Tommy talks openly and candidly to jenna @2sonsup about her recent car accident and the death of the person who hit her. Not an easy topic to discuss but it has to be said. We support you 100% Jenna and I know thats no consolation, buts its really the best i can do. The situation can’t be changed, we can only change how we look at things in the future. YOU ROCK JENNA!!

Tommy talks about his 6 month review with his boss Tim and areas of improvement he has. One area I need is patience with my co-workers when they do dumb stuff. It’s hard but I can bite my tongue. Kids, you need to listen to your teachers and listen to feedback from your parents so you can improve. Looking for ways to improve keeps you sharp and makes you better all around.

Tommy talks about his 2 daughters Madeline and Clara and their persistence and growth. madeline was accepted to Show Choir as a sophomore. What a HUGE accomplishment and Clara is running cross country. Her time consistently get better and better at each race. Keeping at it is the only way to get better. Some times you fall and finish last, but if you never try, you can never get better.

Tommy talks openly to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and how we can take their organization to 2010 and beyond. The chamber really need to focus on the building of new members. Now all members can be million dollar companies. its great to see the ones that are, but what about the little guys? For the chamber to move forward, it needs to reinvent itself and retool for the future. it needs to think outside the box and spread its offerings to those business who can not afford the chambers services, in the present form.

I want to help the chamber grow. I want to help drive more business and help others… put me to work!!

Yesterday I attended the Fox Cities Chamber of commerce Face Booth 2010 business to business expo. I was working in the HC Miller booth all morning to mid afternoon showing other local business our technological fare. So great to meet new people. After my shift int eh booth was over, I was able to browse around and see what other had to offer. I MET THE BEST PEOPLE!!! Just the best. I met Patty and Joy from the Chamber, I met folks from the Fox Cities magazine. I met my new best reporter friend in the whole world, Maureen from the Post-Crescent. I think the highlight was to be taken aside by Kathy at the chamber and she asked me some hard questions — I answered and she listened. SHE ACTUALLY LISTENED!!!

How many people in this world take the time to listen? I’m stunned and I can’t wait to listen to her needs and help

I love this job!

Tommy talks about his trip to Ground Zeros 6 weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. The sights, the smells, the reverence. The sight of all the workers stopping work as found remains are carried to a waiting ambulance. The smell of diesel fuel and welding torches as the steel is being cut and carted out of the site. Seeing all the photos along the fences of lost loved ones. Just overwhelming putting your hands around the scene.

Well things do not always go as planned and sometimes the littlest thing can really throw a wrong in the finest crafted plans. Now how you handle these situations really defines who you are and how you are perceived in the workplace. Are you a hot head who just wants to see heads roll? Or do you have solutions to fix the issues and ways to keep it from happening again??

Today I saw this great quote my Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” THANKS go out to Maureen Wallenfang from the Post Crescent for passing that gem along. What a great quote. In this day and age, you really need to stand out. You need to differentiate yourself from the crowd and you must be yourself.

Why can’t people just be happy for others successes? I’m dealing with some serious losers in the area who are just so darn jealous of the success of others. Their bitterness and lengths they will go to to cut others down.. stunning. How can people harbor such feelings of ill will for someone else?

One way other another they will get theirs, just remember kids, what goes around comes around!

Today marks the first day of school for Madeline, Clara and Tommy. How great it is to see their excitement and joy of learning. Clara is also on the cross country team. How fun for her. last night I had the opportunity to see and be a part of the return flight of the Old Glory Honor Flight. Almost 1000 people cam to ATW to see these vets return from their day in Washington DC. What an honor to pay tribute to such valiant servicemen and women.