Head-dibs

"For this reason, I cannot call the man industrious, if I hear this only, that he reads and writes; and even if a man adds that he reads all night, I cannot say so, if he knows not to what he should refer his reading. For neither do you say that a man is industrious if he keeps awake for a girl; nor do I. But if he does it for reputation, I say that he is a lover of reputation. And if he does it for money, I say that he is a lover of money, not a lover of labor; and if he does it through the love of learning, I say that he is a lover of learning. But if he refers his labor to his own ruling power, that he may keep it in a state conformable to nature and pass his life in that state, then only do I say that he is industrious." (Epictetus, Discourses, 4.4.41.43)

When I look back through my work experience, I am intrigued at how my work history forms a kind of “ramp” into what I do now. For the most part, I’ve always worked alone or had positions in companies that permitted me to work alone. I recall how when interviewing for my job here at the University, my supervisor (who now serves as Dean and to this day, remains my supervisor) asked, “are you able to work alone?” To which I was able to reply with a resounding “Yes!” www.backintheawesomedays.com My work history began (I think) with doing little jobs around the office when visiting my mom or dad at their work. You know, “busy work” given to kids to keep them out of the way, mostly. Like tearing off the perforated edges from the paper that was roller fed through dot-matrix printers. Remember that “continuous feed” paper that came in large boxes? After that I sometimes traveled with my dad on day-trips. But that was all before I could legally work. My first job in Junior High Scho...

Ever wonder why we work an 8-hour work day? Surely someone, somewhere decided this is how we would order this part of our lives. Well, today’s the day it happened and we have the Australians to thank for it. The setting: Skilled workers logged 58 hour  work-weeks (or longer) at 10 hours (or more) per day while shop-owners worked even longer. Child labor was typical, but not without caution (limiting work to 50 hours per week, and no work for children under the age of 13). Self-improvement, education, enjoying life, rest, worship were un-civil and unprofitable activities. The goal of the long hours: produce wealth for employers and taxes for the State.  “On 18 August 1855 the Stonemasons‚ Society in Sydney issued an ultimatum to employers that in six months time, masons would only work an eight-hour day. However men working on the Holy Trinity Church in Argyle Cut, and on the Mariners‚ Church (an evangelical mission to seafarers, now an art gallery and café) in Lower Geo...

Dedicated Christians who are not for sale; Who are honest, sound-true to the heart's core; Who condemn wrong in friend or foe, in themselves as will as others; Whose conscience are steady as the needle to the pole; Who will stand for the right if the heavens totter and the earth reels; Who can tell the truth and stand by it; Who neither brag nor run; Who neither flag nor flinch; Who can have courage without whistling for it, and joy without shouting to bring it; Who have the current of everlasting life running deep, still and strong - Who know their message and tell it, know their duty and do it, know their place and fill it - Who are not too lazy to work, nor too proud to be poor. Who are willing to eat what they have earned, and use what they have paid for.

Wikipedia on False advertising: “an act of deliberately misleading a potential client about a product, service or a company in general by reporting false or misrepresenting information or data in advertising or other promotional materials. False advertising is a type of fraud. False advertising is often a crime.” False advertising is sneaky and there’s a whole class of sneaky behavior that’s designed to move money from one pocket to another under false pretenses. These con games are often just greedy and dishonest, but can sometimes be clever and creative as well. While nobody likes to be conned, there seems to be enough people out there who are ready to do it. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Ever heard of the “Psychic” Mary Elaine Stevenson? She managed to convince some of her clients to bring her specific items including a spoonful of dirt and cash. After spreading the cash around the room, she’d declare that it was cursed and offer to dispose of it safely. I am certain that by no...