How many times... 42?

What I meant by the title was both a reference to the "Hitchhiker's" trilogy and the number of times I've claimed to be "back again." I know, you're tired of hearing that. This time I mean it, although I'm no longer daily.

I've decided, for 2010 and beyond, to take back my life from my job. In 2008 I had a good balance on my personal life and my job; all I needed was to bring my family into that circle. And really that wouldn't have been too hard; a large part of my personal life is my family anyway. What I was missing was longer, closer relations with my children (who are now teenagers). My son is looking at high schools; my daughter will be looking at (gasp!) colleges next year. At this point I can relate to them on an equal level, something I have had difficulty doing in the past... not their fault, mine. I had some issues to work out and, while they're still issues, I now know what they are, and that's (more than) half the battle.

2009 was, in many different ways, a lost year for me. Betty and I accomplished a few things we set out to do, the kids are growing into (relatively) responsible people, and things like that. Somehow, though, I lost my own way; the energy I used to spend on my personal things (learning, raising children, continually building my relationship with my wife etc.) by July was getting spent on work. I hit the dreaded burn-out and, what was worse, I knew it and let it happen anyway.

2010 is going to be different. I'm taking my life back... all of it. While I still want to do well in the office I am no longer going to get worried when people tell me they need something "now" and I don't get it to them until "five minutes from now". That was my problem: trying to please everyone only resulted in pissing everyone off. When I gave one pissed-off person more time so they wouldn't get mad that time came from another person who wasn't mad, but got mad when they found out I couldn't finish their project because I borrowed their time for the other projects. No more. Time is getting budgeted by priority and value, and those items come from my management, not someone to whom I do not report.

I have discussed this with both my management and the project managers I produce work for. My manager is all for it and, surprisingly, most of the people I work with are also for it; they realize most of me is better than none of me. Those who are not, well, I will do my best to meet their demands but there are new lines I won't cross (they're fuzzy lines, but better than no lines at all). You know PMs, though; most are reasonable, and there are a few who think they own you.

One last piece of news: you may notice I'll sometimes sign my blog "danodea" and tag each entry with that. I am starting to build a brand for myself, and that's it. Simple, to the point: my name. I did, briefly, consider DFO; I did use that in a brand-like sense for 20+ years. However, that personality is no longer dominant, if you will; I got that nickname in college, and I think I need to shed some of its, let's say less graceful connotations. Besides, how do I explain to upper-management types why my middle name is "James" but the middle letter in my brand of "initials" is "F"? No easy task for a professional, so that has to go. Those of you who knew me in college or early in my career will understand; the rest of you, go ahead and guess; it's not that difficult, and when you get it right it will be crystal-clear why I'm dropping it.

After that digression, I will close with saying I will try to blog here once a week. Since I have three blogs (two work blogs and this one) I can't manage a daily effort. If I have a really good entry I may duplicate it across blogs... well, at least this one and my primary work blog, which is career-oriented (my third blog is a grammar blog and will not be copied here). If I do use the same entry at work and here (DISCLAIMER FOLLOWS) there will never be any specific IBM information on it; it will either be redacted or not used at all. For an example, please read the third and fourth paragraphs; in a different (and enlarged) form it has already appeared on my IBM blog.

It's good to be back.

So much for "Daily", and a proposal.

I started this blog with the best intentions, but I have too much to do for a daily blog, so I'll have to make it a weekly. This week I'm doing my taxes, upgrading my social network, and learning a new position at IBM.

The current bailout, now... what's with that? One idea I've had is this: universal conscription. Now stop yelling; you know I don't mean a draft or everyone fighting. What I mean is this.

The US should create a separate part of the "Armed Services", call it something like the "Service Corps" or something like that. When someone reaches the age of eighteen they must register with this corps. The corps works like this.

• A person has ten years to complete the equivalent of a two-year commitment. Two consecutive years, two full years, four six-month tours, whatever.
• This commitment is non-combat duty, so no boot camp is required.
• The duties of a Corps member are US infrastructure, communications, environmental clean-up services (anything from picking up garbage in a public park to Superfund assistance), or any of several related services good for our society.
• Exemptions are given for severe handicaps, teachers, nurses, employees of the Federal or state governments, and other people already doing Corps-type services as their job.
• Wages and benefits are paid as if the person was in the Armed Services.
• People may remain in the Corps as a career member, in which case they are treated as career members of the Armed Services (same requirements, same benefits).
• Members of the Corps are separate from our actual armed forces regarding recognition. If recognition is needed a new set of awards, separate from armed service personnel, should be created.

I am not trying to cheapen the military arm at all. I am proud of our servicemen, and highly respect them for the sacrifices they give. What I am trying to do is to get the rest of the country to chip in also. Many people skip joining our military because they have no wish or stomach for violence (that's my position; I hate violence). This gives all citizens the ability to pitch in so the military can spend their time doing what the military is good at; assuring our safety from attack. This group of people would take over some of the jobs now done by the National Guard such as bringing aid to natural disaster areas, rebuilding infrastructure, and other non-combat duties.

What do you think? All opinions are welcome; I don't claim to be an expert in this field.

Happy 2009!

No, I am not making a resolution to keep this more up-to-date. I will be, but I know I'll break the resolution. It won't be a daily any more, as it was over the summer, as I have a lot occupying my time now. I hope you all have a wonderful 2009, no surprises, and good health to all.