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April 2003 - Innovations Newsletter Traveling This MonthApril’s newsletter is early and will be shorter than usual. I’m leaving the 30th of March for Manchester, England to visit MYCD Ltd. When I return I’ll have samples of the American version of a new personalized story product that will be available sometime in May. The new product is personalized stories that run on your computer. Six stories will be available in May. Other stories will be released before Christmas. You can preview this new product at: http://rwrinnovations.com/story_cds.htm Who Moved My Cheese? When I moved to Atlanta, I heard horror stories about how long it would take to get my new drivers license. Things like, take your lunch and plan to be there all day. I didn’t take them seriously. I also heard that being from out-of-state, I could make an appointment. Which I did. I arrived at the licensing station and couldn’t believe my eyes. The line wound out the building and through the parking lot. People had folding chairs, books, parasols over their heads and coolers. It looked like they had been waiting for hours to buy tickets for a rock concert. I found a place to park and went to the trailer designated for out-of-state applicants. Went inside just as the only person in front of me was leaving. He didn’t have the right documents. I was early for my appointment, but they took me right away. Five minutes later, I had my license. I left and the line outside was, if anything, longer! Next, I had to get my license plates. I mailed my application with the proper fee. A couple of weeks later, I received a temporary paper license plate. It was good for two months. Before it expired, I wrote another letter and received another paper plate good for two more months. I finally received my plate and it was wrong! (I get a special amateur radio plate and the first letter of my radio call sign was missing.) I sent another letter and received another paper license plate. Seven months after I’d paid my fee, I finally received the correct plate and a note of apology from the person who’d made the error. Great! But, the little year tag you put on, when you pay your fees, was out-of-date! I called the local taxing authority and explained my problem. The man I talked to checked and couldn’t find a record of my payment. I hopped on the Internet, brought up my bank account and verified they had cashed my check. He looked further and found my payment. Then he told me he couldn’t do anything about my bad tag. He would get a supervisor on the line. The supervisor explained that the State of Georgia was at fault and it wasn’t their problem. But, before I say anything, he said he would personally make sure the problem was corrected and I would have my tag in three days. Which I did. So, government can work! So, what does this have to do with cheese? I just read a little book called “Who Moved My Cheese.” It’s about what happens when people refuse to see the handwriting on the wall and change. It’s happening to government organizations and they aren’t dealing with it very well. Government jobs are supposed to be secure and for life. Many government workers hire on and plan to stay until they retire. Some stay at the same location and move up in rank as people die or retire. A few move around and as a result get quicker promotions. Many are not use to change. President Bush is forcing some government entities to compete with civilian contractors for their jobs. It’s called Competitive Outsourcing. I’ve worked in and around the government for many years and it is very unsettling for them. Some are finding it difficult to face what is happening. “Who Moved My Cheese” sums up their situation and offers insights into how to deal with and thrive on change. So, if you or someone in your family is facing a difficult situation get them a copy of “Who Moved MY Cheese.” Let everyone in your family read it and then talk about it. It’s a great little book. http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/ Now for this month's sites: Literacy Day: Visit your local Walmart store on Saturday, April 12th to see a surprise guest author, and hear about the importance of literacy. They even have a literacy help-line at 1-800-929-4458. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=104269&lr=B&dept=104269&path=0%3A104269 Blue Jean Online: According to their web site they are "the only web site written and produced by young women from around the world". Blue Jean Online is a creative space for young women ages 14-22 to submit their writings, art work, photography, crafts and other works for online publication to a world wide audience. Our stellar team of talented correspondents, editors, illustrators and writers are dedicated to publishing what young women are thinking, saying, and doing around the world. http://www.bluejeanonline.com/ Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame: The WVMA established the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame to give Wisconsin veterinarians the opportunity to honor the outstanding contributions our animal companions make in human lives. The Pet Hall of Fame celebrates the strength and meaningfulness of the bond between humans and animals. http://www.wvma.org/pet.asp Krack'd Pot Moms: Even thought about writing a book? Do you tell stories about your daily adventures in mommy-land and wish they were written down so others could enjoy them? This web site wants your stories! Here’s an extract from their “Calls for Submissions” page. “Did you ever have one of those days when nothing seemed to go right? When you were ready to pull your hair out or scream at the top of your lungs? Yet, even while you were standing there feeling like a lunatic with a bazooka, others couldn't help but laugh at your situation? Was there a day when you felt your life should have been in a sitcom? We want to read about those funny days and compile them into a book entitled Krack'd Pot Moms to be published by Obadiah Press.” http://www.thedabblingmum.com/krackd_about.htm Creative Kids at Home: Got a bright little one at home who constantantly challenges you to come up with interesting, fun things to do? Does he (or she) get excited when something comes in the mail addressed to him? Try a craft subscription. Six personally addressed crafts packages mailed throughout the year. Everything is included in the package. http://www.creativekidsathome.com/ Thomas the Tank Engine: If you’re able to get to Tennessee in May, stop by the Tennessee Valley Railroad and ride Thomas. Sounds like a lot of fun. http://www.tvrail.com/docs/thomas-info.htm That’s it for April. I’m on the way to the Atlanta airport. Have a short layover in France and then on to jolly old England. C U next month Ron Nixon RWR Innovations We Make Reading Fun Again! Issue: 04/01/2003 ISSN #: 1543-9275 Note: The websites in this newsletter are listed because I find them interesting and have value to parents and children. They have not paid money or given me anything to be mentioned. RWR Innovations Personalized Books make great fund raisers. Personalized Children's Books P.O. Box 460939 Papillion NE 68046-0939 402-592-9199 Webmaster: Ron Nixon wa8zde@bellsouth.net 3807 Shadowood Parkway SE Atlanta GA 30339-2301 770-850-1400 Site Map 4/1/2003 |