Good Morning. OT: Caste system vent

I'm ticked this morning. The caste system is alive and well in the military--Military on top, DOD civilians next and contractors on the bottom. Dang it! We all work for Uncle Sam!   So, the military rules over the parking. Contractors will not be allowed to park in the building's parking deck but will have to find parking 2 blocks down the street, first come, first serve. The first time they made parking rules it was to require car pools for reserved parking in the parking deck. DH did that. Now they're trying to boot the contractors down the road. I think I see IG complaints coming and maybe JAG involvement. Many of these contractors are retired military, I think it's payback for when we outranked the current newbie officers.  ...End of rant, I think.

What has you up in arms today?

--gina
 

OHHHHH, yeah, government rules.  I am breaking my "homebound" to go to a meeting today to hear more about the new rules in place for us starting 1-3-12.  We have met every month, and every month they tell us something different.  This is the last meeting before the change, but they can send out changes by email blast.  This has nothing to do with parking or rank, everything to do with money.

Yep - sure is different being on the "contractor" side versus the "government" side.  Its hard to get my head out of the government mode - but I don't think that's all bad.  I'm much more budget aware than some of my other compadres.... I've even been told "you're the contractor - why do you care"?  Why?  Because this is a fixed budget contract - that's why - when the money's gone - so's my job!!  Oh - and being called "s****ucking contractors".. Gotta tell you, That's NEVER said in the Post Office....  We value the contractors as much as the government folks.  If the government folks could do the job - they wouldn't need us, right?

But I'd be steaming too if they moved my parking... 2 blocks doesn't seem like much, but in the cold, rain, wind, etc it can be forever.  Also adds 15 mins or so to your day... each way...

Other than that - good stuff.  Sold my motorcycle trailer last night and Tom and I decided to buy a hot tub... we've both been wanting one WAY before we even met... so we're biting the bullet and doing it.  We could wait a few more months, but if we did that, we'd have to wait until spring.  Right now there's NO snow and none in the forecast and its going on the back slab... so need to get it in, hooked up and settled before the first real snow flies. 

I've also got Alan's car for sale - I'd love to get it sold, but the brakes feel funny.  I really don't want to put any money into it.. but...  I was told because its been sitting for a long time (which it has) and there's rust dust on them. They're better after Alan came home and drove it, but still not smooth.  I drove it in town yesterday and its a fun little car to drive - and I keep saying every time I drive it - "Maybe I'll keep it"... don't need to...

Hope your day is better!

 Jody - FYI   about the hot  tub- the electrical bills are ENORMOUS .  Talk  to someone who HAS one and uses  it before U make the  final decision is my recommend.  

I know several people who got one and  then very quivkly decided if they were going to pay  HUNDREDS of dollars more in electricity each month  they would rather   have aweekend in  a cool inn every month ... or a deluxe NY hotel room with spa .

If you STILL  want  one that badly then  scout craisglsit -  there are MYRIADS of people  giving them away ..  theyre  the kind of thing thats too heavy to move  and  new home purchasors often don't want it ... so U can have Ur dream merely forthe cost  of moving it ... 

How  do I know about all this ?   because I  thought seriously about it too ... 

I know how you are feeling. At the hospital I work at, we can no longer park in the park in the parking garage, we have to park in an open lot across the street. Now mind you there are several lots for the docs around the building,  and even the whole first floor of the parking garage. This really makes me feel like a valued employee after dedicating 21 years of my career to this hospital. Its not bad when the weather is mild, but I work in the snow belt, nothing like trying to scrape 6 to 12 inches of snow( and or ice) off your car after working 12 or 13 hours.
But I guess I have a job, right? not really feeling it lately.

 One of the things I've enjoyed most about retirement from the school system, and working as an independent contractor is not being subjected to so many silly rules.  Sorry you're having to go through that Gina.

Janet

Well, I was thinking I don't really have a rant today, but then I got to thinking of all the State of Georgia employees who are going to be denied weight loss surgery effective 1/1/12 due to the high cost.  WHAT!!!  I think they are spending a lot less money on me now than they were 3 years ago.  I'm spending a lot more money on vitamins and protein and dropped off all my prescription drugs I was on prior to surgery.

They are not even letting the ones that started the 6 months supervised weight loss and support/counseling programs have the surgery if they started after 6/30/11 because they could not get the entire 6 months in.  It seems so unfair.  We have written senators & congressmen but nothing has worked.

That's my rant for the day.  It really is a nice peaceful day at work and I have gotten a lot done!!

Linda

I work at a hospital and park on a nature trail in the woods (seriously) and am there 30 minutes before A LOT of staff.  I get so aggravated with mgmt sometimes yet am so grateful for my job.  Hard sometimes to be in the middle of such craziness but blessed to do the work I do.  Keep on keeping on!

~~Jennifer

p.s. you FIGHT Gina!

I would rant to, Gina.  Especially when the weather is not so kind.  On a positive note, it is exercise!!! 

My rant is that I keep twisting funny at night to re adjust myself and hurt my area where the surgery was.  I feel great for a day or 2 then bam I do it again.  I just want this whole thing to be over with already. I want my normal life back including getting up and going to work. I am tired of being home and not being able to do house stuff for fear that I might twist wrong!

Also, The surgeon was nice and all but every time I look at my stomach I want to cry. I feel like he butchered me. I sure hope these bumps flatten out but I have a feeling that a tummy tuck might be in my future and hubby has agreed! 

That is all my rants today...hoping for a better day tomorrow!
Sheri

 (((())))) Gina  .  

I thought I was the only one  going   with work related  frustrations  ...I'd be REALLY happy if it was only parking issues  ... but I'm sure a lot of it is ME  ...