The "new" IMD community

I get this email (yes, I read my work email on my days off) and it said that there will be something going on to revamp the teams since there will not be a third IMD leader. I took the initiative and created the teams and schedules of leaders. I sent this to my leader and to the DRC director/manager (I don't know his official title).

My leader hasn't seen it yet but the big guy has so we'll see what happens. I separated the teams by those who work in the beginning of the week to those who work at the end of the week. Each team is 25 members plus one leader. Both leaders would work 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so that won't be a sticking point if it is picked up. The sticking point with my fellow IMD leader is going to be who is on what team.

When IMD was divided the first time, this particular leader took all the stellar agents. She wins contests in spite of herself because she does not spend any time doing Side by Sides, 1:1, or any coaching what so ever. Those of us who had the lesser agents had to do our jobs at a higher level. I managed to move my team from 67% conversion rate and pulled them up to 115%!! We still have challenges winning contests but I think this speaks volumes, especially when the celebrated winner of all challenges is still at 89%.

I am also hoping to not be in this community for much longer so it doesn't matter to me but I wanted the next person in my spot to have a fair shake. Basically, I'm tired of those who don't actually do their job to always win. If you can still win when the stakes are even, perhaps you are doing your job. If you don't then the truth will be known. Plus, with me taking the initiative to get it done, it will prove my dedication.

I need to go and wash my face. Being a brown nose sucks but sometimes, it's all appearances.

Strangeness Update

So here is a bit of the back story that I found out this week. I will do my best to make it as clear as possible but you have to remember, it still isn't that clear to me...

I found out why the one leader asked me if I was called over my vacation. Apparently, or perhaps I should say supposedly, the Leader of Leaders for the Worldphiles went to my Leader of Leaders and told her that she wanted me to join her team (to back fill the MLOA leader and then to take on a New Hire team). Supposedly my leader put up a bit of a stink (the Worldphiles do not like my leader so I am not sure how accurate this part truly is) but after some "leg work" it appears that my leader gave in and started to work with her. Then HR said the position had to be posted. I said that I was flattered but we'll see what happens. You will learn that as a Cast Member, you never think you have anything because "things are always subject to change at Disney".

Fast forward to Tuesday. The LOLs took all of us FLLs (that is Leaders of Leaders and Front Line Leaders for those non-Disney folk) to supper at Maggiano's, a nice upscale Italian restaurant. I had to ride with my LOL and I asked her if she could tell me now why she was so happy about my posting for the position. She said that she had been working with the Worldphile LOL to get me over there since she knew I would be happier there and really excel. I was thinking that this was interesting and told her that I appreciated it and she was right since I was getting bored in Dining and really wanted to get on to something new.

Fast forward again to Wednesday. A different Worldphile leader asked me if I had posted (keep in mind that there are three Worldphile leaders and one new one along with one out on MLOA) for the position. I laughed and said that I had never had so much interest in my career path before. She asked again and I told her yes. She said that was great and wondered if I knew what was going on behind the scenes. I reiterated what my leader told me the night before to which this fine proper woman said was "complete bullshit" and that floored me! She said the same thing the first leader had told me about mine being a poop over it and so on. I said that I didn't care who wanted to be my hero as long as I got to go home (remember, I was a Worldphile agent in my previous life).

This past Monday, I popped in on my leader after a long day of casting for a chat since she had been out all day. She told me that one leader on our team got a new position and that she and the Worldphile LOL would be conducting the interviews. I am not sure why she just blurted all this out but hey, I took it and ran with it.

Now for what happened last night. I asked the final Worldphile leader a question regarding the MIA, I mean MLOA, leader and how she was doing. She said that no one had heard from her but she and the rest of the team were rooting for me. She went on to say how I will be a perfect fit for the team since I love New Hires, she likes the ones who have been here for about a year and have learned some bad habits and the other leaders like them seasoned. I expressed my tiny concern about interviewing with people who already know my entire career accomplishments and how to present it so that they would be awed and amazed (can you tell that I really want this spot?). She gave me some great insight and said that I really had nothing to worry about because her leader always gets what she wants and they all want me!

Now here is where I sit, metaphorically speaking. I know nothing more than I really did a week and a half ago except that the position would start on October 1, the first day of our new fiscal year. I know of some of the floor agents who posted for it but I really think that I don't have much to worry about there since I am already a leader and I have the added bonus of knowing the other people's history. I can barely sleep for running interview scenarios in my head and keep thinking that there has to be something I can do to slam dunk this thing and call it done.

To put it in perspective... it's like riding the Tower of Terror. You are sitting there enjoying the ride through the 'stars' and then all of a sudden the window opens and you are anticipating the fall but just hasn't happened yet... you're just waiting, suspended on the edge.

Mystery Solved... Somewhat

So the Leaders of Leaders hosted a dinner last night at Maggiano's for the Front Line Leaders. It was really wonderful and a good time was had by all. That isn't the point of this post though. I had to ride with my leader to the event. Just the two of us in her Lexus (yeah... ) so I took the opportunity after a bit of small talk to ask her about why she was so excited the other day about my posting for the position. I found out (as I knew I would since she loves to tell secrets and sound like the hero) that she had been talking to the LOL for Worldphiles and was trying to get me over there since that is what I really want to do and they need more leaders. Granted, the story I heard prior was a bit tainted and so it makes it difficult to see who is the real hero but either way ~ I win!

I'll let you know how it all turns out in the end.

Strangeness at DRC... at Least for Me!

So I go back to work on Sunday after a 10 day vacation, photographic evidence below, and things are just a bit odd. Let me give you some highlights, since that is all I have, and you let me know what you think... I am living my work-life via highlights... strangeness indeed.

1. Return from vacation and do normal catch-up activities when fellow leader and friend asks if I was contacted by my leader whilst on my vacation. I say no, why ~ is there something wrong. Friend says "then I can't tell you anything." and walks away.
2. Rumblings through DRC that one of the Worldphile leaders will not be returning since her MLOA was extended yet again.
3. More rumblings that there will be a need for an SEL and 2 more FT CTIS FFL in Tampa. Posting hit the HUB on Sunday night.
   
4. Monday, my leader wanted to make sure that I posted for the Full Time CTIS Leader position that was on the HUB. I told her I did, even sent her an email on Sunday telling her I had, and she smiled and clapped her hands.
5. Returned later to inquire as to why she was so excited that I posted for the position, she said that she has been doing sneaky things, in a good way, and she couldn't tell me what she was doing. I was to trust her that it was good and be patient.

This has been my past two days back from vacation. I have no idea what direction my career is going but apparently, it's being taken care of and I should just sit back and deal with it. I guess I'll keep my arms and legs inside the vehicle while the ride is in motion and we are clear to go. BEEP BEEP!!

My view of things around the World...

I may not be a photographer by trade but in my head... I'm fabulous. This is my World, welcome to it.

It's That Time of Year Again...

It's time for the Case Excellence Survey! This is a time when we take every single member of Walt Disney World (60,000 cast members) and give them the opportunity to anonymously state their feelings and opinions on the operations of the business unit. Everything is in there ranging from work environment, the work itself, your leader and the company as a whole.

I get to take one on myself, my leader and any partner that I work with who choses to have me fill one out. In turn; my leader, my cast and my chosen partners will fill one out on me. You have to love the 360 degree feedback.

At first I was nervous about it but to be honest, it's a great gift to be able to hear what the team and my peers think (as an average since it is anonymous). My cast (The Playhouse Pals) will be averaged out as a group and then as a separate group, my peers will be averaged out. The only one who I get to see exactly what was written is my leader. The good flip side is that my responses will be averaged with my peers for my leader since we are her cast.

Like I told my team, it isn't a time for "praising to the rafters" or to "condemn them to you-know-where", it is a time to voice your opinions and thoughts. If you would like to make a more passionate argument, please do so in a 1:1 fashion as that is the proper venue.

I did nothing more than answer honestly. It is not a pretty final picture but it was the truth. This is a woman who talks on the phone during my 1:1 time, gives me information that conflicts with what her leader tells me to do (whole other post, I promise) and generally plays favorites... so I let it out there.

Results will not be available until October 1 ~ the first day of the Fiscal New Year... woo hoo!! I'll keep you posted on how things turn out and what the results are all the way around. You see, one has to share the results with their direct reports so I will know what Rose Mary's turned out to be and The Playhouse Pals will know what mine turned out to be... neat huh.

I Want You...

To have a Happy Independence Day!

Ugh, Life Again...

Got in the way of my posting but I have a doozie for you tomorrow! You'll never believe how my "second job" now cost me $4500!!

Taa-Daa!

So I just heard Sami downstairs!

Backstory: Sami has lunch around 11 and is usually laid down for nap around noon. She sleeps in a little crib in my parent's room for nap because it is difficult on my mother's knees to go up and down the stairs.

I laid her down for nap and came up here to do a quick post and hop in the shower. All of a sudden I hear "TAA-DAA" and Dani going "Sam, what are you doing in here?" down in the living room. Sami had apparently climbed out of the crib and decided to go out and show everyone her new escape artist abilities (her trick she learned right before this one was how to open the door).

Needless to say it is going to be a loooooooooong afternoon for them. It's slightly evil but I am glad I have to go to work today!

Deepest Apologies

I know it has been a bit since I have last posted. Things have been busy with the start of summer vacation and all. Hoping to have things in a routine by the end of this week. Want a silly update? Try this on for size:

I usually get home around midnight and some nights I stop at this 7-11 to get gas in my car or grab something to drink, you get the idea. Well, the past few nights I have stopped and there is this really cute blonde guy that works there. He started up a conversation on Saturday about where I work (yeah, I forgot to take off my nametag and lanyard). He was very sweet and seemed genuinely interested. Sunday night I needed to get some petro so I stopped again at my usual station because they are about five cents cheaper than anywhere else on my route regardless of if you pay cash or credit. He walked outside and asked where his ears were. I smiled and said that I forgot. He told me that I was warned not to come back unless I had his ears. This is a light banter so I promised I would not forget again. He smiled and went on about his duties. On my way out, I pulled up next to him and rolled down my passenger side window. I asked him if he worked Monday night. He said no but he was here on Tuesday. You know the question I asked next (how many ears do you need). He leaned in and gave me a really big smiled, kind of sheepishly asked for three for his nieces. I smiled and told him that I would see him Tuesday night.

Last night I brought home six sets of ears: 3 tie-dyed and 3 gold. Each set is autographed with "Your Pal, Mickey Mouse" on one ear and when I get there tonight I will ask for the names of his nieces for the other ear. You think he will like them?

The things I will do for a sweet disposition and cute smile.

Taps

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the songthat gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will beinterested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army CaptainRobert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. TheConfederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who layseverely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederatesoldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man backfor medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the strickensoldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually aConfederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb withshock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Withouttelling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiorsto give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His requestwas only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group ofArmy band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate But, out ofrespect, for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musicalnotes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth'suniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born.
The words are:

Day is done ... Gone the sun
From the lakes... From the hills...
From the sky... All is well.
Safely rest... God is nigh.

Fading light... Dims the sight .
And a star... Gems the sky
Gleaming bright From afar ...
Drawing nigh . Falls the night.

Thanks and praise... For our days .
Neath the sun... Neath the stars..
Neath the sky... As we go
This we know .. God is nigh.

How to Observe Memorial Day

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

~ by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

~ by visiting memorials.

~ by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

~ by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
~ by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

~ by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

The History of Memorial Day

courtesy of U.S. Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy redThat grows on fields where valor led,It seems to signal to the skiesThat blood of heroes never dies.She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.

To date, there has been no further developments on the bill. Please write your Representative and your Senators, urging them to support these bills. You can also contact Mr. Inouye to let him know of your support.

Visit our Help Restore the Traditional Day of Observance page for more information on this issue, and for more ways you can help.

To see what day Memorial Day falls on for the next 10 years, visit the Memorial Day Calendar page.

Too Little, Too Late

So I was at the STaR Gala yesterday, the third one that day to be exact, when I get told by Derek that Rose Mary was looking for me. I found that interesting since at the end of the second Gala I shared with my friend Kathi that she had forgotten my anniversary.

I go to my Console and there she is with Patty and my balloon. They throw pixie dust at me and I kid you not, this is what she said: "Congratulations, sorry I missed it yesterday. Happy Anniversary." Now read that completely deadpan and flat... that is how she said it.

I just wanted my Steamboat Willie pin and now I have it. Rose Mary popped by later to ask me out to supper the next day (meaning today) so I accepted but let's be honest. I don't want to go... my Leader is too high maintenance for me. I'll go but it will be two hours of my life that I will never get back.

Nuffin....

My leader did NOTHING (or as my PopPop used to say "n-u-f-f-i-n, nuffin") for my anniversary!! I did not get my Steamboat Willie pin nor did I get my balloon and cards. Granted, she was off yesterday but she didn't even bother to set anything up for me... she didn't even call!

My friends around DRC remembered; Cindy Mahan, Geri and Laine. They all came by at one point or another and said congratulations. Each one wondered where my stuff was and how horrible that she didn't remember such a milestone anniversary.

It's just like my birthday ~ they forgot it for two months. Gesh, I need some pixie dust.

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to all of the original cast members on "Figment's Dream Team"! We made it a whole year.

Now, on the news regarding the cast members I started back with a year ago. We were a class of 27 and now there are only 9 of us left: Myself, Tommy, Jackie H., Jackie D., Todd, Samantha, Blake, Steve and Melissa. This core group of people, sans Tommy and myself, came up with idea of all gathering at Hooters after work tonight. They are good people but they forgot about two of us original Dream Team members.


Tommy was omitted because he left for a few months and just came back ~ he's in training as we speak. I was omitted because, and I swear this is the answer they gave me, I am a leader. What kind of stupid answer is that? Because I am no longer a sales agent on the floor but am a leader who has saved their butts more than once they forgot that I am one of the original team... whatever.

Not going to ruin my day. I think I will wear the same outfit I did a year ago to Traditions.. my black pants, red sparkly sweater and black heels. That will be nice. I'll get my Steamboat Willie pin and 1 year balloon... they should be waiting for me with a card from Bob, Cal and Bill. Should get one from Rose Mary too... I love anniversaries at Disney!!

Words of Wisdom

Never try to teach a pig to sing.
It's a waste of time,
and annoys the pig

Back One Year

So on Sunday I will be back at Disney for one year. Can you believe it? I don't really count this as my anniversary but the company does since they didn't bridge my time. My anniversary that I count is on November 12 ~ that will be three years. I don't think being gone for six months really counts as being gone, do you?

Anyway, Happy Anniversary to me on Sunday! I will get my Steamboat Willie pin and I can hardly wait. I missed it the first time by two weeks.. that was sad for me. I'll post a picture of it when I get home on Sunday night.

Mozilla FireFox

So when I couldn't get into my blog I had to download a new web browser and I must say that I really like it. It has all the cool features of IE7 like the tabs, search bars and customized themes but it doesn't shut down on me. It also enabled me to get into my blog when I had to unistall IE7 and reinstall IE6. So what is the name of this miracle web browser, you may ask... Mozilla Firefox

There is one down side to using this web browser when you are working on your blog ~ you have to know your HTML in order to get things like links, pictures and movies to work. It isn't a hard language once you start working with it but in the beginning it can get a little fuzzy.

Now go and check it out. I am sure you will love it as much as I do.

Locked Out

So my blog was on a sort of lock down and I could not get in to it. I had to disable one aspect of it and we'll see if that helps. If it does not, I am going to have to "relocate" this site in order to keep things safe and fun.

Nice to be back, I've missed you all.