Still here

I've had a couple of you inquire about my blog, specifically noting the sudden decrease in posts. The blog is not dead, or whimpering its way to a quiet death. Instead, there are a couple of things conspiring against it. So, today, I thought I would explain and ask for a little of your help.

The first reason behind the sudden lack if posts has to do with my work schedule. For most of the year my work schedule is pretty controlled. I don't need to take anything home. I can get everything done I need to get done in 40 hours. It is a good job, which allows me to balance my work and family time. November, though, is a different animal. In November all of our annual goals have just ended and all reviews need to be written so they can be reviewed before December. So, for the first couple weeks everyone has to write a self assessment, then for people with reports they need to be reviewed and then joined to an annual review. To give you an idea of the size of this, my self assessment written in word before it was uploaded, was seven pages long. It needs to have dates and times and statistical and rationale. If not done to the satisfaction of by boss, it will be returned. The last two years I have taken some of this work home. Then, once that is completes I need to do a similar, but sometimes more detailed process n each of my employees. So, my lunches and every spare moments at work has been taken to write these reviews. So far I haven't taken any home, but they have for the moment swallowed this blog.

The second issue I'm having is coming up with events to write about. I often spend more time contemplating what to write about than I actually do writing. So, I think about my past, then shoot it down because I've written it before, or something similar, or it might be embarrassing to someone who's permission I don't have, or just because I think it might be boring. So, I think again and again and again, until something sticks. At one point I had a list of stories to write, but that well has run dry. This, though, is where you can help me. Suggest ideas for me to write about, things you would be interested in or stories you know, but I haven't written here. For right now, I need your assistance, your ideas.

Tomorrow is the last day to get my reviews done, so starting Wednesday I'll be back at it full time. I look forward to using your suggestions then.