Its all about the Work

Posted on April 22, 2017April 22, 2017 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

This is almost a real time conversation! There have been many, many changes at work over the past year. One thing they did was move some of the more basic clerical work from my position creating an unlicensed position to take care of that piece of my job. I wasn’t sorry to see it go. It was a dull, boring , repetitive task.

When they took this away they said it would allow a better distribution of the work load so that we wouldn’t be working around the clock any more.

Nice idea in theory but then a little department call “Analytics” got involved. Every month they sent reports saying people in my position were not working to capacity. They came up with ridiculous targets. Well, I hit their ridiculous goal and looks like now that the momentum is rolling I am going to far exceed the maximum they set.

My job is like a pipe line. While you are filling it up your numbers are too low but once you hit your numbers you’ve opened the flood gates and can’t shut it off. Last week was the week after Easter so these number crunchers predicted it would be slow. It was not. The result is that I had to choose between work and a personal life. That was not supposed to happen under their reorganization. Don’t get me wrong. Its a good job, pays well and allows me to have the life style I want, It just gets very intense this time of year,

What does that mean for my blog? Basically I’m writing this boring post at 6:30 am so you can be in the loop about what is going on. I don’t know if I can maintain my daily blogging schedule. I’m certainly going to try.

Today is very gray and cloudy. Not the kind of day that inspires adventures but I’m going to try to get out and about anyway. Looks like we’re going to have a good whale watch season this year too. Cape Cod is buzzing with all kinds of whales already and it’s still early in the season. Captain John’s Whale Watching counted over 20 humpbacks on a recent trip! So there’s lots of activities in the personal pipeline too. I can only ask that you bear with me on this tough patch.

Are any bloggers that follow me interested in doing a guest blog? If so shoot me an email at aroundustyroads@comcast.net. I’ll be happy to return the favor when my work life returns to normal.

Dusty Roads Travel Blogger

Why I started to Blog

Posted on March 10, 2017March 10, 2017 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

I was just cruising some of the other travel blogs out there and I ran across Little Miss Traveler.

https://lovetravellingallaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/

On the very first page, about the author, she talked about why she started her blog. She wanted to have an online diary of her trips.

I couldn’t agree with her more!

I started my blog because I was afraid I’d become one of those people that always comes back from a trip and invites everyone over to show off her “home movies” or slides or photos. You know the ones. You get the invite and cringe. If you’re family you probably can’t get out of it and if you’re a neighbor and you don’t go you’ll be seeing me at every turn. And co-worker? Well my my, you are a captive audience from 9-5! There is no escape!

So as I saw myself becoming that person that everyone dreads I needed another way to share my stories to the folks that really wanted to know about my vacations. After considerable thought and many stops and starts this blog was born. Now you can visit when you want, read what you want and even make comments (which I will answer) when you want. No Boredom!

So it’s been around for awhile now. If you’re curious about my very first post you can read it here. It was posted on September 8, 2010

http://aroundustyroads.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-first-time.html

Little Miss Travels says her blog has evolved into an online resource providing inspiration to other travelers. I would be so lucky if my little tales could do the same. In fact I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the future of my little blog. My purpose has evolved over the years. I travel with more passion now and my motivation is different. I think I need to make some changes so aroundustyroads grows with me.

I’m just not quite sure what that will entail but I think after 7 years it’s time to shake things up a bit. You can be sure you will be one of the first to know. For now, stop by Little Miss Traveler’s blog and say Hi. and please visit my archives to find some really early posts.

Bad Blogger

Posted on October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 by Dusty Roads

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Yep, that’s me. I’m a bad blogger. Is there a bad blogger award? I certainly would have earned it!

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I should be making the effort and commitment to post regularly. That’s what all the “how to blog” books and posts say and I used to do it too. But then I started working full time. Well I always worked full time. It’s just that some of my work didn’t keep me busy all day. Not true of where I work now.

When I first started this job it was seasonal. I’d work 10-12 hour days for 3-5 months then things would slow down but things are changing in my work day world. The work load is being redistributed so that we’re busy all the time. My work load is a 12 hour day but there is no overtime so it’s crammed into 8 hours.

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That means it is non stop go! go! go! all day. Plus I have to work from the office so I’ve added a commute to my daily duties. By the time I get home my poor brain is mush and the thought of facing a computer is overwhelming. I become a couch potato. I can’t even stay awake to watch mindless TV!

Well, a vacation is coming and boy do I need it. But that also should give me time to find interesting things to share with you.

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I feel a stirring of excitement to get back to the printed page, the blank screen and put something there.

Soon, very soon!

Housework , if you do it right, will kill you

Posted on January 13, 2014January 13, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Housework , if you do it right, will kill you. This is a quote from Erma Bombeck. Do you remember her? She was a very funny writer. February 21, 1927 – April 22, 1996. She would take a look around her and see the humor in everyday lives. In the course of her career she wrote over 4000 newspaper columns about the life of a midwestern suburban housewife. Her columns appeared twice weekly and were read by 30 MILLION readers in 900 newspapers! She was also the author of 15 bestselling books, most collections of short stories about life in the suburbs.

What made me think about Mrs. Bombeck? Quite frankly, envy. I loved her writings. They always made me laugh. I remember one titled “The Grass is always greener over the Septic Tank”. You know, that’s true. We had a regular jungle of healthy green plants growing over ours behind our house. If only the lawn had looked half as lush.

Her stories were short, humorous and contained a kernel of truth. I never would have given that green grass a thought if she hadn’t pointed it out.

And what about those big holiday meals? For years I’ve been saying I cook all day and the meal is over in 30 minutes! Well Erma beat me to it. Her quote was :Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.

So here I am staring at the blank computer screen with a major case of writers block. I haven’t been anywhere lately, the weather has been horrible, (it’s raining cats and dogs and pitch black as I write this) and I just couldn’t think of a thing to say. In desperation I thought I could gain inspiration like another blogger friend did from the alphabet.

She wrote a blog post for each letter of the alphabet. Author Sue Grafton is wring a whole series of fictional crime novels known as the Alphabet Series (A is for Alibi, etc. ) so it seemed like a good idea but the only thing that I could think of that started with “A” was Arthritis. Unless you’re a doctor I would think that would be a very painful subject.

That’s when I thought of Erma Bombeck. How did she do it? How could she look around and see something not only worth writing about her everyday surroundings but write it with such humor. She could take everyday events and routines and have wonderful observations. Another example: My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you?

My hat’s off to you Erma Bombeck. If I can be only half as original and funny as you in my feeble writing attempts I will consider myself a success!

What do I hope for in 2014

Posted on January 2, 2014January 2, 2014 by Dusty Roads

What do I hope for in 2014? Oh let’s see…Peace in this world, no more hatred, a cure for cancer, our soldiers home from foreign lands, joy for everyone, no more hunger, no more bigotry, shall I go on? But in my little corner of the world where it’s the small things that I can change I’ll address those little goals and challenges I mentioned a couple of days ago..

Ah yes, those Goals and Challenges.

So here goes.

Lose 50 lbs. (I’ll fit in the tiny airplane seats better, I’ll look better and I’ll feel better.)
Set up a budget (my job change affected my finances so I need to start putting money aside for the extra’s that pop up.)
A photo a day (keeps the camera “TOM” top of mind and will help me continue to improve my skills)
Home Improvement ( the little condo just collects clutter. Time to clean it out, shampoo carpets and maybe get the bedroom painted)
Plan my vacation (I know, that’s what you are all waiting for )
Keep up my blog
Work on friendships and personal relationships so they stay strong and healthy.

So the game plan is…

Health/ Weight Loss

A before picture taken on the first day plus measurements and weight to be updated in a log monthly.
Walk…weather should not be a factor. Start with 1/2 hour daily for month one and evaluate at the end of the month.
Eat healthier. Cut back on carbs and increase salads and veggies and good protein.
Consider buying a bike in the spring depending on progress.

Finances

Open a savings account
Deposit $50 per pay period toward expenses like property taxes and time share maintenance fees .
Pay off the credit card. The balance snuck up over the holidays.
Open a pre paid credit card through AAA for travel and vacation

Hobbies

Take the camera on the walks for my daily photo.
Upload the best of the day. At the end of the week see which photo got the most hits and save it as the photo of the week.
End of the year make a photo book “Best of 2014”
Get a head start on my photo cards for the holidays.
Add more Birthday and special occasion cards to the line.

Home Improvement

Attack the clutter with a vengeance. If it hasn’t been used in 6 months, get rid of it.
Have the carpets shampooed
Paint the bedroom
Get an cabinet or cupboard to organize my photography gear.

Vacation

Pick a location
Plan the vacation
Share the plans here so my content gets more interesting

Blogs

Post daily on Aroundustyroads
Post my daily pictures on Dustyroadsphotos
Work to keep content fresh and interesting by visiting local attractions between vacations.
Increase readership over 2013. No % just an increase will make me happy. At least I know the blog is growing then.

Personal Relations, Friends and Family

Work at the relationship. It won’t stay close if ignored.
Stay in touch with family. Same thing, you can’t stay close if you ignore each other.
Be a friend. Can’t have them unless you’re willing to be one.
Lend a hand when needed even if it’s just to listen.