Hey.. had to have surgery so wasn't up for writing a post till now.. feeling much better now. While I was recuperating, there was a certain frenzy that swept the news and Internet. Hopefully all of you have seen 'wiki leaks' in the news and know what its all about. If you don't please google it or search for it on yahoo.
I completely support Julian Assange, the man has done nothing wrong. he is only exposing douche bags; and i say more power to him. Now no one likes their dirty laundry aired, but i think with all the BS going on in our political environment we can certainly gain from one voice stating the truth and ing it by facts.
And now all the politicians and even the so called 'democrats' are out to get him!
I mean this is insane. When you speak the truth, people want facts. When you show them the facts they call you a terrorist or rapist or molester and jail you !?! Aaaagh! i could pull all my hair out!
Also, I am stunned by the amount of criticism I got from family for supporting wiki leaks! Yeah OK they are in a tough spot, but they are right and that has to count for something. Maybe I am naive about all things political ; but I would rather be naive and support the right (by right I mean what I find to be right based on my ideals and all that I was taught to believe is good based on numerous books, movies and my parents).
I mean sure, people want to uphold justice and the legal system. But then try Richard Armitage and Dick Cheney too!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
competely politically incorrect
This is not a work related post but political. I just can not get this out of my head, and since this is my blog, I figured I could write whatever I wanted.
Yesterday, I read that the tea party founder asked Keith Ellison to be voted out for being a muslim! then he had the audacity to further clarify his views!
Whats more shocking is that Yahoo, CNN and all those big news channels don't see this as news! but; oh yes, Miley Cyrus's parents divorce is national news!
I mean I am not a very political person. Honest, I don't give a fig if your left or right wing! I just treat the other person how I want to be treated. RESPECTFULLY!
America is supposed to set an example for people around the world on how to behave and tackle issues, and this is the example we set?
America is supposed to be the land of the free. But what I have discovered is America is now the land of: the bigots, the racists, the liberals, the conservatives, the sexists, the industrialist, the socialist, the capitalist, the lazy, the ignorant, the extremists!
Wow!
This is off tangent but anyway, this year in California a girl was raped publicly. People actually watched, taped it, posted it on you tube, drank beers while watching and even called friends to come and watch!
Did anyone call 911? NOPE.
The above scenario (which is true) and the fact that no one has called out the founder of the tea part on his racist remarks makes it seem to me: that in America we are now deciding to watch and enjoy people get abused or victimized instead of trying to stop it.
So America is not the land of the brave and the free. It is the land of the sleazy and the conformists.
Shame on us! We used to be great and set an example and now, we are creating our own downfall much like we read about the great roman downfall.
We study and teach history in schools, colleges. But we still have not learnt from it.
And there is a saying by the old (who are supposed to wiser, and in this case I agree, that they were wiser) "Know History, for those who don't know it; often repeat it!" and we are repeating history, just not in a glorious American way.
Yesterday, I read that the tea party founder asked Keith Ellison to be voted out for being a muslim! then he had the audacity to further clarify his views!
Whats more shocking is that Yahoo, CNN and all those big news channels don't see this as news! but; oh yes, Miley Cyrus's parents divorce is national news!
I mean I am not a very political person. Honest, I don't give a fig if your left or right wing! I just treat the other person how I want to be treated. RESPECTFULLY!
America is supposed to set an example for people around the world on how to behave and tackle issues, and this is the example we set?
America is supposed to be the land of the free. But what I have discovered is America is now the land of: the bigots, the racists, the liberals, the conservatives, the sexists, the industrialist, the socialist, the capitalist, the lazy, the ignorant, the extremists!
Wow!
This is off tangent but anyway, this year in California a girl was raped publicly. People actually watched, taped it, posted it on you tube, drank beers while watching and even called friends to come and watch!
Did anyone call 911? NOPE.
The above scenario (which is true) and the fact that no one has called out the founder of the tea part on his racist remarks makes it seem to me: that in America we are now deciding to watch and enjoy people get abused or victimized instead of trying to stop it.
So America is not the land of the brave and the free. It is the land of the sleazy and the conformists.
Shame on us! We used to be great and set an example and now, we are creating our own downfall much like we read about the great roman downfall.
We study and teach history in schools, colleges. But we still have not learnt from it.
And there is a saying by the old (who are supposed to wiser, and in this case I agree, that they were wiser) "Know History, for those who don't know it; often repeat it!" and we are repeating history, just not in a glorious American way.
Friday, October 22, 2010
how to give up authority effectively and still be in-charge
I work as an IT consultant, mainly in BI services. Means I study market trends for whatever I work for and see how their current IT system uses those trends to do analysis, how to improve that system and how to get reports that actually are easy to use. So that means I'm a 28 year old who goes around telling older people "yeah well your way sucks, this is how you do it" A LOT! (I say it in a much nicer way; my mama taught me wonderful manners)
And I also own my own Montessori so I'm in charge of 12 teachers and about 50 kids aged (0 to 13).
Some days are easy; others manage to suck the life right out of me. But anyway, back to the point.
Point is : I'm in a position of a boss, team lead, and a project lead a lot. Initially, I thought if I let someone else do it, why will anyone hire me. But I started getting burnt out and resenting waking up.
I learnt this: to be a good leader you have to delegate tasks to the team. But delegate based on the skill set of each team member. And have daily 10 minute face time with team members to make sure you are all on the same page.
Also, never directly put down anyone, get someone else to deliver the bad news. Because trust me 'everyone shoots the messenger'.
And most important always use the 3 strike rule; that means 3rd time anyone (and I mean anyone) screws up on the job you cut your losses. It keeps your team on its toes. It sounds harsh but Bill Gates used to yell at people at Microsoft if they messed up; if you read about Microsoft you will realize it was a high strung work environment.
Also you know how your mama always says "learn to pick your battles". Its true. This applies to life and work, pick your battles wisely, sometimes an issue or disagreement is not worth acknowledging.
I say this a lot at work "and i completely agree with you." But honestly, I don't completely agree ever (just ask my family). But sometimes it helps to settle down the team and just push to get the job done and deliver the milestone.
All work battles should focus on making the company succeed in the project. Work battles should never be about your ego or your pride. Learn to be humble and leave the cocky attitude for happy hour or for when you get an achievement award.
And I also own my own Montessori so I'm in charge of 12 teachers and about 50 kids aged (0 to 13).
Some days are easy; others manage to suck the life right out of me. But anyway, back to the point.
Point is : I'm in a position of a boss, team lead, and a project lead a lot. Initially, I thought if I let someone else do it, why will anyone hire me. But I started getting burnt out and resenting waking up.
I learnt this: to be a good leader you have to delegate tasks to the team. But delegate based on the skill set of each team member. And have daily 10 minute face time with team members to make sure you are all on the same page.
Also, never directly put down anyone, get someone else to deliver the bad news. Because trust me 'everyone shoots the messenger'.
And most important always use the 3 strike rule; that means 3rd time anyone (and I mean anyone) screws up on the job you cut your losses. It keeps your team on its toes. It sounds harsh but Bill Gates used to yell at people at Microsoft if they messed up; if you read about Microsoft you will realize it was a high strung work environment.
Also you know how your mama always says "learn to pick your battles". Its true. This applies to life and work, pick your battles wisely, sometimes an issue or disagreement is not worth acknowledging.
I say this a lot at work "and i completely agree with you." But honestly, I don't completely agree ever (just ask my family). But sometimes it helps to settle down the team and just push to get the job done and deliver the milestone.
All work battles should focus on making the company succeed in the project. Work battles should never be about your ego or your pride. Learn to be humble and leave the cocky attitude for happy hour or for when you get an achievement award.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Things never to say to your boss
I'm not sure why anyone in their right mind would say these things but people have said them. And I'm just left there thinking "WHY!?!"
1. I'm broke\in debt\close to being bankrupt. (your financial concerns are your own buddy.I don't care. I have my own finances to worry about.)
2. I'm only doing this job for the money. (NO shit! me too! but I'm not ever saying that and you shouldn't either.)
3. I partied SO hard last night. (so?!? take an ibuprofen, or an alka seltzer; but, damn it! get your part of the work done. The only one going down if we miss the deadline is you and I'm gonna make it known it was you and not me who slacked off!)
4. It's not my fault. ( that's just lame. If its really not your fault say "lets get to the bottom of this" or say "so how can we fix this?" Don't try to shrug off responsibility, thats just lazy.)
5. I'm bored. ( really? then why don't you ask me if i have some work i can delegate to you. don't just sit there on your ass.)
6. I can't work with him\her. (what are you 5? buck up and get the job done.)
7. Roll your eyes\ Sigh\Grimace. (didn't your mama teach you any manners?)
8. Do it yourself. (this isn't home depot or ikea. I shouldn't even have to explain why you should never say this.)
Honestly, Ive heard people around at work say and do these things. Please don't say or do any of the above. Never before in the history of saying has a saying more aptly been used: "Please think before you speak or leap."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
use your vacation time don't lose it
This year one of my colleagues took their first vacation in six years! wow!
I mean my co-worker is great at what he does but six years no vacation! I don't think at a good idea. I'd go nuts (and if i go any nuttier i might be sent to the loony bin, OK getting off tangent..)
We all need to take time off. Its good for you to take that break from work and re-charge yourself to get energized.
Don't lose that vacation time. Take it, go to that place you were always thinking of going to. I mean why keep dreaming about it. Go ahead and make that dream a reality; and take pictures to have memories of that happy reality.
Put those pictures up in your cube; it gives you an interesting story to share with people who drop by and it makes you look fun, adventurous. People like outgoing people, they associate it with "a can- do" attitude. And that's the type of attitude the mangers want in their team.
Also, when you're stressed out looking at those pictures reminds you of a fun time, that will instantly relax you. Which is great because trust me; its a pain in the ass to be stressed at work with no escape.
So use your vacation time don't lose it!
(And if you're hell bent on not using it, at least ask if they can pay out the vacation time; and if they do then please buy yourself something nice. )
I mean my co-worker is great at what he does but six years no vacation! I don't think at a good idea. I'd go nuts (and if i go any nuttier i might be sent to the loony bin, OK getting off tangent..)
We all need to take time off. Its good for you to take that break from work and re-charge yourself to get energized.
Don't lose that vacation time. Take it, go to that place you were always thinking of going to. I mean why keep dreaming about it. Go ahead and make that dream a reality; and take pictures to have memories of that happy reality.
Put those pictures up in your cube; it gives you an interesting story to share with people who drop by and it makes you look fun, adventurous. People like outgoing people, they associate it with "a can- do" attitude. And that's the type of attitude the mangers want in their team.
Also, when you're stressed out looking at those pictures reminds you of a fun time, that will instantly relax you. Which is great because trust me; its a pain in the ass to be stressed at work with no escape.
So use your vacation time don't lose it!
(And if you're hell bent on not using it, at least ask if they can pay out the vacation time; and if they do then please buy yourself something nice. )
Monday, October 18, 2010
Work and Facebook
Recently, we laid off a person who had posted pics of themselves partying pretty hard on facebook. I personally, have no sympathy for the idiot.
I mean seriously, facebook has privacy settings. Learn to use them. If you add co-workers on your facebook. Put them in a list titled co-workers and then just give them access to stuff that makes you look sane and fun.
I mean seriously? How stupid can you get? Call in sick, then party and then post pics of yourself on facebook. I think you deserve to be laid off.
Also, if you are going to add everyone at work then at list use the photo album privacy options to prevent people at work seeing "how you party like a rock star".
Nope, I have no sympathy for idiots. They deserve whatever they get.
If your going to party when you call in sick at least be smart about it.
I mean seriously, facebook has privacy settings. Learn to use them. If you add co-workers on your facebook. Put them in a list titled co-workers and then just give them access to stuff that makes you look sane and fun.
I mean seriously? How stupid can you get? Call in sick, then party and then post pics of yourself on facebook. I think you deserve to be laid off.
Also, if you are going to add everyone at work then at list use the photo album privacy options to prevent people at work seeing "how you party like a rock star".
Nope, I have no sympathy for idiots. They deserve whatever they get.
If your going to party when you call in sick at least be smart about it.
Friday, October 15, 2010
is your communication style like a tweet
Recently I got an an email with only a subject heading "meet me in the large hall, the new one." First off target corporation, where i work, has many large halls; secondly we are constantly adding a new hall!
Point is the email was just like a twitter feed. At work when sending emails please write a complete and proper message. Think of it like you're writing a paper for your english teacher: grammar, spelling, punctuation, politesse all should be up to par.
Do not send an email with just a subject heading as the entire email; unless you are sending it to your friends or family; or unless you are the boss.
There is a reason outlook has To, CC, Bcc, Subject, Body all set out for us. It is for office communication to be clear.
Remember how you bragged about excellent verbal and written skills in your job interview. Well by all means show them off!
Twitter feed and Facebook status like emails do not make you look professional. So unless you work for Mashable or Facebook please write very clearly in the body of the email why you are writing, what you need from the other person, and when you need it by.
Make sure there is little room for miscommunication. Your boss and team will appreciate it greatly.
Point is the email was just like a twitter feed. At work when sending emails please write a complete and proper message. Think of it like you're writing a paper for your english teacher: grammar, spelling, punctuation, politesse all should be up to par.
Do not send an email with just a subject heading as the entire email; unless you are sending it to your friends or family; or unless you are the boss.
There is a reason outlook has To, CC, Bcc, Subject, Body all set out for us. It is for office communication to be clear.
Remember how you bragged about excellent verbal and written skills in your job interview. Well by all means show them off!
Twitter feed and Facebook status like emails do not make you look professional. So unless you work for Mashable or Facebook please write very clearly in the body of the email why you are writing, what you need from the other person, and when you need it by.
Make sure there is little room for miscommunication. Your boss and team will appreciate it greatly.
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