Updating...The Other Blog

It's time.

After months and months...

It's time.

Time to update my other blog.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I have another blog that I've basically ignored for a long time. I know people who used to blog quit often, but for one reason or another, they just stopped updating it. I bought my domain name years ago. As an author, you do things like this to protect and establish your brand. I still think it's important to have and to keep.

There's a couple of reasons why I stopped updating that blog. First, there's this blog. And when you write a daily post, as I've been fortunate enough to continue, the other one sort of gets forgotten. Then, there's my writing success. It's not like there are thousands of people searching my name wanting to know when the next book launch is. That may happen one day, but today is not that day.

Another thing you find out when you haven't checked up on the other blog for a long time (and when you turn off your notifications...) is it seems a lot of people have been commenting on my blog. I have 20, 698 comments on my blog. I've not responded to any of them. I sure hope there's a "mass delete" option on the website. In scanning only a couple, I'm sure they have no idea who I am, what I do, or even what my blog is about. I suppose that's only fair--I know nothing of who they are. The difference being, I'm not interested enough to respond.

I know I can stick with something. I'm thinking of updating that other blog at least once a week. I'm thinking maybe Sundays would be a good day to do that. Hopefully, I'll have enough interesting things--or semi-interesting things--to write about to keep it going. If you'd like to follow along, just click: HERE, or go to scottwilliamtaylor.com for all the fun.

Low-Key Lip Sync Battle At FanX...Give It A Shot!

Three Words

Lip

Sync

Battle!

Next week, at the FanX Convention Stage Floor, at 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we're having a battle. Two acts, at the same time, try and out-duel each other. The winner moves on, the loser does not. And on Saturday, it's the championship round!

When a lip sync battle was proposed, those of us at FanX went bonkers. What a great idea! We turned it over to Howie, a friend and who came up with the idea in the first place. She's running it and I can't wait to see the costumes, the pageantry, the performances--it's going to be great!

And if YOU want to participate, go to the Facebook Low-Key Lip Sync Battle page by clicking: HERE. Come on--you're already dressed up! Why not get up on stage and pretend to sing an amazing song in front of the best con fans in the world?

Right?!

So, click on the link, sign up, and join the fun! We'd love to see you there!

Mowing The Lawn...At Dusk

I often joke that our lawn looks best...

after it's freshly mowed...

and at night.

Turns out tonight, it's both--recently mowed and night.

I am not a yard guy. I know I've written that several times in the history of this blog. I keep writing it because it's true. And I think the yard knows because it seems that every time I go to work in it, it fights back. My allergies make it a tough thing to do. Usually, I mow the lawn before the sun rises on a day I don't work. Tonight, I thought I'd see if things are better mowing at night.

Turns out, it was a little better, except I had to hurry as the light of day disappeared into the west. The above picture was snapped after mowing the last patch of lawn.

There are some sections I won't know how I did until tomorrow morning. It was so late when I stopped. Another reason I was mowing was because there's a big game on and watching the game live makes me a little nervous. In fact, the game is on as I write this--another diversion.

Before I headed out to battle the millions of grass plants, my wife and I discussed buying one of those rider mower things. At least one neighbor has one--it looks nice. Am I supposed to buy a rider mower as I get older to make the chore of mowing easier? If so, I doubt I'll be joining the rider mower club. Our self-propelled model works just fine.

Even though I saw it's a joke that my lawn really looks good after it's mowed and at night, it is really true. And if you drive by right now, you could see for yourself. You may not see too much, though.

Just Watched "Mortal Engines" And...I Liked It

Even thought I hadn't seen the show, I knew I'd like it. I knew I'd like it when I first heard about it. All I had to hear was steampunk and Peter Jackson and I was sold. I didn't see it in the theater, which in no way means I thought less of the film--we hardly watch movies in theaters.

Today I finally watched Mortal Engines.

And I was right.

I liked it.

I remember when it came out. Many panned the show, whether they watched it or not. "What--are you kidding me? Steampunk cities that attack each other? What kind of a story is that?"

Well, it's a story about humans in a thousand years that live on mobile cities and they survive by attacking each other. Sure, it's a little far-fetched, but aren't most movies? Being a fan of the whole steampunk genre helped. I thought the film was beautiful, and one of the most imaginative films I've seen in a long time. 

It's interesting...people rip on Hollywood, and everyone who makes movies, because they say that nothing's original anymore. They've got a fair point--there are so many re-makes being made. And then, someone takes a chance and spends millions of dollars on an original story, or at least, an original setting, and many don't like it. It's probably the same people complaining there are no original movies anymore. Maybe some people just like to complain.

I think we all know that's true.

And I guess, I'm kind of complaining about complainers. To quote Spike from Notting Hill, "Vicious circle." I doubt there'll be a sequel, or any other film made in this world. It's too bad. It was like I was watching a great steampunk novel come to life. Maybe that's the problem--not enough steampunk fans out there. Well, there's at least one steampunk film fan wanting more.

I Think I'll Give MeWe A Chance...

It's hard to imagine life without social media, but ten/fifteen years ago, we all did. When I first signed up for Facebook, I was amazed at how useful it could be. Of course, there are posts showing glimpses into people's lives, but what impressed me was how it connected everyone. It's also a social calendar, s marketing tool, and so much more--it literally makes the world smaller.

Maybe that's not such a good idea after all.

Since I've been utilizing social media, I've connected with high school classmates, missionary and Danish friends. I've kept in touch with family members, college acquaintances and fraternity brothers. It's also been a marketing tool for my fledgling writing career. The more I'm involved with Facebook, the more I find it hard to consider leaving.

I guess that's the point. They want you to stay.

A few weeks ago a friend posted on Facebook that he's trying out a new (or, maybe it's not that new...) social media platform called MeWe. I decided to try it out. It was like a breath of fresh social media air. There are some advantages MeWe has over other social media sites. I haven't studied it too much. I just know Facebook, and the others, aren't as fun as they once were. It's not to say MeWe is, but it doesn't feel so...heavy.

There's trade-offs, of course. On Facebook I have many contacts. On MeWe, I have about a dozen. I've reached out to several author friends, but few others. Also, there's not many on the platform to begin with. Maybe it'll get bigger and maybe it'll disappear. I don't know. It's worth a try.

If you're also trying out MeWe, or you've been on for a while, look me up. I'm not posting much now. That may change. Then again, it would probably be best if I stopped posted altogether. Don't now if I'm ready for that quite yet. One step at a time...

Hey Look...Our Book Is The State's Best!

I've never been included in an award-winning anthology.

Until now.

When I heard my publisher was considering an anthology (or several anthologies...) based on Mormon Steampunk stories, I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring, or my story into the pile. The book came out February of this year. Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel was number two of four anthologies based on the Mormon Steampunk theme, all from Immortal Works.

I did not know this, but my submission, The Goat in the Machine, was the collection's first story. That was cool, and an honor. On Saturday night, at the League of Utah Writer's Quills Conference awards were handed out and our little book received first prize in the Collections category.

A Gold Quill winner!

If you want to read award-winning literature, PLEASE click: HERE for the link to order the book or get an e-copy. And when you do receive your very own copy, mine will be the first story you'll see. It will introduce you to the collection and invite you in with humor and award-winning writing.

But seriously, it's an honor to be included with such other amazing writers and to see the hard work be recognized. If you do get the book, I'd love to know what you thought of the book and my story. Thanks John for including my little story in your book!

Rivalry Week...2019 Edition

Today marks Day One of Rivalry Week. On Thursday, the football team from the University of Utah will travel south to visit the home field of Brigham Young University. There, they will battle for bragging rights for the next twelve months.

Let the smack talk begin!

If you're looking for said talk here, I'm sorry. You'll need to go elsewhere. I'm not much of a smack talker. I know several who are good at it, who can dish it out--some in good fun and others a lot more serious--and they seem to take it when their team doesn't win. I'm hoping I can be considered in that category.

Because I haven't always been a good winner, or a good loser.

I've blogged about this particular game, I believe, each year I've written this blog, and since I've been blogging daily since 2011, this would make it my ninth BYU vs U of U blog post. In all the time I've blogged, the Cougars have never beaten the Utes. In fact, the last time BYU won was November, 28, 2009, almost a decade.

There was a time when I really stressed over this game. I know it's stupid and immature, but I did. I remembered when I attended the U. BYU would stomp our team every year. They were the "Big Dogs" (or cats...), a national brand, an excellent program. I hated to be a fan on the losing end of the game, and it happened all the time. 

Since then, momentum has changed, and hopefully, my attitude as well. I hope I'm mature enough to hope for a good game and appreciate whoever wins. Of course, it's easy to say when the team you root for has won nine straight. Time will tell--on Thursday night I may have to be the one having to endure twelve months of "second-place" and "overrated" posts, comments, even perhaps bumper stickers.

This should be a fun week. It should be a fun game. And when the clock hits 00:00, may the better team win. Here's to those who work so hard to give us all a few hours of entertainment and a year of smack. Go Utes!

The League Of Utah Writers Quills Conference...Helping Writers

I returned to the hilltop this morning, to the writing conference that began Thursday and ends tonight. I wasn't sure which panels I would attend, or with whom I would converse. Having not sure if I'd even attend until this week, I hadn't planned my schedule or done my homework to know which panels I'd like.

I ended up attending no panels.

I ended up just talking to friends.

I had a great time.

As I walked around the lobby of the University Marriott (a place where, exactly twenty-six years, eleven months, and two days ago my wife and I had our wedding reception...), I chatted with a few people I know, when I heard someone call my name. I scanned the room and saw a friend.

That, in and of itself, is not unusual. After having gone to several of these each year for the past six years, I've gotten to know many people. But, this was the first time I saw him at one of these events. As always, it was good to see him, but it was place I didn't expect to see him. He's not a writer. At least, I didn't think so.

I was wrong.

He is.

In fact, he's written a couple of novels and he wasn't quite sure what his next move should be. 

We had a good talk. He was feeling down because he felt like he didn't belong at the conference. He wasn't sure how he fit in with everyone there. Listening to him talk, his words took me back. Because six years ago, I was in the same boat. In fact, going to writing conferences many times turned out to be an exercise in making me feel terrible. 

We spoke for twenty or thirty minutes, then he joined me and another writing friend for lunch where we continued talking about what writing is and what it isn't, how to "make it," and what the definition of "a successful writer" actually is. Hopefully, the couple of hours we spent together and chatted helped him realize, he's actually doing great and he shouldn't feel like he doesn't belong at the conference. Actually, he's the perfect person a conference like The Quills Conference was made for.

I left early, not having attended one panel. But I felt great as I climbed in my car and drove home. No, I didn't take advantage of all the wisdom found at the conference, but what me and my friend did was help a new writer understand some of the secrets and things we both learned when we first started out. After all, isn't that what a writer's conference should be?

Thank you League of Utah Writers for putting on a great event. You have affected people's lives, mine included.

LUW, The Quills Conference...A Wonderful Event!

Years ago, I attended a League of Utah Writer's bootcamp. I attended for only one day. We spent the time critiquing a first chapter of a work in project. I thought my story was pretty good. They kind of ripped it apart. And that's a good thing. 

That was the last experience I has with LUW. Until today. Thanks to a good friend, I was given access to the LUW The Quills Conference, held above the University of Utah. It's a three-day affair. I missed the first day.

But I'm glad I went today.

It was great!

Over the past several years, when I've gone to writing conferences, the only panels I've attended were the ones I've been on. When not on a panel, I could usually be found in the vendor room trying to sell books. Today, I attended four classes and learned a great deal on many topics, all centered around making me a better writer.

At all these events I run into friends. One of my fondest memories when I think back on all the conferences I've attended is hanging out with friends. We talk writing, families, life, whatever comes up. This afternoon was no exception. It was great chilling with Jay and Glen.

The first panel I attended focused on how to better market yourself as a writer. The presenter is from a publishing house. They had stats and information about the different social media platforms. It's important information because as good a writer you are, you almost need to be better at marking what you wrote. 

After, I attended a first-page critique panel. They critiqued four story beginnings. I learned a lot even though I didn't have a story to critique. Getting immediate feedback from experts was invaluable information. I wished I had thought ahead and brought the beginning of my latest story.

Next, I learned about ten tips for writing by the much-respected Michaelbrent Collings. I've heard Michaelbrent speak numerous times. He's never disappointed. His advice is not only for writers, but he provides a way for you to enjoy your life, your progress, and where you currently are.

Finally, I sat in on a class where a few of us sat around the table and just talked about writing, the business that it is, and how to circumnavigate the confusing world of publishing, hosted by the badger-hat-wearing Dave Butler.

I don't know if I was able to absorb so much information because I'm excited about a new writing project I've recently begun, or because the presenters were great and I needed the information. Whatever it was, I learned, and found a renewed desire to write. I've got one more day to enjoy the event. Day One was a definite success.

Well...That Was A Bummer

These most likely look like random numbers to you. There are a select few that can understand what they mean. They would have to work for the same employer that I work for, and they would have to work on the same computer program that I work on.

Like I said, a select group.

I am a caseworker and have several hundred cases assigned to me. Yesterday, I was instructed to shift some of those cases to some of the co-workers on my team. They're new and it's time for them to take on more work, more responsibility. Of course, I'm a team-player and want to help them on their journey. I gladly begun transferring the cases.

I started transferring yesterday afternoon. It took several hours and I was only halfway through. Right now, we're upgrading from an old version of our program to a newer version. It's a complicated program taking several years to build. Because of that, there are some shortcuts built in that I know about, but many more I don't. I was getting tired of transferring cases the old-fashioned way. I thought I'd try and see if I could figure out one of those shortcuts.

Nope. 

I didn't figure out a shortcut. I actually transferred every case I had to a poor co-worker, and a newbie at that. I hurried and called the help desk to see if they could somehow fix my mistake. The guy just laughed. He apologized for laughing, but I knew how he felt. It was laugh-worthy.

It took several hours to fix the error. Thankfully, I was caught up and was able to get my regular workload done today even with the distraction. No...the old adage of "slow and steady wins the race" is a good one. Next time, I'll make better decisions. Live and learn.

A Shocking Revelation...I'll Never Look At The Y The Same Again

My friend texted me today with some shocking news. I don't believe I was prepared for the effect it would have on me. Indeed, it shook me to the core.

It's something I've seen my entire life. Now, I can no longer see it with innocent eyes, for they have been opened...

Opened to the truth!

And the truth is this: there's a message hidden in the "Y" logo, a logo that can be found literally thousands of places on the campus of Brigham Young University, and on cars, flags, shot glasses, practically everything. Little kids see this logo everyday, the elderly, the rich, and the poor--all are subjected to the subliminal message, a message of doom, of despair, of hopelessness. You see, in the logo is an arrow, an arrow that points directly to Hell.

I know, I know what you must be thinking, "How can it be?" The simple truth is...it be. I'm writing this as a public service and a warning--avoid this logo AT ALL COSTS, as if your very lives depend on it. Because they just might!

For those of you wondering, "What logo can we look to for hope, for encouragement, for happiness and joy?"

I present to you, the simple "U" logo. Unlike the demonic "arrow-to-Hell" found in the"Y" logo, the U logo offers all who gaze upon it two points pointing skyward. Think of them as hands directing us all to Heaven, for indeed, that's what they do, each and every time.

Again, the news was shocking, a map to Satan under our very noses the whole time. I hope this post has been helpful for you, because it was a blast for me to write. ;) Thanks Bob, for literally saving my soul.

Happy Birthday, Sis! Here's A Pirate Ditty...Again!

I've only got two siblings--for Utah, that's a low number. Only having two siblings means it's easy to remember their birthdays. Today is my sister's birthday. I wanted to give her a "Happy birthday" message on social media.

But she beat me to it.

Five years ago, in the summer, I was involved in a community theater production of Peter Pan. It's interesting because this summer I was involved in another community theater production of Peter Pan. Once again, I played a pirate (Jukes, this time, not Checco...). There were several of us in both shows, same director, same choreographer, same great time.

My sister shared with me a video I originally shared with her on her birthday five years ago. I thought it would be fun to let you all see it. But be warned...for some reason the recording sounds terrible on the blog post. I mean, we weren't trying to sound good, but we definitely sounded better than that. If you can't stand to let the video finish, I completely understand.

We did a good show, five years ago. I remember our pirate band--we were a jolly lot. For fun, I had a few of us record a "happy birthday" song for my sister. One of the pirates, the one closest to me, is no longer with us. It's a shame, for many reasons, one of which is patrons no longer can see him entertain on the stage, and another is we are unable to have Parker Hedin as a fellow cast member. I sure miss him. Like I said, a terrible shame.

But, on a happier note, it's my sister's birthday (I won't tell you how many she's had...). Happy birthday! I hope it was wonderful, and I hope it's the beginning of your best year ever! Love you, sis!

Adding Theater Flair...

We closed a show a week ago Saturday. Because people are good and creative, small gifts and trinkets were handed out both on opening and closing nights. I love it when people do that--I wish I could be more like them.

There's always a question of what you do with these mementos. I suppose some toss them away--appreciative of the thought, but not really a "saving things" type. Of course, we can't save everything we are given or that remind us of something or someone else. I think some people try, but it's a losing battle. There's just not enough space for everything.

Thankfully, a couple of the trinkets I received came with pins. I attached my Peter Pan pin, a pin with different colors--both I got on opening night--and a small metal acorn to my backpack where I already have a pin from when I did  Shrek and another from the Christmas Carol at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre. I've had those pins on my backpack for years.

Some people collect window decals and place them on their cars to tell everyone where they've been. Others collect other things that mean something special to them. Until the show ended, I didn't think I was a collector from shows I've done, but looking at my backpack now, I guess I am.

I can't say how many more trinkets and/or mementos I'll add to my collection. I can say that even though my collection is small, each item means something special to me. Here's to collecting theater flair!

So...I Met A Thomas Grover Descendent Today

I looked down the street, like I always do when getting in my car after church. When you park on the street, you don't want to open your car door when a car is coming toward you, even though it's a wide street. 

You know, just to be safe.

I saw a SUV pull out of the church parking lot and it turned toward me. It was coming slow, so I figured I had enough time to open the door, jump in, then close the door before the car passed.

But it didn't pass.

It stopped, and the passenger-side window was down.

I thought it was maybe a neighbor or someone who knew me. It wasn't. I didn't recognize the older couple in the car.

"Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the Farmington Cemetery," the woman asked.

I told them, basically, they needed to turn around, follow the main road for a mile or so and they'd drive right to it. She then asked, "Is this the Old Rock Church?"

It was. She said her great-great grandfather (or great-great-great--I forget...) donated money to help build the church. I asked who was her relative and she said Thomas Grover.

I knew that name.

I remembered I had taken a picture of Thomas Grover's headstone. I used that picture for my Pic of the Day. I told her I knew where the headstone was--big with lots of writing on it. She agreed. She said the headstone had the names of all six of his wives on it (for Utah, in the nineteenth century, that wasn't that uncommon...). I told her that his headstone was next to my parents's headstone. They thanked me and we both went our ways.

As I drove home, I thought about this chance encounter. Had I not decided years ago to post a picture a day, I wouldn't have taken a picture of Thomas Grover's headstone. Had that not happened, I would have had no idea who he was when these strangers pulled up along side my van after church this morning. Life can be funny, sometimes.

How To Make A Writer's Day...

The other day, I was checking out social media sights (as I'm occasionally wont to do...), and I came across a very cool visual post. My writer friend Rachel took a picture of her children's bookshelf. They arranged it by color and it was awesome!

But, because I know they are one of the few people on this earth that have a physical copy of my middle-grade scifi novel, Chaser, I did a little search.

Blue--the cover of my book is mostly blue. At first, I didn't see it. Then, tucked in between classics from Roald Dahl and Brandon Mull, I spotted it--Chaser! 

Believe me--it made my day!

I think almost every author will tell you that they wished more of their books were out in the public. I hope to get more copies of Chaser into as many hands as possible. I put in a new order just today to prepare for next month's Salt Lake FanX Comic Convention. I plan to do a book signing, which should be fun. Actually, doing book signings and talking to people about my book. and about writing in general, is always fun.

This past week I ordered the audiobook of Rachel's debut novel, Shattered Snow. I've started it, but have not yet finished it. So far, it's excellent! We have several bookshelves with kids books in our house. Unless I actually buy a copy of her book, I can't replicate a picture of one of our bookshelves and have the same effect. I suppose I could put my iPad among the other books then take a picture...hardly the same thing.

I wonder if other authors represented in this literary display would feel as good about seeing their published works included as I did. I imagine they word, regardless of how many copies they've sold or how successful they are. Having sold dozens of copies or millions, I'm thinking any author would be proud knowing the impact they've had on even one person. Thanks Rachel for posting and thank your kids for including me in their shelf!

The Kitten...I Think I Figured Out Something

When we first got our kitten, it went crazy, treating us as scratching posts again and again. Then, he calmed down and we had a truce.

I guess the truce didn't last long.

I'm no vet or animal behaviorist, so I don't understand everything our little kitten does, but he did something last night and a lightbulb went off over my head. I wonder if he did it on purpose.

The cat, in one of his racing fits, jumped across me and slashed my arm. Then, he attacked my foot. Since I'm a bit allergic to cat scratches (as are many...), those bites and scratches caused my skin to itch. So, I would scratch the itch (or is it itch the scratch...?). That's when I saw the kitten focus on my scratching my foot waiting to attack me again. It was almost as if he causes an inch and when I scratch it, he can more easily attack again while I was distracted.

Like I said, I don't understand everything about cats--in fact, I know very little. But, as I watched the cat, it was almost as if he did this on purpose, the first attack set up the second. Sure, it's a little thing, but how else could a tiny animal take on a human, but little by little?

As our kitten grows, we're hoping he grows out of his "attack mode." We're thinking getting him fixed will help. It's interesting watching these animals and see how they act and interact. I wonder if they think the same thing about us.

Football...It's Back, Baby!

There's a couple of games on right now. Well, one game, another a pre-season contest. Pre-season games aren't really games, even though it's the biggest league in professional football. I mean, I'll watch a pre-season game, if there's nothing else on. 

But, there is another game on. High school football has begun.

I don't know everything about football, on any level, but I know that Utah, even though we have some good athletes, isn't the hotbed of football talent in the country. So, as I watch the Orem Tigers battle the Corner Canyon Chargers on a Thursday night, I don't know if this is a premier game with premier players, or not. I do know some look pretty good, but without a trained eye to say, "yeah...number 12 is going to be great," I don't really know what I'm talking about.

That doesn't stop me from enjoying the game, though. For the past couple of months, many of my evenings were spent at the theater preparing for, then performing Peter Pan, an incredibly fun experience. Now, I have more evenings open, and the timing couldn't be better.

As the season transpires, a game like this might not draw my attention, but when you haven't seen a real American football game in over half a year, well...this game is fantastic. I watched as the Corner Canyon quarterback back-peddled, then stepped up into the pocket, cocked his arm then let the ball fly. The receiver reached for it, caught the ball, and hauled it in for a touchdown.

Amazing!

Except for the holding penalty behind the line of scrimmage which negated the touchdown and brought the ball back.

Yes, football's back! I say, bring it on!

Let's Bring Back...The Fun

Tonight, after work, I sat down and checked out what was on TV. By habit, the first thing I checked was sports. Since I'm not the biggest baseball fan, and football season hasn't yet begun, there's usually not much on at this time of year.

At least not for me.

But, I thought I'd check anyway. I did see that a soccer game between a MLS team and a team from Mexico was about to begin. The pre-game show was only on a Spanish TV station. I turned it on for no other reason than to have something on.

I don't watch a lot of Spanish TV. I don't understand the language, and to be honest, some of it--their game shows for example--can get a little risqué. I guess some of their commercials can as well. But it was the commercials that caught my attention. I hit "Rewind" and videoed an example of what I'm talking about.

It's an add for Wells Fargo. A girl listening to upbeat music is dancing in the streets, making everyone who sees her happy. And I wondered, are Hispanics just happier than the rest of us? It seems life in the United States hasn't been as fun as it once was, or at least, that's the message we get from a lot of our media. We don't see ads of people dancing. Or maybe we do--my research is very limited having just thought about this tonight.

I know a lot of ads in the U.S. are funny--funny almost always works. There is, however, a difference between funny and fun. It would be nice to see ads targeting me and other Americans showing people having fun, especially for a bank. Maybe one day we'll return to having fun. I sure hope so.

Staff Meeting Day...

Today was our team's staff meeting at work. 

And all that that entails.

I don't know about you, but there are times when I wonder why we have so many meetings. And I'm an entry-level worker! I used to be in management--so many meetings. My boss seems to always be in a meeting. Imagine how many meetings his boss has, or his boss's boss. It's mind-boggling.

Today's meeting was slated for two hours. We went a little long this morning, but I feel it was warranted. More than half of our team has been with us less than a year. That's unusual. Most of the time, team members--or a majority of them at least--tend to stay with the same team for several years. We usually lose team members to retirement. There's been so much turnover in our team that when a co-worker and I walked into the staff room and looked around, we apologized for entering the wrong room. Turns out, we were in the right place after all.

The workers were so new, we have never before met them in person.

We chatted about policy, ways to improve, grievances...you know, your basic work stuff. We try and meet at least once a month, or have a meeting via phones. We've got workers from one end of the state to the other--another new development.

I know meetings are important, and I know, many times including while in a meeting, you wonder why we have so many. I'm sure there's been thousands of meetings with the topic being: How do we reduce the number of meetings we have?

We'll get back to you on that.

It's A Zoo Out/In There...

Today, I went upstairs to get my lunch and I ran into, first--our dog Patch. It's fitting I ran into her first. She's our oldest pet. She's blind and deaf and barks all the time. I think I would bark, too, if I were blind and deaf. She keeps surprising us with her ability to keep going.

I entered the house and was met warmly by Bec, our second dog. He's no longer officially a "puppy." but he's still got a lot of puppy instincts. He hears the basement door open and waits by the front door for me to walk through. He's been a wonderful companion for my son, and for all of us, really. Even though he's only been with us a little over a year, I can't imagine our home without him.

I came into the bedroom and was immediately seized upon by SamDean Winchester, the newest edition of the family. This little guy's a hand and leg-full. He torments Patch and Bec, along with the rest of us. I'm sure he loves every second of is as well. He's still a kitten. He no longer attacks us (very much...) and we think he might be mellowing. Time will tell if it lasts. But he's stolen our hearts.

As I leave the house, lunch in hand, I pass Teewinot, the pet we've had the longest. He's our hunter, our rock, annoyer of neighborhood--and our--dogs, and an animal that doesn't seem to give a crap what you think--he's going to lay down in the middle of the cul-de-sac and make you drive around him. We couldn't have asked for a better cat when we picked him up from my cousin's farm all those years ago. He's slowing down a little, which is to be expected.

Four animals and only Patch and SamDean can be in the same room at the same time. We have gates and closed doors, schedules and times when all the animals are asleep. It's truly a zoo both outside and inside. It's hard to imagine life with just one or two of these little guys. It seems like it would be so simple, but I'm sure it wouldn't be. Each one has their own personalities, their own traits, habits, quirks, and mannerisms.

Yes, it's a zoo, but one that makes life interesting.