Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

How long has it been since you watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? For me it has been about 15 years or so. So, when our son suggested we watch it last night, it was sure, why not. The singing voice for Snow White is definitely old style, but the animation, look at it carefully, is absolutely awesome. Remember, this was released in 1937 and was all hand drawn. No computers, No Copiers, No Scanners. All by hand. We have lost so much craftsmanship through the years (compare buildings from 100 years ago and all the ornate artwork to the block square buildings of today). Anyways, he is going through a book of 1000 movies you need to see in your lifetime, and although he has been working on it for a few years, the 1930s have a huge section in the book. I know we are watching another one tonight.

So, on the next cold, snowy, night and you are bored with reality TV, and want a fun movie to watch, either pull Snow White off of your shelf, or go down to the nearest video rental place. You will be glad you did. I know I was.

 

How's Work?

When I am not at work, I like to think that there is more to me than my work self. I have a lot of interests and different hobbies. Yes, I read business magazines and newspapers at home, but they help to round out my knowledge on so many different topics. Like the wonderful wine column in the Wall Street Journal, or articles about having a personal life while running a business in Inc Magazine. So, why is How's Work the topic of this blog? Because I have a brother (yes dear readers, if you know my family you know who it is) and his first question when he calls is hows work? It is because he doesn't know anything else to ask. But, in my eyes, it is nosy, impersonal, and not what I want to discuss at 9:00 at night when I am spending time with my family and winding down after a long day at work. I know that he means well, but it still gets me mad. It isn't just because of the fact that the last year and a half have been tough to be a business person in this country, and because I am under a lot of stress to keep the company running smoothly.

You know I realize that at any social function (not work related) it is really not a good question to ask. If you want to ask about work, ask specific questions that show you care. Such as how are your employees doing personally with short work weeks? How are you enjoying not having to work on Saturdays since business is slow and so forth.

For now, I will just say work is fine. My employees have been very loyal to the company. We are all working hard to weather not just the snow but the continued recession and lack of sales. We will pull through.

For fun, I am watching the Olympics. I taped the ice skating pairs last night and the Chinese are now ice skating, it is just incredible to watch!

Snow and more Snow

I am trying to remember why I moved south. Oh yes, now I know... the weather in New England was getting the best of me. And this winter reminds me why snow in New England is better than snow in the south. New England states actually have snow plows! And, people have snow tires on their cars or drive with chains, or stay home if they don't. Individuals own snow shovels to clear side walks, and driveways instead of just waiting until the snow melts away.

I love snow when it covers the brown grass and leafless trees and makes everything a winter wonderland. I don't like having to cover for all the employees that can't get into work (we sell all over the country, so we can't shut down our offices.) I love playing in the snow. But I am in the "south". We are not supposed to have as much snow as we have gotten this winter, and we are not done yet! Can you tell? I have cabin fever. I feel confined. And, I see it is lightly snowing again... this is Sunday... I should enjoy it... but all I can think about is, who won't come to work tomorrow?

Anyways, tonight is the Super Bowl. I an enthralled by the big commercials that come out during this event. I like both teams that are playing, so either one that wins will be OK with me.

The local yoga studio keeps shutting down every time there is just a little snow on the ground. So, I'll go to the class at the YMCA this afternoon (hopefully). The Y class is good, but there are 50 people in it... no personal attention. The class at the local studio usually has around 6 people. Either way will be good for my body.

There is a children's rhyme that is rain rain go away come again some other day. I think we need one for snow. (PS... there is good news. We don't have a drought any more in NC, now we have flooding!)

I am amazed

It is amazing at the Grainger convention I am out. There are 4500 people (about) including all the vendors, sales rep and customers (which is my category). Tonight's entertainment -- a bus ride to Epcot, and one whole side of Future World was shut down to everyone but us. We had dinner, rides to ourselves, free booze, popcorn, and ice cream and a band. After the real Walt Disney World Guests left, we got the run of the other side of future world with another band. And then at 11:45 pm our very own fireworks show (Illuminations). Rough estimate of cost for the events $1 million dollars, by the time they ran charter buses to and fro Epcot, the food, and everything. It was pretty awesome going on a ride with typically an hour (or more wait) and only waiting for about 20 minutes. We did Soaring, Finding Nemo (no wait) Mission Space (no wait), and Eric did Test Track (short wait), which I opted out of at the last minute. Now it is 1:00 am, and I am too wound up to crawl into bed. Tomorrow we have more seminars, more trade show, and then head back home. So, I guess I better get at least a little shut eye.

Dreaming

I realized looking at my blog profile that dreaming has not been written about much by me. So, what do I dream of doing? Not working. Doesn't mean I won't work, but it would be part-time somewhere fun where I do not have management responsibilities. I love traveling and planning trips and making the arrangements and then going and doing (even when I end up cold or hot or wet). I love taking photos. I love working on large Lego sets (right now building a 3300 piece Lego carousel). I love theater and movies and live performances. As much as I love helping the customers at our company and knowing them as people, I want to not worry about how much in sales we have booked, or whether everyone is doing their job, or how we can cut costs. I want to greet people at a theme park, make sure they have a good time, and then go home at night with no worries, so that I can dream the dreams of a good nights sleep.I want to spend more time cooking really good meals, not necessarily fancy meals, but good food. Watching the food network both inspires me and frustrates me. I want time to try out their recipes and improve my cooking skills, and have time to bake.

I dream of having a life that does not involve getting up at 5:30 in the morning going to work and coming home at 5:30 at night exhausted. There is more to life than this. Yes, with our new financial planner, and with working on adding to our investments every month, I hope to fulfill this dream in about 5 years. Until then, it will be bits and pieces of the dream that I have time to live. Cooking, and traveling, and laughing with my family.

Do you have a dream? What is it? Feel free to share your dreams. I'd love to hear about them.

Exhausted and Cold

You wonder where I have been? Cold and Exhausted.

Right after the New Year, our family headed to Disney World for some vacation time, and sun and warmth. Well, we went right into record lows for Orlando. Highs of 45 during the day, and lows around 30 at night. Yes we had some clothing, but we were figuring on 60 degree days, and 50 degrees at night (normal January weather). So, I went around with a short sleeved shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a lightweight fleece jacket and a heavier jacket. With 2 hoodies, and a hat I manged to stay reasonable, but not warm. To top it off, the heating unit in our hotel room wasn't working properly, and we didn't get it fixed til the next to last day. Brrrrrr. It was still a fun trip, but the cold really took it out of me.

Then, we get back to NC, and here we are also having record cold days. Lows of about 8 degrees, and highs in the low 30s. But yesterday it was almost 45 in the afternoon, and it felt balmy.

But, here I am back at work, feeling exhausted from the cold, and I didn't get my needed Florida sunshine. But wait, I am going back to Orlando on Sunday for a trade show and it is supposed to be warm and sunny! This is an odd show, Grainger is paying all of our expenses, hotel, plane, food, drink, etc for us to show up to a large trade show about the products that they carry, and go to some of their seminars. No strings attached, except that they hope that we will start buying more from them. I think that there will be about 1000 people in attendance. We even get 4 hours at night at one of the Disney Theme Parks (after hours).

Back to the exhaustion. I haven't been going to my normal exercise club, because I am bored of the one thing that they offer, a circuit. No classes, no cardio equipment and their HVAC system needs to be fixed. Which means if I go, then I have to change clothes in really cold dressing rooms, and the bathroom also is frigid cold. So, my energy level is low and not exercising isn't helping. So, last night I left work early and checked out the new YMCA facility just 4.5 miles from work. For only $12 a month more I get: Classes (Yoga, Zuma, Cycle Spin), Saturday and Sunday Hours, Real Locker Rooms with Showers, and lots of equipment. And, til Jan 31st Sign Up is Free! So, as soon as I get back from Orlando, I am going to sign up and then cancel my other membership.

I took lots of pictures on vacation, but have been too tired to go through. But, I need to do it ASAP, maybe I'll work on some of them on my laptop on the next trip.

A Blessed Event

My nephew (brothers son) and his wife just had a baby boy. The pictures are amazing, and I am sorry that I can't make the bris, but am glad to be going to Orlando on vacation. What was really touching about the birth is that his middle name (and last name) together make my father's name. I got choked up when I heard and then saw the name in print. Almost a week later, and it still makes me both happy and choked up (in a good way). I am so glad that my father's name will live in this new addition to the family. Mazel Tov to father, mother and son, and to all of his immediate family.