JamesG’s Neighborhood

I saw a display of Matchbox™ Smart Cars™ and they were so close to actual size I thought they were the real thing.

Crap!  Where can I get a REAL Smart Car™ for $3.89?

Well, it's happened. I've been promoted. Not sure if this is good or bad news. I'm going to be the Department Head of the Adult Department at the Library.

Good news:

• More money per hour
• Title
• Power
• A desk

Bad news:

• With  hours being cut, my substantial pay raise translates into less than I was making before!
• Being Department Head, the buck will stop at my desk.  I will have to do the crappy things like calling people to tell them they've ruined a book and must pay for said book.
• I will be supervising former coworkers, one of which has been there 3 times longer than I have and another has been there the same length of time as I have, plus 2 young men who are physically attached to their mobile phones and often try to do as little work as possible.
• The desk is mine but available for the others to use if I'm not using it.

I'm a rather reluctant promotee.   I didn't seek the promotion, it was thrust upon me.  You see, I've loads of experience prior to my employment with library.  I'm very good at time management and am quite productive, turning out a lot of work.  I am good at customer service and always follow the "chain of command."

Well either that or...

• The person who has been there 3 times longer than I have been isn't trusted (she is a loose cannon type), and really doesn't want the position.
• The person who has been there the same length of time as I have has had NO previous experience.
• The young men?  Well, you know.

So I'm stuck with my new position.

Good things:

• New Director (yet to be hired)
• Current Department Head has been promoted to Fiscal Officer and will work in the office behind the Circulation Desk and thus be at my disposal and also will fill in as needed.
• Everybody sort of figured I was the heir apparent.

Bad things:

• New Director may be BAD.  We don't know yet.  I will be liaison between Departments and between my department and the Director.
• I'm going to be doing a 40 hour per week job in 22 hours per week.
• Having to discipline my former coworkers.

The position change takes effect February 1st which gives me time to get my affairs in order before my untimely demise.  I do have a certain amount of fear and loathing regarding the changes.

It's all a wait and see scenario.

I hate those!

I'm much too young to have a grandchild but here he is anyway.
Isn't he cute?
We are very blessed.

Today is Friday the 13th! Are you superstitious?



Here's our black cat:Careful!  If he crosses your path you may trip over him!

Oooh! Scary!

Today's weather forecast:  November with a chance of "frog."  That's "frost + fog = frog."

An Autumn Drive

Driving in my pocket-rocket

the leaves fly up behind me

like sparks and flames.

The river I follow sparkles

despite the muddy brown water.

It's brown from the farmer's fields

but lovely in the sunlight.

It twists and turns like some

long fluid serpent.

A guardrail on the bridge protects me from the  serpent

yet allows a view of it's winding edges.

It's waters are high for  Autumn.

October was generous with rain.