It Is What It Is

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Making Easy Hard

Hey! Just when you gave up looking for that blog post in your inbox, here I am again! I probably should change my picture since that long haired hippie freak is now just a short, silver - haired hippie freak. Next time.

So, boss man aka Mike wants to retire in 5-7 years and make Fishing Friday into Fishing Everyday. Recently he bought a hole in the ocean he pours money into that he calls a boat. The name is Sea-Section for his wife Peggy, who is a delivery room nurse. Personally, I like Sea-More since his last name is Seymour. (and I secretly call him Mike Seymour, Be More, Do More) The boat and fishing will have to be another post.

Anyway, we now have a consultant to help us get to the point where Mike can retire and someone else (probably me) can run the company. Who knew????? Let's call our consultant Greg.

Consultant Greg is quite the smarmy guy. He is always trying to sell us something and he has a whole network of peeps that he thinks we should toss our work to so he can get his kickback. Quite the Circle of Life he has going on. In Greg's defense, he has helped me out by helping me define some policies, procedures and systems I thought we needed but didn't know how to go about implementing. That's all he defense he gets.

We had 2 leadership team "Strategic Planning Sessions". Out of that, we came up with our goals and "initiatives" (fancy word for goals although Consultant Greg defines them as the way to get to the goals, whatever). Everything gets put into a big spreadsheet called the MATRIX.

Consultant Greg is all about the lingo. And being an educator for so many years, I can lingo and acronym with the best. However at MSE, we are all about KISS.

All the "initiatives" have deadline dates as well as who is responsible for them. As you imagine, my name is on about 75% of them. That's OK since I think they are important stuff to work on. High achiever that I am, I immediately get started and form a plan. I can combine a bunch of stuff into a few systems and BAM! I knock about half of my list down.

The next meeting, Consultant Greg asks me how the MATRIX is going.

Me: Its going great. I totally simplified things and cut my list down significantly.

CG: What do you mean????? Insert whiny voice.

Me: Well, I combined a bunch of similar items into one. Since it is an OSHA rule that the crews have to do some type of stretching in the morning, and we decided to review safety procedures and everyone thought team bonding was important, I combined those 3 items into 1 and we call it the Morning Huddle. Trainer Joe (Mike's trainer) taught the guys the stretches, Foreman have a rotation to review 1 safety item and comments/compliments/questions/concerns (team bonding) everyday. That's the procedure. 15 minute. Done!

CG: Well,.... that's OK, I think...How do you they know what to do?

Me: It's 3 things. They are grown men. What do you mean, how do they know what to do? And I made a checklist. WITH ALL 3 THINGS ON IT.
CG: Well... I guess that could work.... (whiny voice) What about the MATRIX?
Me: You said the MATRIX was a living document. I made it live and morph itself into something simpler that works for us.

CG: Well....I guess we could update it. How do you verify that it gets done?

Me: They say they do it.

CG: Well....how do you know?

Me: I do it with them,

CG: Well....how do you verify???

Me: What do you mean? I just said I do it with them.

CG: Everyday?

Me: No, sometimes. I don't get to work at 6 AM everyday.

CG: Again, I say, what's the verification procedure???

Me: I see them sometimes, I believe them the rest of the time. They are grown ass-men. Its stretching, safety reminders and team bonding not brain surgery.

CG: How can we record this???

Me: Well... check the box on the MATRIX that says complete and its recorded.

Me: (In my brain) Why are you making the simple hard???

More to come about Consultant Greg...

It is what is is...
Namaste

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Got a Doctor's Note For That?

Que music
Since you've been gone.....
Oh wait, I've been gone...
Nonetheless...

At MSE Landscape Professionals, where I am now Human Resources Manager, (yup, name on the door and everything) the policy is if you don't show up for work for 3 days you have abandoned the job and we terminate you. Everyday a group text goes out to the foremen and supervisors asking if anyone is absent. Yes, I'm still taking roll. Somethings never change.

A guy, lets call him Omar, hasn't shown up for 3 days.

Day 1: I hear from the supervisor, let's call him Raul, that Omar is absent. No call.

Day 2: Omar is absent again. No call. I ask if Raul if he called Omar. He says yes. No answer.

Day 2: After hours. I get a text from Raul that Omar will be back the next day.

Day 3: Omar is absent again. I ask Raul if he heard from him. Raul says yes. I ask why he is absent again. Raul says Omar is on drugs. "Do you have proof?," I ask? "well, no", says Raul. So I ask, "what make you think that?"

This is the best part...(read this with a Spanish accent)

"Well, Marybet, (no typo, that's what I'm called now) Omar, he say, he got shot with a handgun by a chollo and he in a coma in a hospital. Marybet, I don't believe him. I ask him for the doctor note. He don't have one. That what make me think he on drugs."

Good call Raul. 'Cause lots of doctors would release someone to do a manual labor job after being in a coma with a gunshot wound.

It Is What It Is...
Namaste

Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Granddaddy Of Them All or...

The Big Band That Could!

Speaking as a former (well, lifetime) band geek, I am so proud of our Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound Marching Band for being INVITED to perform at the 127 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. They didn't even have to try out or apply! INVITED!

What a huge honor.I am especially proud of our Honorary son, Andrew Espiritu for being a leader on the drum line, playing the quad drums, as well as playing high school baseball and keeping his grade up. He barely has time to eat or sleep. The time commitment is HUGE!
And they had to raise $250,000. That's 1/4 of a million dollars! And they are still about $50,000 short. https://www.gofundme.com/TofRMiraMesa

Hours of parade rehearsal require serious stretching!

The Sapphire Sound will be performing in spot 87 which is at the end of the parade. They will be the last of the invited bands. This is considered to be the most desired and honorable position.

Custom Drum Heads for the Parade

Here they are on the news!
http://www.10news.com/news/the-sapphire-sound-leaves-for-pasadena-tuesday-to-march-in-the-granddaddy-of-them-all

And in the San Diego Union Tribune!

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/dec/28/mira-mesa-rose-parade/

And Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.bade.9/videos/701812476585607/
https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.bade.9/videos/701807836586071/
https://www.facebook.com/AshleyJacobsTV/videos/823674117744546/

What will they be doing in Pasadena for 4 days????
Check out their Itinerary! I have highlighted some of the more interesting features. Leading the Disneyland Parade! Changing outside the buses, rice at breakfast, eating standing up and the minute by minute scheduling and clothing changes. And the reminders to bring your hair products!

NORMAN TRAVEL

INTERNATIONAL

MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD

STUDENTS, CHAPERONES, STAFF DETAILED TIMED ITINERARY

ROSE PARADE – 2016

DAY 1 – DECEMBER 29, 2015 – TUESDAY

MIRA MESA H S BAND/STAFF/CHAPERONES (FIVE (5) COACHES

Students wear: Athletic shorts/Color Guard in full tights; may wear sweats or jeans over shorts/tights; black Fall Field show t-shirt; black socks; blue Rose Parade hoodie

Bring in backpack: Marching shoes/Color Guard shoes; gloves; hair products

6:00am Students, Staff and designated Chaperones report to MMHS

Buses arrive at MMHS

Drivers: Ian Muth – Lead #1

Schlondia Murphy #1 (12/29 only)

Eduardo Carrillo #2

Zoltan Budai #3

Alberto Torres #4

Juentino (Tino) Bazan #5

6:30am Student/Staff buses depart MMHS for Rose Bowl. (5 buses) – Mr. Mulvaney supervising

9:15am Students arrive at ROSE BOWL. Visit the souvenir stands.

10:00am Meet back at buses, and change into uniforms outside of motor coaches

10:30am Band photo in front of Rose Bowl (in full uniform)

11:00am Float viewing (Lot 1)

11:30am Load buses (Students in uniform)

11:40am Depart for Pasadena City College

Pasadena City College

1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA

12:05pm Arrive at Pasadena City College – After arrival, students will remove and hang up uniform jackets

12:20pm Lunch (In-N-Out) – Students will eat standing up in black bib uniform pants

1:10pm To Warm-up area C in full uniform

2:10pm Arrive at stadium staging area

2:20pm Arrive at field staging

2:30pm Take the field

2:35pm Performance

2:47pm Arrange for pass and review

2:50pm Pass and review start

2:55pm Pass and review complete

3:00pm Remain in stadium/uniform

3:15pm Watch Punahou H.S. Band from Oahu, Hawaii perform. Following their performance, change out of uniform and return to buses.

4:45pm Students board buses and depart for the Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel

6:15pm Upon arrival, unload instruments to Bristol Room #3. Uniforms will remain on trucks. (Keys to Jeanne Christensen and Chris Johnson only)

Hilton Hotel – Costa Mesa

3050 Bristol Street

Costa Mesa, California 92626

Tel: 1- (714) 540-7000

Fax: 1- (714) 540-0719

6:15pm Arrive at hotel and check in - Instruments to be stored in Bristol Room #3 (time approximate), 1 key per person, room captain to pick-up keys.

7:30pm Dinner (Italian) in Catalina Ballroom/Fountain Room. Mrs. Christensen will hold a meeting during dinner.

Classic Caesar Salad w/Garlic Herb Croutons & Shaved Parmesan

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Baked Manicotti with Fontina Cheese

Chicken Marsala with Cremini Mushrooms

Penne Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Sauteed Garden Vegetables

Italian Bread and Garlic Butter

Assorted Cookies

Water & Iced Tea

9:00pm Dinner & Meeting will end

9:30pm Students to rooms; Chaperone room checks

10:30pm Students Lights out

DAY 2 – DECEMBER 30, 2015 – WEDNESDAY

6:00am Wake-up call – all rooms.

Students wear: Blue M t-shirt; jeans; blue hoodie; comfortable athletic shoes

Student backpack to be loaded on equipment truck: Contains everything needed for uniform – athletic shorts/CG tights; black socks; marching shoes; gloves; hair products

7:00am Breakfast for entire group – Catalina Ballroom/Fountain Room

Apple Juice

Assorted Muffins & Sliced Breads

Butter & Assorted Fruit Preserves

Assorted Cold Cereals with Low-fat Milk

Steamed White Rice

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

Hash Browns

Sliced Ham

Coffee, Decaf, Assorted Herbal Teas

8:15am Board buses (All instruments, uniforms and equipment will be loaded on trucks)

8:30am Depart for Disneyland

9:00am Arrive Disneyland. Please take all personal belongings as buses will return to the hotel for the day.

10:15am Band/Staff/Chaperones meet at Story Book Gate in Fantasyland (the big white gate across from the Small World Toy Store)

Once escorted backstage please follow Mrs. Christensen and your Disney Performing Arts instructions

12:45pm Parade begins.

1:15pm Parade ends, return backstage. Change out of uniform, load instruments, wait for instructions.

2:15pm Return to Disneyland Park. Fireworks are at 9:30pm.

10:30pm Meet outside the Main Gate to Disneyland – after exiting turn right and meet near the Guest Services/Locker area.

11:00pm Board buses, return to hotel

11:45pm Group meeting with Mrs. Christensen in the Catalina Ballroom for final instructions for Thursday

12:00am Students to rooms, Chaperone Room checks

12:30am Students Lights out

DAY 3 – DECEMBER 31, 2015 – THURSDAY

6:15am Wake-up call – all rooms

Color Guard in Class B uniform

Band in blue polos (You may wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under the polo shirt.), Jeans, Marching shoes, Blue hoodies

7:15am Breakfast – Catalina Ballroom/Fountain Room

Apple Juice

Assorted Muffins & Sliced Breads

Butter & Assorted Fruit Preserves

Assorted Cold Cereals with Low-fat Milk

Steamed White Rice

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

Hash Browns

Sausage

Coffee, Decaf, Assorted Herbal Teas

8:30am Depart hotel for Pasadena

10:00am Drive the parade route

11:00am Depart for Anaheim Stadium

12:00pm Boxed lunch provided at Anaheim Stadium

1:00pm Parade rehearsal begins

4:00pm Rehearsal ends, load instruments and buses – return to hotel

Unload instruments/uniforms to Bristol #3

6:00pm Dinner (Taco Bar) in Catalina Ballroom/Fountain Room

Seasoned Ground Beef

Vegetarian Tofu Option (8 guests only)

Taco Shells

Shredded Lettuce

Tomatoes

Chopped Onion

Refried Beans & Cheese

Water & Iced Tea

8:30pm Wrap-up meeting with Mrs. Christensen in the Catalina Ballroom; Brownies/Ice Cream Cups served

9:00pm Watch the N.Y. Times Square New Year’s Eve “ball drop” on television

9:30pm Students to rooms; Chaperone room checks

10:00pm Students Lights out

DAY 4 – JANUARY 1, 2016 - FRIDAY

127^th TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE - ITINERARY AVAILABLE AT 12/31 MEETING

Students wear: Band and Color Guard leave hotel in full uniform

Before breakfast all students must clear out rooms and bring overnight bags and backpack to the Bristol Room #3 (storage room). Backpacks must contain comfortable clothes needed for the bus ride home after the parade. Give room keys to chaperones. Chaperones will check student rooms after students depart.

TBA Wake up call – all rooms

TBA Breakfast - Catalina Ballroom/Fountain Room

Apple Juice

Assorted Muffins & Sliced Breads

Butter & Assorted Fruit Preserves

Assorted Cold Cereals with Low-fat Milk

Steamed White Rice

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

Hash Browns

Bacon

Coffee, Decaf, Assorted Herbal Teas

TBA Following breakfast, don uniform, load bus. Instruments are to be uncased and loaded on buses.

TBA Students and Staff board buses (Students in full uniform)

TBA Students and Staff depart – Schedule TBA by TOR Committee

TBA Arrive Pasadena. Prepare for parade as per instruction by TOR personnel

Following parade In-n-Out will provide lunch to students and staff.

Return to hotel to change and prepare to depart for MMHS

Depart hotel. Upon arrival at MMHS parents pick up students.

Parade Pass Review

Andrew's sister Alyssa is on the Color Guard. (She's the one in front)

It Is What It Is - Exciting!

Namaste

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Do It For Denmark

Smarty Pants Cara is taking an AP Human Geography course... as a freshman ... and she has some troubling information about Denmark to share.

Apparently Denmark is having a problem with under-population Who knew???

Certainly not me! And I'm sure its safe to assume not you. And why should I care???

Because something hysterical is sure to follow this bit of background information.

Denmark is battling a falling birthrate, which means supporting an aging population more dependent on support from social welfare. It also means fewer working-age people in the country overall. In 2013, the birth rate was 10 per 1,000 Danish people, a 27-year low.

A Danish Travel company, Spies Rejser, has taken it upon themselves to help out the government and offer "Active" Vacations and a "Do It For Mom" ad campaign.
Because “We all know that the Danes have 51% more sex on a sunny holiday compared to their everyday life"

Check out their 2 ads on YouTube. Cara told me they watched these in class
Do It For Denmark
Do It For Moms

Do It For Denmark

It Is What It Is...
Namaste

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Planned Power Outage

On Thursday we got a letter from SDG& E (our electric provider) that there was going to be a "Planned Power Outage" on Friday for residential customers. The outage was going to be from 9pm to 3am. Fine, I think...

Then I tell Scott.
Me: Scott, There is going to be a "Planned Power Outage"on Friday Night.

Scott: Whaaaaattt!!!! They can't do that! I'm going fishing in the morning.How am I going to check my clock every hour??? I can't get up in the dark! I need to get my stuff ready! THEY CANT'T DO THAT! Call them up and have them do it another day!

Me: Here's the letter. You call them. In my mind I'm saying, "Are your kidding me??? Call SDG&E and have them change the "Planned Power Outage" for you???? Like that would ever happen!"
Me: Why don't you just get hotel? (Sarcasm)

Scott: YOU'RE BRILLIANT!!! I can get on Price line and get the Sheraton next to the marina and sleep and extra 40 minutes, not drive on the freeway and stay in a hotel!

Me: Well, if you are going to a hotel, so am I.

Scott: Kids! Your mom and I are going to a hotel tomorrow night. You are staying home alone. And by the way... there is a "Planned Power Outage". Make sure all your stuff is charged up. No power.

Kids: Whatever...

11:30am Friday morning I get a text from Colin that the power is off. I look on the website and see the "Planned Power Outage" is supposed to be from 9am -3 pm. So I tell him to go back to sleep.

Happy Hour at the Boathouse

When I got home from this view, in Saturday's mail I get a letter from SDG& E apologizing for the mistake. The "Planned Power Outage" was supposed to be from 9am - 3 pm.

Who You Lookin' At???

Typo!
And there was even some fish!

It Is What It Is...
Namaste

Monday, August 17, 2015

And That Same Day

Dang - it was a kitchen EXTRAVAGANZA!

The Farm/Sea to Table movement is alive and growing (literally) at Casa MacNaughton

Blueberry Muffins

Ahi Poke - gotta love the raw fish

Home grown Roasted Peppers stuffed with goat cheese and topped with tomatoes .
Who says we don't farm in San Diego?

Grilled Yellow Tail Tuna with Ginger Lime Sauce.

Growing our limes, tomatoes and peppers as well as hitting it big on the tuna boat pays off in kitchen creativity and culinary goodness.

It Is What It Is...

Namaste

If At First You Don't Succeed...

Add chocolate!

Caramels are a tricky thing, as is all candy making.

Ya gotta pay ATTENTION people!

So me not paying ATTENTION led to somewhat of a caramel fail. I had an order for 2 lbs of sea salt caramels (yay!!!) While looking away for a few seconds, the temperature climbed a measly 2 degrees and BAM! It hit the hard crack stage. (yes, I just wrote hard crack - haha- funny on numerous levels) Too brittle to cut for my melt-in-your mouth, don't stick to your teeth sea salt caramels. OH NO!!!

After a taste test to determine that they were not burned and careful consideration about what else to do, I decided to conquer my fear and... drum roll... temper chocolate.

I began my research in my usual way. Hey Siri! No really - Hey Google! I skimmed my way through a myriad of articles, recipes and blogs and found a bunch of sciencey type stuff on why chocolate tempers. AKA your candy doesn't melt and become weird and mushy at room temperature. You know, like the regular candy bars. Soooooo who cares, snooze fest, just tell me how to do it. I'll spare you the boring details, you can google it yourself if you really want to know.

Here we go! Watch and learn.Pictures included.