Wednesday, October 17, 2007

I had toyed around with starting to blog in the evenings, but then I couldn't decide if I should blog about the previous days events or just the current days. So, I just skipped yesterday, and I am resuming my regular scheduled blogcast day.

The only big news on Monday was me zeroing in on a workout that actually works for me. I decided to completely shun supersets because all they do is stress me out. I get irritated when I have to do another exercise in a short amount of time, and when I finish the first, there is someone using the other piece of equipment that I want to use. I realize that I could start working out in the morning or other times that are less crowded, but frankly, I know that wouldn't happen. The only bad thing is that when I printed off the routing, there were boxes for sets of each exercise. However, the printer didn't recognize all the formatting, and instead of greying out certain exercises that did not require a forth set, it just looked like I was to do everything, which I did, and by the time I got to the dips, my triceps were so wasted, I couldn't even finish them. The problem is solved now, and I am looking forward to obliterating my biceps and shoulders today.

Tuesday ended up being probably one of the most satisfying days of my professional career. Granted, a lot of the gains could still fall to the way side, but I think I went a long way in proving that I my greatest skills are not being maximized by the crappy reporting they have me doing now. I am continually amazed at how things have shook out for me since 8 of us were unceremoniously let go from the State over two years ago. While I stayed in the not-for-profit service sector, most of my compatriots have moved on to bigger and better jobs on the real estate development side of things. Well, all of these connections are coming to fruition for me in the form of possible expansion here at my job. The developers I have brought to the table are former co-workers, the board member that is involved in the initial discussion works for the law firm that one of my other former co-workers is consulting for, and even more former co-workers will be involved in this as it goes forward. Plus, with me being the person who brought all of this together and to the attention of our Executive Director, I really come out of it looking like someone who brings a lot to the table, and even though I was not really in the development side of things at the State, I picked up enough in 9 years to be dangerous when it comes to asking the right questions.

Anyway, the meeting between the developers, board member, and my ED happened yesterday afternoon, and it really could not have gone better. If this all goes as planned, we will completely change the focus of our mission from emergency shelter services to transitional housing, which is where the biggest change occurs in the lives of women and children. The average stay at an emergency shelter is 30 to 90 days, but in transitional, they can stay up to two years. The shelter would still be necessary, and it could even be expanded in its current location. However, the addition of affordable, transitional housing to the mix will really make an impact in the community.

Another thing that popped up yesterday was the resignation of someone I was familiar with when I worked for the State, and her taking a high level job with the United Way of Central Indiana. While I never really had any one-on-one interaction with her and she was basically behind the housecleaning that resulted in the lose of mine and everyone else's job, I am certain she holds no ill will towards me, and I plan on making the most of the small level of familiarity that we have. It is a great coincidence that she is always at a Halloween Party that I attend, and I plan on making sure I get her to talk a little off the record (and drunk).

On top of all that, there was movement in the fundraising software purchase that I have blogged about in the past as my salvation from reporting. Since we were only granted a partial amount of the total needed, the software company has offered us the ability to pay that money down and finance the rest. This will allow us to get the ball rolling with the conversion and launch. I have a conference call with them soon to see what sort of time frame we can get this going. The sooner the better for me!

When I look at what I have been able to accomplish in the almost two years I have been employed here, I am happy to see that I have been able to make an impact in the very small amount of time that I have when I am not writing reports. My review will happen before the end of the month, and I think I can make a compelling argument that I can make a much bigger impact doing other things within the agency. All I know is that something has to change soon, and I can see all of my machinations finally falling into place. Granted, almost anything could happen to make it blow up in my face, but if I get even a fraction of what I am working for, I will be an extremely happy individual. Wish me luck!