Larissa's "when she feels like writing stuff" page

I just completed my Code oF Business Conduct training.. I have Proact BOST and anti-harassment training left... oh.. and my annual review, so fun.

It surprises me how often it happens, but how soon we forget-> Cherish your loved ones, we don't last forever. I recently found out that a co-worker (who I've worked closely with the past 4 yrs) has two forms of cancer. He is going to start chemo, but it is already pretty bad. My dear second mother, Dellreese has been battling brain cancer for the last 5 yrs. The doctors gave her 5 yrs to live. My co-worker's father was recently hit on the side of the highway by a suicidal driver. These things happen every day, our hearts are saddened, we immediately think about our loved ones, then shortly after we forget it all.... that is, until it happens again. Keep your loved ones close, respect, love and cherish them, be there for them.

It's mid May and it is FREEZING. I don't know if I've ever built a fire (outside of a campfire) in May. There is an interesting article about the anomalies of today's climate. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110131-317581/Climate-change-2011-bodes-more-weather-anomalies of course it refers to Global Warming and Kyoto Protocol. I don't have enough knowledge on the subject to know if it is 100% accurate, but it makes sense to me. Last summer wasn't the warmest. This past winter we had a very warm November and so far our spring has been freezing. I am really hoping we get a warm summer... I mean, I haven't even planted my veggies and herbs this year since the weather has been so unpredictable. I'm moving south... I want warmth.

I've moved into a new role at work, Service Delivery Manager. What is that you ask? I'm not sure... it is a new role that is part of the ITIL framework. We have been unsuccessful and implementing it in our organization (been in the group since September). It requires so much commitment and interaction from all parts of the organization, we need upper management communication, drive and support of the movement. Can we get it? Not by asking nice and passively.

It amazes me how many teams, groups, organizations and companies drag their feet, are slow to roll, have a confused, haphazard momentum... what happened to get 'er done? See the need, build the plan, drive the change.... Things don't get done by standing around and talking about it. We need leaders... with real, solid plans who have the stamina and endurance to implement the work and reap the benefits. We've not only become obese nation, as individuals, but we've become obese companies... so much fat... so much loss of productivity and inefficient operations.

So, that sounded more like a boo, but was supposed to be an ooh...well, I hope... I have some ideas on how the organization I work for can become more efficient, streamlined and cost effective. I've been in this position for 9 mths and have nothing to show for it, except a lot of brain storming ideas on what they could do better. I've been talking with my manager and he has some similar ideas, more on an organizational change (which is done every 6 mths anyway and just churns up the group to allow upper management to ride out a little longer...). However, I hope that we can put some ideas together and work out something that will change this org.. for the better and be what it should be- an efficient operations org.

I did my second triathlon this passed Sunday, the Morgan Hill Sprint Triathlon. I entered in the Mountain Bike division since, well, I am not going to purchase a street bike :). The first time I did this tri there was only 3 in my division and I came in third :P. Sure, I podiumed, but came in 3rd of 3. I was under the impression this race was going to be very similar, so my challenge was to beat my previous time and hopefully come in 1st out of 3 or so. Well, I came in 1st out of 2 with a 7 min improvement. Better? Sure. Satisfying enough? No.

The more funny part about this is that all division winners were called up to the stage, posed for a picture and handed their awards and goodies. For Mtn Bike division, 2nd place person and I were called up (as "Larissa Uverbey"). Before I could get to the stage the announcer moved on to the next group of awards. Totally dismissed my moment of fame. I went up to the lady handing out the awards and she gave me a confused look. I said, " I won the Mtn Bike division". She replied, " Oh, here...". Lol... so nice.