This week has gone just about exactly as I thought it would. It has been an absolute nightmare. From mis-communication with Emory to lab techs not getting their contracts renewed. It was one of those weeks that was memorable for all of the negative reasons.
Tuesday was the day that everyone was on edge because tomorrow would be the day that they would find out whether they still had a job or not. We managed through that one and made it to Wednesday where we terminated two techs. One of which was expecting his contract to have expired permanently and the other was caught a bit more unaware. She came to me crying showing me the letter that she was given that indicated that she was not eligible to have her contract renewed. She said that she wanted to come and talk to me later but, that conversation has yet to take place.
Thursday I and the lab caught hell for not getting a few boxes that were part of a side study in a shipment. Kahler and I have been scrambling to try and get on top of it as it is currently a huge mess. The dry ice arrived today for the shipment to be sent out on Monday. After several other follow up emails and keeping correspondence with the four or five agencies that we work with I can end the day somewhat satisfied with the work accomplished today. I however, know that tomorrow holds a good deal of work and it will likely be a very long 'Friday' for us.
The labs have managed ok thus far with the absence of the two techs though when leave and sickness occurs we are going to be in a very bad way I am afraid. Right now there is just no way around it though so it will be dealt with when it comes up a little further down the road (a lot further down the road would be ok too).
That just about brings you up to speed on what has happen these past five days. The plane ticket that takes me to Houston on the 16th has been keeping me going through all of the ridiculous-ness that has represented my job for the past few days.
I will try and shift here to a lighter tone. There were two amazing things that I got to see today. The first was spotted by Kahler this morning on our short run. It was a whopper of a slug! The thing was about four inches long and had some decent girth to it. It was a monster. The second I caught a peek of this evening. Kahler and I were snooping around the little outdoor sheds in an mode exploration and stumbled on a huge bug. No idea what it was at first and did not know whether the thing was alive or dead. Turned out to be a live roach that was Africa huge. I had biceps! Two pretty neat critter sightings right here in our little Lusaka.
Needless to say I am very much looking forward to the weekend. I just have to make it through tomorrow and I get a little break and then just one more week then I am off and in a familiar and fantastic land.
Hoping that you are all well. I, by the by, and in great health and am currently at am all is going to be fine status. Have a terrific weekend!
Yikes!!! An Africa huge roach with biceps??!!! Scariest post yet!! EEESSSSHHHHH!! Please make sure you don't have any stowaways on your trip home, Sweetheart!! I guess you could allow one for Heather, but I DON'T wanna see it unless it's in a straight-jacket! :) Love you. Chicken Lady XOX
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Many on us know the utter frustration of the impact of a bad decision made by someone with no understanding of the overall operation. Those will be the same who, enjoying throwing rocks straight up in the air, will curse gravity when they are hit on the head by falling rocks. While one would think there would be an epiphany from the experience, the most 'Peter Principled' leadership will simply find someone else to blame and be rewarded with an advancement, VP or (the new, trendy title) Director status with much fanfare and fawning by the back climbers below them. I think there is no difference between Academia, Industry and things Political in nature for the struggle for (personal) power and (self) regognition. And as long as the numbers are right at the end of the day (I hate that cliche) the few can report to the many that everything is working. I am reminded of the Indian (feathers, not dots) chief sharing bad news and good news with his tribe: The Bad News is that all YOU have to eat for the upcoming winter months is buffalo droppings. The GOOD news is that we have gathered an ample supply of buffalo droppings for you...do you want that with weeds or thistles?
ReplyDeleteSometimes Fridays seem a long way off especially when the greatest impediments are the those making ill-advised decisions based on inexperience and the all important bottom line. And you will succed because you see people as the most important ASSET of research rather than overhead...and (another cliche coming) at the end of (another) day you will KNOW that you did your best for the benefit of many, not the benefit of self. And that is what makes you and Chris such tremendous assets to your generation. And I am so grateful. 12 - 1/2 days and counting!
love you a bunch,
pap
Jake, I surely second what your pappy had to say about about organizations. Amen to that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a find: an appetizer and a main meal in one hunt.
Hope you offered to share with Katy.
Love
Uncle Bill
Hahaha...a roach with biceps...kind of awesome. But my inkling that it had wings eliminates all awesome - hence my love affair with the hissers :) Super glad you were able to hold your own through that nightmare of a week.
ReplyDelete