In absentia...

Yeah...

so there was something of an unexpected absence as of late. It's not that I've not had anything to say, or at least I'd like to think that. It's more of my head has been so busy spinning around in circles, that most days I don't know whether to shit or go blind.

Work has been a bit of a challenge lately both in the actual work I do and in all of the politics which surround it. I know in past postings I have alluded vaguely to what I do and it's not that I can't talk about it, it's more of there are so many privacy issues with the type of career I'm in, it's just easier to take some, “creative license” when speaking / blogging about work.

At any rate, due to budget cuts, “the Agency” is struggling financially and this just makes for a very unpleasant work environment. When you tell people who already don't make squat for a paycheck, they will not be receiving a raise this year, well...there is just no good way to do it. People are understandably upset, and I am one of those people. However, I happen to be someone who has been with my program and unit since it was opened. I have seen things be a lot better and I have seen things be much worse.

What I try and remind people of is there are a wealth of people, who work for the same Agency, who make about half of what we do, and still have to come to work everyday. So while things are not always hunky-dory, they could be worse.

My boss has decided to take another position, and rather than wait and see who they would give command of the unit to, I have thrown my hat in the ring for unit supervisor. It's not much of a bump in pay for the amount of responsibility I am taking on. Basically the only perk is that I would be earning another week of vacation time and having every other weekend off.

To be honest, I really like having Sunday / Monday off but I guess the whole saturday / sunday thing won't be too bad. There is a lot of down time on the weekend and as the old proverb states, “idle hands do the devil's work.” While I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of taking the ships wheel, I would rather take it that have to train some asshat greener than the rolling hills of Ireland.

That having been said, I hope you all are well.

Cheers,
JJ