Almost done

It's nearing a close. The Leadership Potential Training Seminar is "nearly" over. Tomorrow we have a brief morning session, then our group project presentations, turn in our individual project plans for our organizations and additionally two personal improvement goals. Graduation presentations, and then nothing but a 4+ hour drive home and it's a wrap! Wahoo!

There are some new friends here that I will miss. And I actually hope that I've had an impact on others as well. Some folks that I've met, have had a positive impact on me, and one that I hope to continue to employ back home. Okay everyone just indulge me for a week or so, until I get it out of my system.

I'm a little tired this evening... but there's still the karaoke night to be contended with. Yeah, you heard right, karaoke! My classmates and I...are headed back down to Rumsey Tavern to make complete asses of ourselves, and probably drink just a few too many. Tomorrow could be a very long day indeed.

I did want to mention that I passed the PokerSpace.com IQ test for my sponsorship. However, it was only a $25 sponsorship for Walker Poker, since all I could score was a 70% on the test. Man I really do suck at this game. One of these days I'll figure it all out. Good luck to you all on the test in the future. I did have the sense to hang on to my answers if you're interested! : )

I'll see you all real soon. And in the words of Teddy KGB, "Alright Mr. Son-of-a-Bitch... let's play some cards!"

Regards,

cheer_dad

Time well spent

Though I wasn't planning on the trip back to Parkersburg, it was time well spent. I enjoyed being with my baby! : ) It was good to see the family and friends and just unwind from the class. Now, of course I'm back in Shepherdstown, and getting geared up for class in the morning. Tomorrow is gonna be a LONG friggin' day. Starting at 8:30...it'll go to the typical 5:00 as usual, but then after dinner, we return to the grind at 7:00 until 9:00pm!!! I'm "caught up" as far as I can be at this point. I typed up my Leadership Gap Plan upon returning this evening. Filled out some papers that are to be turned in on Thursday, so that's where I'm at.

I again want to say THANKS to Jason, for letting me ride home with him...and then back again. It really did make the trip go a lot more smoothly. We also got to rehash some of the training thus far. It has been a long driving weekend. I'm back here in my temporary home away from home. I hope to get some needed rest tonight.

See you all really soon. Fear not Big Red... it'll be over before you know it!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Impromptu return home

I'm back in Parkersburg, only briefly at the request of my lovely wife. Aww... she really did miss me. So, with a last minute shuffling of papers and a hasty cramming of the suitcase, I hitched a ride back with fellow BPD'er Jason. He as well was in Shepherdstown, WV for the Leadership Training that I've gone on and on about for the last few posts. He's a great guy and we've (at least I think so) really hit it off. Who knows, I may even turn him into another poker convert. Anyway it was nice travelling back with someone and to have someone to talk about things in general as well as help to digest and put into perspective a lot of the things that are being covered in the classes. We've both come to the same conclusion about one thing though... they're gonna friggin' load us up with work in this 2nd week. The handouts and projects came fast and furious on the last day getting us geared up for a 20 minute-ish class presentation from each of the 5 teams. Then, we were given 3 personal assignments, one 6 month goal for our organizations, which will be monitored and checked upon by our peers, within the class. The other are 2 personal development goals, again to be overseen by our peers. Finally we've been presented with a scenario which has redivided us into teams, which will represent factions in a world issue. The scenario briefly is focused on Shell Oil company expansion operations in Nigeria, add to the mix Human Rights, government, military, corruption, and environmental rights groups. Well you've got a mess that we're gonna play out. I was assigned to represent Greenpeace. UGH, they really are gonna make me a tree-hugger aren't they.

I've kept up with a few of you over the past week, and trust me your emails and text messages have been welcomed by this weary traveler. Life out of a suitcase isn't the best of times all by yourself. So thanks for keeping the ole spirits up. I do appreciate it! I've met a lot of great people in Shepherdstown. People with very different lives and work than my own. They are all much more "metropolitan" than I am, and while some elements of their lives sound very cool, I've come to the conclusion that I like my little life without all the hustle bustle and expense of the greater DC, New York, or Chicago life. They can keep it. It's just not for me I suppose. I'll hang on to my Vegas pilgrimmages to keep on the edge...

Time to wrap up and get back to the family.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Still here in the Eastern Panhandle

Hey all...how's it going? I'm still here in Shepherdstown, WV for two fun-filled weeks of training. And I officially decided tonight that I'll be spending the weekend here, instead of the making the 4 -1/2 hours trip back home and then back again, before Monday morning. Call me selfish...whatever!

A large contingent of us in the Leadership Potential class went out to eat this evening. We had a really good time. It's really great meeting all of these folks. Their lives by comparison seem a lot more interesting. Their jobs and some of the things they describe sound intriguing. BUT, the trade off I see is the hustle and bustle of the cities in which they live. There are several from the DC area. One guy from Manhattan, NY. Some from Chicago, IL. I of course find some common ground with the man from Texas. He's grounded... we've got things in common. Earthy types!

Not only geography seperates us...but also ethnic backgrounds, race, creed, generations and even the biggie...orientation. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) : ) Quite the melting pot... this training.

The class is good. I'm enjoying it. Yesterday's session was a little tedious, but I learned everything I'll ever need to know about Meyer's Briggs tests and what their results mean. I am personally classified as: ISTJ. If you wanna know what the hell that means go here: http://www.personalitydesk.com/personality-tests.php?gclid=CPba38nTs5ECFQNisgodhRbQfA. Then, I got to take another test that let me in on another element of my psyche. Apparantly I'm a "Caregiver, Innocent, EveryPerson, Magician." I'm gonna hold off on that one. I'm still digesting it. I can't recommend what I don't even understand myself yet. If you couldn't guess today's instructor for this material was a real flower child type. Oh yeah...in a big way!

Hope all is going well for you all over there on the other side of the state. I'll see you all in a little over a week from now. Stay tuned.

Regards,

cheer_dad