THE FATHER BLOG

As someone who lived and worked in North Jersey for many years and saw the Manhattan skyline every day, Sept.11th is still fresh in my mind like it was yesterday. I was at a business meeting that morning in Newport, RI with my regional colleagues from North Jersey and NYC. That meeting was supposed to have taken place at the World Trade Center Marriott hotel next to the towers but was moved a month before (we were unknowingly very fortunate it was). As we watched on TV like most, it was still different because people I worked with had spouses, family, and friends working there and were frantically trying to reach them. It was beyond terrible. We all learned later that some were lost and others thankfully made it home safely.

Our meeting was obviously cancelled and we were told we could stay or go…whichever felt best for us. Two of my friends and I drove up together and decided we were heading home. The roads from Rhode Island back to NJ were basically empty except for emergency personnel and law enforcement. We had to take the long way back because all the major bridges were shut down. We listened to the radio reporting in silence the entire way. As we came down into NJ from NY state, the road always gave you a magnificent view of the NYC skyline. This time, all we could focus on was the rising smoke.

The documentaries on TV are amazing (though sometimes hard to watch) but it’s part of our history and the younger generation should learn about it. My wife and I have told our stories to our children about that day. Make sure you pass along your stories as well.

I’m not a manager of people. I have absolutely no desire to be, especially in my world. Those in middle management roles spend the overwhelming majority of their time wasting away on meaningless “conference calls”. Other middle managers arrange these meetings to fill their calendars each day. Sounding familiar?

On every interview I’ve ever been on I have asked the hiring manager their style and what they believe a manager should be. If the answer doesn’t fall somewhere within the realm of “I hire good people and then leave them alone”, then I’m not really interested. Hire The Best — Then Get Out Of Their Way And Take Care Of Them

This is literally all they need to do. I will be a more productive employee without all the noise. But these “meetings” they attend cause them to discuss issues that are either non relevant or are not fixable. Then they inevitably will press the panic button and push that downward to the rest of us.

I would like to think my track record of success is why the hired me in the first place. But now after all these years, they feel I (we) need to relearn everything or change our styles because maybe things didn’t look stellar for a 2 week period? Just leave me alone!! You hired me to do a job…..please let me do it.

It’s why I haven’t posted in a week. BS work stuff. And now I’m being called away for a live meeting for ….get ready for this….less than 24 hours. I have to fly on the company dime to the tune of close to a $1000 flight plus whatever the hotel will cost. This is ridiculous. But it’s my job and I will go because middle management says so and I’m counting the days to retirement!

Never forget my motto: a job pays the bills and kills time between vacations.

During this past weekend’s trip, I obviously had to make a stop by the Charlton location of Treehouse Brewing. I grabbed a case for myself along with some extras to give to a friend and my neighbor. Also muled home a couple extra cases for friends. The main location is amazing if you haven’t been there. It’s like a small college campus. Treehouse Brewing is obviously doing quite well for themselves. So well that, in addition to their multiple locations, they bought a farm. Yep…Treehouse at the Farm located in Woodstock, CT.

This location is much smaller than the others and requires a half mile drive up a dirt road. They have limited beers on draft and to-go options. But what a serene and relaxed place. It wasn’t crowded, people were there with their kids and dogs, there is corn hole to play, beautiful scenery, etc. Definitely worth a stop in for a beer if you find yourself driving through the area.

Had a Juicy Roads pale ale while there. It was definitely tasty and not available at other locations so felt it was a nice find.

Visiting Tree House Farm Brewery — Tree House Brewing Company

The boys enjoying a view of the lake/pond. Mikey jokingly asked “is that what life is like after 50?”. My answer was “If you’re lucky!”