I aint dead yet!

Although with this hellishly cold weather I probably should be. That was an odd combination of words, hellishly cold, but thats what it is! Its so cold that when it hits your skin it stings and when you go inside you feel as though your on fire. I LOVE SOUTH DAKOTA. Today was one of those days. Nothing good happened. Nothing really bad happened. It was a nothing type of day. BUT, I hate those types of days, when you get NOTHING accomplished and all your ideas fall flat on their face. What did I do today? well I got in to the office like a normal morning, all ready to go out in that world and accomplish something. Did I? Naw.

I traveled (it seems most of my life is spent in transitions, in this case from one office to the other) the customary hour trip out to the Rez to check in on things at the main office. The drive itself, I suppose, does me some good. It allows me to clear my head and think about things, this is also the time when my iPod gets its workout. The time thats the hardest is the time between the commute. The whole actually being out at the main office part is whats somewhat tiring for me. Ya see, our program is on the cusp of some major changes. We are forced to abandon old ways only to accept new, foreign ways. We have a major opportunity to get some much needed cash for some much needed improvement.

See, what I'm faced with is an Administration who wants to see me change things, make improvements, and in general, direct the program. Then, on the flip side of that coin, I have a staff who is resistant to change and any new ideas. What am I to do. I am willing to be motivated and make these changes but I dont want to be the only one nor should I be dragging my staff along like a ball and chain. Everytime I meet the assistant director, I hear the same old complaints, no positive. Its all that has gone wrong or will go wrong. I have some genuinely good ideas but their continuously being shot down because I'm the new guy, and the assistant director is the motherly figure who has been with the program for almost 30 years. "awww mom do we have to" mentality, and her reply: "no, dont worry, the big bad man is wrong."

Do I play good cop? or should I go with the bad cop approach? I've tried the good cop approach so far and its gotten hardly anywhere, granted I was able to get some stuff done initially. But as for now, we're stuck in a rut. I understand the big picture of the direction we should be goin but no one else can because their stuck in their own ruts. Financial problems, family member's health, who gets the kids for Christmas. These are all things I've been hearing about. Not that I dont want to hear your problems because I can sympathize. But lets at least try to be productive and get some work dont here.

**** My Christmas List ****
1. Obama needs to hurry up and be president already
Why? because I'm tired of hearing about the scandals and who he's
picking for what post and how good of a basketball player he is,
seriously. We dont need to go from having a dumbass as president to a guy who sounds like some washed up NBA wanna-be "Doi i'm gonna put a basketball court in da White House!"

2. Instead of calling us "the Dakotas," Call us by our proper name, North or South Dakota
Why? Because I'm getting tired of CBS morning news saying "and its a little cold in the Dakotas today" ITS FREEZING HERE, dangerously low temperatures. Don't make it sound like we need a light windbreaker when we really need a whole load of extra clothing just to walk to our cars which won't start because of the same cold weather

3. A computer that doesnt crash in the middle of something important
Why? Okay this is more for work I guess. We have like 15 computers at our disposal
and their all so old that only 4 work. Thats the rez I guess

4. A copy of the Garfield Christmas Special
Why? I'm reminiscing from my childhood. I saw it on tv the other night and I remember it from long ago. I was a kid,okay? Got a problem? Deal with it

5. No more Larry the Cable Guy
Why? I've had about all I can stand of that guy. I know its a persona but seriously, how can a whole nation, wait region of the US, be completely captivated by this guy. Theres only so many "Get 'er done"s I can stand before I go crazy.

Thats the list for now, I'll add to it another time!

Later Ya'll and Git 'er Done