I had a crew in a NC distribution center years ago, made up of almost equal numbers of English, Black and Lumbees (a local tribe which fought for Gov't. recognition for years - finally sucessful). The only exceptions were a very funny, stubborn Cherokee girl, and the Two Bloods boss. I was criticized to distraction by "Upper" management for my loose and undisciplined ways with this bunch. I'd had experience with large operations under heavy, complicated contracts and none of my "superiors" had ever known these pleasures. When the company began to sell to Wal Mart, and our daily trailerload shipping started to equal what we used to do in a week, this bunch not only held up - they outran the overload. I'd been told to add 40% to the crew and replace most of the originals because they had been so badly spoiled. I finally had to add two people. In this atmosphere, my "little sister" was the most innovative person I've ever known for original reasons for needing time (usually Fridays) off. As I recall, we buried one particular aunt several times. Tough old gal. One Monday, she brought me a present from the Robeson Co. Fair (which she had attended the previous Friday) - a small ceramic frog, with a tilted cap, sitting in a rocking chair. She said it had the same expression on its' face as I got when she asked for time off, and I looked just like "An ol' Walosi". Damn name stuck until I left NC, and now it is my SN. The frog is on its own shelf, with my wife's Hummel, to remind me of one of the best groups of people I've ever had the pleasure of working with.
[This message has been edited by Walosi (edited 04-02-2001).]
