Mike's Journal
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Tuesday, September 5, 2006
I was just reading an article on how almost half of students entering college need remedial classes, either in math or english. The article also discussed a desire by some states to enlist a K-16 educational model to help make sure that education is properly transitioned all the way through college graduation.
I had a wonderful idea that I just had to write down somewhere, although I'm sure it would never see the light of day.
How many of you remember the old days when there were different curriculums for those entering college versus those who were stopping at graduation. When I was in high school, the option was still there at Ravenna, but it was almost a joke for someone not to take the college prep line of classes. Granted, there were many who did not, but it was still their expectation that they could go on to college if they wanted, as is.
I think it's time for this thought to change.
We need to have two separate curriculums for our high school students, and, for that matter, they could diverge even sooner than that if needed. One, for students who want to attend college, would be difficult, and would only concentrate on the key areas expected by colleges: math, reading and writing, and science. Any other areas, such as topics like geography, history, government, etc., could still easily be covered, and may best be encompassed within an "english" setting.
The second curriculum, for students not intending to go to college, would cover a much broader span of subjects, presumably to prepare the students for real life, and could get by without forcing huge amounts of math, science, or english on them. After all, other than simple math (add,subtract,multiply,divide), and being able to read on a somewhat basic level, how much would a non-college graduate use anyway?
Of course, I'm sure that you're thinking that this is going to leave students who decide later to go to college in an uncomfortable position. This is where my idea gets really radical. It's my contention that, if you as a junior-high- or high-school student decide you don't want to go to college, and you only get the "life-oriented" diploma, colleges have the right to refuse you for entrance, no matter what potential you show. This puts the responsibility squarely on the parents of a child, or the child him/herself to make the right decision early on, and stick with it.
I would give the option to any student in the college-prep curriculum the option to drop down at any time, if they really felt they would not be able to make it. This curriculum would be necessarily difficult, and there should be no graduate who cannot transition easily into a college environment. High schools would have to be redesigned to meet this goal, because I could easily see a decent percentage of students not making it out on a normal schedule.
The easiest way to ease the burden on high schools to accomplish this goal would be a floating grade system. No more rigid "freshman, sophomore, junior, senior" crap. You have teachers that cover certain subjects, but don't teach en masse anymore. They are there to work individually with the students currently taking their module. And students within each module progress at their own pace. Those who have problems with a certain module may take longer and "fall behind" their peers, but may catch up in other areas. Once you've finished a module, you instantly move on to the next module, which builds upon the last. There would be no "pass or fail", because the student keeps trying until there is a clear understanding of the material, without regard for "school years".
A block schedule would be perfect for this type of teaching. Each student has four blocks, each of which covers one particular line of teaching, whether it be math, or reading comprehension, or sciences, or writing, or whatever is deemed a significant section of college preparation. One teacher "may" teach multiple modules, or the student may move from one room to another as each module is completed.
Now, I understand that many educational professionals would be worried about the self-esteem issues that this type of system may cause in some of the "slower" students. It is my contention that the self-esteem of the students should not be suffering solely because their peers are progressing faster than them, or because they are in a module with a group of younger students. The satisfaction of being able to complete a module correctly, and not just be "let through" or "squeak by", should reinforce the self-esteem of a child.
Socially within the high school, students can still be sectioned off as desired to help them socialize with their own peers if they so choose, and for other topics such as sports, music, and other extra-curriculars. Of course, those taking longer to complete the high school curriculum will lose many of their peers to college, and may be forced to make friendships with younger students instead.
I've no doubt that my idea has many holes which need fixing. Feel free to leave me comments to tell me where you think this idea could be improved. This schooling idea is actually so fascinating to me that I may very well work this into a book somehow, or at least write a paper on it to submit to an educational institution nearby.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Hopefully you read the first entry from today first (if not, please do so before reading this).
I wanted to make an observation I made while finishing up my first entry today. And I know it to be true, to the very core of my being. My desire to write, both past and present, was always tied directly to Kara.
I can't explain it. Every time Kara has popped up in my life, I've found myself writing and writing, often about her, but also a lot about other things. There was something about her that brought out the writer in me. I think this might actually be a large part of the reason that, no matter how hard I've wanted to, I just can't seem to put words on to paper much anymore.
When I was in River Voices, and just starting my way down the path to a Creative Writing major, was right after the last time I'd seen Kara, at the graduation open house. I was driven to put words down, no matter the subject or disposition. I think I finally gave up on her around my first year at Western, and it was probably after that first year there that I really lost interest in writing. Don't get me wrong, I was sure that I was going to be a C.W. major still, and I did still write what I had to to do well in my classes. I did get a comment during second-year from my favorite professor that my writing just didn't have the same quality and substance that it did the year before.
Since I've graduated college, I haven't had that burning desire to write more than a half dozen times. I always thought that emotional upwelling was the driving force behind my writing, but I've had some serious emotional turbulence since I've been with Kate, and I've only written anything twice.
I'm glad that I want to be writing, whether it be in here or otherwise. But, frankly, the idea that my desire to write is tied to an ex-girlfriend I'm desperately trying to put out of my mind is disturbing. I know what Jared would say: just write something, doesn't matter what. I only wish it were that simple.
Well, if I do go to see her, I'm hoping a clean break will also break my Kara-writing connection. But I am realistic, and feel it is entirely possible that I may never want to write again. Let's hope the latter is not the case.
Ikey
Current mood:  curious Current music: Still the "Simply Irresistable" Soundtrack :p
Well, for those of you who know me, and actually figured out that I wrote here for the first time in nine, almost ten months now, congratulations.
I'm hoping Kate doesn't read this, so don't tell her I'm writing here. I've got myself stuck in a situation that kind of took me by surprise. As you may well know, I've been comtemplating proposing for quite a while now, but something's been holding me back. What I mean is, I really do know I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but there was always this thing bugging me in the back of my mind. Just this morning I figured it out. Her name is Kara.
I probably talked to you guys about Kara a long time ago. While I am fairly certain that I am Kate's first love, I would not consider Kate to be mine. Kara and I had, well, a rocky relationship at best, back right after I graduated from high school. Things were really back and forth between us for years, since I was a sophomore at Ravenna. It's odd to say that while we were never a couple for more than 3 months at any given time, I was absolutely sure I was going to marry her someday. I'd planned the honeymoon out and everything. I was just waiting for us to get older, for Kara to graduate high school.
Then things turned sour. I don't want to go into details, because it would be wrong of me to delve into the intimate details of Kara's life here, but needless to say something happened in Kara's life that led her to ask for a separation "for a little space".
I obviously didn't understand the meaning of a little space. I tried to give her time, and just be her friend, but she didn't want me around at all. Which would have been fine, if I could have been mature to respect her wishes. For all I know, if I'd done what she wanted, we'd have ended up back together. But we didn't. Things just got steadily worse. Part of the problem was that, right after our last breakup, and the ensuing ugly incident (which again I will not go into, simply to make myself not look more foolish and stupid than I have to), I still had to see her on an almost daily basis because I was the drama club's assistant director. She of course was one of the main characters in the play.
Well, as fate had it, we pretty much ended up on non-speaking terms by the time the play was over. We went our separate ways, and I fumed about her for months. But I loved her for years.
I saw her once since then, about a year and a half later at a graduation party for a mutual friend, and things were better. She apologized for the way she'd been, and I did likewise. She said she'd call sometime so we could hang out. I was hopeful. She never called. I spent a while pining away for her, but to this day I've not seen her. I moved on to another semi-serious relationship, but my feelings for Kara eventually led me to separate with her. I've always told everyone that the reason Bonnie and I broke up was because she was psycho and she was making me emotionally unstable. Both of those are true, but neither were the overriding factor for leaving her.
Time passed, and scars formed over the unclosed wounds. I eventually put Kara out of my mind for good. And then I met Kate. And I haven't looked back once. Until now.
So now I'm faced with a dilemma. When I realized what was bothering me, I looked online and was able to track her down to a church a few miles from my parents' house. I feel like I should go see her, and try to close the book on "us" once and for all, but I'm afraid. I'm afraid that the feelings are still there. I'm afraid I'll somehow mess things up with Kate if I go. I'm afraid to even see her again.
Please tell me what I should do. Well, at least tell me what you'd do if you were in this situation. Lindsay, I suppose you're uniquely qualified to answer this question, as you are in a somewhat similar place yourself.
Thanks in advance for all your input,
Ikey
Current mood:  contemplative Current music: "Simply Irresistable" Soundtrack
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Hi everybody! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, won't you be mine? So Shanna won't complain about the music coming from my current neighbor's apartment? Not that I really notice...until Shaa points it out. Then I can't tune it out.
So I'm learning to play my guitar all over again. I've been playing for a week now, and I can kind of play some songs now. I even played "We Three Kings" without any mistakes, and without music! It was fun.
And I'm obsessed with a new game now. Heroscape. It's awesome. Jared likes it, I like it, and even Shanna likes it, and she's not the easiest to please when it comes to board games! I'm so happy! I spent some time yesterday making some new scenarios and custom-making characters, and I'm ready to use them in a real game setting. Now I just need to get friends together to play them!
It's almost Christmas again, and again, I'm way slow on getting my shopping done. Maybe it's the simple fact that I don't really have the money to spend, or I don't have a positive flow of cash, so Christmas is going to be all suck (from my accounts). Not to mention I don't have a clue what I'm getting for anyone. I think Kate and I are going soon to buy gifts together, which is good, since I need encouragement.
Anyway, I really need to get back to work, so the complete "this is my life" update will have to be concluded at a later time. Thanks for tuning in...catch us next week, as we reminisce about the baby years.
Current mood: huh? Current music: "Confessions" by Usher (and I hate that song)
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Not much time to write right now, but I'd been absent a while and wanted to catch up.
Everything is fine, outside of work, which is a crazy-head disaster right now. Insane, I say! Insane!!! I hate it when my boss is gone, because I'm so busy. Okay, so I love it when he's gone. The day just flies by.
And speaking of leaving, Kate's gone for the next 5 days. :( So I'm on my own again. I'm beginning to wonder if I can survive by myself. I had to ask her to help me clean my apartment yesterday just so it'd get done. Which it is now! Yay! Thanks, Kate!
From now on, there's no slacking in my apartment. Clean as I go. Yup.
So I'm starting to read up to study to get A+ certified. For those of you who don't have a clue, it's a certification for those who want to be PC technicians. It's gonna be tough...lots of time to study, and then, even if I get certified, I have to go find a job which pays more than I make now, and that might be difficult.
So, until then, I'm thinking of going back to Mich Ad. I'll prolly take the warehouse manager job if it's still available. It shouldn't be too difficult (except for the stupid phones), and it'll make me the extra money I need to make up for the money I'm losing now.
Anyways, love to talk more, but it's lunch time. Have a great turkey-day (or whatever you eat!)! Feel free to leave me a comment, or call me if you know the number (which anyone reading this probably does).
Current mood:  energetic
Friday, November 12, 2004
So yeah, I've been kinda down a lot lately. And most of it has to do with the fact that I didn't get to celebrate my birthday with my friends. And before you go on, I wnat you to realize that I don't blame anybody for not being here...I know you all have good reasons to be doing other things, and I'm happy that you do. I don't really want to be the center of everyone's universe, you know?
I was really hurt to find out that none of my friends (with the exception of Kate) had thought about my birthday ahead of time. I know that family's important, but it has always been my thing that friends (and girlfriend) take priority, even over family in some cases. Which, of course, has left me with some uncomfortable family scenes, let me tell ya.
I've never really had friends that wanted to spend time with me on my birthday. When I was young, I didn't really have friends (well, one, but he was a back-stabbing bastard), so birthdays sucked. I remember having a birthday party once at the indoor mini golf place in the Outlets Etc. mall (which no longer exists) out on Henry. And I remember that half the kids there didn't even like me. They just came for the free golf.
When I went to Western, I was so excited about my 21st birthday. Of course, it had to fall on a Monday, but still, my friends were practically alcoholics, so they'd go out drinking with me, right? Nope. They wanted to wait until Friday, so I sat, more or less alone, in my room, on my 21st birthday.
It wasn't much better on my 22nd, on Tuesday. I think a couple of guys went out with me, but it was just a token thing...
And since I've been home, most of my friends have been away at school during my birthday, so I've never really had a real party...so this year was going to be special.
My birthday finally falls on a weekend, and all my friends (except Lindsay, sorry you're stuck over there...if I had the money, I'd fly you over for the weekend) could come over at the same time to celebrate me. And now it's not going to happen...again.
Just once, I really wanted to have all my friends together again, in one place, at one time. Kate keeps telling me that we can do it next weekend or something, but it's just not the same. I'm not really in the mood to celebrate my birthday at all anymore, and that's probably the lowest I've ever been on my birthday.
I don't even know why I wrote this. I don't want anybody's sympathy, although I'm sure I'll be getting it anyway. I guess I just wanted to get it off my chest, so I can hopefully forget it.
Current mood:  weepy
Monday, November 1, 2004
Vacation was wonderful, if you forget the quarreling and the cold and the horrible sleeping arrangements and the fact that I spent way more money than I wanted to.
But I'm back, and now I'm going to become a work-a-holic to make some of it back. And make back the money I lost last week by not being at work for two days. Good luck, I know.
So yeah, I'm going back to work now, so y'all have a nice day, whether it be here in Michigan, off in Saipan, or wherever you might be from or at.
Current mood:  awake Current music: Christmas Carols in my Head
Friday, October 29, 2004
I'm going on vacation! Yay! See y'all laters. I'm hoping the weather decides to cooperate so I can go to the corn maze tomorrow...I've never been in one before.
And along that note, I was talking to one of the women who work in the front office, and she was saying she chaperoned with her daughter's brownie troupe, and they got so lost they had to cut through the corn and across some other field to find their way back to the main road! That's why I wanna try one!
And root for Ravenna this weekend...they're gonna need all the help they can get...tonight is Vermontville Maple Valley, and since I won't be there (the first playoff game I've missed since I was in junior high), somebody needs to cheer them on!
Cheers!
Current mood:  anxious Current music: Saws and Rolling Carts...exciting noise, huh?
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Yup, I've been gone for a while. It took me 45 minutes just to catch up on all my friends' journals, and now I feel compelled to write something here for all to read.
I'm sick. And I mean physically, not mentally, although I'm sure my friends might beg to differ on my mental health. I think it's a sinus infection, and I absolutely love those. Nothing better than bad headaches that don't go away with pills, sore throats from drainage, coughing from chest congestion from drainage, and my personal favorite, a voice that sounds like it's going through the heart of puberty, it's cracking so much, again from drainage. Yay for me!
Last night was nice, though, with everyone coming over to carve pumpkins. Lindsay, there's still one pumpkin to finish carving, so Kate and I will carve it for you, and then send a picture of the two of us holding it, so we can kill a whole flock of birds with one stone (pic of me, Kate, my apartment, and your own special pumpkin!)
I feel like I'm fighting a constant battle for writing time. And yes, I know, I just had two days off work to write, but when you're miserable, writing just doesn't come naturally. And I feel obligated to spend time with all the people I care about, and I mean that in a good way, not like I don't want to. It's just that, at this point in my life, I don't want to lose my friends, and devoting the amount of time I need right to for writing will preclude much socialization.
So, I'm squeezing in the writing whenever I can, and it will have to be enough. And now I'm thinking of going back to the park again next summer (God, why me?). But it's definitely not for sure yet...time will tell. But, I feel really sick at the moment, so I'm gonna end it here. Talk to ya all soon!
Current mood:  sick
Thursday, October 21, 2004
I just want everyone to know, especially those that still live here (nothing personal, Lindsay), that there's something I have to do, something I have to write, and until it gets done, I probably won't be spending any time with you guys (except you, Kate). It's eating me up inside, and it's making me feel sick, and I need to do this, for once in my life, I need to quit running and start fighting.
So, hopefully I'll talk to you all soon. If not, maybe I'm not strong enough to write what needs to be written.
Current mood: sick
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
I want everyone who reads this to ask me 3 questions, no more & no less.
Ask me anything you want. I encourage you to ask questions that you think I will have a tough time answering, because I will be giving you all tough questions. And no asking questions that will betray confidences to my other friends, because I flat-out won't answer them.
Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything.
Current mood:  productive
Monday, October 18, 2004
Just wanted to let you know that I think I've finally figured out why I've been unable to write for these past few years, and I've started working to get past it. I wrote a snippet of a story that was so disturbing to me (because it came from my mind) that I couldn't get past it. I've been avoiding that story for so long because I didn't want to think about the ramifications of writing it. So it sat there, just festering on paper and in the back of my head for all these years.
Well, yesterday I typed it up and posted it (albeit, so only I could see it) on writing.com so that I can revise and polish it. And after that, the ideas just started flowing. I'm working on that and another story, and while they both suck at this point, I'm really feeling like I'm back in the saddle again.
And no, I'm probably not going to let any of you read this story for quite a while...it still disturbs me. I'll finish it, and maybe make it public online, but there are some things that are just best left alone.
Current mood:  hopeful Current music: just the music in my head, and no one wants to hear that!
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Yup, I said tears. Anyway, I was very sad today when I went with Kate while her fcat was put to sleep. I mean, he wasn't even my cat, but it's still a very sad thing. Afterward her family buried him on their property up north, and it was a very special funeral. Although we were all trying to keep upbeat, it was very touching and heart-felt.
Not to mention, but I received the most moving comment I think I've ever received throughout my entire life today. After all, those of you that know me know that, more than anything in the world, the most important thing is being able to comfort those around me when they need me. And hearing that I actually made a difference in that way, it almost brought tears to my eyes (yeah, I know, I'm being all sappy). But it's true. I really do believe that there is a right path for every person to take through life, and for the first time in a very long time, I really believe that I'm on it.
Current mood:  content
Friday, October 15, 2004
It never fails to ruin all my hopes. Life, that is. I was actually thinking that today was gonna be a good day, and then Kate calls and tells me about her cat having to be put to sleep soon. (Her LJ gives a little more detail.) It's like, just when it feels like God is making things start to go your way, then He throws this big curve-ball that always hits you upside the head.
It's things like this that challenge many people's religious fortitude. I believe in God, but I don't believe that an all-loving God could do so many things to hurt so many people. I am, in all rights, a Christian. But times like these make me wonder how I can put complete faith in a God who, it seems to me sometimes, goes out of His way to hurt those who believe in Him most. Anyway, I just wanted to voice my opinion, and I'm sure some of you are perfectly capable of eliminating my doubts--I could do it myself...I remember what I've been told all the times in the past. But sometimes you just need to me mad, and why not at God?
Current mood: sad
I'm so excited! I actually feel like doing work this morning! Well, at least more so than normal. And yes, I know, I'm clearly not working since I'm doing this right now, but as soon as I'm done typing this, I'll be all about getting some quality work done.
I can't type today. That's probably because I'm so excited about this weekend. First a long trek up north for a football game, then tomorrow my quality time w/ Kate. Oh, and by the way Kate, if you want some time for Physics, by all means we can meet up later tomorrow...maybe I'll actually get enough sleep for a change! We'll have plenty of time to finish our plan. Oh, and I've been brainstorming on that subject we were discussing at the beach last Saturday and have a few ideas.
Bolts! I can't get enough of 'em! You see, there were two large pallets of miscellaneous fasteners (screws, bolts, nuts, etc.) that were stored away in another building nearby to make room here. Now they're cleaning out the other building, and I get the wonderful task of sorting all these fasteners, figuring out which ones we should keep, selling what we can back to our suppliers, and tossing the rest. Yay for me!
So...I better get back to work. Everybody have a good weekend!
Current mood: optimistic Current music: Blessid Union of Souls, "Blessid Union" Soundtrack
Thursday, October 14, 2004
So I was working on writing the start of a story on LJ yesterday, but I was at work, and I wasn't really happy with the flow of it yet, so I'm working on it offline for now, and I'll post a snippet of it once I'm sure that it's decent.
The last week has been tough. I really don't like my job at all. And I feel like I just want to call in sick every day. Of course I'm not doing that, because I need the money, but the desire is there, controlling my life. I just, for once, want to have a job that both pays enough to live on, and is enjoyable enough to want to work at. The park was decent pay, and I loved it (most of the time), but I can't go without benefits or money at all for six months every winter.
I didn't really like McDonald's when I was there, and it didn't pay enough to live off, and while I make just enough at Anderson Pattern, I really hate it 90% of the time.
I want to start my own business. Kate and I were approached by a young couple Tuesday night about maybe joining them in their business, and I'm seriously considering the idea this time. I don't expect the get-rich-quick scheme, but at least I might have some extra money on the side for emergencies. I'll have to see what this gig is all about before I make any decisions.
So anyway, I guess I'll wrap this up...Kate's gonna be here in a minute, so g'night all, and I hope to have something up in the way of fiction in the next couple days!
Current mood:  indifferent
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
So I'm just beginning to realize something. When I was writing my last post, and I was talking about writer's block, I think that I'm finally out of my shell! I feel free, like there's nothing I can't do when it comes to writing. And I'm going to do it all!
I really invite random people to comment on my posts, especially those with fiction samples. I'm hoping, as I get back into the swing of things, that I can get to where I'm posting fiction samples every day, or at least every other day. Most of these will be exercises, and any creative input would be appreciated. I'm hoping to start my own free website with my writing samples displayed, but until then this will be my home.
Look for my first sample late tonight. I'm so excited. And guess what! Just now, I got a new used office chair for my office. This one actually functions like a real chair, and supports my back, and rolls, and doesn't try to drop me on the floor! :D Sorry. Just a little too excited there. I'm just so happy to be alive!
Current mood: ecstatic
So, things are going well. I don't know if any of you reading this have ever seen the show My So-Called Life that was on a few years ago, but it always seemed to me that the main girl's life just kept getting worse and worse. And that is so not me right now.
Don't you guys love the horrible english up there? Nobody said I have to write perfectly all the time. That just leads to boredom, and boredom leads to writer's block. And since I've had writer's block for the vast majority of the past three years, I don't really want to wander back that way again.
You know, I feel really guilty about being happy. Unfortunately, one of my best friends is having a real tough time right now (and you know who you are if you read this), and I don't really feel like there is much I can do to help. I feel like I'm going to be a hypocrite if I tell him that I understand what he's feeling, because I'm in such a different place now than I was a year ago.
Of course, I do know what he's feeling, because I have had girls walk all over me on several occasions in the past, and I was unable to empower myself to get past my feelings. I've had every experience you could hope to have (or not hope to have) when it comes to relationships. I've had the psycho ex-girlfriend (and yes, it's not just a cliche), I've had a girl accuse me of stalking her (which I wasn't), I've been cheated on, and once I cheated on a girlfriend. :( So, needless to say, I can understand most, if not all, of the negative facets of dating.
But then I met Kate. And I've never been happier. And so I feel like a hypocrite. Anyway, I just wrote a story when all I wanted was to give one line of advice to my suffering friend: Just hang in there, because I truly believe now that there is someone out there for each of us, and that, given time, we will each meet our true match in life.
Current mood: optimistic
Friday, October 8, 2004
Hi everyone who accidentally stumbled onto my journal! And to those who actually know me, I'm sorry that you must spend part of your existence finding and reading my LJ. Anyway, welcome to what I hope to be a regular fountain of my strange mind. And if you don't believe me, just keep reading my stuff for a few weeks and you will truly begin to wonder.
My goal for this journal (and I suppose this is more for me than it is for all of you) is to force a constant writing sample from this blocked mind onto this pseudo-piece of paper, to get the creative juices flowing.
So, without further ado, I guess I'll write about something. Hmm...
I know. I'll start my first sample with a rant about work. We all have those, right?
My Rant about Work.
My dad always said that if it weren't for bad management, there would be no management at all. Unfortunately, as I've gotten older and entered the workplace myself, I have come to realize how true this statement really is.
I am the purchasing assistant at a pattern shop in Michigan. Directly above me is the Purchasing Manager, whose only goal in life is to get out of work as quickly as possible, without any regard for the quality of his work. I shouldn't say that he doesn't care. He cares more than most people do around here. The problem is that he already realizes the futility of trying to make a difference. Not to mention that, as the purchasing manager, he should have a hard-ass type personality to assert our will upon those who do business for us. Unfortunately, he does nothing to step on anyone's toes unless he's already had his own toes stepped upon by someone above his position. Which brings me to the plant manager.
Our plant manager is also our quality assurance manager. Sounds like a great combo, doesn't it? Yeah, it should, but it just doesn't work out that way. Our plant manager got a college degree in Phys Ed. Yes, you read that right. PE. Anyway, he knows a fair amount about the business, since he's been here for quite a long time at this point. And what he doesn't know, he never fails to bullshit his way through. Not without dire consequences sometimes, though. It's clear he doesn't care about either quality control or efficiency until they become a serious problem, and this in and of itself is a serious problem.
Yesterday I sat down with the plant manager while finishing an audit I was working on (yes, somehow part of the description of the purchasing assistant includes being an internal auditor), and I was questioning him about some of the QA Manager-applicable procedures for the audit I was completing, and they were not up to date. Not really a big deal. However, when I brought up an issue brought to me by a couple union members, I was more or less told that this issue had been brought up before, and that it was not a big enough problem to deal with. I was shocked.
Okay. So, I think I understand the basis of the plant manager's every move now. At one point in the above discussion, he asked me how long he thought it would take to make back in gained time the money lost to finish the project and correct the mentioned problem. An understandable question, but is the money really "lost". As it happens, my suggestion involved implementing additional technology into our shop. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like technology is never a loss, and always a gain. Anyone who does not understand that concept should not be a plant manager.
And, of course, the plant manager is a puppet to the general manager. Our general manager is a great man, and a decent businessman. I am just disturbed with the fact that he is unwilling to tackle problems himself, and instead hands them off the the plant manager to solve for him. What exactly is he doing anyway?
You know, I really feel better now. I think I might be able to concentrate enough to finish working today without getting down on myself about my crappy working environment. And all this ranting about my management makes me wonder if my employees at Michigan's Adventure do the same thing about me? But that's a topic for another day.
Catch ya soon!
Current mood:  aggravated
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psychoword's journal