Where In The World Is Sum1?

Working From Home/Schedule Update

Locale: Bloomington, Illinois


         Well, for the 11^th week in a row, I'm home, and will be at least one more week if not more.  Work has picked back up for us, we've been busy creating small 5-7 minute videos for students to review prior to a class, and editing our courseware so it can be used in an online delivery.  I will be teaching class again this week, and will have now taught three weeks in a row.  As summer approaches, we'll get busier, so we've been told.  I can believe it, because despite not teaching for half of April, I am scheduled for 36 days of delivery in the second quarter.  For a full twelve week quarter, 25 days is considered to be a full schedule.


         Obviously I'm very lucky, and blessed to have this job I love.  And despite all the things we're doing, senior leadership still has to take some hard lines on things.  As a result of this virus, our annual incentive bonus is gone for next year (but I still have a job), they have e-mailed long term employees with a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP), and yes, I received that e-mail.  But I won't be taking their offer, even if it is a little generous.  There is a possibility that in the future we'll have layoffs.  While I think I'm relatively safe, you never know.  So you might ask why I'm not taking their VSP offer?  Because I don't want to retire, plain and simple.  We'll see what the future holds, but I still have this job!


         I often wonder what I'd be doing, or where I'd be, if I had remained at the Firestone Tire Plant during that tire recall of 2000.  I don't think I'd be near as happy, that's for sure.  Right now, my schedule has me going to Delaware in two weeks, New Mexico (Home!) in three weeks, teaching from home the following two weeks, and the week of July 4^th free of delivery.  After that, I will be in Washington DC, then teach from home, Washington DC again, then either teach from home, or teach in Chicago.  It all depends on what management decides by that time.  August finds me in California, with two weeks in Chicago working on a small system to get it set for a delivery the third week  (Lagos Nigeria US Embassy technicians).  Obviously most of this is 'up-in-the-air' and not firm.  I think the Delaware class is really up-in-the-air, and maybe that California class, since that's been delayed 4-5 times already, starting early last year.

In Closing

         I am home for the next week at least.  We'll see what happens with that Delaware class. Til next time, be good to yourselves and those you love, and WRITE!




Jim Dorrell