dnewton3
Staff member
CAUTION - rant of epic proportions forthcoming, so read at your own peril.
Today I got to work, as typical for me, a bit early. And as soon as I pulled in, I noticed I was the ONLY car in the lot. Hmmmmmmm .... Got to the desk and fired up my computer; there was an email from last evening stating we can "work from home" today due to the cold. (It was an average of -15F here in central IN this morning).
What? Stay home? Why? I bet folks in MN, ND, WI, the UP of MI all don't stay home when it's "cold" outside. To be clear, there's not any significant snow here; it's just "cold" outside. Heavy snow storms are different; they can impede travel and cause accidents which induce harm - I get that. Cold is a state of mind, and typically averted simply by preparation. School cancelled due to cold? Phooey! I bet you kids in MN and MI and Canada are going to school today! We are becoming a nation of pansies; everything is an excuse to not fulfill an obligation. When I was young, I was taught that I needed to prepare for the circumstances to meet my commitments. Cold outside? Go start the car the night before, and make sure you have a good battery. Leave for work 20 minutes early, to allow for unforeseen circumstances such as needing a jump-start or having a flat tire. Do whatever it takes to be a success.
As some of you know, I hold two jobs; one as a statistical process engineer, and the other as a Deputy. Yesterday, I worked the SO and it was down to -5F. Didn't stop us from reporting to work. I dressed for the weather. When I went through the LEO academy, I was told "If you're cold or wet, it's your own fault!". The message is that I am responsible for my own success or failure; don't blame other people or conditions. How would we all feel if firemen, cops, electrical lineman, nurses/doctors and others didn't show up to work just because it's "cold" (or wet, or hot ...)? These folks are prepared for the extremes of life; they plan for contingencies. They have a job that needs them to be in attendance and ready, on time, every time.
I've heard the excuses ... it's for the children! There are kids who walk to school in some municipalities. So what? I had to stand at a bus stop as a kid in this kind of weather; waited often for up to 20 minutes. My mom wrapped me up like a giant corn-dog and I grumbled until I got to school and found something else to grumble about. Plus, I bet you a dollar to your dime that many of the kids who stay home today will still probably go outside and play.
I'm not mad that I'm at work today with very few others. I'm disappointed in that everything in the world today seems to be an excuse for failure, rather than a challenge to build character for success!
Suck it up America; put on your big-boy and big-girl panties and get to work!
Today I got to work, as typical for me, a bit early. And as soon as I pulled in, I noticed I was the ONLY car in the lot. Hmmmmmmm .... Got to the desk and fired up my computer; there was an email from last evening stating we can "work from home" today due to the cold. (It was an average of -15F here in central IN this morning).
What? Stay home? Why? I bet folks in MN, ND, WI, the UP of MI all don't stay home when it's "cold" outside. To be clear, there's not any significant snow here; it's just "cold" outside. Heavy snow storms are different; they can impede travel and cause accidents which induce harm - I get that. Cold is a state of mind, and typically averted simply by preparation. School cancelled due to cold? Phooey! I bet you kids in MN and MI and Canada are going to school today! We are becoming a nation of pansies; everything is an excuse to not fulfill an obligation. When I was young, I was taught that I needed to prepare for the circumstances to meet my commitments. Cold outside? Go start the car the night before, and make sure you have a good battery. Leave for work 20 minutes early, to allow for unforeseen circumstances such as needing a jump-start or having a flat tire. Do whatever it takes to be a success.
As some of you know, I hold two jobs; one as a statistical process engineer, and the other as a Deputy. Yesterday, I worked the SO and it was down to -5F. Didn't stop us from reporting to work. I dressed for the weather. When I went through the LEO academy, I was told "If you're cold or wet, it's your own fault!". The message is that I am responsible for my own success or failure; don't blame other people or conditions. How would we all feel if firemen, cops, electrical lineman, nurses/doctors and others didn't show up to work just because it's "cold" (or wet, or hot ...)? These folks are prepared for the extremes of life; they plan for contingencies. They have a job that needs them to be in attendance and ready, on time, every time.
I've heard the excuses ... it's for the children! There are kids who walk to school in some municipalities. So what? I had to stand at a bus stop as a kid in this kind of weather; waited often for up to 20 minutes. My mom wrapped me up like a giant corn-dog and I grumbled until I got to school and found something else to grumble about. Plus, I bet you a dollar to your dime that many of the kids who stay home today will still probably go outside and play.
I'm not mad that I'm at work today with very few others. I'm disappointed in that everything in the world today seems to be an excuse for failure, rather than a challenge to build character for success!
Suck it up America; put on your big-boy and big-girl panties and get to work!
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