DIS Dads DDC XVII - Leap year edition

[stopher1]

Well, I achieved my goal for this evening. As usual, Christopher and Randall have opened the big lead. I had a late start, have caught back up to maintain my claim on #4 against Brian. Obviously, the goal is always to defeat theduck (Dave), my nemesis.

Who Posted?
Total Posts: 452
User Name Posts
stopher1 48
Cinderella's Fella 45
AirGoofy 31
twokids0204 30
theduck619 26

I'm calling it an evening as well. Goodnight all.

True, but Randall is determined this time around...

 

[stopher1]

TGIF Dads!

17 Days until the cruise our son knows nothing about.

How fun! I love surprising the kids.

 

[stopher1]

Morning gentlemen.

And the rest of you...

Good Morning Men!

Good afternoon!

 

[stopher1]

We are having us some fun like that within the company I work for. In 2008 they bought a company out of Pennsylvania. I don't know why they thought it to be a good idea. It has been a drag on us since they bought them. We ran at Max capacity last year. Our divisions were up over 20% from the previous.... except for that company. Because of them we as a whole only made 8% profit and that isn't good enough. They want at least 10% so now no one will get a raise. But we have no control over what happens in the Penn. company. In the last 4 months of last year they lost over $500k. But we are supposed to do more here to offset their bad dealings. Our president and vp will go out there for a week and then come back. Nothing gets fixed. We did our best we have done since I have been here and now we are told it isn't good enough because it didn't cover the losses of the other company. They throw us all together as one company when it works to their advantage, tell us this all the time how we are one company, yet the other company gets different treatments. We get held reliable and have to do more. So this has gone on for a couple of years now. Morale is the lowest I have seen. People are waiting for the economy to turn and they will be gone. But as i mentioned it is our issue so now we too have to do employee surveys. They hired a consulting firm to do them. First thing I thought of when i heard this was "Office Space". Should be interesting to see what comes from this. The sad thing is I believe it will be nothing. The firm will give management the complaints and suggestions and they will act on none of them. It is a bit frustrating. We have company meetings telling us we are doing OK, but we are unsure of what the future holds so no raises. Then in the following months news letter our President puts a note in there about how sales are at a record pace (kick in the nuts). Talk to the president and he says well you know....... No raise. Next month news letter, Great sales record sales, Up from last year, Blah Blah blah. (kick in the nuts). So we will see. I just got my email to take the survey online yesterday so....

Bleh.

What if you got together with the family you get along with and buy out the pain family members. Then maybe (once you sell a few more Antarctica treks) you can buy out the rest of the members.

Well it's a thought...

 

[RodBelding]

True, but Randall is determined this time around...

Careful boys... You know who will be watching for any post padding;

 

[Grooovertoo]

‘Morning all…
This caught my eye… I dwell is a similar but darker cave.
I do hope that things start looking up in the near, but consider this…

Our pension plan was scrapped years ago.
Bonuses ended in 2002…
Merit increases have been suspended since 2005…
I took a 22% decrease in 2006 to remain employed.
The last cost of living adjustment was in 2007…
401k contributions are no longer matched…
Dental insurance is now 100% on employees…
Medical insurance goes up about 8% annually…
My profession has been moved to India, so comparable jobs are scarce…
What comparable jobs do exist are hiring in at about 48% of my current salary…
Being just shy of 50… I’m too old to be hired by said comparable employers
(age discrimination does exist… do even try to tell me it don’t)

Our employee level was over 45,000 ten years ago and it’s down to beneath 2,000 now, so I am one of the very lucky ones here (and we’ll be closing more operations this year)

Want to trade?

But at least you write a mean TR, keep up the good work.

Don't think my wife would go for that one or the US Border Agent.

Then try the Weekend at Bernies way! A pair of dark glasses and a dopey look on his face might just work?

BTW... Good Morning, Everyone!!

question of the day: I finally started getting paychecks from my new job, and they are overpaying me. I am getting paid more than I was told I would. Do I:

A. bring it to their attention.
B. shut my mouth and spend the money.
C. put the extra money aside with the expectation of having to give it all back.

D. Non extradition countries are nice this time of year.

 

[stopher1]

Really???

I'm away from the office for a day and I find the old thread closed and the new thread on page 34??????

Did I miss anything worthwhile?

Just goes to show you can't take a day off around here.

 

[baseballmickey]

thanks for all the responses to the question of the day. The overwhelming choice seems to be "A". However, the answers were weighted and all I needed was one "B" to override all the "A"s... but it never came.

I was leaning toward A, but the devil on my other shoulder kept pointing to the stack of bills I am behind on and saying I should keep my mouth shut.

Gonna take the high road and see what happens. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

 

[stopher1]

This caught my eye… I dwell is a similar but darker cave.
I do hope that things start looking up in the near, but consider this…


Our pension plan was scrapped years ago.
Bonuses ended in 2002…
Merit increases have been suspended since 2005…
I took a 22% decrease in 2006 to remain employed.
The last cost of living adjustment was in 2007…
401k contributions are no longer matched…
Dental insurance is now 100% on employees…
Medical insurance goes up about 8% annually…
My profession has been moved to India, so comparable jobs are scarce…
What comparable jobs do exist are hiring in at about 48% of my current salary…
Being just shy of 50… I’m too old to be hired by said comparable employers
(age discrimination does exist… do even try to tell me it don’t)

Our employee level was over 45,000 ten years ago and it’s down to beneath 2,000 now, so I am one of the very lucky ones here (and we’ll be closing more operations this year)

Want to trade?

Bleh. What you described there Rob is very similar to the path that the company I was with was doing in the last 5 years I was with them. Bleh. Sorry for all you've put up with and lived through. Bleh.

 

[twokids0204]

BTW... Good Morning, Everyone!!

question of the day: I finally started getting paychecks from my new job, and they are overpaying me. I am getting paid more than I was told I would. Do I:

A. bring it to their attention.
B. shut my mouth and spend the money.
C. put the extra money aside with the expectation of having to give it all back.

If it is not WAY over - option C
If over by a lot then they will figure it out, so option A

 

[RodBelding]

thanks for all the responses to the question of the day. The overwhelming choice seems to be "A". However, the answers were weighted and all I needed was one "B" to override all the "A"s... but it never came.

I was leaning toward A, but the devil on my other shoulder kept pointing to the stack of bills I am behind on and saying I should keep my mouth shut.

Gonna take the high road and see what happens. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Good call. Good luck.

 

[stopher1]

BTW... Good Morning, Everyone!!

question of the day: I finally started getting paychecks from my new job, and they are overpaying me. I am getting paid more than I was told I would. Do I:

A. bring it to their attention.
B. shut my mouth and spend the money.
C. put the extra money aside with the expectation of having to give it all back.

Definitely A.

 

[stopher1]

I think Christopher hijacked them!

Ummmmmm No.

It must have been you, Randall.

 

[baseballmickey]

Here's a conversation stimulator. What sort of adventures has anyone had at the Disney parks in terms of participation or unusual activities. For me it's been,

(1) Contestant on 'So You Want to Be a Millionaire'--Got to 1000 points, won a hat and a pin collection

(2) Received an "Adventurers' Club" Pin from the French maid in recognition of my celebrity. (see 1. above)

(3) Two times the 'guy in the audience' at the Hoop-De-Doo review that the funny lady comes down and does the 'shave and a haircut' song with.

(4) Received a 'Splash Down' award from a CM for being the wettest survivor of the Kali River Raft ride she had seen all morning.

(5) Was the Churros guy at Monster Inc. Laugh Floor

Who has had similar adventures?

1. First night of our cruise on the Wonder (2002), I was approached and asked to be a "judge" for a lip sync contest in one of the clubs. They took all of us "judges" out into the hallway, and then broke the news that we'd be performing a dance number. We had do the YMCA, shirtless, on stage. Thankfully, DW was so shocked she didn't get any pictures.

2. Two vacations ago, I was singled out by some performers in DHS and made fun of and then they sang a song using my name.

3. I once started "the wave" while waiting for the Indiana Jones stunt show to start.

I have had some family members get picked for things. my BIL got picked for Indiana Jones, my two younger brothers got picked to ride the honeybee in the old backstage tour, and my sister was in the tugboat.

 

[Goofy + 3]

BAck from Parent Teacher conference. It was not as painful as I had imagined. We have been dealing with a lot of issues with Ethan lately and his grads have dropped like a rock. He has been asking A LOT of questions about his adoption and why and stuff like that. He is dwelling on it and I am worried that it has effected his school work. His self esteem is so low right now because of his grades and feeling unwanted when he was born. We have had to really step up our game and try to reassure him that he was wanted and loved and a God given gift. I impounded his 3DS when his grades dropped and I gave it back to him this evening after our conference. It seems that he made a 100% on his spelling test today. So, that shows me he is trying to move back into the right direction. Say a little prayer for us that he will continue this upswing and bounce back to the old Ethan soon!!

That's rough. He's about the age I was when my parents divorced. Different situation of course, but similar emotions probably. He's got you to coach him throught it so I'm guessing he's gonna come through just fine. I have lots of friends who have adopted in the past few years but none of their kids are old enough to be asking these questions yet.

*right click* *save as* I love that Smiley.



Yes indeed.

On a somber note I visited one of my best friends and fishing buddy today. He just had back surgery, but something else was "off". They found a large tumor growing out of his right lung into his shoulder and pretty sure it's spread to liver and bones. This man (old enough to be my grandfather, but he's one of the guys) has been a rock in our little fishing group for well over a decade. I've spent hours and hours and days and days in a boat with him...

I've seen this movie before, I know what lies ahead and I know there ain't a darn thing I can do about. I do know one thing, that was only the shell of the man I know and love in that chair today...

Thanks for letting me vent

Man that's brutal. Fortunately I've not yet had to go through that with a friend or loved one. I know someday I will and I'm not looking forward to it.

Looks like AK had some 85 point and 100 point contracts for around 6K and 7K respectively. That's not bad, but DW only cleared for more points at BLT, BWV, or BC.

AKV is where I'd like to buy if BLT stays around its current pricing. If I could scrape together a cool $15k by tutoring and travel agent stuff, I'd pull the trigger.

my favorite is CP but get an ADR before park opens it is really nice walking down main st with no one on it .
and 1900 park fare was really cool with cinderella and step sisters

I know I'm in the minority on this one, but 1900 PF was not so good when I was there (dinner). The character interaction was great, but the food was downright horrible. Maybe I just caught them on an off night.

I'm sad i just her Gary Carter 57 Died of Cancer he was a great baseball player hope the Mets do him Justice one day this year RIP you brought us a well deserved "86" championship
RIP

I met him at a celebrity golf tournament here about 12 years ago. We followed his group from about the 3rd hole on. He noticed and after his round he chatted with us and we got some pictures with him. Nice guy.

Have a blast Chris!!!!!

Thanks!

Oh- wait...

BTW... Good Morning, Everyone!!

question of the day: I finally started getting paychecks from my new job, and they are overpaying me. I am getting paid more than I was told I would. Do I:

A. bring it to their attention.
B. shut my mouth and spend the money.
C. put the extra money aside with the expectation of having to give it all back.

My conscience would say A. You never know, maybe they goofed when they told you your salary and this is the correct amount!

Thanks for the welcome.

Not even my middle name is Chris.

It's never too late to change that...

 

[alanapapa]

Here's a conversation stimulator. What sort of adventures has anyone had at the Disney parks in terms of participation or unusual activities. For me it's been,

(1) Contestant on 'So You Want to Be a Millionaire'--Got to 1000 points, won a hat and a pin collection

(2) Received an "Adventurers' Club" Pin from the French maid in recognition of my celebrity. (see 1. above)

(3) Two times the 'guy in the audience' at the Hoop-De-Doo review that the funny lady comes down and does the 'shave and a haircut' song with.

(4) Received a 'Splash Down' award from a CM for being the wettest survivor of the Kali River Raft ride she had seen all morning.

(5) Was the Churros guy at Monster Inc. Laugh Floor

Who has had similar adventures?

All I have is that I was the first person at any Disney Park to be granted free entrance on birthday. Since my birthday is January 1st it was always a possibility. I did not realize that it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. We were Grand Marshalls of the parade that day. They had us walking up Main Street all alone filming us.

When the video was posted online a friend who at the time was a DU TA saw it and called Pete (owner of DU and the DIS) and later he called me to interview me for the DISPodcast.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

But at least you write a mean TR, keep up the good work.

Bleh. What you described there Rob is very similar to the path that the company I was with was doing in the last 5 years I was with them. Bleh. Sorry for all you've put up with and lived through. Bleh.

Thank you both. That list sounded a whole lot like bemoaning my place when I read it back (and I suspect there is an element of that in there), but I’m actually surprised that my family has been resilient and resourceful enough to survive that bleak list of facts. Well get by… one way or another.

I do envy those that are in a place to chuck it all and take on their own ventures. I’d like to be able to do that, but honestly… I have no clue what vocation it would be in. What things I enjoy doing… and what talents I have are not very marketable. I can’t see anyone offering to pay for what services I could render. Given that fact… I guess I better just work that much harder at the things I don’t like. Yet… it could still be much worse and I never forget that fact.

 

[Goofy + 3]

All I have is that I was the first person at any Disney Park to be granted free entrance on birthday. Since my birthday is January 1st it was always a possibility. I did not realize that it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. We were Grand Marshalls of the parade that day. They had us walking up Main Street all alone filming us.

When the video was posted online a friend who at the time was a DU TA saw it and called Pete (owner of DU and the DIS) and later he called me to interview me for the DISPodcast.

Winner!! What an awesome memory!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

All I have is that I was the first person at any Disney Park to be granted free entrance on birthday. Since my birthday is January 1st it was always a possibility. I did not realize that it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. We were Grand Marshalls of the parade that day. They had us walking up Main Street all alone filming us.

When the video was posted online a friend who at the time was a DU TA saw it and called Pete (owner of DU and the DIS) and later he called me to interview me for the DISPodcast.

Andrew, you have a friend who knows Pete?!? Have him call Pete and ask him to

Quit Messing With The Speed!

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

All I have is that I was the first person at any Disney Park to be granted free entrance on birthday. Since my birthday is January 1st it was always a possibility. I did not realize that it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. We were Grand Marshalls of the parade that day. They had us walking up Main Street all alone filming us.

When the video was posted online a friend who at the time was a DU TA saw it and called Pete (owner of DU and the DIS) and later he called me to interview me for the DISPodcast.

Awesome story!