Introverts in the church March 31, 2006

XM: Carole King – “I Feel The Earth Move”
Mood: Inspired

This is an interesting article about introverts in the church:

The ‘IN’ Crowd: Ministering With Introverts in Mind

I stumbled across the article as I was searching google for “introvert leaders.” I decided to study some great leaders who are quiet and introverted, in hopes of getting some inspiration. Though the article is a little off topic from what I was looking for, this paragraph really got me: “While their sensitivities may make introverts seem weak, introversion actually creates many strengths — including great depth and insight — allowing them to be gifted leaders, speakers, teachers, and visionaries. In fact, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates and, believe it or not, Steve Martin, are among the ranks of the introverted.”

I have a desire to run a company. I aspire to be a great boss or CEO, one who people love to come to work for. I want to create a positive job environment where people feel respected and valued and motivated to strive to be better. If I look back at each job I’ve ended up hating (and there are many), each time it had to do with the management. I’ve never had a problem getting along with co-workers and I’ve enjoyed the actual work most of the time. What always bothered me was poor management. I see injustice and I want to fix it. I know it can be better. Now I just need to find an industry to do that in.

My head is above the water March 31, 2006

XM: Train – “Cab”
Mood: Calm

Cell phone…
Yesterday I left my cell phone at home by accident. I didn’t get home until 11:45, so that means I went 16 hours without it. It was actually kind of nice. Ironically though, I had an unusual amount of calls yesterday. On the one day I leave it at home… so today and tomorrow I have many calls to return.

Work…
It’s been especially rough at work this week. I alluded to an incident in a previous post and I won’t go into it, but I’m still rather upset about it. That and it’s really hard to get my work done when I have three men in the office demanding my help. The kind of demanding that says, “drop whatever you’re doing because my project is more important.” And God forbid the coffee is low, Mindy would you please make another pot of coffee. I’m ordering new business cards with my new title: Coffee Wench. Yes I am cynical. I’m workin’ on it. Actually, God and I have talked about it and we are working on it together. There is a lesson in all of this and I believe I’m starting to catch on. But God knew I needed a break and today he gave me one: the boys are out of the office all day! I have peace and quiet and no demands all day. Hallelujah.

Driving…
It was a beautiful day yesterday. The sun returned to Michigan. I was happy to run errands because it would give me a chance to enjoy it. But where did it leave me? On the verge of road rage. I have always said that it never fails in Michigan that on the first day of sun (or snow), drivers mysteriously forget how to drive. You know it’s true, don’t you? Even I have been guilty of driving under the hypnotic influence of the sun. What’s interesting is that our drivers here at work have gone months without an accident and then the sun comes out and we have two in one week! Oh yes, yesterday we had a head-on collision and this morning a rear-ender. Thankfully neither of our drivers were at fault (er… or hurt).

Music…
Our church is putting together a woodwind band for Easter and I signed up! I haven’t played my clarinet in 10 years, but I think it will come back to me. I bought some new reeds yesterday and tonight I plan on testing out my abilities. If anyone is interested, we’ll be playing on Good Friday as well as Easter. Our first practice hasn’t happened yet so I’m not sure what we’re playing, but Joe did say we were playing hymns. I love hymns. I can’t wait.

And Hallelujah! March 29, 2006

Rhapsody: The B-52’s – “Party Out Of Bounds”
Mood: Accomplished

Oh yeah, look what I found at the doctor’s office for a cool zero dollars (Thanks, Mom, for the tip):

This should last me until the first part of April when the good stuff gets back on the shelves. Woo hoo! Mike thinks I should sell it on the black market (aka ebay) but there is no way I’m giving it up!

Categories: clearcare, photos

Speaking of friends I love… March 29, 2006

Rhapsody: Al Green – “Amazing Grace”
Mood: Feelin’ Good

This is Tracy and me giving a shout out to Mike. “What We Eatin’?”

I am not the lowly worm March 29, 2006

Streaming Radio: Dave Ramsey Show
Mood: Weary

I really just need to post to get that picture of me out of the way. It’s been up a tad too long. God forbid I appear conceited.

I’m a little cynical today. I had finally wrapped my arms around a new challenge in leadership at work and my boss came in and pulled it right out from under me. Like a big oriental rug, and I was left on my butt, feeling small and timid all over again. But I stick with my mantra from 2 Timothy 1:7, “God did not give me a spirit of timidity.” It’s gradually sinking in.

I am feeling exceedingly weary. I don’t blame it on tax season. Maybe it’s work. Or the laundry. I really don’t have a good explanation. I think I just haven’t been pacing myself or taking enough breaks. I need a long vacation. I need St. Gregory’s. LORD, I need St. Gregory’s.

On the plus side, the weather is warming up and that means less time spent putting on and taking off coats and gloves and stuff. So there’s some energy saved there.

I found some speakers for my computer at work so I can listen to Rhapsody and the Dave Ramsey Show live (cuz XM has a screwy schedule and only one of the three hours are live). It’s good stuff.

I have been reading the book of Exodus because Moses and I are kindred spirits. Moses had continual doubts about his leadership abilities, but God used him in miraculous ways. He was always saying that he wasn’t a good speaker and that people wouldn’t listen to him, but God didn’t care. God said he would give him the words to say. And there were so many times when the people didn’t listen, which God had predicted, but it didn’t matter so much because Moses was still doing what he was called to do. That right there tells me that if I am obedient and the outcome is not what I expect or hope for, it’s okay because in the end I have still been obedient.

I have been telling people that I believe God is calling me to be a leader, and that he has been teaching me to say “I am a leader” and surprisingly no one else is surprised by that. Apparently they all knew and just assumed I knew too. But that’s the thing about being human; you never see yourself the same way everyone else does.

Also I have been thinking a lot about the friends God has put into my life. They are like family to me and I am more than grateful. I don’t deserve them one bit, but there they are. Friends, you know who you are. Please know how much I love you.

So anyway, interesting stuff going on inside here. Thanks for letting me get all that off my chest.

This picture makes me miss my long hair March 24, 2006

What do you think? Should I grow my hair long again?

Job Posting March 24, 2006

I just wanted to put this out there in case you know anyone who is looking for a job. My company is hiring for a receptionist. All candidates go through me first

Clear Care Update March 24, 2006

XM: John Mayer – “No Such Thing”
Mood: Bummed, but I’m getting over it

Message from Duane Reade regarding my order:

Please note that your order was not processed because the
requested item is currently not available.

Message from CIBA Vision regarding my request for information about Clear Care availability:

Thank you for contacting CIBA Vision. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers’ with their concerns and comments. Due to a manufacturing upgrade our products are on backorder. Clear Care will be back on the shelves at Wal-Mart, Target, CVS and Walgreens the first week of April.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. Again, thank you for contacting CIBA Vision.

Kind Regards
Sherry Vanore
Product Consultant

Categories: clearcare

Famine in the land March 23, 2006

Day two with the new contact cleaning solution has ended, and my eyes are very unhappy. I need my Clear Care. It is nowhere to be found, and apparently I am not the only one in this predicament. Contact wearers all over the continent have been freaking out, one by one, as they come to realize that the supply has been exhausted. What’s worse is the manufacturer, Ciba Vision, is not really telling the whole story. Here is the response they have been giving:

We would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced in locating the Clear Care system. Due to a manufacturing upgrade of our manufacturing site, supplies of Clear Care may be limited on retail shelves. We are working diligently to return to full production as quickly as possible, and anticipate increased supplies of Clear Care to be available in at store shelves in early April 2006. Until then, we would recommend contacting your eye care professional for their recommendation of the best solution for your lenses in the interim.

Again, we would like to greatly apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you again for contacting CIBA Vision.

Kind regards,
CIBA Vision Consultation Services

I have been reading eye care forums for the last hour. Some have been told April 2006, others have been told it will be as late as July. I may have found some at duanereade.com. The website says it’s available, but I have my doubts. I placed an order for three bottles, so we’ll see if I don’t get a message back saying they are out of it. If I can’t get it there I can always buy some on ebay. Try this: go to ebay.com and search for “Ciba Clear Care.” The bottles retail for around $9 and they are selling for almost three times that. This stuff is in high demand and the ebay sellers are taking full advantage. I would say it’s crazy, but I use the stuff and it really is that good. It is the only solution I have used that allows me to wear my contacts for an entire day without irritation.

Although Ciba Vision isn’t doing much talking (they make no mention of this situation on their website) I did find this helpful article that states Clear Care began to ship recently, which hopefully means it will be on store shelves very soon.

I share this forum member’s sentiment: “Sweet nectar of the Gods, return to us.”

Categories: clearcare

Mystery Liquid March 22, 2006

Rhapsody: G. Love and Special Sauce – “Back Of The Bus”
Mood: Kinda loopy

“… is a sterile, buffered, isotonic, aqueous solution that contains a citrate buffer and sodium chloride, with edetate disodium 0.05% and polyquaternium-1 0.001% as preservatives.”

Well kids, what is today’s Mystery Liquid?
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That’s right, Rewetting Drops! This blend of chemicals you can’t pronounce is used to restore moisture in your contact lenses while they are in your eyes.

I’m not real keen on dripping seven-syllable chemicals onto my eyeballs, but the label says they have a patent, so I guess it’s okay…