School Daze: Volumes 1 and 2

By Robert J. Wilson

While the book is fictional it parallels my ten years serving as Director of Buildings and Grounds for a Woodtic Superintendent in a public school in Hometown U.S.A.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477281024

Robert J. Wilson

Strong individual who believes in America.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

YOU’VE GOT MAIL!

Eight years, nine volumes of e-mails from this supervisor were totally unreal. I documented and filed each and every one of them. I think they will help others identify the bipolar conditions of not only this individual, but others who suffer from this condition.

I met this individual in 2001. During that period of time I compiled nine volumes of e-mails with this individual. While I can’t share them all with you in chapter one, I selected the special ones to review with you.

Robert, it’s not a matter of my being correct, it is a matter of you knowing your budget - of which the Headmaster ignored!

Until I worked for these folks I never handled a budget under 30 million dollars. My current budget is plus/minus 2 million dollars. I could handle a small budget as small as this one while sleeping. Once the Director of Management took over, he started to criticize my budget, as well. Now this boy is a real winner. Lives check to check and bounces checks from time-to-time and owes more on his house than it is worth at 61 years of age. Now this boy is one hell of a genius, as he pads his yearly budget and then gives what he pads back. He receives a pat on the back for this stroke of stupidity. He’s truly a sharp dresser, as his spouse dresses him from garage sale clothing, as well as Goodwill, etc.

Robert, we need to get an estimate from Smith Construction Company on the #22 building.

Prior to my coming aboard, they built the #22 building in the late 1990’s with a notorious local construction crook. This guy screwed them so badly that it really is unbelievable. However, this is the neat part of the whole thing. Once it was my responsibility, the whole thing became my fault. And yes, the Director of Management got his nose in the middle of it also. He’s an expert on everything. A trip to his computer and he knows it all. No formal education what-so-ever.

Robert, in the future, please bring me in the loop on paint requests.

You’ve not seen anything until you watch this individual select paint colors. Most institutions stick to off-white, antique white or standardize on one color. This individual could look at twenty shades of black.

Each Thursday afternoon I take off to handle my side business. My supervisor knows where I am every week. I leave work about noon each Thursday. Within a half hour of my leaving work, my supervisor is on the phone with me knowing that I’m busy, but asking me about stupid shit she already knows the answer to.

Robert, we need to establish space in the warehouse for building staff to keep items in it. For ten years I told them to fence it off. For ten years they ignored me.

When I arrived, you could not walk inside the warehouse, as it was stacked from top to bottom. My superior was a pack rat. Years of cleaning, discarding, sales, etc. have rendered the facility walkable. I drink my coffee each morning in one end, which was stacked from floor to ceiling. One thing I found interesting about this individual, as well as the Director of Management, is the fact that they find all the faults at work, but live like trash themselves. Their autos are not clean, weeds around their homes, etc. Very interesting indeed. Another interesting fact is that the Headmaster himself hates e-mail, yet he allows this individual to torture everyone else. While I’ve confronted the Headmaster on several occasions to work and report to him directly, he ignores me. However, he denies me. And herein lies the reason for it. When they created my supervisor’s position in order to give her more money, she had to have someone to look over in order to justify her raise. When the Director of Management took over half her duties, he became my boss and received a little extra salary. One must realize that madness exists for all this. The Headmaster could/should have had each of us report directly to him and save the school a lot of money. However, if the Headmaster has to deal with the little shit each day and he gets all upset over it. As the four seasons would come and go, so did the e-mails. Fifty to sixty per day or maybe more and some days a hundred or more.

Let’s back up - I cannot predict if the snow plow truck will fail.

I found it interesting that one who never (to the best of my knowledge) plowed snow would have such vast knowledge of snow removal and said equipment. When I first went to work for this individual, I cleaned up months of overcharging by current vendors. For example our rag vendor who supplied the school cleaning rags would bring clean rags each week and take our soiled units back to be cleaned. Simple enough, but each week and each month they would increase the spare cleaning rags in our stock on the rack with just one little issue, they charged us for clean rags setting on the rack. Upon my arrival, this stash of clean rags lying on the rack had grown to 400.00 dollars a month. I stopped the practice immediately!

I am passing on the following from WEQ for firms that operate drinking water wells for some of their buildings.

This went on for years with this person passing on information to me. Most of the time it was corny, stupid, waste of time, worthless information I already had knowledge of. This person took down several forests over time.

I hate to be really dense, but what are we talking about?

During the course of eight years, this would happen from time-to-time. I suspected bipolar more than once. One of the office folks mentioned to me that this individual was really seeking my attention. While my counterpart sucked this individual’s ass, I stayed clear of that activity. Secretly she admired me.

When I hired in my staff was wearing pagers on their belts at $34.00 each month and tons of quarters wasted returning calls was no big deal. Within one month after starting employment for this firm, we were using cell phones at just $33.00 a month. In the near future my boss’ replacement would really screw communications up! Today we are back to square one. No two-way - everyone carries a different phone.

Cindy, send me a copy of your memo to Karen. I would like you to take a look at what you wrote, check the accuracy and completeness and ask yourself if this is how we would like to look should this matter have to go to supervisors or even arbitration? I should think not. I will say no more. In the future, please model some of the past letters of action that have been used. Her emails to me had incomplete sentences, as well as misspelled words. As years went by I simply signed my name to her letters, as it was easier, that way and I didn’t give a shit.

The book you are currently reading is my tenth published book. The individual who authored the above e-mail has never written a book, nor has anyone else in the organization, but they are all experts at it.

This next one is absolutely precious.

I just chewed out Betty’s ass for not getting with you before the trees were put in. She let me know that you were there Thursday night (as you said you were) and did talk to the guy who was donating them, as well as to her. Just for your information, this gentleman has been a real friend of the school and has given much of his time and expertise in technology. Until I talked with Betty, I didn’t realize who he was. He has helped Jane with many items, etc. and we should treat him as gold that people like him are. It is my understanding that you told him your people were too busy to help dig the holes the next day. Our folks are never too busy to help out in a case of donations. We have Jim and Roy working every day, along with R.J., Melvin and Allen. If we can’t find time to assist in these situations, shame, shame on us. Feel free to stick your shovel up your ass!

Betty, in my opinion, is just a few fries short of a happy meal most of the time. Secondly, in my opinion, a very troubled person. Nasty! I never knew these guys were coming to plant trees until I spotted them on my way home one night. We needed four trees, not two trees. In these days of buried utilities, these two wood tics were digging holes in front of a building with no knowledge of what laid below. They planted their trees and left and I spent the next 500 years of my professional life looking for two more trees to match those that these wood tics put in. To this day, cross my heart, I really don’t remember telling them I didn’t have the time to dig holes for them. Usually I’m warm and friendly to others; however, there are times when my temper gets the best of me.

If you haven’t noticed by now, this individual likes to belittle everyone. This person has had three marriages, and in my opinion, hates all men, of which she couldn’t hang on to even one. In the morning when she climbs out of bed, she probably straps on a set of balls. She did wear men’s type suits with a short haircut. Of course, I never could get a feel if she preferred women or men, but the tendencies were there for women. The Director of Management would know better than I, as he sucked her ass all the time for her.

I don’t want my readers to think I’m negative towards this individual, as I am a very positive person in life. Ever notice those individuals obsessed with being the boss. This individual fits that mold. You’ll sometimes find these folks in church settings. They don’t make it in the real world, but find their calling at church. This firm has it’s share of these stereotypes. While I have made some really fine relationships there, I have also met some real jack-asses there as well. Amazon woman - now there’s a real piece of work. Pac Man was offered 5K to bang her!

Refer to page 36 in the contract, Article V, Section 5A - how many people do you need to get the building put back in order?

I liked this one, just like an old Pollock joke.

A few days later I responded to the tree planting issues.

"I read your e-mail once again. Regardless who the guy is, he was treated with respect by me. He did not follow the rules in underground digging. I asked if he called for underground locates and he did not. He simply didn’t follow the rules. I went over Thursday and informed him that I’d be back Friday morning and offered my support, as well as he should dig the holes with a shovel by hand. Had I not followed the rules (call before you dig), you, me, as well as the company could have looked bad. This is exactly why I called the Headmaster that night and asked if he knew these trees were being planted. He (Harry) hadn’t a clue.

It truly is a mystery to me as to why a firm would keep a person like this in their employment. However, it gets much better than this. We have one supervisor who likes to have folks call him Mr. If an employee questions who gave an order he likes to tell them tell them Mr. so and so said so. This boy has some real deep rooted issues of which were revealed in a mental test. The School Board should be made aware of the findings on this boy.

Is there some reason the flag hanging in the Auditorium looks like it was left in the dryer too long and on high?

Because it was! Da!

I’m amused at individuals who ask questions they already know the answer to.

Is there some reason that Carl’s car is here before 8:00 a.m.?

Maybe to plow snow! Da! This bitch was a constant employee car watcher.

This individual retired 5 years ago, so I had forgot some of the silly little games we played over the years; however, this e-mail brought it right back to me. This former supervisor was a parking lot watcher. The individual had a view from the office windows of certain parking lots. Mine was one of them. I’ve always had a sick sense of humor, so I loved playing games with this individual. I had several vehicles and would drive different ones on different days, showing up at different times. It drove this individual nuts. I would periodically park in one parking lot verses another or my correct assigned spot, which was labeled with my title. We played this game until retirement of this individual. I so enjoyed screwing with her mind. It was small so I always had her under control.

One of the items I noticed in this individual’s e-mails over a 15 year period where mistakes in spelling, spacing, etc. Here is my opinion of that format. This individual is jealous, childish and had a hatred mean streak and could not write the e-mails fast enough to keep up with her mind. Simply my opinion.

I would assume that building use notices were posted in the custodial closet so that everyone knew what was going on. - No … we hid them so everyone was confused -dumb shit!

Our insurance company did a complete inspection of our facility. They provided Robert a copy of that report, but didn’t share one with me. That’s because they viewed you as a shit for brains idiot.

One of our office staff (who shares the same opinion of life that I do) brought this up yesterday to my attention. This was that the Director of Management had called over to speak with her and announced himself as Mr. to her. Her response was ya right! I shared with her of a visit to Wally World in which I walked in the front door and the door greeter said: Good morning Chief. She had further told me that the former Headmaster once shared with her that his replacement would never achieve greatness because of the way he carried himself as he entered a room. When this individual enters a room, he is bent over when he enters. I carry myself with full strength when entering a room. To watch a perfect example of this watch old reruns of President George W. Bush enter or leave a room. I didn’t vote for George in either election, but as time went on, I liked the guy. If George ran today, I’d have to vote for him. Back to the e-mail author - this individual, as well as the Headmaster and Director of Management just have never gained the respect I receive on a daily basis from coworkers or in the public. It’s all in how one carries themselves that others see. Remember first impressions are extremely important. This individual didn’t receive a copy of the insurance report because nobody from the company saw this individual as a player. No one saw this individual as important. Nobody respected her as a manager. These types are as bad as a teacher who has lost his/her game in teaching. Fire them!

While I have been a supervisor most of my adult life, I do not feed on it. It means little to me, as I report to a higher command above the earthly ones. As far as the e-mail author, Director of Management and the bean counter, they are earthly road-blocks. Any principles of management theories will teach one to jump over them and I do. To identify these individuals, simply observe their personal lives. All three of these folks have messed up personal lives. Furthermore, they generally don’t stay with a partner for any period of time in life or divorce. Our Director of Management is nothing but a whore. None of these three folks have remained married to just one person in life. Think about it.

Robert, are you familiar with this system? Maybe you want to check it out?

These types of e-mails came as often as frequent flyer miles. When the e-mailer retired I could of heated my garage with the e-mail copies. One particular thing I noticed over the years is that the e-mailer could become hung up with some of the strangest folks, after all she recommended me for employment to her superiors. (To that I am thankful.) The biggest problem the e-mailer had with me was control. She could not control me and that drove her nuts. Now, don’t take this out of context, but remember it. Be very observant when you go to work for an employer. Keep an eye on the skeletons in the closets. Never use them unless you are backed into a corner. Let’s just say they could be your ace in the hole. Each of the folks I’ve referred to in this chapter let their guard down with me. While I just happen to like the Headmaster, I’d take the other two out … and why? … simply because they screwed with me. I never draw first blood. One cardinal sin not to do, of which I learned later in my career, is don’t allow others to know your dirt. During the 40 years of employment I shared information with the Director of Management, who told information to the Headmaster that he was never to have known. Once the Headmaster learned what I had told the Director of Management, he ran right to the Headmaster with the dirt and told him. Currently I have not turned it around with the Headmaster and I know he thinks I’m his Judas. In fact he made a comment in public form the other day that I don’t know who I can trust. Boy, did that one bring tears to my eyes H.S. However, H.S. is a master at this type of heart breaking teardrop drama. I often think H.S. could have been a preacher, but then remember when H.S. was a boy he walked to school ten miles every day and it was uphill both ways.

March is CEO recognition month. In keeping with past practice, we will show our appreciation by taking the CEO out to dinner at Bob’s Big Boy in Hometown on March 27, 2008. We all get to buy his dinner. Oh boy!

This was a practice which totally blew me away when I went to work for these folks. The practice is that we the employees take the CEO out for dinner and pay for everything. Once I got over the shock of it, I like it now. We’ve went to some fine places over the past years.

Also, Ken came back from an ADA meeting. We will have to do a plan that has to have our supervisor approval and be submitted for approval by April, 2008. We don’t have to do all our doors with handicap levers, etc. Remember the grandfather clause.

Bad information! Once ADA issues are addressed in an aged facility … grandfather it … for once you start addressing a few things, you must bring all of it current. The e-mailer always considered herself a rocket scientist, as do I, but sometimes I have to research the web to see if indeed I’m correct. Mr. Director of Management is a big web man, which in turn makes him a genius on most subjects. This is the person who can’t keep his personal life in order. But wants to manage everyone else’s.

Robert, is there enough money in the budget to buy me a boat?

This one is up there with Jaws! When the captain said, I think we are going to need a bigger boat!

While statements such as these are humorous, they are also very informative. Remember attention to detail is very important, just don’t freak and go overboard. Our Headmaster tends to freak over issues which only increase his blood pressure and lead to stroke and further illness in his life. Don’t buy into it. One must simply enjoy life now and then. Stay focused!

It appears that there was some damage done in the conference room in the science wing over the weekend. Some dry wall was peeled back, which will necessitate patching, sanding and painting. We can’t determine how this occurred, but during the Miss Hometown practice on Sunday, children were in this room.

Now here’s one for the FBI to check out. Children left alone in the science room, some damage occurred…hmmmmmmm…a real mystery here we have. I’m thinking we should dust the room for fingerprints. Don’t hate the wood tic bosses in your life. Without the e-mailer and Director of Management, I couldn’t have written this chapter, nor this book. I could never have imagined this horse shit!

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