A long overdue update
Well, just for the benefit of those on LJ who might think I fell off a cliff or I'm stuck in a well or somesuch, I thought I'd better throw in a quick update. Sorry about the lack of any updates, btw. It's not even that I'm really that busy (though I do spend 9 hours of the day at the office and another 2 driving to and from). I think it's more to do with the fact that I look at a computer screen for 8 hours a day now and I don't care to look at one some more when I get home.
Speaking of the job,there's some serious need of updating, so here goes:
After another few frustrating weeks of operating without all of the appropriate tools of the trade, I finally settled in and became an official dispatcher. And not a bad one, in my own humble opinion. I clicked right away with my Florida appraisers and we all got along just fine. We even usually managed to have a few laughs while we got some work done. They were all great, although like any normal person I developed some favorites. My absolute fav was Cyndi, an extremely cynical appraiser in Jacksonville who loves to smart off. We got along great and would have several short conversations a day laughing about her expolits that day or making fun of management. Then there was Michelle in Bonita Springs who was a lot like Cyndi but a little less cynical and probably even more outspoken. She would always make me laugh when she would go off on a rant about how ridiculous the circumstances surrounding the appraisers' job were. Rich in Port St. Lucie was cool- he and I would talk about our cats and theorize that the Travlers computer system is run by HAL, the disgruntled computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey. And John in Sarasota was always there with a supportive comment on how well we were doing in dispatch, and he was always willing to go the extra mile to help.
So whats with all the past tense?
Well the big news is that after me only being there two months, the powers that be decided to reorganize the whole dispatch department. In the shuffle, I ended up dispatching for North Carolina instead of Florida. The reasons behind this are twofold: The official line is that the two dispatch managers had an uneven number of people and an uneven workload due to the scope of the territories they supervised- all true I might add. My boss, Tim (who I do genuinely like now that I've gotten to know him- he sometimes teaches us dirty songs he learned in the army) was pulling his hair out having to supervise both Florida and Georgia, the two biggest (volume-wise) and most troublesome (management-wise) states. Thus the second not-so-official reason for the switch. Another cool thing about Tim is that he's really good about keeping us informed about what's really going on if he can because he feels like we should be told the truth and not be given a bunch of bureaucratic bullcrap. The second reason was so that they could move many of the more experienced dispatchers to the trouble-spots. Thus I got moved to North Carolina because the company has had offices there for a lot longer and operations are smoother.
I wasn't really thrilled with the idea of the move, especially since I had pretty much just established relationships with my Florida appraisers and we were getting into a groove so far as running things. Sure I had my issues with their Unit Manager (who is kind of a pain in the arse) but I wasn't the first person to do so, and if anything I got along with him better than most people since I'm a pretty patient person and generally willing to cooperate with any sort of reasonable demand. However, after my first week dispatching for NC, I'm getting the hang of it. It's a little different, but mostly the same. And there does seem to be a better level of cooperation from management. I like my team of all guys ok, and I think we'll probably develop our own rapport eventually.
Not sure I can say the same for my Florida appraisers.... Their new dispatcher (and coincidentally my appraisers' old dispatcher) is apparently something of a drill sergeant. I only trained with her for a few hours and she seemed ok at the time, but since the switch we've already had a few run-ins, mostly dealing with the fact that NC is longer her turf and she needs to back off. All I'll say is that I would have expected a more professional and courteous attitude from a dispatcher with 5 years of experience. But this is nothing I can't handle, especially with Tim as back-up.
However, I hear that my poor Florida appraisers aren't adjusting so well. They don't seem to like their new dispatcher's manner so much- I've even received email from a few of them saying they wish they had me back.... It makes me proud that they were that impressed with me after only a few short months, but I hate that they are having so much trouble out of her. I have heard though, that there was a feedback session involving the Florida appraisers and dispatch management, so who knows what will come of that?
So that's the big update on the job for now.
Another event that needs to receive some long overdue coverage is Jennifer and Barrett's Wedding.
As with most weddings, relations got stretched a little thin in the days before the wedding day, but we all still managed to have a good time, and the wedding went well. Cliff and I sang From This Moment On, and even though I think we both hit a few flat notes from nervousness (everyone else said they didn't notice), everyone was really impressed. That was a really cool experience, I've never sang in front of a big audience, and it was nice to get some positive feedback. The ceremony was beautiful (tho I agree with what Sarah said in her journal- the part where the preacher asked if they had both accepted Jesus in their hearts was a little out of place I thought, but whatever- not my wedding) and it did make me look forward to mine and Cliff's ceremony. I hope we will be able to have one. I have not approached Daddy yet to see how much he will be interested in helping. Oh well. I still have more than a year and a half before the date that I'd like for the ceremony. I will try to post a few pics of the wedding whenever we get some.
Hmm, well I think I'm starting to get talked out. I can't think of much else thats going on except that we're going to see the Counting Crows in concert Monday after next. I haven't been to a concert in a long time so that should be a fun experience. Also, I'm considering taking up belly dancing. I'm pretty sure there are classes offered either here or near where I work, and I think it would be a fun way to exercise a little and they say it also improves your body-image.
So, everything is going ok. The only storm clouds on the horizon are some concerns that Cliff and I have about whether he is going to be able to keep working at Emdeon and still pursue his Masters. It may be too much. But, even if he can't he can always get some sort of job at school agian and we'll still have my income. We would still be in better shape than we were when he was a grad assistant and I worked at Pizza Hut.
Enough for now I think. I'll try to update a little more often. Later.
Speaking of the job,there's some serious need of updating, so here goes:
After another few frustrating weeks of operating without all of the appropriate tools of the trade, I finally settled in and became an official dispatcher. And not a bad one, in my own humble opinion. I clicked right away with my Florida appraisers and we all got along just fine. We even usually managed to have a few laughs while we got some work done. They were all great, although like any normal person I developed some favorites. My absolute fav was Cyndi, an extremely cynical appraiser in Jacksonville who loves to smart off. We got along great and would have several short conversations a day laughing about her expolits that day or making fun of management. Then there was Michelle in Bonita Springs who was a lot like Cyndi but a little less cynical and probably even more outspoken. She would always make me laugh when she would go off on a rant about how ridiculous the circumstances surrounding the appraisers' job were. Rich in Port St. Lucie was cool- he and I would talk about our cats and theorize that the Travlers computer system is run by HAL, the disgruntled computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey. And John in Sarasota was always there with a supportive comment on how well we were doing in dispatch, and he was always willing to go the extra mile to help.
So whats with all the past tense?
Well the big news is that after me only being there two months, the powers that be decided to reorganize the whole dispatch department. In the shuffle, I ended up dispatching for North Carolina instead of Florida. The reasons behind this are twofold: The official line is that the two dispatch managers had an uneven number of people and an uneven workload due to the scope of the territories they supervised- all true I might add. My boss, Tim (who I do genuinely like now that I've gotten to know him- he sometimes teaches us dirty songs he learned in the army) was pulling his hair out having to supervise both Florida and Georgia, the two biggest (volume-wise) and most troublesome (management-wise) states. Thus the second not-so-official reason for the switch. Another cool thing about Tim is that he's really good about keeping us informed about what's really going on if he can because he feels like we should be told the truth and not be given a bunch of bureaucratic bullcrap. The second reason was so that they could move many of the more experienced dispatchers to the trouble-spots. Thus I got moved to North Carolina because the company has had offices there for a lot longer and operations are smoother.
I wasn't really thrilled with the idea of the move, especially since I had pretty much just established relationships with my Florida appraisers and we were getting into a groove so far as running things. Sure I had my issues with their Unit Manager (who is kind of a pain in the arse) but I wasn't the first person to do so, and if anything I got along with him better than most people since I'm a pretty patient person and generally willing to cooperate with any sort of reasonable demand. However, after my first week dispatching for NC, I'm getting the hang of it. It's a little different, but mostly the same. And there does seem to be a better level of cooperation from management. I like my team of all guys ok, and I think we'll probably develop our own rapport eventually.
Not sure I can say the same for my Florida appraisers.... Their new dispatcher (and coincidentally my appraisers' old dispatcher) is apparently something of a drill sergeant. I only trained with her for a few hours and she seemed ok at the time, but since the switch we've already had a few run-ins, mostly dealing with the fact that NC is longer her turf and she needs to back off. All I'll say is that I would have expected a more professional and courteous attitude from a dispatcher with 5 years of experience. But this is nothing I can't handle, especially with Tim as back-up.
However, I hear that my poor Florida appraisers aren't adjusting so well. They don't seem to like their new dispatcher's manner so much- I've even received email from a few of them saying they wish they had me back.... It makes me proud that they were that impressed with me after only a few short months, but I hate that they are having so much trouble out of her. I have heard though, that there was a feedback session involving the Florida appraisers and dispatch management, so who knows what will come of that?
So that's the big update on the job for now.
Another event that needs to receive some long overdue coverage is Jennifer and Barrett's Wedding.
As with most weddings, relations got stretched a little thin in the days before the wedding day, but we all still managed to have a good time, and the wedding went well. Cliff and I sang From This Moment On, and even though I think we both hit a few flat notes from nervousness (everyone else said they didn't notice), everyone was really impressed. That was a really cool experience, I've never sang in front of a big audience, and it was nice to get some positive feedback. The ceremony was beautiful (tho I agree with what Sarah said in her journal- the part where the preacher asked if they had both accepted Jesus in their hearts was a little out of place I thought, but whatever- not my wedding) and it did make me look forward to mine and Cliff's ceremony. I hope we will be able to have one. I have not approached Daddy yet to see how much he will be interested in helping. Oh well. I still have more than a year and a half before the date that I'd like for the ceremony. I will try to post a few pics of the wedding whenever we get some.
Hmm, well I think I'm starting to get talked out. I can't think of much else thats going on except that we're going to see the Counting Crows in concert Monday after next. I haven't been to a concert in a long time so that should be a fun experience. Also, I'm considering taking up belly dancing. I'm pretty sure there are classes offered either here or near where I work, and I think it would be a fun way to exercise a little and they say it also improves your body-image.
So, everything is going ok. The only storm clouds on the horizon are some concerns that Cliff and I have about whether he is going to be able to keep working at Emdeon and still pursue his Masters. It may be too much. But, even if he can't he can always get some sort of job at school agian and we'll still have my income. We would still be in better shape than we were when he was a grad assistant and I worked at Pizza Hut.
Enough for now I think. I'll try to update a little more often. Later.