So we sit here on another holiday watching the snow fall and can't help but feel the Groundhog has a lot to answer for! Stupid furry bastard, get back in your hole. I almost feel sorry for the one in the advert that gets covered in snow, but now you & all rodents deserve all you get!
Speaking of irritants, Jet has resumed her neurotic missing of Paul, by pissing & crapping everywhere, I doubt she'd survive in the snow too long, but she's gonna have to if she doesn't sort her life out!
A pondering crossed my mind, why do our cats have an issue with you being in the kitchen while they eat, but have no problem battering down the bathroom door when you're sat dropping the kids off at the pool? Double standards I think Mr Poof Cat!
I enjoyed the Super Bowl, even though I got the pick incorrect I loved seeing Sham Newton demonstrate his wonderful talent to put himself front & center and be unwilling to dive in to rescue a fumble right near the end. Perhaps he doesn't get the ball, maybe he does get injured, but as the self-appointed star of the team and that isn't without justification either, the fact he danced backwards rather than try, tells me,and I hope his colleagues, all you need to know about his commitment and mentality when it REALLY matters.
Having played sports and been a reasonably organized coach I can assure you that I'd rather have 10 average but 100% committed players than 1 Cam Newton, because as a team I'll trust those 10 to maximize their collective efforts & perform when it matters, being a superstar isn't all about personal glory, in a team sport you are as good as your weakest link and you're a stronger team when everyone digs in, if you're a big ugly OT or ILB are you going to be willing to give that 110% when you know your QB isn't?
Another analogy is in Formula 1, a lot of people with some justification think Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso are quicker than anything Michael Schumacher ever produced, I can agree with that. But which one would I have had if I owned a team? Schumacher. He worked tirelessly to bring the team together and in the time where most would have let the disappointment show, an engine failure which cost him all but a mathematical shot at the title in his final season, did he sulk? No. Did he berate the team for the failure? No, he went round and shook every single team members' hand. It's no wonder they loved working with him.
Contrast that with the attitude shown by Newton during the game and throughout his interviews, disappointed yes, but to sulk and act like a baby? Nope, Not buying it and unless he sorts himself out, he can join a list of people I don't shed any tears for when they get whipped in defeat.
Long diatribe there, but it's surprising how often in business we forget to build relationships and strengthen teams to achieve results, it's never about 1 or 2 outstanding individuals, yes there's always stars of the show and some people drift under the radar with only those in the inside truly aware of the contribution made, but a top management team knows the way to understand what makes the team tick and how to get the levels raised. Nothing can improve performance more than having a manager who has great man-management skills and equally nothing kills morale faster than working with a numpty who doesn't have a clue.
I guess in a roundabout way I've shed a few hints here about work situations, I'm not talking about me right now, but over time I've experienced both good & bad managers and like most things in life they do influence how I try to work with others both in & out of my teams.
Onto the kids, Hannah has a tooth, finally! And very happy she is with it too, chewing on all sorts of stuff and munching food whenever it's offered to her. She's even trying to stand up (with support) and walking is clearly something she's interested in the concept of. She did manage to pick up a bout of pink eye, but some well placed eye drops quickly stopped her looking like a battered victim and had her bouncing around happily once more. At 6 months she's continuing to progress and making us smile every day.
Ryan has decided to grow his hair, guess he may as well while he has it, not sure how long it will last, but we'll let him make a little freedom of choice and see where & what style he comes up with. His latest school report came in and we'll look forward to having a conference to discuss any items of concern, but initially it looks a good report and progress continues to be made.
Ok, enough of the freezing stuff, next time it'll be spring unless the groundhog really is a lying sob!
