The Blizzard of 2011..storm of the century...so far...it's just 2011!

Not too much to report since we last talked. The Blizzard of 2011 has hit in Chicago and it is taking names: 400 to be exact. The total of persons rescued from stranded vehicles on the roads of Chicago. Again, that is just Chicago and doesn’t count the suburbs of my residency. It is definitely quite a bit of snow. Not as much snow as I have seen in other blizzards of note, but enough to shut down most of the businesses for a day.

It is cold as well. We look to get to a -10 mark within the next two days, winds at 25 to 45 mph still and then back up to 2. Woo Hoo! I even saw a 0 on one of the weather predictions. Cool stuff.  The first is our entry at work and the second is my entry at home with our Lab Mix Luke and The Boy walking.  Luke is trying to find a spot to pee but its all near his head or higher.  HA!

The crew at work some are doing a double and getting the OT and some are trudging in if they can make it. Most of the routes are shut down and without four-wheel drive, it is not recommended to try the trek. We have some rooms reserved for folks and the leaders are bringing in some lunch meat and such for the guys that are keeping everything running. I am truly proud of my guys and the work they are doing. They are getting better and better at doing their jobs and are building even better relationships every event that happens.

Onto other events that have occurred. I received my very first Dynamic Deed from another leader in the organization. 15 years with the company and I had never received one. Now I am not complaining about that because I have been rewarded kindly through my tenure in many ways for my performance. Problem is, now I have to change my speech on promotions and such that I usually use my self as an example. “Fifteen years with U.S. Cellular® and I have never received a Dynamic Deed. They are great measurements of an associates dedication and drive but they are not a requirement for promotion. I have been promoted four times during my tenure with U.S. Cellular®: from NOC Technician to Manager and have loved the time I have served. I have received recognition for accomplishments and growth. I feel I am recognized appropriately and am grateful for just the recognition received from my leader. So please don’t think you are not eligible to be promoted because you don’t have any Dynamic Deeds.” Now I have to alter that and say, UNTIL…

With all jesting aside, thank you for the notice and recognition. It means a lot to me and I appreciate you recognizing the progress our teams are making together: You know who you are.

Now I am sitting here working on miscellaneous things that I cant usually get done in the office to the back ground of Spongebob Squarepants and hearing plankton trying to steel the crabby patty formula. I am also reading the notes of other associates around the country dealing with the different weather situations and it is truly amazing at the reach this storm has had. Rain and winds in the Southeast have the home area reeling a but in places, and all through the Midwest we are receiving reports of ice and snow build up. Pictures are coming in of truly wild visions. I look through Facebook even further, and as you all have witnessed through my rantings, I am longing for Spring and Fly Fishing. I see an entry from the host of the show I usually watch and he has this pristine stream in Brazil with little bubbles floating through an eddy with the closest cold spot being in the cooler with their cokes!

I guess I should get back to my day. I see other folks having conference calls and I feel guilty as I have none. I moved all mine to another day due to a meeting that was scheduled for today and canceled due to the weather. So I guess that leaves me free to help out where I can.

Anyway, getting off here and focusing I guess.

XO ILY YM