Tonight I was in the locker room of the gym* we joined over the weekend, getting ready to go for a swim, when I heard someone mention the place where I work. She had seen a listing in the paper for the movie fest that's running this weekend. When she finished her conversation, I told her that I worked there. She was all excited and wanted to know how she could find out more about the events we host. She doesn't have a computer, so that was out. After thinking about it for a moment, I was able to remember the 1-800 reference line phone number and said she could call the number and get on the mailing list for the calendar of events. She was delighted. She left, I went for my swim, and we got Matchbox take out for dinner. All is well in my world.
* Think Average Joe's ** with a pool and you'll have the right idea.
** If you don't understand the reference and you like silly movies with a snarky side, then go rent this.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Rules for Meetings
One of my big pet peeves is poorly run meetings. There's really no excuse for not running a good meeting. In my last job, I received kudos for holding efficient meetings. I was really surprised, because all I did was follow a few basic rules, but it was a novelty in that organization.
I just sat in on a conference call for a volunteer group to which I belong. This group has been hit or miss in the past on whether it's a good meeting or a poke-my-eye-out-with-a-stick meeting. Tonight it was mostly on target, but it's what made me think to post.
In case you're wondering, here is my version of the rules for running a good meeting.
1. Have a leader and a secretary. They must be two different people. One's job is to lead the meeting, the other's is to take notes. One person cannot do both jobs effectively, and it's distracting to the participants to watch the leader taking notes.
2. Have a focused agenda and distribute it ahead of time. Let everyone know what you're there to accomplish. Include who's going to address each topic if that's appropriate. If it's going to be a long meeting or have many topics, assign time limits. In the meeting, follow the agenda and stick to the timeline. Yes, there will be tangents, but it's easier to bring everyone back to the main topic by saying, "We only have two more minutes to discuss XYZ." Don't be afraid to end the meeting early if you're finished. I hate when people will insist on filling the remaining allotted time for no good reason.
3. Know when to take something "off-line" and when it's important enough to the business at hand to warrant adding it to the agenda. This is especially critical when someone is trying to be a barrier. And if things are deteriorating, stop the meeting and reconvene at a different time. Do this once or twice and the inconvenience factor will help keep things more settled in the future. When you do add something to the agenda, make sure you're clear on what may need to be tabled to free up the appropriate amount of time.
4. Follow up. Make sure the minutes and any action items or assignments are distributed quickly. I can't begin to tell you how annoyed I get when I get the minutes from last month two days before this month's meeting, especially when I find in the middle of page four that I've been tasked to do something. Also check with participants to see how things are going and if they need any clarification of or assistance with their tasks.
What do you see in effective meetings? What drives you nuts in bad ones?
I just sat in on a conference call for a volunteer group to which I belong. This group has been hit or miss in the past on whether it's a good meeting or a poke-my-eye-out-with-a-stick meeting. Tonight it was mostly on target, but it's what made me think to post.
In case you're wondering, here is my version of the rules for running a good meeting.
1. Have a leader and a secretary. They must be two different people. One's job is to lead the meeting, the other's is to take notes. One person cannot do both jobs effectively, and it's distracting to the participants to watch the leader taking notes.
2. Have a focused agenda and distribute it ahead of time. Let everyone know what you're there to accomplish. Include who's going to address each topic if that's appropriate. If it's going to be a long meeting or have many topics, assign time limits. In the meeting, follow the agenda and stick to the timeline. Yes, there will be tangents, but it's easier to bring everyone back to the main topic by saying, "We only have two more minutes to discuss XYZ." Don't be afraid to end the meeting early if you're finished. I hate when people will insist on filling the remaining allotted time for no good reason.
3. Know when to take something "off-line" and when it's important enough to the business at hand to warrant adding it to the agenda. This is especially critical when someone is trying to be a barrier. And if things are deteriorating, stop the meeting and reconvene at a different time. Do this once or twice and the inconvenience factor will help keep things more settled in the future. When you do add something to the agenda, make sure you're clear on what may need to be tabled to free up the appropriate amount of time.
4. Follow up. Make sure the minutes and any action items or assignments are distributed quickly. I can't begin to tell you how annoyed I get when I get the minutes from last month two days before this month's meeting, especially when I find in the middle of page four that I've been tasked to do something. Also check with participants to see how things are going and if they need any clarification of or assistance with their tasks.
What do you see in effective meetings? What drives you nuts in bad ones?
Monday, February 18, 2008
My first Tag
I've been tagged for the first time. Linda at Une Deux Toile tagged me. Like Linda, I am still new to blogging, so I wasn't expecting this.
THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
My Random Facts
1. My first car was a Ford Escort that I bought from my grandmother. I've only had two cars since then, and both have been Volkswagens.
2. I have two masters degrees, in completely different fields, and yet they combine nicely for what I do professionally.
3. I've lived on three continents and have yet to visit the other four.
4. I graduated fourth in my public high school class of 98 students.
5. My DH and I have been married for 15 years. Somedays it feels like it's been 50, but most of the time, I can't believe it's really been that long. Despite our many differences, we truly are in sync on most things.
6. I lived in six different states before moving to DC.
7. When we were first married, we did 7 moves in 7 years. Only one of them was "in town". All the rest were cross-country or cross-oceanic. We've now been in DC for 8 years. Fortunately, continual house renovations keep us moving within the house, satisfying my wanderlust in an odd way.
Now for the hard part, tagging 7 of you. I choose:
A. Brave Astronaut
B. Cross-stitch Kim (not Scotland Kim)
C. Special K
D. Lisa
E. Lee
F. Dani
G. Olenka
I look forward to reading all your responses.
THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
My Random Facts
1. My first car was a Ford Escort that I bought from my grandmother. I've only had two cars since then, and both have been Volkswagens.
2. I have two masters degrees, in completely different fields, and yet they combine nicely for what I do professionally.
3. I've lived on three continents and have yet to visit the other four.
4. I graduated fourth in my public high school class of 98 students.
5. My DH and I have been married for 15 years. Somedays it feels like it's been 50, but most of the time, I can't believe it's really been that long. Despite our many differences, we truly are in sync on most things.
6. I lived in six different states before moving to DC.
7. When we were first married, we did 7 moves in 7 years. Only one of them was "in town". All the rest were cross-country or cross-oceanic. We've now been in DC for 8 years. Fortunately, continual house renovations keep us moving within the house, satisfying my wanderlust in an odd way.
Now for the hard part, tagging 7 of you. I choose:
A. Brave Astronaut
B. Cross-stitch Kim (not Scotland Kim)
C. Special K
D. Lisa
E. Lee
F. Dani
G. Olenka
I look forward to reading all your responses.
Good News - Part 4
Today is a federal holiday! Officially, it is the holiday in celebration in honor of George Washington's birthday according to the federal government. (Check the OPM website if you don't believe me, BA.) Of course, most of us refer to it as President's Day, since it falls between Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays.
I have the day off, and that is a very good thing. Unfortunately, we now enter the long dry spell without holidays until Memorial Day. I'm using today to catch up on things around the house, including reading friends' blogs.
I have the day off, and that is a very good thing. Unfortunately, we now enter the long dry spell without holidays until Memorial Day. I'm using today to catch up on things around the house, including reading friends' blogs.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Good News - Part 3
Yes, this is the Good News weekend.
On Friday, I received my subscription to Take Ten magazine in the mail. This is a magazine filled with ideas for cards that you can stamp and assemble in less than 10 minuttes. [I liked it better under the old editor, but I digress.] Also on Friday, I received a second copy of the same magazine. Each had a cover sheet with it, but neither explained why I'd received 2 copies, both addressed to me. Finally, I realized that one of the labels said "ArtistComp" in very small print.
Woo hoo, I thought. One of the eight cards I sent in last fall was selected to be included. I ripped into the magazine and went through page by page (there is no index) to find my card. Then I went through a second time, and then a third. I couldn't find any cards by me. Hmmmm.
The submission policy says that cards may be selected to be included in any of the parent company's magazines and artists will receive a complimentary copy of one of their publications. OK, but why send me a copy of a magazine to which I already subscribe and that doesn't contain my artwork? Sigh. If that's the case, just send me a postcard telling me in which magazine I am published so I can find a copy when it's released. Would that be so hard?
I'm excited that something I created is going to be published, but now I'll spend the spring looking at their publications trying to find my cards. Maybe the cards will turn up in the next issue of Take Ten. Wouldn't that be nice?
On Friday, I received my subscription to Take Ten magazine in the mail. This is a magazine filled with ideas for cards that you can stamp and assemble in less than 10 minuttes. [I liked it better under the old editor, but I digress.] Also on Friday, I received a second copy of the same magazine. Each had a cover sheet with it, but neither explained why I'd received 2 copies, both addressed to me. Finally, I realized that one of the labels said "ArtistComp" in very small print.
Woo hoo, I thought. One of the eight cards I sent in last fall was selected to be included. I ripped into the magazine and went through page by page (there is no index) to find my card. Then I went through a second time, and then a third. I couldn't find any cards by me. Hmmmm.
The submission policy says that cards may be selected to be included in any of the parent company's magazines and artists will receive a complimentary copy of one of their publications. OK, but why send me a copy of a magazine to which I already subscribe and that doesn't contain my artwork? Sigh. If that's the case, just send me a postcard telling me in which magazine I am published so I can find a copy when it's released. Would that be so hard?
I'm excited that something I created is going to be published, but now I'll spend the spring looking at their publications trying to find my cards. Maybe the cards will turn up in the next issue of Take Ten. Wouldn't that be nice?
February heart ornament finished
I was able to complete this today. What do you think? I'm having a little bit of difficulty figuring out how to get clear, focused photos of my needlework on my digital camera. Any suggestions?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
February heart ornament
Here's my heart ornament for the February stitch-along. The design is by Lorraine Koester of Redbird Designs. I bought this while visiting my MIL in San Antonio. I stitch it over one on a piece of scrap fabric with thread from my stash, definitely not the colors indicated on the pattern in most cases. Other than the greens, I've very satisfied with my substitutions. There's not enough contrast between the two greens. Since it's stitched over one, there's no way I'm going back to fix it. I'm hoping to "ornamentify" it tomorrow.
Good News - Part 2
This week, the Washington Nationals' pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. It's like baseball's version of groundhog day - in six weeks, spring will be upon us and baseball season will be in full stride. Yea!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Good News - Part 1
I found the floss box tonight. It was in my bedroom, on a bookshelf, IN PLAIN SIGHT! I must have looked at it a dozen times in the past week without ever seeing it. I'm very happy I've found it.
Thanks, Anna, for the good juju. Maybe I need to do a poll for you now.
Thanks, Anna, for the good juju. Maybe I need to do a poll for you now.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
First Card of 2008
I went to my friend's Stamp Camp last night, where we made several BoHo-themed cards. They are quite nice. This inspired me to actually make some Valentine's day cards this afternoon. Here's a picture.
Wish me luck in finding the box. I probably have about $100 worth of floss in there.
Wish me luck in finding the box. I probably have about $100 worth of floss in there.
Friday, February 1, 2008
First finish of 2008
I'm a day late, but tonight I finished my ornament for the January Bride's Tree SAL. It will now go into my FUFO pile until I figure out how I want to "ornamentify" it. I'm pleased with how it came out.
You may remember that this was the kit that was missing its chart. While I was waiting for the chart to arrive, I started my February ornament. Hopefully I'll be on time, then, next month. We'll see.
If anyone would like the kit, leave me a comment by February 8. If more than one person would like it, I'll draw a name randomly. You'll have to provide fabric and black floss, but there's enough left of the other colors of floss to stitch the design again.
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