G2 going Crazy...

Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Feedback: +827 / =0 / -0
Joined
Mar 2, 1999
Messages
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Ever have one of those days? You know the kind, where nothing goes right, that day has lasted for over two weeks now, when I started into a new position at the company I work for...not a position I really wanted but it was made apparent that I should take it. It's about like being a 911 operator but with more stuff surrounding it. Started the first week with the manager of the Service dept leaving on a trip, tipped his hat and said enjoy the chaos, I smiled thinking it'll be ok, but man it wasn't. By the end of the second day my left arm was twitching, it's one thing to not get everything done in one day, but to not know all that you have to do or where to go or who to talk with, it's highly stressful! Plus he had forwarded about 50 emails that he delegated to me on top of 5 piles of paperwork that was left in limbo from the lady they let go...no idea of their status or what to do with the papers...SO it hasn't been a great two weeks and today to top it off, I screwed up shipping a couple sheaths, boxes were switched when labels were applied, so I get the email that thanks but I got a Sebenza sheath when it was supposed to be a butterfly sheath, so the other fellow waiting on the Sebenza sheath will be surprised as well...I was so VERY careful when putting them in the boxes but it still happened...I emailed my apology and copied the REAL Sebenza owner a heads up email along with the butterfly guy's address so they can move them back to the rightful owners...I've always worried I do that...and with the stress of this new "Position with great Opportunities" I was able to achieve one of my worse dreams...the other dream is I send my knife inside their sheath...that is always a fear in this sheath work but I've been fortunate in that so far.

So to you two guys, man I am truly sorry, I don't know what else to say...:(

So enough moaning about my stress, the job is shaping up somewhat, but it will always be very fast paced dealing with Service request from around the world, much like 911, no one calls to tell you "How ya been?" it's not like that of course. At my old job, I was able to speak to friends when they called in, I could continue to work on the computer while talking, but now...talking/note taking/scheduling, are my main job and so it's adios to those guys that would have called to say howdy, have to keep it very short as the phone is always ringing...

To a better tomorrow, I hope...:rolleyes:
G2
 
Gary,

I regret to hear of your newly acquired (and ongoing) workplace stress and the resulting mixup with the shipment of the sheaths. I speak from exprience with your meticulous care in all aspects of your sheath work and think that with that knowledge and considering the well of good will that you have earned from the multitude of your past sheath customers you have will find universal understanding here. You have more than earned a few "oopsies".

I note, also, that in your hour of stress the bottom has dropped out of the thermometer again in Gillett, PA.
 
Ya know what ? ? ? ? ?

Sssssss..............stuff happens !

There are "some" out there that would make excuses, play cover up and will not respond to e-mails. :(

Nah. . .not G2 ! You jumped all over it, made apologies and will make it right without blinking an eye !

You don't know how important that is Gary ! Actually, you do. Or you wouldn't be posting this thread.

That's what makes you such a great guy and continually show what a great knife knut you are ! :D

My hat is off to ya !
 
Thanks Wray and Gig, good to hear comforting words, need them about now! Just got home from work, trying to clear the paperwork from the last person, the manager came in with me and he wasn't very happy with what he found in the piles of paper, we're talking about almost 2 foot high pile of papers that needed actions on, some were out for filing but he found it overwhelming, I just said...YOU find it overwhelming...lol maybe you'll appreciate the situation you plunked me into...he does for sure. I was targeted for my data base background and that I spent my first 5 of the 22 years at that company, in the role of an on the road Service tech, so I know the ropes out there, but this isn't a traveling gig, so it's much different but it does help that I know what the customer needs and work to get the best answer the fastest I can, but when days end comes and not all have been reached, you feel like you failed...which in a yes/no question, the answer is yes...don't know if I can continue doing this, I spoke with our general manager and he is looking into getting me back to the manufacturing side but that takes time, bridges were burned and for me to leave would put the Service dept in a great bind...so here I sit...home is nice right now...think I'll turn the lights out and sit and listen to some Handel for a while...:)
G2
 
get out the strop and just sharpen them blues away sir....perhaps you need another visit from the Henchman to perk your sprits back up ? Keep the faith and keep on just being yourself sir , let the peices fall into place. You are too good a man to let them get you down. Or you could do what I do when I have a bad day , sit here and fondle my G2 sheaths ! :D
 
Handel should be just about perfect for such a time and mood. Relax and rest well with the knowledge that you did your utmost and best with the impossible. It's true; this too shall pass.
 
Gary,
I can sympathize with you in that I lived in that high stress world for so many years. Thank the Lord I didn't have to deal with e-mails in those days! In 25 years with a company, first 5 years running the order department and then the production plant, and THEN a terrible divorce, (she said I didn't show her enough attention!), gave me more gray hairs than I care to admit. After the divorce, quitting the job, (leaving that security though, was SCARY!), and moving to a cabin up here in the mountains, literally saved my life but making a living up here is SCARY!

I can also sympathize in that I sell a lot of knives and sometimes accidents happen! Everytime I sell a few knives, I have nightmares that I've sent the wrong knife to the wrong person or they won't like the knife. It's only happened twice, (mixed labels up once and sent a gent a knife that wasn't the model I advertised), but it's humbling and embarrassing! They both worked out because most of the folks here are really great people! Just like you bud!
 
Well for the time being I have on order in house to finish up this week so I think I'll take a break from leather until I get my feet grounded in this new job, maybe that will help to keep me focused...

Gene, maybe I'll ride my bicycle up to the cabin in the spring? :) Sounds very appealing right about now!

Thanks guys,
G2
 
sir , looks as though you could use a pick me up about right now .
G2%20x%203.JPG
 
Gary, with the above reproach, sterling reputation you have built over the years(and deservedly so), no one is going to hold a little mix up against you.
Win had told me about your new job and not to call in the mornings anymore. I think it has been harder on him than you:D

Hang in there friend, it gets better.

Dave
 
Hang in there Gary. Nothing worth doing is is rarely easy. At first anyway. Main thing is is that you realized some mix ups and corrected it. That's a special level of maturity.
:)

Barry H
 
Gary,
I have read your posts over the last year and seen your work. Believe it or not, you are in the right place. While the stress is there now, I do not believe that it will last. My guess is that your work ethic shows through stronger in person than it does over a computer screen. Someone wants you there for a reason. You will have them put together in no time.
Hang tough.

Ed T
 
Thanks guys, it helps some!
And Gord, yep but all the stuff in the in basket had to be done that day in order to really make things work...arrrghh, it never ends, and you are still in limbo with that knife in customs! Speaking of Customs, ever wonder why the word customs starts with cus? ;) but we had an emergency shipment to one of my Service techs up in Toronto, so we had a guy drive some parts up to the border to meet our guy, he got the stuff, tried to drive back through and Customs took the stuff because of the lack of proper invoices, they will hold for 7 days...our fault, not sure why shipping didn't provide the right paper work but another fine thing, got that message in a fax from my service guy when I went in on Saturday morning...

But Wray sent me a Dilbert cartoon that was so appropriate that I just have to share, had to split it up into two sections to upload...take a peek;

attachment.php
 
G2 stands out. This guy is dedicated whether it's sheaths, his job or his family. He sent me the cartoon last night and had be cracking up at 6 Am this morning.

I had to run back to the PO one afternoon after mixing up shipments and sending two knives to the wrong fellow. Boy were they PO'd, right at closing.

Knowing you G2, you'll get everything worked out. Meanwhille, forget Handel and borrow some "Rage Against the Machine" from one of the girls.;)

Win
 
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