Category: work

No One Left

Well, it’s my weekend. It was a short week thankfully. Work has been overly stressful as of late. The irony is it isn’t the callers that are causing it. Management is trying to stop the bleed off of employees by implementing a new schedule that has most of the members very upset. Personally, I don’t care however, I live in the city, have no kids and it really isn’t a burden for me. Not so for the bulk of our work force. Seventy percent of the employees live outside the city, some as far away as Sacramento. This new longer schedule will push some to quit or retire. We are already facing critically low numbers, we really can’t afford to lose anyone else.

The new director means well but she is out of touch w/the center and is trying to patch the problem w/ideas from her previous and much smaller comm. center. I pray nothing critical happens in SF as we are woefully underprepared. If something like Katrina happened here, while I’m quite sure the delay would not be the same, our center would probably collapse under the extra burden.

With that in mind, I’m starting to check out surrounding agencies to see what kind of lateral programs they offer. The sheer lack of concern and respect has really begun to weigh on me and I’m fed up.

Recovering

As if it wasn’t obvious, work this week has been miserable. It has left me in an overall funk that is slowly clearing. I just get sick of the drama. I have a long weekend coming up and I’m looking forward to it.

This is my first week w/o the trainer. I can report I’ve been very good at hitting the gym consistently. However, it is nice to go to the gym and sleep in. hehehe I’m incorporating some of the things I learned from him into my workout. Some of his tips have helped me get out of the gym faster yet still feeling worked out.

The new laptop hard drive arrived yesterday. I spent a good chunk of last evening re-tweaking it. Thankfully, I didn’t loose too much stuff. That said, I’m leery of my upcoming battle w/Microsoft. I can’t find my printed version of the license key and I’ll be damned if I’m paying for Office 2007 again. Naturally, the key is stuck on the hard drive that failed. If they jerk me around, I’ll resort to the peer to peer networks for a hacked version. I try not to deny folks compensation for their hard earned programming skills however, I refuse to pay twice for the same thing.

I’m off to work. Hopefully, my last two days will be better than the first three.

Some Days

Some days I like work and others I hate it. This week I hate it. It seems to be a never ending struggle w/drama.

Our dept is using so much overtime we are in danger of exceeding our normal operational labor costs. A first in the history of any city dept. Yet, the chief negotiator for the City had the audacity to tell us we don’t have a recruitment/retention problem. Ironic huh?

Add to that, the almost daily bombardment of pettiness and it tends to wear on you. I don’t think it is asking a lot to come to work, plug in, do my job and be left alone. One would think it is a no-brainer. One would be wrong. Seems like every week the dept comes up with a new way to rob us of what few perks we have left. If it wasn’t for my upcoming schedule for school, I’d seriously consider looking at other agencies.

I could go on and on but it serves no purpose and I hate whining. Weeks like this just re-enforce my determination to go to school and get out of here.

Frak Frak Frak

I got mandatoried to work overtime tonight. I’m stuck here till 3am. I am NOT happy!

Actually, it isn’t the end of the world. Tonight was a good night as I don’t have the trainer tomorrow. I haven’t been mandatoried in a while so I can’t really complain too much. Besides, it gives me a chance to catch up on my blogroll. Speaking of, I cleaned and leaned it a bit. Some old blogs that were gone or forgotten have been removed.

Blah blah blah. . .

Kickin’ the Dirt

I can report my temper tantrum over the CAD functions at work had an affect. A line-up announcement went out the very next day and the Deputy Director stopped me to find out the details. I couldn’t believe she actually agreed w/me for once. I rarely feel self-righteous but sometimes it just feels sooooo good. *climbing off the cross because I’m sure someone else needs the wood *

In other news, I have a date Friday night after my EMT ride along.1 We’ve gone out before. Its more of a ‘friends w/benefits‘ scenario but we rarely see each other so I’m looking forward to it. And speaking of dates, I ran into a guy in the Castro this week that I see at Gold’s gym sometimes. Actually, I ran into him 4 different times in the space of 2 hours. I finally stopped and flirted by asking if he was stalking me. He is just delish to look at it even if a wee bit young for me. He has a few pimple scars on his face but they only add to his look.2 Up until recently, we’d only exchanged looks. I figured I wasn’t his type. Then, we bumped into each other in the steam room one day a few weeks back. He has been much more friendly ever since. Turns out, I don’t see him much because he lives up in Marin. He comes into the city on his days off to work out as the Gold’s here is bigger. I had to dash off to work so couldn’t stay around. I hugged him and gave that extra squeeze to make a point. However, I was a little flustered. I’m kicking myself now for not giving him my number. Oh well, there is always next time.

Speaking of the gym, I’m back into a consistent routine. My max weight isn’t as high as before but I’m sure it will come back quickly. I can already see some of the “tightness” returning to my muscles. I’m meeting with the new trainer this weekend to talk about routines, price, etc.

1 Did I mention I’m off Friday/Saturdays now? I am and looking forward to it.
2 I don’t really go for the pretty boy look. The scars give his face character IMHO.

Teeth Like a Bulldog

I only got one day off this week due to my change of schedule. I spent it playing Lost Planet. So far, I really like this game. This visuals are good and the levels are pretty diverse. It hasn’t caught on a lot so haven’t had much of a chance to play online yet. I’ve gotten bored w/Gears of War. I’ve beaten it twice in solo mode already. I mostly play it online now. Way more fun.

On a side rant, I’m a little annoyed. I met a gamer online recently and we hit it off as buddies pretty well. Anyway, he discovered I’m not into doing the nasty on cam so now he pretty much ignores me. Don’t get me wrong, I know that men often think with the little head vs the big head1. I so have egg on my face. Apparently, his brother-in-law is in the hospital and he has been helping with that. I feel about 2 inches tall now.

It doesn’t help that I have a fight on my hands at work right now either. I discovered this week a function built into the software we use has been disabled via a recent software update. A function so vital it could create more liability for our department as well as get people hurt. None of the supervisory staff seemed to care at all. Well, they are in for a fight because I ain’t about to drop it. I’m a tenatious bastard to say the least.2 If I have to take it to the media, I will.

There is some good news though. I found out the City is planning on hiring EMTs again soon. Like end of February soon. They are working off of an old list however, this means I can get my name on the new list! Oh, wouldn’t that give me a shit-eatin-grin!

1 I live in SFfor christ’s sake. I’ve gotten laid going to the post office!
2 Once I get my teeth into something, there is no distracting me.

Control or Balance

A coworker commented on how he thought I was a perfect fit for my position as a Union Steward today. Not only am I not afraid to speak up but I’m also knowledgable about policy/procedure. And by the reaction of several supervisors/managers, I’d say I’m having an affect. One supervisor in particular won’t even speak to me now. I found out it is because he thinks I’m assurping his authority. Whatever the hell that means. I see it more as a check and balance to the system. I am here to add balance into an obviously unequal style of treatment.

It sorta got me to thinking though. Why do I like it? I don’t get paid for it and it certainly adds to my already heavy workload. Here is what I came up with.

One, I have a deeply rooted desire to ‘fix’ things. I’ve never figured out where it comes from but it’s true. I see a problem and I immediately wanna fix it. I get such a sense of accomplishment when I do “fix” something too. I’m also sure my willingness to overshare information stems from the same place.

Two, I’m a little bit of a control freak. I was always taught “if you want something done right, do it yourself“. A side rant to that, I also believe if you bitch about a problem you should be part of the solution.

Three, I have a strong desire to help people. I think this one stems from all of my own neglect as a kid1. Sort of a reverse behavior trait. I think it also gives me my sense of fair-mindedness. It is perfectly normal to have your own best interests at heart and I’m no exception however, playing the underdog often allows me to accomplish both goals in one.

Four, I’ve also wondered if it stems from my subconscious need to belong as well. Maybe all this time the ole id was trying to tell me something. Something I was missing but just didn’t know it.

Or, maybe it’s a bit of all of the above mashed into one person? I’m willing to go out on a limb here and think the latter is the truest answer. What say you?

1 Every time I mention my “tragic childhood” now, I think to myself, “Jesus Moby, are you ever gonna quit beating that horse”? I may eventually just not today. *g*

Looking Ahead

The debriefing was last night. It was very sad as expected however, it gave all of us involved a chance to vent and share our grief together. The paramedic who treated the fallen officer was there. You could tell he was really struggling with it and was grateful to have been included.1 We all got a chance to talk and share the experience from our own perspective. I think the PD units were visibly surprised at the deph of concern that we showed.

The meeting started off on a funny note courtesy of my absent-mindedness. My bud had given me a tshirt for Chrismas that read “I have a black belt in crazy” on the front of it2. I didn’t realize I’d warn it underneath my sweater and upon taking my sweater off it sparked a few laughs. I was so completely embarrassed.3 Ironically, I think it set just the right tone for the debriefing to get under way.

I also have to give props here to a certain shift manager who gave us the rest of the evening off. In the past, she has been my arch-enemy on union issues however, she really did show compassion thru this ordeal.

So now, I’m left to focus on the future and the year ahead. I have a reprieve from school for the next 6 months and will have my required EMT hours in by the end of January. Maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze a little bit of a social life in there somewhere.

1 We were happy to invited as well. We are almost always never included. It was frustrating to discover it was not PD that was leaving us out but our own previous management team.
2 I’m fond of saying, I don’t know karate but I do know crazy. The tshirt was a spoof on that.
3 A rare emotion for me.

406

*This is a bit of a mood-killer so you may want to skip this if you are in good spirits*

The title is a police radio code. It is the worst radio code a police dispatcher in San Francisco could ever hope to hear. It means “Officer down and needs emergency assitance“. I can tell you the painful yell of a police officer who has just realized his partner is down stays with you for the rest of your career.

It is with a very heavy heart I report an SFPD Officer was shot and killed in the line of duty last night. I cannot go into details beyond what has been released to the public. I can say it was a shameful cowardly act. I was directly involved in the incident and words cannot express my dispair over such a loss. The officer in question was relatively new to the force. More importantly, he was a good cop. He represented all the qualities a good cop should have. His death is being felt deeply by all of us in the department.

I had to call off work today. I take the responsibilites of my job very seriously and was just too upset. I admit, I find solace in knowing the murderer is also dead. I know I shouldn’t think that way but I can’t help it. Think or say what you will about the police in general, an officer puts his life on the line every single day he goes to work. That sacrifice demands respect no matter who you are. Growing up the way I did, I’m also a firm believer in an ‘eye for an eye.’1 However, San Francisco is a very liberal city and had the suspect lived he would not have gotten the death penalty. The DA here doesn’t believe in it and wouldn’t have pursued it. That is another topic unto itself however, it comforts me to know the evil this man commited will not be rewarded in prison.2

In an round about way his death has strengthened my resolve to be a Paramedic. I can think of no finer a way to honor his memory. I think it would be an insult to turn away from a path with the potential to do so much good.

Rest in peace Officer Tuvera. You are gone from our lives but you are not gone from our hearts.

1 It is also why I chose not to be a police officer. I know in my heart if I were witness to such an event, I would have ended the suspect with extreme prejudice.
1 “Cop-killers” obtain almost celebrity status in the penal system.

Back to Normal

I’m back in SF! The cold weather broke and now its just rainy.

I survived 3 days of very boring IDT (Incident Dispatch Training) material. It didn’t help that the class was way out in Concord1. The instructors were knowledgable however, it became clear very quickly this course was meant more as an intro vs real learning. Considering how much they charged my comm. center for the course it could have been better.

That said, I did get a better understanding of just how much more prepared California is compared to other states. Our FEMA/OES rating is the highest in the nation. I sleep good at night knowing the state I call home is very proactive in protecting and sheltering its citizens in times of peril.

I’ve been so busy w/training this week not much time for anything else. For those who asked, yes, I’m loving the TV and the Xbox. No regrets there. I’ve only had one whole day so far to actually sit down and play.

The roomie and I had an interesting conversation last night. He told me he had a friend who is a financial advisor helping him get his finances in order. I bluntly asked how much debt he had and it was only a couple
thousdand dollars. This makes me wonder how much money he “isn’t” making. It is none of my business however, it doesn’t boost my confidence in his ability to pay bills. He knows my strong feelings on stability so I’m not overly worried2. We’ve had a few ‘minor’ mishaps so far. I believe it has more to do w/this management skills than lack of funds. He doesn’t plan very well and his frequent trips down to New Orleans to see the boyfriend and trips to LA to see friends aren’t helping. Anything that makes him more accountable can’t hurt.

1 Concord is total suburban sprawl meets country. No offense to you suburbanites but Blech!
2 Remembering my own struggles just two short years ago, I am not unsympathetic here.