Inconsideration of Realtors

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST

As you may know, we've had our condo on the market for a couple months. During that time, I think we've either been exposed to the rudest real estate agents in the region or been given a glimpse at the sad state of agents in today's market.

We're in an unfortunately unique situation where we cannot grant agents access to our building. Whenever a showing is scheduled, we have to be physically present to "buzz them in". This means that, compared to other sellers who might use a lock-box, we're personally sensitive to buying agents being on-time. You would be amazed at the percentage of agents who have a complete disrespect for sellers' schedule.

Tardiness
If someone makes an appointment to be at your home at 2:20p, I have a reasonable expectation that they would arrive roughly at that time. Heck � they were specified 2:20, not 2:30 -- I take them at their word. Several times, I've had to leave work, commute home to meet them, wait for a while, only for them to be there thirty minutes late, an hour late, or never at all.

Lack of Notice
"Hi, this is [real estate firm]. We've got an agent in the building; do you mind if they stop by to see your home?" Are you kidding me? We keep our place reasonably clean, and are especially careful to do so while it's on the market. But how would you like it if someone gave you thirty seconds notice before coming into your home, examining your bathtub, and peering under your kitchen sink?

Disclosure of Code
For a few showings, we were able to grant the agents access to our unit using a combination-secured lock-box outside our door. When the lock-box is outside, we're basically pinning the safety and security of our home and all our belongings on a three-letter combination. Needless to say, we're a little hesitant. But we try to convince ourselves that real estate agents are trustworthy individuals. They're accustomed to having access to sellers' home, and would surely keep the code in confidence. Unfortunately, we were mistaken. On one showing where the lock-box was outside our door, Kristin happened to overhear the agent entering the combination. Yes, "hear." As the agent was entering the combination to gain access to our home, she was repeating it aloud for her potential buyers to hear. Twice. Just in case they didn't get a chance to make note of it the first time. I can't possibly think of a legitimate reason why a potential buyer would need to retain access to our home after their scheduled showing.

Dead Sea Effect

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST

I read an interesting article about what the author coins the Dead Sea effect. In the article, Bruce Webster suggests one reason why it's so difficult for IT organizations to acquire and retain qualified staff:

The Dead Sea, of course, is a large body of water between Israel and Jordan [...]. The Jordan River empties into it; water leaves only by evaporation, which means that over the eons, the Dead Sea has become very salty [...].

Many large [IT shops] work like the Dead Sea. New hires are brought in as management deems it necessary. Their qualifications [...] will tend to vary quite a bit, depending upon current needs, employee departure, the personnel budget, and the general hiring ability of those doing the hiring. All things being equal, the general competency of the IT department should have roughly the same distribution as the incoming hires.

But in my experience, that's not what happens. Instead, [...] the more talented and effective IT engineers are the ones most likely to leave � to evaporate, if you will. They are the ones least likely to put up with the frequent stupidities and workplace problems that plague large organizations; they are also the ones most likely to have other opportunities that they can readily move to.

What tends to remain behind is the 'residue' � the least talented and effective IT engineers. They tend to be grateful they have a job and make fewer demands on management; even if they find the workplace unpleasant, they are the least likely to be able to find a job elsewhere. They tend to entrench themselves, becoming maintenance experts on critical systems, assuming responsibilities that no one else wants so that the organization can't afford to let them go.

As uncomfortable as it is to hear, I have to say I'd agree with Webster. I, too, have witnessed situations where internal employees were only kept on the payroll because it was easier than recruiting new talent. At least in Illinois, where the at-will employment rule is still largely in effect, I'm surprised when managers take the easy path and keep an incompetent employee around. In extreme cases, I've seen their presence do very little to support the teams efforts, while carrying/teaching the worst-offenders has a very real potential to hindering the team's productivity and camaraderie.

Meeting Efficacy

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST

After years working for private and public sector clients, I've learned something about the efficacy of all meetings. The productivity of any meeting is inversely proportional to the number of times the phrase "work smarter, not harder" is shown on a slide during said meeting. If you happen to get advance copies of a slide deck and see that phrase, I strongly advise you to quickly make conflicting plans.

The Day the Internet Died (for me)

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CST

It was late one evening and I was downloading a Microsoft service pack for Windows 2000. (This was back before the auto-update things did this all for you...) The 50+MB download was progressing steadily, albeit slowly, so I decided to head to bed and install it the following morning.

Upon waking up the next day, I return to the computer, flick on the monitor, and am surprised to see that the download had timed out at some point the previous night. It just stopped. I optimistically try to open my web browser: "The page cannot be displayed." I try to ping msn.com: "Ping timeout." A little more exploration shows that the entire internet connection is dead.

Knowing the problem couldn't be on my end, I decide to call my ISP. Without google, it takes a bit to find their phone number in the [*gasp*] yellow pages, but I give them a call. After the requisite hour-on-hold, I finally get in touch with a technical support representative. As is typical, they're unwilling to presume the problem is on their end, so the first questions revolve around what I might have changed:

ISP: "Did you change your DHCP/IP settings?"
Me: "No; it was working fine when I went to bed and doesn't work this morning."
ISP: "Did you change your DNS server settings?"
Me: "No; it was working fine when I went to bed and doesn't work this morning."
ISP: "Did you install any new hardware/software recently?"
Me: "No; it was working fine when I went to bed and doesn't work this morning."

I could tell he was reading through the obligatory script, and I was anxiously awaiting the part where the script read "escalate to level two support." The questioning continues...

ISP: "What colors are the lights on the DSL router?"
Me: "Uhhh... shit."

The lights are dark. Completely off.

My mind flashes back to when I got up from the desk the previous night. I must have kicked the power-strip under the desk when I got up. Immediately, all the frustration I had towards this insignificant "level one support" person were replaced with guilt for wasting his time and shame that I couldn't resolve this issue on my own.

Fixing the problem only required plugging in the DSL router.
Fixing my ego will take significantly longer.

More Pictures

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 CST

I know it's been a while -- sorry about that! We're so busy having fun and watching Ricky grow, that the website has sort-of fallen by the wayside. There have been a couple of fun milestones recently, though.

First of all, last Wednesday (May 21st), Ricky laughed! Granted, there wasn't anything particularly comical happening, but seeing him smile and laugh out loud was so exciting! I mentally fast-forwarded and could picture him cracking jokes as a kid, not a baby.

Physically, he did a pseudo- push-up a day later. I wouldn't go so far as to say he had proper Marine form, but he brought his arms under his body, pushed with willful intent, and lifted his head and upper body up off the blanket. He then collapsed to the ground, much like his dad also would have done after attempting the same. :)

At any rate, pictures speak louder than words and checking our pictures s much more fun than reading me ramble about development and lack of sleep. Recently, we've posted pictures from Meredeth and Lindy's graduation party, Mothers' Day, Playtime at Gymboree, and a Fiesta a la Casa de Golk.

Hello, Mr. Anderson

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 CST

I have this habit. Whenever I�m introduced to someone whose last name is Anderson, my mind replays the line from The Matrix where one of the Agent Smiths says �Hello, Mr. Anderson� in that hollow drone-like voice. I�m always tempted to start our conversation by repeating the line with by best Agent Smith impersonation, but I usually just smirk, realize how juvenile would sound, and say Hello to him normally.

Poop, eat, sleep. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CST

As I mentioned earlier, we were able to take Ricky home March 21st. So to say the least, we've been a little pre-occupied. I hope that partially explains the lack of updates recently.

Little Ricky, or Ivy as we're trying to occasionally call him, is doing absolutely great. He's still on his every-three-hours feeding schedule: 2-5-8-11. Kristin and I sneak in as much sleep as possible in the two short free hours between those feedings. He's growing stronger every day, though: according to his most recent pediatrician check-up, he now weighs 5lbs 13oz. In just a couple more days, and he'll have graduated out of the "preemie" diapers!

I also posted a bunch of pictures in the past couple days: preparing the nursery, his trip home, and a bath time, so feel free to check them out.

He's Coming Home!

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

We've just gotten word from the nurses. Our baby boy is finally off the "brady-watch." Kristin's already at the hospital and I'm leaving work shortly to meet her. As soon as the doctors make their next rounds, we expect Ricky to officially be allowed to come home. With the snow coming today and tonight, it'll be a great weekend to stay bundled up at home. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

A minor setback, but Ricky's doing well

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

Ricky's still doing well and might be coming home this week! His appetite has really improved: he�s finishing all of his bottles without falling asleep, he actually starts "rooting" for his bottle well before his meals, and he's eating more than the doctors have set aside for him. As of this morning, he's gained even more weight: up to 4lbs 11oz. Since passing his birth-weight, he hasn't looked back!

The mildly bad news is that he had another "brady" this morning. Basically, that�s where he's so relaxed, his heart rate slows down. While it isn't horribly unexpected at this early age, it's obviously not ideal, either. Northwestern has a rule that whenever a baby has a brady, they don�t release him for another five days so they can make sure it doesn't happen again. Should he have another, the five-day clock resets.

So his outlook looks good, assuming no more bradys! If all goes well, he'll be released this Friday, March 21st. And because he's eating so well, we don't anticipate any other setbacks. We could have him sleeping in his nursery crib by Easter!

Still Progressing, No Major News

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

Ricky's still gaining strength and making progress. This waiting game is the most difficult part. There's no real date when the doctors have promised he'll be able to come home. When we impatiently ask, their answer is always "when he's strong enough." What they means is that he's strong enough to finish his feedings without falling asleep. Obviously, he's not going to have an NG tube at home, so he's got to learn to take his food normally. As much as we'd love to have him home, we understand the need for him to be there under their care.

On a good note, he has been making progress. The have removed his IV port, so it's a lot easier for us to pick him up without worrying about hurting him. He's sleeping in an open crib, instead of under the warming lights and monitors. When we come to visit, we can immediately swaddle him in blankets, pick him up, and give him hugs and kisses.

They tested his bilirubin levels yesterday and the results (8.1) caused them to put him back on top of the ultraviolet blanket. Todays test results were an improvement (7.1) and back within acceptable limits for his age, but they're going to leave him on it another day to be safe. This is apparently typical, as bili levels can rebound slightly after being removed from the lights. Some babies go on and off for a while.

He's now eating between 38 and 40ml of fortified breastmilk every three hours. (They're fortifying each bottle with 22 calories to help him add a bit more weight. No, that's not a typo -- they're basically adding the nutritional value of two tic-tacs.) He still gets pretty tired during his feedings. Yesterday, he was able to take 56% of his meals by bottle and had to take any remainder through the tube. Today, we're shooting for 65% and an improvement each day thereafter. The nurses have said that they're going to feed him early if he seems to be hungry -- better to feed him more than not enough.

Weight-wise, he's been gaining these past few days. Since his birth weight of 4 pounds 7 ounces, he slipped to a low of 4lbs 3oz, but is now up to 4lb 6oz in weight and gaining slowly.

Recent Articles on RickandKristin.com