Just Plain Bill

A diversion from my reminiscing

When I first heard that Cory Monteith, a star of the successful TV show Glee had passed away, I felt the need to step away from my usual reminiscing and write something about him. I was…still am…a big fan. Frankly, it has taken me time to finish this entry.

It was widely reported that the 31-year old actor struggled with substance abuse. It was also reported that he started using at the age of 13. Monteith had been open about his struggles with substance abuse and had made several attempts at rehab.

When reflecting on what has been called a “tragic accident”, I wonder what would drive a handsome, talented, singer and actor to escape what most everyone else would call an ideal life. Drug abuse is defined as a disease by some. Call it drug use, and the definition seems watered down to that of a lifestyle choice. At 13, I suppose Monteith made a choice to try drugs for the first time in order to find peace or solace that escaped him for some reason. Tragically, that choice all those years ago became a disease that ultimately took his life. 

It’s just so very, very sad. It’s not possible to even imagine the pain that Cory must have been feeling, a pain that couldn’t be masked or mitigated by the fame and popularity that seemed to surround him.

Hopefully, Monteith’s passing can help others battling their addictions. There are both “ordinary people” and people experiencing fame and fortune that need to find help before it’s too late.

I will miss him and the character he played so well on a show I really enjoy. But, it will be impossible to watch the show without thinking of him…without sadness creeping into what is supposed to be entertainment.

May he rest in peace.

Just Plain Bill

Congratulations!

I recently received an unexpected message on my cell phone – a word of CONGRATULATIONS (yes, in CAPS).  I had completed 2,000 games of solitaire on my cell phone! My first reaction was of surprise – had I spent so many hours on what some might say was a wasteful trivial pursuit? Then shame followed surprise as I had to admit to myself that I was addicted to this somewhat skill-free game.

In addition to the emotions identified above, I was somewhat embarrassed that I found myself appreciating this unexpected stroke – most likely recognition of my tenacity, as well as my slovenly attachment to this simple past time; no complex rules and a simple routine. (My version has an option to ask for a “hint” and allows me to “undo” previous moves which, my grandkids say is “unfair”.)

I had noticed that over time, my relative skill in playing this game had improved, a conclusion based on a non-scientific measurement of success, winning over a third of the games I had played.  Wow.

Then I recalled the following: I realized that my relative success in winning at solitaire was controlled and had been pre-determined by some programmer somewhere that had invested his or her time in coding hundreds of thousands of iterations – most designed to insure my failure in solving the algorithm.

Finally, I had to admit that the “stroke”, while technologically generated and randomly originated without any regard for who I am, was in fact, appreciated.

Am I easy, or needy, or what?

Just Plain Bill

Stress can kill you!

I have heard from time to time, from my doctor, my loved ones and the media that excess stress can be deadly. In my past life, I always thought I had my stress level under control. I recently had to revisit my assumption that stress was something that may bother someone else, but not me!

Have you ever worked in a toxic workplace, one where the environment could literally kill you due to stress? I recently have had the misfortune of having my health nearly destroyed due to working in a toxic workplace. Fortunately I got out of that environment eventually but it took many months for the impact of that unhealthy experience to pass.

You may ask, “Just what makes a workplace toxic?” I imagine there are several ways to answer that question, but for me, it begins and ends with the way one’s manager may treat you, the way he or she communicates, questions, makes implications, and most importantly to me, the way he or she literally controls the work I do – the ultimate definition of a “micro manager.” Everything must be “checked for errors or mistakes”; in spite of the fact I’ve been doing this type of work, and doing it well for over 30 years. And, I’ve also managed a larger operation than my manager was tasked with, but, for some reason, my level of competency and my accomplishments were seen as a threat, and I needed to be “controlled.”

The corporate culture can also play a critical role in how one “feels” about his or her job, and whether there’s an atmosphere of fear present. By fear, I’m referring to a statement I was told during my first week on the job, that the CEO wanted people to “fear” him as he felt they’d work harder because of it. Just prior to me joining the firm, the CEO was known to walk through the work area and note who was not at their desks by 8:30 AM, and then make a call to the managers of those not present and inquire where they might be. There was little of any emphasis on the quality and quantity of work being done, just if someone was present and accounted for.

This company was several years old, relatively profitable, and was comprised of a large number of analytical and technical personnel, in addition to those in the human side of the business. As you might have guessed, I was in the latter group and as a result, the work I did was focused on supporting the areas of effective communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, creativity and motivation – all skills crucial to the establishment and maintenance of a positive and productive workforce – and the work environment.

The one thing that helped me realize I was in the “wrong place,” was the writing of the most read business blogger, Seth Godin. One of Godin’s mantras is the challenge to do our “art:” that unique endeavor each one of us and only us is capable of contributing. In Godin’s words, "Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another” and “Art is a gift that changes the recipient.”

I’m now working in an environment that’s positive, successful, and my manager allows me to bring my unique pallet of skills to meet and exceed expectations – and, refreshing so that I look forward to coming to work.

The toxic past is past!

Just Plain Bill

Weapons of Mass Destruction

It may seem peculiar to read this, but the thought came to mind recently that current events will always be with us (hence the word “current”). The current events of today have triggered personal memories from once upon a time current events in the histories of our country and my family.  

At the writing of this blog, our country is considering what steps to take in response to the use of chemical weapons on the citizens of a country engaged in a civil war. An estimated 1,400 men, women, and children died from the effects of a weapon supposedly banned by international agreement.

I can’t even imagine what that might feel like, but the event has reminded me of a conversation with my mother over 55 years ago, when I was dropping out of college after my first year to join the service. It was a strange conversation because rarely, if ever, did my mom talk about her oldest brother George. Most of my mom’s family of eight siblings lived into their 80s and beyond (Mom passed at age 96).

Mom shared that George had been exposed to mustard gas while fighting on the German front in 1916. It disabled him and he struggled to live a normal life until finally passing quite young – in his early 30s.  Now I’m reminded that was the event that led to the prohibition against the use of chemical warfare – something that has unfortunately been engaged in my tyrants of many stripes.

Sharing her brother’s story was mom’s way of making sure I understood the potential horrors my service commitment might bring. I’m very fortunate that neither I nor anyone else in my family has been exposed to combat or has ever had to face the destructive actions perpetrated by a ruthless regime leader under pressure to resign.

I will continue to hope for a peaceful resolution of what appears to be a “no-win” choice for our President.