Thursday, May 27, 2010

A source of constant frustration...

One of the things that i have to deal with on a daily basis has kind of reached a critical mass with me.

I can't stand people who do not want to learn new things.

I freely admit that I am a bit more "techy" than most of the people I work with.  I routinely scan tech blogs like Gizmodo and TechCrunch to keep up with the newest things, things that won't even come out for years that get me excited.  Having said that, there are many things out there that would make people's lives so much easier, but their aversion to learning new things keeps those awesome tools out of their hands.

I am routinely frustrated with my co-workers fear of learning Google Docs.  Google docs makes my life easier in so many ways, but I am constantly bumping into roadblocks because people just don't want to learn anything new.  We are still content with sending 10 different copies of spreadsheets, documents and emails back and forth, day in and day out, until no one knows what copy is current and we all get frustrated...easily solved by switching to Google Docs.

Even small things, such as using Excel to build a spreadsheet instead of embedding a table into Word (gah) fall well short of the people I have to work with on a daily basis.  I regularly have people approach me at work to ask them how to do the SIMPLEST things in Excel.  I never mind helping them, but people just don't actively search for ways to do things that will make their lives easier!  Very few people out there actually say to themselves, "There has GOT to be a better way to do this!" and go out and find the answer to that riddle.

I realize that getting people to change might be the most difficult thing on Earth besides being a Cubs' fan.  It just baffles me that people don't want to improve.  The whole "give a man a fish" story is amazing, because it really seems like most people don't want to learn how to fish.  They just want someone to give them the same old fish every day until they die.  I can't do that...I need to grow, and I wish those around me shared the same goal.

A few other pet peeves in this mindset:

  • People who still click the "To" button when composing an email in Outlook.  Just type the effing name!!!
  • People who are amazed when you show them "Alt-Tab".  This feature has been around since Windows 95.  Learn it.
  • Hand-written handouts.  Seriously?  Have you even heard of a typewriter?

Monday, May 10, 2010

Tournament time in Texas...

Long, but very satisfying, weekend...

ExplosiveSon had a baseball tournament in Grand Prairie this weekend, which we took 2nd place.  Great time, but the son was having a really rough time at the plate...I kind of lost it on him and went a little overboard.  Nothing like an overbearing father to set things right, huh?

Well, he snapped out of the slump the next day, much to my relief.  He even pitched the championship game, which we ended up losing 8-3, but he pitched very well. The team we played was pretty good, and he did an awesome job getting the ball over the plate.  I am immensely proud of him.

Politics in youth baseball never ceases to amaze me...I will leave it at that, but just know that there were some POUTY people out there.  Combine that with an egregious non-balk call that could have turned the tide in the championship game, and you almost could have brought my spirits down, but I had a great weekend.

It kind of makes me sad....this is probably the last year I am going to be able to be the coach of my son's team, as he hits 9th grade next year and in all probability will be able to be on the HS JV squad (or one of them).  I really don't know what I am going to do with my time...which is why I have taken up umpiring as a separate pasttime.  Man, it is a blast.  I love being out there and helping to make baseball a better sport...because nothing can ruin a good time like bad officials...I probably will be getting back into refereeing basketball again too...this time, ExplosiveWife wants to learn as well.  I am anxious to see how she handles that!