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CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.

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Comments

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited April 2016

    Hello Crazies....my singing friend is at rehearsal, and I have a few minutes to take a deep breath and write to you all. I had one of my most difficult work days ever since I started my current job. It is a long story, and not one I can write much about (It involves a personnel situation involving two staff members I supervise) but the bottom line: our HR is trying to force me to do something that I consider inequitable and unfair to my staff, as well as completely irrational. To be honest, it is so irrational that I believe there must be some hidden agenda that I haven't been told and don't understand. I feel that at my level within the organization, and my supposed value to the organization, that the agendas should be transparent to me when I must make personnel decisions, especially when it comes to HR issues involving my staff and budget issues involving my budget.

    So, I did something that really doesn't feel good: I gave my boss an ultimatum. I can't fix the problem but he can, if he wants to do so. I told him that if the problem isn't fixed by the time I return from vacation, that I will retire in June. I refuse to work for an organization that would treat my staff unfairly (and undermine my authority with my staff in a way that is contrary to policy as well as irrational!) in order to address some hidden agenda.

    But I like my boss. He's great. He just doesn't want to take on HR, and he really could if he wanted to. So I want to retire and let someone else deal with the crazy fallout if they take the crazy, nonsensical steps they want to take to fix a problem they could have avoided.

    So I am very sad. This is not how I wanted to start my vacation. Any advice or hugs for me?

    xoxo

    Octogirl

  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 2,700
    edited April 2016

    (((((((((((((((((((((((((((OCTO)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) eight hundred thousand hugs

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,414
    edited April 2016

    Think of your vacation as the first of many more you’ll be able to take once you retire, and that goal is in sight. Then put your office completely out of your mind. (Says she who had to deal with an upcoming real estate closing via phone and iPad while on a European river cruise, because the lead attorney in the firm had a sudden stroke).

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited April 2016

    ((((((Octogirl))))) I truly admire your ethics. It sounds like you did the right thing.

  • JAN69
    JAN69 Member Posts: 731
    edited April 2016

    Octo, Not nice, those people! How does this sound..... You win in either event. You get what you need or you get to retire. Simple minded, I know. A tough way to start a vacation.

    Katy, Thinking of you and hoping you get a good report on your liver.

    I keep looking for Beppy to report and every day I worry more.

    Hello to my Crazy sister, and welcome to the newcomers. Jan

  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 2,700
    edited April 2016

    JAN, she really did sound alright, and was doing the spirometer thingy to improve her breathing. Maybe they have something for pain that she can take, with out those bad effects they give...

    Okay, Katy: What is UP with that liver of yours?!?

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2016

    I talked to Beppy last night. I was hesitant to call and disturb her, but I asked her via text if it was a good time for me to call her. I miss her so much. She is still having trouble with pain. But even when in pain, she is concerned with all of us. I asked her if she has been reading the Crazy Town posts. She said she wants to, but that she can't really lift and operate the laptop yet, so that's why we haven't seem her post. I told her that we are sending her hugs, thoughts and visiting her pocket often. She is recovering from major surgery and is concerned about us! That's our Beppy! I asked her to take her time and focus on her recovery... and enjoy the time with her family.

    Sandy, My 50something friend sings in local clubs... and even retirement communities now that she doesn't want to travel for gigs. She is loving it and takes special joy in singing standards for the older people. She loves seeing how happy they are when they hear the oldies. Maybe when you retire something like this would appeal to you.

    (((Octo))) I sure don't miss those office games and backroom shenanigans. I hope your have a fantastic time on your trip! I really need to travel more.

    Greetings newcomer! I am glad you chose to post, but lurking is okay too. We all should do what we think fits us the best!

    Tomboy, Well said. Love you!

    Ducky, I know you love Beppy and that she loves you!

    I'm mad at the whole randomness of this disease. I am mad that bad things happen to good people.

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited April 2016

    Sandy.. I love your last posts..!!!

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited April 2016

    octo, if the time is right to retire, then do it and get away from the office politics

    I walked in one morming and knew that I had had enough and asked my boss to fire me. He said when do you want to leave. I left that day and it was the best thing for me. Life is just too short after what we have all made it through

    Then I filed a workman's comp case and dang if I did not get a settlement based on breathing issues caused by chemicals in the factory, lived on it for a year

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited April 2016

    Good morning crazies:

    On top of everything else yesterday, I got caught in an unexpected rainstorm: it really poured for about half an hour and I had no sweater, no jacket, just a baseball cap....and about a quarter mile walk to my car. Actually, after I got home and warmed up, it was one of the best parts of my day! Nothing like weather to give one perspective...

    So today is so gorgeous here in the Great Central Valley: the air is clear after the rain, all is crisp and green. Almost (I said ALMOST) makes me sad to be leaving on vacation tomorrow. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons around here.

    Thank you all for your words of encouragement and comfort about work. I sent one last email to the boss last night pointing out in very plain language one of the likely consequences of this irrational move they want to make, and asking him how he suggested we handle it when it happens, since it is likely to happen while I am in Mexico on vacation. No answer. Because it is so irrational there is no good answer. He also knows that I have no control over the crazing timing of (*)(* hitting the fan while I am gone on a trip planned for months, given what HR wants to do. So, I've told you and you can hold me to it: I can't control it and I have done everything I can on my end to head it off. I am only mid-management. It is up to top management to figure out if they want to fix it, head it off, or let the (*)(%*)( hit the fan....

    A new life may be in my future. As a dear friend pointed out, the signs are all out there in the universe, if I just open my eyes and heart to them.

    In the meantime, I am packing and going tonight to listen to a dear friend sing and our orchestra play tonight. My sister and her hubby are coming into town to join us at the concert. Friend came home from the concert very excited; she says rehearsals have gone quite well and she is impressed with our small town orchestra. Life is good.

    Lisa, I hope you are doing well; you are in my thoughts and in all of our pockets! Beppy, sending light and love as always! Beppy, I can't wait for retirement and the opportunity to spend more time in SoCal, hanging out with you and Poppy and Molly and Tomboy and the grandkids and all of you! (not to mention Road trip to see Katy, Sandy, Rain, Gaia, Spin....the list goes on and on!) (((hugs))))

    Octogirl



  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited April 2016

    I just heard from Beppy that she is starting to read through the boards! Yay!!!! She sent me an email of encouragement and support! That's our Beppy....always thinking of others. Mayor Slow for President!!!

    and she even sent some words of wisdom: "These days, if it isn't something that gives me pleasure and feeds my soul, it's a goner!!" Yep.

    Hugs to all

    Octogirl

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited April 2016

    good to hear slow is improving, yeap life needs to feed the soul and give pleasure

  • JAN69
    JAN69 Member Posts: 731
    edited April 2016

    Octo, I'm on it: Creating posters "Beppy for President." And oh do we (the whole country) need her! IMAGINE

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited April 2016

    Great advice from Beppy and I think you should go on vacation knowing you did all you can do. Hugs to you all. Wyatt's doing pretty well today so we are venturing out to see Zootopia.

  • cubbie2015
    cubbie2015 Member Posts: 773
    edited April 2016

    HI, everyone! I'm finally starting to feel better after the strep throat. I'm way behind, but I wanted to stop in and let you know that I think of all of you often. I'm glad to hear Beppy is feeling up to reading again! That is a big surgery to recover from. Katy, I am waiting with fingers and toes crossed for good results!

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 236
    edited April 2016

    You got it :) J Birdie

  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 801
    edited April 2016

    Hey crazies--

    Logging in quickly to say the seder was a lovely success, and I remembered the word I was thinking of in conjunction with gefilte fish: timbale. It's a peppery fish timbale with horseradish sauce.

    Flying out to Minneapolis tomorrow to look at colleges, back in a couple of days, then up to Massachusetts for more colleges. Then that will be enough colleges for now!

    Hugs, ativan, alcohol, and sugary sweets to all.... Sending matzoh brie through the tubes.

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,414
    edited April 2016

    Ah, matzo brei--made some this morning, will do it again.

    Glad to hear that Beppy is on the mend.

    Poppy, you wouldn’t believe how many fellow boomer-age folk performers have decided to focus on nursing homes & senior centers (as my singing partner does solo because the ladies prefer to see guys perform, and we sometimes do as a duo). It’s really tough to crack that market if you want to get paid, and a lot of artists who used to be playing decent-sized theaters are now playing clubs & house concerts; the ones who did house concerts are now competing with us for the nursing homes and door-charge, pass-the-basket or tip-jar gigs. I can play lots of nursing homes....if I do it for free. (More and more large chains are using only volunteers now), And I am still a songwriter, so I do want to play my own songs more than just occasionally. (Our duo nursing-home shows are top-heavy with the old standards). Traveling expenses can be fierce, so the only free gigs I’ll travel to do are those near conferences I’m attending. You know the old saying: “How can you make a small fortune doing folk music? Start with a large fortune."

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited April 2016

    (( Twinnie..)) Flowers for you.. Hope you are feeling better..

    image

  • Esmerelda50
    Esmerelda50 Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2016

    Happy birthday, Ducky! Hope you have a wonderful day!

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited April 2016

    Happiest of birthdays to Ducky!!!

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited April 2016

    Thanks ladies.

    Tek, so pretty thank you again...........hugs

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited April 2016

    image

    Happy birthday ducky!!

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,008
    edited April 2016

    Ayden after his recent haircut

    image

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited April 2016

    Molly50 he is too CUTE. I love it. Brightened my day.

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 4,671
    edited April 2016

    goodness, love to see smiling little guys, too sweet with his fresh haircut

    Ducky, happy happy to you today

    Dang my neck was bothering me yesterday and had been knotting up at night. So took an sieisure pill the doc gave me for my back, slept well with no problem and it feels fine today. Funny about side effects though, my bladder leaks at night and I was dry last night. Guess it is all related to the back junk,

  • pennsygal
    pennsygal Member Posts: 264
    edited April 2016

    Ducky!! Happy Birthday!!!

  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 1,617
    edited April 2016

    Happy Birthday, your Royal Duckines!

    image

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited April 2016

    Love you ladies.thanks so much for the birthday wishes..........I cannot believe I am 81...........until I look in the mirror, and then I say "yep your 81"image

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    Hi all, I found this fabulous thread recently and have been scrolling through and catching up. Any birthday is grounds to celebrate, but 81 is fantastic, Ducky! From my perspective [north of the border], the presidential race could use a fresh positive infusion!!

    Octogirl, I am sorry to hear of your work issues, and so admire your moral compass. Thanks you for your thoughtful post.... it really resonated. It's strange. I had been so looking forward to getting back to work full time, [as I had loved my job and planned on continuing on with energy and enthusiasm for 5-6 more years], yet now I find myself viewing things with a different lens, and seeing more of the dark side, and so find myself increasingly frustrated by some of the unhealthy bullcrap that is more evident ...... now I am wondering if I can swing it financially to retire any sooner :( Never anticipated that.