Workplace Embarrassments

I just read an entertaining article on CNN.com entitled "Your biggest work embarrassments." We all have nightmares about embarrassing ourselves in social situations. We are afraid of having toilet paper stuck to our shoes or having ab opened zipper or button that reveals alittle more than we would like.

The article states that the worst kind of embarrassment is the type that could be prevented if our brains were quickler than our tongues. Once we say the wrong thing, we can't take it back.

This article shared some embarrassing stores that made me smile. Especially, the story about the receptionst complaining about her job and how she hated everyting about it. The person visiting with the receptionist listened politely and then after the receptionist was done venting, soothingly told the receptionist she didn't think she would be at her job much longer. The receptionist asked why and the person stated, "Well, once the baby is born, won't you be taking maternity leave?" The receptionist wasn't pregnant! I have heard of this happening so many times. In fact, there have been circumstances where I wondered about someone myself, but never actually embarrassed myself by asking. Besides it not being any of my business, sometimes it is just too hard to tell.

E-mails are another way we can cause ourselves alot of embarrassement. I have seen and heard enough to know, always double-check the "send to" information before sending an e-mail!

Another workplace embarrassment is getting caught playing "hooky." A CareerBuilder.com writer wrote an interesting article, "Bosses Tell All: How I Busted My Employee Playing Hooky."

This article was hilarious. It suggested that you don't take the Ferris Bueller route when playing hooky. There is really no need to create excuses for wanting a day off. The article recommends that you just talk with your boss and be honest. According to a survey by CareerBuilder.com, 33 percent of employees admitted to playing hooky this year rather than telling their bosses the truth. The "Web of lies" section of this article is filled with funny little true stores about getting caught playing hooky.

I know we all think about playing hooky at one time or another. But, for me, actually doing it is another story. I don't think my conscious would let me do it; I would feel too guilty. I have been very fortunate in my jobs, though. When I want or need time off, all I have to do is be honest and ask. Unfortunately, I know this isn't true for all jobs.

Basketball Officials Declining Membership - Are Parents to Blame?

I just read an article in the Fargo Forum regarding a shortage of junior and senior high basketball officials. The article started with asking the following questions: "Would you take a job knowing you'd be screamed at by strangers every time you showed up for work? Knowing your eyesight would be questioned? Knowing you'd be called incompetent?"

There seems to be a shortage of membership in the Red River Valley Officials Association. This article makes the statement that unruly parents are partly to blame.

The Red River Valley Officials Association is the group of referees that officiate local junior and senior high basketball games. The association's membership is decreasing and if this continues, it could lead to a shortage of officials in the future. The article states that young people are not interested in becoming officials because of the verbal abuse officials must listen to.

One long time official doesn't feel that this is the only reason interest is dwindling. He believes burnout is another factor. Many kids are now on summer traveling teams and they play as many as 70-80 games a year. By the time they are done with high school they have had enough. Also, they see the disrespect and don't want to deal with it.

It seems there is just a small minority of the parents that cause the problem. But, it is still a problem they have to listen to and doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Also, how about the coaches and fans besides the parents. This article was alittle one sided against the parents. These two groups can be put on the list right alongside the parents for unruly behavior.

I have two boys in basketball. One is in seventh grade and one is a sophomore. I'm very curious about the discrepancies in the way officials make their calls. We aren't the parents doing the yelling or anything at the games, but sometimes it sure is hard not to start!!

I know officiating has to be a tough job. I wouldn't do it myself. Most of the time they are doing the best they can do I'm sure. But, it's the obvious bad calls that can win or lose a game for the kids that are frustrating. When one kid on a team gets called for a foul and the kid on the other team is doing the exact same thing and doesn't get called, this is frustrating for the kid that gets the foul and their parents, etc.

There may be a solution to help alleviate the abuse officials must endure during games. In visiting with other parents they suggested school officials help with crowd control. If someone starts getting to out of control they are given a warning and if that doesn't do the trick, they are asked to leave. Also, officials could start giving more technicals out due to abusive fans, parents, coaches, etc. Once the technicals start getting called and points are given away, these groups of people might just start settling down.

ND Governor Happy with Current Residence

Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo plans to introduce a new bill in the 2009 Legislature. Kasper feels the governor's residence "should be much more magnificant." He feels the current governor's residence is not impressive enough for high-profile visitors. Kasper feels the governor's residence looks like an ordinary home.

Kasper would like to use $3 million of the state's expected $1 billion surplus for a new governor's home. With the state's expected surplus he feels this would be a good time for this project.

Governor John Hoeven doesn't feel that a new governor's residene is appropriate. He states, "I don't think we need it." A showy residence would be uncharacteristic of ND and would draw public opposition.

The governor's home did have more than $300,000 worth of renovations done in the late 1990s. These costs were financed by private donations. Hoeven occassionally hosts receptions for legislators at the residence, but larger functions are held at hotels or the state Heritage Center.

The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University have both given their campus presidents new homes costing more than $1 million each. These homes were financed by private donations.

When searching the web for more information on the ND Governor's residene I discovered this link: http://governor.nd.gov/hoeven/residence.html. The few pictures on this site show a modern and beautfully decorated home. In agreement with Governor Hoeven, I don't see a need for a new governor's residence. The home has many years of history in it. ND prides itself in it's heritage.

If the governor's residence was rebuilt to be able to host larger social functions, it may not feel as much as a home for the Governor, his family and friends. They currently can feel a sense of security knowing who they have in their home. A larger function would bring more people in to their home, many they may not know well, and security measures would have to be much greater.

There seems to be so many more needs in ND, i.e. education, roads, human service organizations, homeless. Why can't we help some of these types of needs, along with keeping a nice reserve fund. We never know what the future holds and having a nice, healthy reserve to fall back on wouldn't be a bad idea. It will be interesting to see what other legislative representatives think about the proposal for a new governor's residence.