Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Give Me Some Perspective





There have been a lot of issues in my office recently.  These issues mirror the past offices that I have worked in.  The problems appear to be surmountable but nothing is being done to deal with them.  Since I see myself as a problem solving sort of individual, this type of thing tends to drive me nuts.  I believe that it all comes down to a certain type of human behavior pattern that I have seen repeated many times before.  

I want to know if others have observed the same patterns and if it is just me, the particular types of the jobs that I have had, or if this is a global phenomenon involving most of western culture.  So please leave me a comment so that I can gauge my level of sanity (or insanity). 

In the past three jobs that I have had spanning the last 25 years I have seen management's intransigence regarding any decision that changes the operation of the office that they are in charge of.  

While the average person can write this off to 'stupid' managers, or 'spineless' leaders, I believe that this is an over simplification. Managers tend to believe that they are doing the right thing.  It goes against human nature to make bad decisions that would adversely affect you.  So the managers 'believe' that they are making good decisions or more importantly they choose NOT to make a decision.  

What I have been theorizing is that managers are not being trained in the ways of the modern work space.  Management style tends to be passed down from one manager to the next.  You mirror what you are trained to do by your superior.  Managers believe that what worked in the past will work in the future.  In the past, the entire concept of management has been focused on the management of people as a resource.  

What I see as the primary failing of the past 20 years is the failure of management to focus on the office/business process as well.  Repeatedly, I have seen management throw people at a problem to try and solve it, instead of looking at what created the problem in the first place.  

The allegory is:  Putting more and more people's fingers in a leaking damn instead of trying to fix the damn.  The managers see problems as a matter of what they can do with the people that they supervise and not critically looking at the issue of how and why they are trying to hold back the water (the process).  

Critical process thinking is a skill that is not passed down from manager to manager. People management is inherent and easier to grasp.  As office processes get more and more complex (relational databases, data collection, advanced Outlook scheduling, spreadsheet forecasting) management falls farther and farther behind and hence, makes the functioning of the office more and more difficult for the workers that they supervise. The understanding of the advanced processes are usually delegated to underlings, who understand them, but have no authority to apply them to the overall office process. 

I recall being taught these concepts in college business courses back in the late 1980 at Oregon State University.  However, I have the suspicion that many managers have not had proper management training in critical problem solving and have been promoted to their jobs based on what current management sees as their adequate people skills. 

So my question is this.  Is this something that others have seen in their various workplaces?  Do most managers not understand the actual processes that they supervise?

(For more musings on my journey through bad-management land see "The Allegory" and "Educating Mr. Rubin".) 


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Cinema Cycle - White Wolf



CINEMA CYCLE
(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)


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DATE: 05/15/2014


TITLE: White Wolf


FORMAT: LaserDisc


TIME RIDDEN / FILM LENGTH: 55 minutes


DISTANCE RIDDEN WHILE VIEWING: 12.2 miles


TOTAL CINEMA MILES LOGGED: 188 miles


SYNOPSIS: Two naturalists track a pack of arctic wolves in the wilds of Canada in 1988.  


CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER: Nature is beautiful and true peace and beauty lie where the wild things are.


PROS AND CONS: I am a documentary junkie.  A significant part of my LaserDisc collection is documentaries of one sort or another.  My collection contains over a dozen National Geographic videos.  I recall watching these on network television when I was growing up and they always enthralled me.  This was years before PBS’s “Nature” series or the “Wilderness Channel”.  


While this work is well done and very scenic, it also shows how dated the work is since its release 26 years ago.  Looking back at this from the digital age, it is amazing to see these two naturalists lugging around huge film cameras on the arctic tundra.  You realize that they must have shot hours of film and never knew if it turned out until they got back to civilization to have it developed.  


By modern standards, this is somewhat of an idealized documentary with a loose story-line developed to give the lives of the wolves a narrative that the viewer can identify with.  Since the wolves in question lived in such a remote area, they had never had contact with humans and therefore had no fear of the camera crew.  This lead to close contact between the crew and the wolves, to the point where they were actually feeding the wolves like pets and playing with their cubs.  Something that would be considered a big ‘No-No’ by modern standards.


To read an overview of this project, check out the initial post for this series.


This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film. [not available for this title] 

This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle.  A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Cinema Cycle - The Night Porter



CINEMA CYCLE
(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)


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DATE: 05/12/2014




FORMAT: Laserdisc


TIME RIDDEN / FILM LENGTH: 1 hour 59 minutes


DISTANCE RIDDEN WHILE VIEWING: 26.8 miles


TOTAL CINEMA MILES LOGGED: 175 miles


SYNOPSIS: A group of ex-Nazi officers in post war Vienna conspire to control and erase their past lives.  One of their victims returns and rekindles a war-time sadomasochistic relationship with one of the officers.


CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER: There were a lot of perverted Nazis in WWII and it is difficult to hid from your past.  Shame and guilt will triumph over love almost every time.


PROS AND CONS:  This is a difficult film to describe.  First of all, it is Italian.  While the dialogue is in English, the film has a definite Italian feel to it.  The film is somewhat overshadowed by its imagery of Nazi SS officers and naked women in perverted situations.  The core of the film is about how power corrupts and how those that abused it seek to hide and erase their past once their authority has vanished.  When something or someone comes out of the past and reignites the passions that took place long ago, it does not sit well with those trying to hide from it.  


The acting in this film is good.  I have a better appreciation for Dirk Bogarde as an actor after watching it.  It is easy to see why Charlotte Rampling was considered such a controversial actress in the late 1970s.   She was striking to look at and had no problems acting out uncomfortable and awkward situations on film.  This film borders on an ‘X’ rating in some scenes. The soundtrack and cinematography are almost dream-like in certain ways which is typical of Italian cinema in the 1970s and 80s.


This film's plot is subtle and the viewer has to pay attention to understand what is going on.  The lives and motivations of the characters are not spelled out and you have to watch carefully to figure out what they are doing and why.  


To read an overview of this project, check out the initial post for this series.


This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film. 

This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle.  A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Short Short Story / Scene-3a

Short Short Story Fiction
Scene 3a


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….having second thoughts?”


Peter continued to stare at the horizon from the cliff patios edge.  The heat from the sun was making his forehead bead with sweat.  For once there was no ocean breeze to temper the relentless summer heat of the Adriatic Coast.


“You said you would take care of it.  You said we wouldn't have to worry about anything.”


Peter turned to face her.  She appeared languid as she relaxed in her chair under the large patio umbrella.  Her sun dress flowed over her crossed legs.  There was a slight smirk on her face.  As he stood over her, his eyes followed the lines of her body. The curves that had seduced him so many times before.


“I've made my decision, now you need to make yours.”, she continued.  “She’s going to find out sooner or later.  Don’t prolong the inevitable Peter, take some action.”


“I still have a few months.” was Peter’s reply.


He turned and walked back to the edge of the patio.  Far below he could hear the faint sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks…...

An ongoing experiment in very short fiction based on a random image.  Other examples of this project can be found here.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Cinema Cycle - Striking Distance



CINEMA CYCLE
(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)


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DATE: 05/07/2014




FORMAT: LaserDisc


TIME RIDDEN / FILM LENGTH: 1 hour 41 minutes


DISTANCE RIDDEN WHILE VIEWING: 16.2 miles


TOTAL CINEMA MILES LOGGED: 148 miles


SYNOPSIS: A rogue Pittsburgh police officer exposes corruption and tracks down a serial killer who also murdered his father.


CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER: Be tough, suck it up and stay true to your family and values and you will come out alright in the end.  Don’t forget to drink a lot, shoot guns and get into a lot of fights either.


PROS AND CONS: This film was more entertaining than I thought it would be.  I had no concept of what it was about except that it stars Bruce Willis.  Turns out he is a rogue cop that sets out to solve a murder mystery after alienating himself from every officer on the police force.  So much so that he ends up on river patrol duty.  Which mean he lives on a houseboat and drives a vintage 1930 Chris-Craft runabout to work every day, after sleeping late and having whiskey for breakfast.  Talk about bad ass.


The film starts with a car chase that is a homage to ‘Bullet’ and ends with a boat chase similar to Miami Vice.  In between there are murders, wrong leads, a very young Sarah Jessica Parker (before Sex and the City), Dennis Farina and Brion James (who I will always think of as Leon in Blade Runner).  


The film is entertaining in a childish sort of way.  In the initial car chase scene, there is no way that a Ford Caprice could take that much damage and still run, but it does.  You don’t see the ending coming, but when it does it is somewhat formulaic, where Bruce goes mano-y-mano with the killer and triumphs.  Along the way there are lot of great shots of the Pittsburgh waterfront.


To read an overview of this project, check out the initial post for this series.


This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film. 

This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle.  A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Short Short Story / Scene-2a

Short Short Story Fiction
Scene 2a


Orbital Sunset Screenshot 01.jpg


...."We should wait.  We don't know whats down there"


Mac's finger hovered over the retro button as he continued to peer out the portal.  "We have been over this before Chris.  We can't stay here."


"We have a better chance of rescue if we stay here!", Chris replied.


"NO WE DON'T! - SHIT", Mac yelled back.  "We lost the ship three months ago.  Eight light years from Sol means no communication trace back for at least a month. Then they MIGHT mount a rescue mission. The time to contact with our last known position, another two years at least.  Really Chris, REALLY, you think they are coming for us?  You want to spend another two years in this life pod?"


"It is safer here, the risk factors are known.  Down there is the unknown.", was his calm reply.


"Down there is life.  There is no living here Chris, only endless waiting.  I can't live like that.


Mac's finger pressed the button and the pod began to shudder......

An ongoing experiment in very short fiction based on a random image.  Other examples of this project can be found here.

Roadside Attraction



While on my way home from Phoenix the other day I passed by a
southern Arizona landmark called Picacho Peak.  It is hard to miss.
It is a huge spire of rock that is halfway between Phoenix and
Tucson.  I have actually climbed to the top of it more than once.
It has stunning views.

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Back in the old days, prior to the interstate highway system, only
a state highway ran along this route.  In a time before cheap air
fares and everyone and their dog owning a car, this location was a
prime rest stop for the weary traveller.  In the shadow the peak
was a restaurant known as Nickerson's.  Similar to a Howard Johnson
or a Stuckeys, it served untold thousands of travelers on their
trek across the desert.  

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Times have changed and the days of these roadside attractions have
long gone.  Nickerson's went belly up back in the 80s and the shell
of its former glory was left to fade in the shadow of the mountain.
That is, until recently.  As time took its toll, so did the elements
and on a recent trip past the peak I noticed that the building had
collapsed.  Well, collapsed partially.  The a-frame roof still
stands, but it has become separated from the rest of the building.

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Like some lumbering beast slowing giving into the ravages of age,
she is slowly sinking back into the earth from which it came.
Soon, there will be nothing left and it will only exist in the
memory of those that once stopped there.  When they are gone, it
will be lost to the ages.  Our time here is only temporary.  If you
want proof, look at Nickerson's.

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(All images shot with a Sony Mavica Digital, images post processed in Photomatix
to produce a tonemapped image.)

Friday, May 2, 2014

Cinema Cycle - bodies, rest & motion



CINEMA CYCLE
(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)


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DATE: 5/2/2014




FORMAT: LaserDisc


SYNOPSIS: Four young people with no direction interact and change the course their lives.


CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER: We need to have a goal and set our sights on something better, otherwise we are just waiting around for something to happen.


PROS AND CONS: This is one of those films that I really like, but it is hard to explain why.  The title comes from the axiom that objects that are at rest or in motion will remain in that state until acted upon by an outside force.  In the concept of this film, it relates to the lives of the four individuals in the film and how they have no direction or goal.  They are basically ‘stuck’ in an unfulfilling life and they are making no real effort to change things.  This references a chapter in most young adult’s lives where they either decide to make something of themselves or they choose to be a slacker and never grow and mature any further.


The performances here are very good.  The actors did not sign on to make a lot of money here, they liked the script and wanted to practice their craft.  I especially liked the intimate nature of the film, which has superb cinematography and direction.  There are a lot of details in this film that really draw you in.  Almost every scene has meaning regarding plot or character development.


The only negative that some viewers might have with the work is the lack of an obvious ‘arc’ or plot conclusion.  This is more of slice of life film that makes you think as opposed to a film with a happy ending.


TIME RIDDEN: 1 hour 49 minutes


DISTANCE RIDDEN: 18.5 miles


TOTAL MILES LOGGED: 121 miles


To read an overview of this project, check out the initial post for this series.


This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection which is located on the LaserDisc Database

Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film. 

This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle.  A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Short Short Story / Scene-1a

Short Short Story Fiction
Scene-1a
Autumn Forest Screenshot 01.jpg

….with the sun setting, Jeremiah paused.  The leaves rustled in the late afternoon breeze as the warmth slowly left the world.  Smyrna had passed this way, he could sense it, but he couldn’t tell how long it had been.  It was doubtful he could catch her before the stars began to blaze through the canopy of leaves.  It was best to build a fire now, before the shadows grew to long.  He would renew his pursuit in the morning.  He needed to find her before she reached the river.  Before it was too late for her to turn back…...


An ongoing experiment in very short fiction based on a random image.  Other examples of this project can be found here.