Always Is

Resolutions.

There, I said it.  I said the word that can make grownups shudder.  I wonder why?  Is it because making a resolution to change something in our lives is relatively painless, but implementing the resolution is a whole other story?

I imagine so, but we are all different and we all have our reasons for wanting to make a change, but may not have the right reasons, or determination to succeed.

First of all, if there is something you want to change, then say it to yourself.  Say, "I will stop smoking on the 31st of December".  Then plan how you will do it.  Nicotine patches?  Lozenges?  Spray?  Sheer will power?  You need a plan.  You can't just stop.  Chances of you succeeding aren't good without a plan.

Once you have a plan in place, then implement it on the date, and time you have chosen, start your plan, and stick to your plan knowing there will be some bumpy times along the way.  There has to be a bit of flack to go through in order to get to the other side.

Then go through each day knowing you are one more day removed from where you were when you decided to change.  Don't look any more forward than the the next day.

If you succeed, then the time was right.  If you don't succeed, don't beat yourself up.  The time just wasn't right, nothing more.  Some additional preparation is needed to get your head in the right spot to succeed.

First thing you need is the desire to change.  If you have the definite desire to change, then you are more than half way there.  If you aren't sure, or think that it might be nice not to have a two pack of Twinkies a day habit, then it ain't going to work.

You have to want it.  I know, sounds trite, and so used, but it is true.  You have to want to change, otherwise you won't.

Again, simple.

If you decide you want it, and have a plan in place, with a date to start, then when that time comes, just begin.  No big goodbyes to something you no longer want in your life, no trips down memory lane, just begin.  And the next day, wake up, and continue.

This system works with everything.  A couple of years ago I successfully stopped smoking.  Never tried before, except for a few hours one time.  I never really wanted to. It was too familiar.  Too comforting.  Too much a part of me, and my behavior, that I didn't know how I would react without it in my life, so I continued to smoke.  I continued to smoke until one day in mid autumn I said to myself that it was now time to quit.  Nothing precipitated the statement; it was just something I no longer needed.

That revelation came out of the blue, as did the impetus to set a date.  I naturally chose December 31st, and when that time came, I began.

I haven't smoked since.

Of course, I have suffered "resolution fail" as well.  Far too many times, but that one success makes up for the many failures.

I used the 2 mg nicotine lozenges, and broke them into 1/8's, and took a piece when I felt a craving.  The amount I would take fell after a day or two, and then fell again a few days later, and after a week or so was down to only a very few of those tiny pieces a day.  I had one moment when I spoke loudly, and that was the only side effect I had to beating the addiction.

Do I miss it?  No.  Not really.  I like the money in pocket, the breath in my body.  I could not have done it at any other time.  The time had to be right.  The time had to be excuse free.  I no longer needed a crutch to function in everyday life when I quit, and that made it easier to decide to go for it.

That is how I did it, and I am passing on my experience to you.  It could work for you as well.  The nicotine lozenges were a personal choice.  You choose what you need to do it, or go without.  Only you know what you will need.

Whatever you decide to change as you begin 2012, I wish you the best.  One thing is for sure, and you already know this, whatever you decide to change in your life for the better  will definitely be worth it.

Always is.

A Common Goodness

The team I follow has their opening day tomorrow. Now, there are all sorts of other teams out there, each with their own lineup, opening days, and star players, but they all share the same basic principle, be good.

That's all the teams asks of it's members, just be good, and that guiding rule covers everything else.  Each team has their own policies, procedures and rules that all lead to the that common goal; they're all different, but it doesn't really matter.

It's like the National League, and the American League, they don't regularly play against each other, but when they do it 's more ecumenical than a rivalry.  Those times that it becomes a rivalry we're working on eliminating from the schedule.

And, it doesn't matter what name your team has; mine is named after the mans birthday we celebrate on the 25th of December, Jesus Christ.  Christmas naturally evolved from that name.  I am glad his name wasn't Billy Ray.  Wouldn't fit as well.

So, to all of you, and I do mean all of you, even those on other teams, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.  The one thing we all have is that common goodness, and that is always worth sharing no matter what time of the year.

Merry Christmas.

Big Brass Ones Are Festive This Time Of Year

i·ro·ny/ˈīrənē/

Noun:

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

I received the above e-card today from National Grid.  It's obvious that the folks in public relations don't read the newspaper, or own a television.  The sentiment is nice.  Ironic, but nice.

Happy Holidays to you, as well.

Merry Christmas

Selectmen Respond To National Grid Incompetence

Greetings All, 

As previously committed, I offer the following update to efforts regarding the Department of Public Utilities investigation specific to National Grid's October storm response. 

Today, Selectman Priscilla Gimas and I, submitted a letter to representatives of the Department of Public Utilities representing our individual official analysis of National Grid's management of of its emergency response plan. This letter was based upon our own individual experiences and interactions during the power outage, as well as information received from various members of the Town's Incident Management Team and was conveyed in support of our efforts to address and rectify the shortcomings experienced as a result of failures associated with National Grid's executive management staff. The letter was separately addressed and sent to Mark D. Marini, Secretary - Department of Public Utilities, Ann G. Berwick, Chair - Department of Public Utilities and Jennifer M. Murphy, Hearing Officer - Department of Public Utilities, all of whom will play a role in the "adjudicatory phase" of the hearings. To be clear, the letter does not reflect any official collective position of the Board of Selectmen, but rather the individual official position of the two members signing it. The letter reads as follows:

___________________________

On behalf of the Town of Sturbridge and its residents, the following official statement is offered to the Department of Public Utilities by Thomas R. Creamer (Chairman of the Sturbridge Board of Selectmen) and Selectman Priscilla C Gimas. We write to convey our deep sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with National Grid’s storm response management in the aftermath of the October Nor’easter. It is important to emphasize that the comments offered in this testimony are solely directed at National Grid’s executive management team and not the hardworking men and women in the field who labored significantly and diligently on behalf of those without power.

In reviewing the implementation of the emergency response plan initiated by National Grid, it is clear that their efforts were disorganized, disjointed, and lacking a level of credible coordination with local officials. Despite having a liaison from National Grid assigned to our Incident Management Center, there was a distinct failure on the part of National Grid’s executive management staff to properly prioritize their restoration efforts in a manner consistent with the Town’s emergency response protocols. As Town crews were clearing areas of concern prior to the arrival of National Grid field teams - in an effort to assure access for them - conflicting dispatch orders were generated via National Grid’s management team directing crews to areas inconsistent with local emergency response efforts. This coordination failure on the part of National Grid’s management team resulted in needlessly extended delays, as well as inconsistent and disjointed power restoration efforts that necessitated a speculative approach on the part of our Incident Management Team in its attempts to establish an organizational plan designed to address anticipated needs or long-term delays. Illustrating this rather starkly was the decision-making process as it related to the cancellation of schools.

With no credible information coming from National Grid or its information centers, our community was forced into a day-to-day decision-matrix in terms of school closings, which placed parents and children in an untenable situation, preventing them from making plans or arrangements to exit the area for more appropriate accommodations. So too, vulnerable members of our community, young and old, immunosuppressed or ill, were forced daily, and in some cased hourly, to evaluate their conditions and situation due to the absence of time-critical and credible information. Additionally, updates provided by our liaison as well as those received during joint conference calls, offered little in terms of reliable or useful information, thereby further inhibiting the release of definitive and dependable information to our residents. Equally, information received by residents via phone calls to National Grid customer service centers proved to be anything but trustworthy. These communications failures created unnecessary emotional stress and physical challenges for the entire community.

In addition, we contend that a significant lack of vegetation management undertaken by National Grid as well as the dependence upon outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure were, and will continue to be significant contributing factors in terms of the magnitude and duration of the October outage, as well as those one might experience in the near future. Despite National Grid’s contention to the contrary, we challenge their testimony provided during the public hearings held in Brookfield that they have not reduced their vegetation management program, nor would such have had any impact upon the outcome. To the contrary, we believe there has been a general lack of vegetation management in our community and that National Grid’s failure to properly address such resulted in a greater loss of community-wide power. Equally, National Grid’s call for residents with power to leave an outside light on so that they could determine who was still without power demonstrates an archaic approach in an age of abundantly sophisticated technology. In recognition of such, we formerly request the DPU to order the release of National Grid’s records in terms of all vegetation management efforts within the town of Sturbridge, as well as infrastructure preventative maintenance and upgrades specific to same within the next 60 days.

Additionally we call upon DPU to conduct an extensive review of National Grid’s Emergency Response Plan and to include review of same by emergency managers throughout the state to ensure that said plans are compatible with and complimentary to local emergency response plans, procedures, and priorities. Recognizing the significant financial burden the extended power outage had for residents in terms of lost perishable foods, added outside meal costs, hotel/motel stays, loss time at work, etc., we encourage DPU to levy appropriate and worthwhile fines upon National Grid and to ensure that said costs are not passed to the ratepayers.

Finally, we call upon DPU to support legislation that would reduce the impediments to the establishment of more municipally owned and operated power entities. It is our hope that the levying of fines and greater competition by way of municipal power companies are the surest way of establishing a more competitive and proactive customer service approach by National Grid.

Respectfully Submitted,

Thomas R. Creamer, Chairman

Priscilla C. Gimas, Selectman

A Season For Head And Heart

During this time of year, the holiday season, a spell is cast.  The thoughts each religion, and group, has regarding their celebrations has a way of steering them, molding their behavior, changing their outlook, and even the words they speak, for the better.  More sincere smiles, longer, and firmer handshakes, more conviction in wishes for a happy holiday, and a better new year, all are part of the wonderful spell that the darkest of months brings to us all.

For most, the seasons spell melts away into the January thaw, but each year, there are those of us that are captured by the spirit of well wishing, brotherhood, unity, and salvation that we decide to stay, and be that person throughout the year.  Sure beats the heck out being seasonally schizophrenic, and keeping our family guessing as to which person we'll be depending upon the solstice.

Believe me.

Yesterday I met a salesperson in one of the shops at Blackstone Valley that was not only helpful because she is a salesperson, she was also happy, and sincere about her helping because it is who she is.  At first I thought that she was just affected by the "spell", but the more I lingered as the sale was completed, the more I saw that it was her true person showing through, not the corporate "HoHoHo".  It nice to meet someone with this natural ability to make me feel good as I spent my money.  It was also good to know that there will be someone else that she will interact that may not be in the best of moods, or maybe in a bit of a holiday funk, and they will be in a better place after being with her for just a few minutes.

Their wallet may not be in a better place, but the head, and heart will be, and that is one of the many side effects of the season.

So, on that note, may your head and heart be touched this season enough to share that touch with another.

And, that is the spirit of all who celebrate this season, the giving.  It sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you are giving, and sharing, without really knowing it.

Keep it up; it's what keeps us going for the rest of the year.

It's Laundry Day, And I Am Going To Wiggle A Couple Of Loads

Genetically I am a man, and that means that deep within my DNA are certain genes that define my male characteristics.  Some of those characteristics I hope I don't need to explain, but there are a few that some people, mostly female, feel that they are merely behavioral quirks, and not actual genetic characteristics.

There is a Gadget Gene.  I have one, most guys do, and some women have them, too.  Although primarily found in males, the Gadget Gene is found in any one that likes things go whir, light up, beep, and do things beyond what an ordinary device would do.

Last week, after we discussed it for a very long time, I went out to buy a new washer and dryer with Mary's blessings.  She paced nervously at work while I shopped, but she could have relaxed. I had done my research.  I had compared models on consumerreports.org read the reviews of dozen of models, and manufacturers, and knew the things that these machines needed in order to perform: lots of buttons, little LED lights, digital displays, various test modes, beeps, and alarms.  This obvious information, along with my research, and the advise and recommendation of the salesman steered me towards the LG washer and dryer.

Normally, I would check out the Maytag, Whirlpool, or Kenmore, but repair history, and cost brought me to LG.  Now, you have to know where in the World of Laundry I am coming from.  I do all my own laundry.  I figure, my clothes, my job, so I have a stake in choosing the best machines.

It's probably some control thing.

The Laundry World we have lived in, since we bought our home in 2006, was not the best.  The washer and dryer came with the house, and had been installed in the mid 1980's.  I only know this because when the washer died a couple of years ago, and needed a new belt, the repairman we called was the very one that had installed it in the first floor half bathroom back when it was originally purchased.  He told me that he had to dismantle the washer to get it inside the bathroom, and to get it out, well, guess what.

The washer was a simple one.  It has a few dials.  One for the kind of cycle I wanted, one for the size of the load, and another for the temperature.

Simple.

The dryer was in the basement on a concrete platform by the oil tank.  It had been "repaired" in the past because there was a regular light switch built into the front panel for on and off, and a dial for setting the time for a load.  We only used the timer, and every load lasted sixty minutes.

A lot has happened in World of Laundry since 1985.  The machines we bought this past week do everything except fold the clothes and put them away.

The first thing that grabs ones attention is the control panel on top of the washer.  Lots of choices, cycles, temperatures, and little lights.  The next thing one will notice through the  glass top is that the agitator is gone.  Now, like most of us you may have an agitator somewhere in your life, but you won't find one in a new washing machine.  When you first load the clothes, choose your cycles, temperature, and close the lid the you'd expect the machine to begin washing, right.  Nope, not yet.  These new HE (High Efficiency) machines need to sense the load first to determine the right amount of water needed to clean the clothes in the tub, and just when to release the fabric softener, and what kind of rinse to use at the end of the cycle.

The tub will then wiggle for a minute, or so, as it determines just what it's up against, and when all the data is gathered,  the machine calls for the proper amount of water to be delivered into the tub, and the cycle begins in earnest.

Wow.  This is so cool.  So many functions, so many choices.  So many little buttons and lights.  A true gadget.

But, wait.  There's more.  If the machine acts up an error code will display to diagnose the issue, and if there is still a problem, you simply call the 800 number, talk to the technician, and then hold your phone up to the on off switch.  The washer will then transmit diagnosis signals to the technician to assist with determine the problem.

Tell Mr. Spock they finally invented a Tri-corder for the laundry room.  The true final frontier.

The dryer is massive, and dries really well using far less electricity than the old dryer which almost needed it's own electrical feed from National Grid.  It uses Sensor Dry that determines the moisture level in the clothes, and constantly adjusts the time to dry.

It has lights, beeps, and plays a song at the end of the cycle like the washer does.

Well, this is all very interesting, but a gadget isn't a real gadget unless it performs, and so far these two machines perform really well, and do exactly what the cycle chosen says it will do.  Permanent Press delivers dried clothes completely wrinkle free.

Yep, gadgets are great, and so far I am having fun playing with them.  I'd like to share more about the new washer and dryer, but I have another load to wiggle.

Sturbridge Veterans Honor Roll Fundraiser

Help to Build the Sturbridge Veterans' Honor Roll 

Purchase one or more engraved bricks at $100 each

This is a great way to honor a friend or loved one or

 to recognize your company or organization.  Not only

 will you be helpingto build the Veterans' Honor Roll,

 your brick will forever be a part of the Town's history.

Click Here to Download Order Form

An example of engraved bricks in other communities
that honor local veterans.

Make checks payable to Friends of Sturbridge 
Seniors and mail to:  Veterans' Honor Roll,
 P.O. Box 1, Fiskdale, MA 01518-0001.  
Please indicate "Honor Roll" on the outside 
of the envelop and in the memo section of the 
check.  All donations are tax deductible.

Click here for the 
Sturbridge Veterans Honor Roll website.

Submitted by Kathy Neal

Picking Up Where We Left Off

I've been thinking a lot this morning.  Why do associations, and friendships we make early in life seem to last the longest, and mean the most to us?  Other relationships we make over a lifetime may come, and go, but seldom is there the tightness, the emotional connect we share with those that we have known most of our lives.  Oh, there maybe some special people that enter our lives as we grow older that we may hold as closely, but not in the volumes there was when we were younger.

Did we just become too selective, or cautious as we matured?   Do we purposely keep a distance, and not allow ourselves to to bond like we once did on the playground because it is more awkward for adults when we don't have that playground to support us?

I know, too many questions for the morning.   You can defer the thinking on this one until the commute, in the meantime, humor me.

The other night  I attended an informal "mini-reunion" with some old friends from high school.  Some of these folks I have seen once, maybe twice since 1972, others a bit more, but not in decades.  I like this kind of get together.  I enjoyed hearing the voices,  and that long forgotten laughter again.

The chemical responses ones body goes through when old friendships are reignited confound the me.  There is a an overwhelming feeling of comfort, feeling safe, and happiness.  Sharing the night with Mary made it even better.  She was now able to understand some of what I shared with her, and that can be both good, and bad.

I know, not everyone has the same feelings when their past comes back for a visit, but I did, and as I said, I enjoyed it.

We accepted each other as we were the other night.  We accepted each other on how we arrived not so much to the place, but to that moment in time.  We are older, no longer competing with each other for our piece of the pie.  We have our pie, and we are eager to share it as we show photos of our kids, and grand kids on our phones.

This reunion was small, about thirty people, but it was not so much the number of people in the room, or the memories, it was knowing that we had each made it this far in life, and had arrived intact.  Some a bit bumped, and bruised more than others.  Some with more challenges than the next.  No one judged.  A smile, and a hug hello was all that was needed welcome one back to the fold.

Back "then" was such a long time ago, and offered only a chapter in the whole story of who we are, but it was the foundation of who we became.

One can always grow without a foundation, but with one, one is not only stronger, and able to stand up to the forces that confront us, it leads to having a bit more confidence in life.

I was fortunate to have the kind of foundation that friends helped to build.  I am who I am partly because of those early relationships.  How those young people, from forty years ago, responded to life was an example for those around to follow.  Those that did pay attention made a good choice.

So, in a strange way, these "mini-reunions", that happen later in life, are like stepping back and meeting ones younger self as you speak, and act just as you once did, without the need for any pretense.  It's always good thing to let the genie out of the bottle once in awhile.  Helps to center yourself, and sometimes some of us may need a bit of an  adjustment along the way.

Next year will be a big anniversary of our high school class, and you can be sure I will be there once again.  It's like a maintenance program, and I could always use an adjustment now and again.

Thanks to the other night I am good for a bit.

The Sunday Morning Muse

This place is the furthest thing from a political soap box.  It is a place of thoughts, opinions, and, most often, plain common sense.  I do like stand up on my soap box, and offer my thoughts on a particular subject.  Most often it is just venting, talking hear myself talk, writing to satisfy some inner need.

It's all part of the process.  The democratic process.  To voice opinion freely, and to occasionally offer some words of encouragement, humor, acknowledgment, and to annoy the bejeepers out of others.

Another part of that process is following the laws of the land, and voice an opinion when they should be changed, amended, or implemented.  That is just another part of the process.

So simple.

Now, another part of this whole thing is to record the process in action.  Written minutes are part of recording of the process.  Timely distribution of information comes with the recording of the minutes.  We've already been down that road this week, heard from all sides, and it has been written (almost Biblical sounding this morning), that this part of the process will change for the better.

While we wait to see if that prophecy holds true, we can appreciate the comments left in the previous posting this morning.  They are informative, filled with facts, and not a bit of speculation.

Where did this information come from?

Guess.

Yep, meeting minutes, and the transcript of the videos of those meetings.  So often the minutes are but merely a hint of what actually occurred, as we have discovered in this video age, and the transcript fills in the blanks by displaying the demeanor, the emotions, and the rhythm of the moment.  Something that could not be shared unless you attended the meeting yourself until videotape was invented.

The minutes, and the transcripts of the Article 48 debacle are very telling.  The "paper trail" is enormous offering up information against the article.  Those that were originally supportive of it are now thinking again.  Why attach themselves to it?  This won't be good, and to remove themselves from the line of fire would be a good thing.

Meeting minutes are so important, and access to them is critical when they are fresh, and not eight months later.  No drafts, but actual minutes.  If you still think it is a non-issue just look at what has surfaced, and been accomplished this past week by having access to meeting minutes

Based on the information, Article 48 should not pass, but if by some remote chance it does, the minutes will still be invaluable;  they will offer up indisputable evidence in a law suit.

Oh, I don't know, maybe a nay vote on the December 5th may be cheaper than a lawsuit for the town.

This time it's common sense talking.