cities, counties. The reality is that many of the people we have entrusted our leadership in have failed us. Part of this is our fault. Our fault for not asking more questions and demanding more answers. Not demanding accountability. And because we didn't require that someone be accountable, now we all are.
Here in Ohio. Seems like our leaders have only done a good job of one thing. Keeping us behind the 8-ball. We're never ahead of the curve. Never innovative. Never leader of the pack.

At the county, we have no idea what the plan is after all these job cuts. Nobody can tell me what positives we plan on bringing about in the midst of this troublesome time. Nobody knows what's next. How do we do the work with less people? What will we be asking from employees, going forward? How will we keep them happy? How will we provide service? How will service improve? How will we innovate? How will we retain quality employees? How will we attract needed employees? What responsibilities will the customer be asked to increase? What will we stop doing harder and do smarter? How will our leaders lead? What will the employees get for their work? How will we be rewarded? When do things improve? What happens when they do improve? What if things don't improve? When will we use technology to our advantage? When will we start doing business like a business?

You don't matter anymore

I watched a bit of The O'Reilly Factor today. Only to hear from Mr. O'Reilly and his fans, how they are feeling. The overwhelming sentiment was that Mr. O'Reilly and his viewers are fearful. He used the word, fear, multiple times during my brief viewing. Asking his guest, Karl Rove, if he was scared of President-elect Barack Obama. O'Reilly expressed that listeners to his radio show were fearful of an Obama presidency.

Fear, Mr. O'Reilly? Really?

You're fearful, when the new majority is exuberant, excited, encouraged, hopeful, thankful, supportive and unbelievably joyous!

Mr. O'Reilly how does fear feel to you?

Bill, welcome to the world of the minority. Welcome to a place where the majority doesn't think you matter. A majority rule that has not adequately provided health care to all. A majority rule that has done a horrible job of educating the youth. A majority who has dropped the ball on the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, energy independence and healthcare. A majority that pays all of it's non-white males a lesser wage for the same work. A majority that sat back and watched as Katrina destroyed the lives of so many.

The list of the ill's the old majority is responsible for is without end. So, I will not mention any other.

Mr. O'Reilly, if you are scared. Welcome to the feeling that all minorities have felt, while people who share your ideas have controlled this country.

Your time is over. Your ideas don't rule anymore.

Lets rock

Barack Obama was elected President of the USA. I don't know if I fully understand what that sentence even means right now. A Black Man, has been elected to the highest position in the world. I never thought I would see the day. I'm overwhelmed with joy and inspiration. This is hard to digest....
As a Black Man, watching another Black Man, I've witnessed an incredible event. I was able to watch with my family and share in the joys of us all. From Ian and Erin, to Bridget's mother and grandmother.

I'm so excited....and sleepy I can't focus. And I've had a few beers while waiting and celebrating....