Christmas Plans and Why I'm Proud of Where I Work

I know I've sent a few e-mails, perhaps even updated my Facebook status from Whitby, but this might be my first ever blog from the city that gave us actress A.J. Cook, Leslie McFarlane (writer of the Hardy Boys Series), World War II spy school Camp X (founded by "the Man Called Intrepid" Sir William Stephenson) and Andrew Martin, aka Test.

Wow! I almost forgot about that last one. And really, how does one forget Test?

My folks and I arrived in Whitby last night despite the best efforts of the weather. As per usual, the real trouble spots were along Highway 401. I'm really wondering just

I must give a tip of the hat to...heheheheh...sorry. I must give a ti...hehehehe....AHEM! I must give a tip of the...heheheh...to the fine people at Ge...hahahahahaha!!!

Sorry. I was just imagining trying to write that last paragraph under the same conditions as I found myself operating under as I tried to leave my phone message. Both Jim and Sean were, as usual, trying to (and succeeding in) cracking me up as I tried to change my voice mail message. It got to the point where they didn't even need to do anything, I could just sense them waiting for me to lose it and sure enough, I did.)

By the way, Sean was telling me that he read/has read my blog here. So if any of you are wondering where all the blog entries where I ripped Sean a new one went, well now you know!

I KID! I KID!

You know, there are certainly days where working at General Dynamics can be stressful, but for the first time in my life, I'm proud of the company I work for, and I'm certainly proud to tell people about the industry that I work in.

(This is not to say I'm not proud of what I accomplished working for Your Village News, but as a whole, I believe the work we do at GDLS-C is more important. Plus, we're not getting called in every few months and being told we're about to be shut down.)

As much as I may be known to bash working retail, I mean no offense when I say that I'm prouder to relate how the company I now work for builds vehicles for the Army than I do in telling them about having to go in early because the new Harry Potter went on sale or how somebody yelled at me because they didn't want to pay their $2 late charge.

And while I may have had my differences with some of my former co-workers, I also mean no disrespect to any of my former colleagues when I send a shout-out to those people I work with today. Even though my New Year's Resolution is to tone it down in this regard, it's nice to work in an office where people don't seem to mind (too much) my wacky sense of humour. (Actually, I think Sean and Jim encourage it!)

Back when we worked at the paper, Carrie, Michael, Judy and I certainly had our share of moments where work was put aside momentarily so we could joke around, and the same happens at our office. (Notice I say, "momentarily".) In retail, not only do you have management lurking around to ensure that you don't have too good a time at your job, but you have customers who seem to take up that task as well. In fact, I seem to recall some customers would actually get angry if they saw employees joking around. (Laughing when they could be helping me figure out what I want even when I'm not 100% sure? The nerve!)

But, what it all boils down to, for me, is the difference in the pride I can take from the company I keep, so to speak. I'd much rather be able to point to the Stryker and say "I work for the company that builds that" than a stack of videos and say "I shelved those" or a stack of books and say "I received those". I can watch the news and see footage of the LAV III in Afghanistan and say "that was produced at the plant I work at". I can see photos of soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan and think "those guys are probably home safe because of what we do at General Dynamics.

And I also give a tip of the hat to Shannon, our Area Manager, who let us all leave early on Tuesday. About six of us (myself, Jen, Jim, Alison, Sean and Terri) went out to East Side Mario's (which, while nice, is no Fast Eddie's) for lunch. My folks met me there and we headed for Whitby. It was great that we got out early because we were on the road during daylight hours and while we didn't beat the storm out of London, it was pretty clear by the time we got to Whitby.

Since arriving at "Jack's Place" as my folks call it, I've been doing some work on my computer (Thank goodness I brought my laptop), chatting with people on Facebook and AOLIM, working on the update for Shelf Life, and watching stuff (about 1/2 of Empire Records, the first two Office Christmas episodes).

And of course, emerging from my little office in Cathy and John's basement to visit with Jack from time to time. I brought both my still and my video camera to document more of our visit with Jack. Actually, in the midst of writing this update, I went up to see Jack and ended up with him sitting on my lap for several minutes.

Jack, at almost six months, is really intuitive now. He'll look over when you're talking to him, and smile and laugh. I love the way he opens his mouth real wide when he laughs. I really don't have to do much save smile at him and he'll start giggling away.

Don't tell Cathy but I even introduced him to some wrestling maneuvers. He has a big mat that they let him roll around on so I taught him about pinfalls. (Sorry, I couldn't take it easy on the kid. I made him do a couple of jobs before I let him go over with a "flying body press".)

Well, John's parents are due in at any time, so I'm going to close off. I will probably be back on Christmas Day or perhaps even later tonight. (I just thought of a couple more topics I could write about.) Til then, Happy Holidays every one.