Week 4

Just a Little


I am about at the close of my fourth week at the new workstation and I have all but settled in, which is good. I feel accepted, needed and part of a team. This is sort of a unique—I have always worked but rarely felt part of a team and really needed. For the most part I have done labor in the private-non profit sector or State and quite frankly due dates really did not seem to matter , or even if I was at work or not.

The work got done, eventually. I always tried to be timely since many times people counted on me but there was still that bureaucracy, especially where nothing really mattered in the end. For the first time I am at a position to where it really seems to matter if I am there or not—it really matter is we are all there because people are going to call and expect phones to answered. I can tell when the phone are going FF (fast and furious) it matter having another operator in the system to take calls even he is the new guy and he is a little slow.

This week I had a medical appointment (sitting consultation) with my therapist (PT) and I had intended to take the whole afternoon to make sure I had the time to go and get home since I would be leaving directly from physical therapy. I also was to meet with our staff meeting from my old office and I told the folks at my new office about my plans I could tell this is not the way things go. I for sure was excused because I did not know the formalities and I guess there are some formalities like they would like two weeks notice before a scheduled leave or absence is to happen, not just a couple of hours—so I was for given but two weeks come on! Who the hell structures there life two weeks out? Again, this environment is somewhat new to me—the staff really counts on you being there and I understand more now then ever. What was really kind a of interesting was that all the meeting I had planned collapsed yesterday morning and the whole taking time off was a moot point.

Gloria is back today, so we are almost back to full staff if not at full strength, I’ll be interested I will continue to take calls unsupervised or if I will slip back into some type of training mode. I really am anticipating a wonderful weekend.

Don't Get Cocky!!

So ends week three at the out-posting and I am still here and I think I am fitting in fairly well. I am usually the first in the mornings, just because I enjoy getting up early and experiencing the city new at the break of day. Today for example I did not get my usual Friday latte at my local StarBucks. I was informed yesterday that there is a pretty good coffee shop not too far from 211. I pass the Downtown Marriott on my way in and today decided to stop and there was a coffee urn with three or four different coffee options. I had the front desk kid pour me some and doctor the coffee and it was not half bad and it was free. I am taking more and more calls unsupervised and feeling more and more part of the team. It’s a good crew, I still feel I am in training however and must accordingly and not get cocky.


As you can tell I started this way last Friday but I never got a chance to finish last Friday. The weekend go so fast and there is so much to it seems like this weekend, we did not do a whole lot except to support Anakah in her reading needs we read the whole book Fever—a good read but challenging read to do in a weekend but we did it. However, we all sort of ‘melted down’ yesterday afternoon and Ani went home a day early and we just enjoyed the remainder of the day.

Living Large and Easy

Summer’s heat returns today and that is good for me because I like the heat, enjoy the heat even though I cannot tolerate the heat like I used to but I would sooner be hot then cold. If I wear my hat I am ok. But, I have already heard the comment have I felt like Autumn is coming on, or is summer over. It’s not, I know cause I can tell some how, usually it’s a certain smell I perceive usually in the morning as I am heading for work. When I was younger the smell came off the desert just off my home in Boise. The smell was a mixture sage and rotting leaves but there was definitely a specific order. I still get that odor later in the summer these days. I have not smelled Autumn yet.

Last night DD and I were out on the porch watching the neighborhood and he asked if I felt like Summer was over—I said “no” not yet. We just finished a row of days of four days of 100 degree weather and even more of 90 degree or above—a hot spell but the spell ended with storms clouds and cooler weather—I think a lot of folk were ready for Summer to be over but I say that Summer is not over by a long shot. I think a another hot spell will be starting in a couple of days –I predict we will get one after that maybe even two as we get into August. The back of summer breaks sometime in the middle of August—a time when the days begin to cool, slowly. The temp may be hot even wonder back into triple digits it will not be the same kind of heat. I also noticed yesterday, in the afternoon the light was different, the figure ground effects are changing—the light is beginning to look more like Fall but it’s not Fall yet.

I am not ready form the change…yet, I am sure later in August I will be. When I am so hot and frustrated that I long for longer nights and cooler days and a clean crisp day that only Fall can bring but I am not there yet. I still long for hot days when I can go barefoot, wear cutoffs and sleep without the covers. I want fresh fruit straight off the vine and vegetables left on the front porch or on the front seat of the van. I am still up for BBQs and Saturday get togethers and Sunday coffee listening to NPR. I want tom roll round the house naked straight from the shower dripping dry in the summer’s heat feeling like this Summer will last for ever. I still have too much to live for to let Summer go before its time. I look forward to the next batch of Summer storms, electricity falling from intimating thunderheads and cooling monsoon rains and a time for living large and easy.

My Gimp Birthday

I am sleepy today and that is not good for a Tuesday, I still have a long way to go before the weekend but I think if I can get to bed at a decent hour tonight or tomorrow I will get more steam by the end of the week and for sure the weekend. We had some great storming last evening and we sat on the ramp and watched the storm till the temperature actually got too chilly to comfortably stay out on the ramp.


I had initially intended to have this piece written to post on Sunday and then yesterday but life seems to have a way of getting in the way. Yesterday was the 46th anniversary of my turning quadriplegic from a motor vehicle accident! 46 years in a blink of the eye. I have never really put to much energy into “what day” and “how many years since” kind of stuff but since I have been back to rehab and seeing my doc on a more regular basis these mile markers seem to have major significance. But over all I feel I have done pretty well: married 2.4.6 kids with grandchildren, long positive work history with a bs degree. Issues secondary to SCI have been minimal but seem to be increasing as I age—I guess its only natural that I degrade s I age. But I am Ok. Dianne uploaded the image from my accident scene on to her Facebook account yesterday when she acknowledged the years and I am surprised at how many folk have responded.

Week Two

I am finishing up my second week at 2-1-1, the first full week of being at work every day, showing up early and getting the feeling of rhythms of this office, building and neighborhood in general. I have been taking supervised call all week—that is I am taking call with the lead operator listening in on the call. I seem to be doing OK but I am not taking calls on my own. Am feeling fairly comfortable and I feel I could be OK on the phones alone but I do like the support of the senior staff listening in. I sense I am coming soon to un supervised call status—the person who sits on the other side of the cube panel is back next week who knows everything I&R and she will most likely act as on-line super and way it will feel like the training wheels are off.

I feel so out of place in this building—this building is just loaded with pretty people. The other day as I was exploring the different floors on my new building—it seemed each floor had a giant set of ceiling to floor glass doors opening to fabulously decorated offices, decorated fabulous looking people. I wonder where they keep these people cause I never see them on the street—just behind huge glass doors or at clubs at night.

As I have alluded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains three floors of the building in which I'm now housed. I mean That's pretty cool. One of the things I've been doing the past couple of days of this week is squeeze out a few extra minutes at lunch wherein I've been exploring the building. As mentioned the fabulous offices of the legal coots warehoused here but it took me a day or two to push one of the buttons that would take me to the bureau' S floor. When I did I was surprised… I'm not surprised when the elevator doors slid open to reveal just to doors with a computer printed document essentially saying the reader of this document had better have business to be here if you're here right now. The same document was a document posted on each of the doors. In fact the doors and what I could see the four looked like a scene The Matrix. I decided I had better leave the area and as I was waiting for my elevator one of the unmarked doors open to the young man came out, the young kid may be just in college or something white shirt and tie sleeves rolled up with a file in hand. The lad acknowledged me but said nothing, he was wearing an ID tag but was turned in I could not read it. I wanted to ask him 1 million questions but I just wrote down in silence got off on my floor went back to work. I never see these people come in early and I wonder if they have like underground passage are entrance point – – I'm surprised the elevator even stopped at that floor.

Oh, I am in the part of downtown that has midblock crossings; this continues on each side street that hold orange flags that pedestrians hold across the street which I imagine means

traffic stop. Anyway, I was waiting such a midblock crossings on my way home one night this week and there was another pedestrian on the other side waiting to cross. I did not have an orange flag and neither did she but I noticed she was charging across the street so I decide to charge for my site the cars came to a halt when nearest me in both lanes on her site which I thought was okay as I continued to cross midway through the first lane on my side I noticed movement on the other side of the of the waiting vehicle it was a lane of traffic which looked empty but the corner of my eye I could see the vehicle coming to the front of that Lane. I stop my chair immediately as the individual realized I would soon begin his direct path and he slammed on the brakes had not stopped, even though he slammed on his brakes, I would've been bounced and who knows how much damage I would've incurred on my chair not myself. The lady approaches me and also stopped her eyes were huge with horror as she imagined for me it just happened. I passed her and continued my drive to the train station. There was only after I contemplated what may have happened to me had I not seen the vehicle approaching out of the corner my eye. I sighed lean my head back and let the train rock me home.

I think the second week went okay.

lay of the land…

I have begun my second week at my new station and so far I have been mostly involved with indoctrination and training into this 2-1-1 system. This week I am experiencing more time answering but never un supervised which is fine by me but sure puts the pressure on staff responsible for training me or seeing that I am ready to take on the phones, supervision free. It’s Summer and that means many folk or away on vacation which puts lots of pressure on the operators left to cover the phones. I feel a little guilty that I sit here and listen to the phones ring not being able to answer unless supervised—oh well.

We are a small shop, just four or five operators if you count the Lead—I am the only male and we are all just getting to know each other. There has also been a new position developed: Quality Control. This person came on board today. I believe she is from the private sector, from more high pressure call rooms. Her position seems a little odd and a little menacing from a management point of view. It seems a lot of her position will be the responsibilities of the current Lead which seems weird—just feels odd like something or someone is being set up. I get to the office early each morning, well before the regular staff—I use the time to get situated, check emails, blogs and sometimes post Facebook account. If I am really together I start a blog posting. I have to admit I am falling behind o my letter writing. I used to write the monthly letters during my morning at my other position between calls but I sure do not have this option now—call tend to come in fast and furious. I am going to have to write more at home or on the road to and from work. The problem I have with this is not having the energy when I get home—I just have to be more disciplined and do a lot more letters during the weekends.


Our project is housed in a major non-profit facility, and like many large private non profits, they are squeaky clean and staffed with altruistic beautiful people(mostly young) folk. Its an interesting organization but a little removed from our operation—enough said about this. I will have to admit I best hold my tongue for the time being—I could really have a lot of fun but I must be careful—I have to remember I am a stranger in a strange land and I am still getting my bearings andf the lay of the land.

Like Charlton Heston looking for his Israelite’s.

So ends the first week of work as a ‘loan out’ to the United Way Information and Referral service 2-1-1 and though the experience has been a bit tedious over the experience has been good. I am still in a training mode and have only been able to answer a few phone calls. I think I am looking forward to getting back in the thick and answering more calls and more disability calls. I think I am going to like this assignment, more then I initially anticipated. I cannot yet answer calls on my own and when I am answering phones I am being listened to with someone on a separate headset.


Last night as I was at the downtown station waiting for my southbound train I came across a person with some disorder which seemed to be making him catatonic to some degree. The guy looked impressive to me, he looked like a Moses casting some sort of spell. He reminded me of Charlton Heston looking for his Israelite’s.

Sleepy Tired

The holiday was laid back, the day was hot and not much happening at home. Dianne went with the kids to Evanston for fireworks but I stayed home and watched some of the local fireworks then went to bed. Holidays which fall in the middle of the week should be illegal—even though I was home I really I no get much sleep because the explosions from the fireworks were so intense—more then usual. Then ofcourse when Dianne got home I woke then as usual so I really did not get any rest to speak of. I have been forcing my self awake all day long—I am so glad tomorrow is Friday.

Transition Week

It is the holiday, the fourth of July and of course I'm home having finished my first two days in my new workstation. I am pleased that I took Frank's suggestion and took a couple days off before starting this new position in doing so over this national holiday which falls in the middle of the week. I'm sensing that this holiday week is a bit laid back at this private nonprofit agency. Holiday, vacation and the general populace being beat down by heat and the holiday week know better than to call until next week. In fact July, in many cases, is lost too many service users in Utah due to the double holidays of the month.Still this hyphenated week is a good week to transition in two 2 1 1.

Already, I am sensing that ebb and flow of the rhythms of this new workstation. I have to admit I'm quite surprised at how new this program seems to be regardless of the history this program has experienced. Josh P the previous director with whom I am most knowledgeable ran a great shop I don't know why everything seems to be some new now even their transition into the software IRis, the different directors and managers of I&Rs in this area have been talking about this software for years, possibly decades. But, this is a great thing for me because this I R seems to be brand-new which means they will overlook my inadequacies as I transition in. I sense I'll be able to do things here.

I am also sensing or potently than ever that I am in fact still State employee and I hold onto that when my current host speaks of me as part of their staff. Not that I would mind being part of their staff it's just that I have more power as the (loan) staff. I just have to exploit this to my own ability. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this aspect and to see how far I might be able to push my loaned status. I am hoping my new boss will see that just here till February and cut me abroad breath. I don't plan to nefariously use this "card" but half an hour for lunch, intimidated the use vacation are lose hours, and lunch with staff I plan to use them do. I don't have anything to lose and worst-case him he throws I asked out and I am back on Claire's step. Again, this is holiday talk, I don't think I'm that stupid to abuse this great chance I have of working till retirement.

I can comfortably get to my workstation via public transit, I have to do some transfers and mix of choices of how far I wish to push my chair-I still must charge at all times in this worries me a bit and I may have to take some time to get those batteries. The coffee is free in the office but there isn't much to a coffee cup there. I have access to water and ice and there is a cafeteria downstairs where I can get breakfast and lunch! The prices are extremely doable. Technically one half hour for lunch which is good if I get there it 8 AM then I leave at 4:30 PM which should be really good in the winter and the time of little light, cold weather and occasional snow and slush. You know I said I haven't made. I will write more about staff and parent agency next time. Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July.

This been weird weekend--but like Stephen King weird but weird like "hang time" weird. Remember in blogs past, I have talked about the time between Christmas and New Year's as hang time, a time when I usually took Annual Leave and just stayed home out of the cold and away from danger. There was a lot that went on in my office over this period of time, at the end of the year. The homeless stayed in their shelters are homes, landlords did not seem so to evict and nothing was happening to the first of the year anyway. Most civil workers were on annual leave and join their time. So nothing gets done except the office is open, calls are fielded and sent to voice message, the more industrious catch up on files while others struggle to look busy. Have found myself in this occupational limbo this last week. However tomorrow should change that as I return or start work in my new office. I feel a little bit like starting a new class at school after having moved into a new district. I feel just a little cautious.

DD decided to paint yesterday afternoon and so I was up late "helping" DD paint. I did this by keeping the music going on the big computer not that duty but I felt I could have been far help it had been able-bodied I often feel. I have to admit DD did a job though now the challenge is to just finish up. Of course the area which needs a painting was the kitchen primarily in the cooking area I use out by my stovetop. Both ranges are covered with customary as the paint quest goes on. So this morning, after we have a pretty good sleep, we went out to breakfast out at Denny's. I used to in different at best about Denny's as a restaurant. Now the have become more and more prejudiced towards the establishment and I hate to have to admit it is my own elitism that is doing this. I am so embarrassed that I have these feelings but it is so. I mean the place for I would like to,Moe's but butMoe's is a working-class grease pit, full of old 60s weirdos… Like me, but the locals like me. Denny's is just too commercial and strange. What are the things I ordered for breakfast was an order of onion rings, they just look good so I ordered some and they were bad I (prejudicial) believe the oils, the rings could've been better. I would much rather had two maybe three onion rings and held me till my order came. But no, have to order a whole set of things; I have been tempted the past couple of weeks with restaurants from there in the stacks untouched food left on plates on tables across from me reaching over and grabbing a handful of onion rings or French fries. But that would be too much like a Seinfeld episode. But I do think that would be good to have the ability to choose a very few almost a sampler to get you through your meal.

So tomorrow starts my new work, I feel I should be taking a bouquet of pencils. My butt is tender and I have to be careful Frank has me frightened that I don't have enough sick leave now but think I'm okay. I'm going to write it out and enjoy the best I can.