All right! Two fell!

There’s a Gary Larson cartoon that Lisa and I often quote.It’s a single panel cartoon of two snakes standing in front of a vending machine. The snakes are “standing” in the sense that they are raised up the way you see cobra’s just before they strike. The vending machine is one  of those with a glass front showing all the candy bars and chips in little cubicles arranged on shelves

After you drop your money in the slot and enter the “address” of the specific treat that you want (something like E3 for instance) - I spiral coil turns one revolution and the item falls to the bottom. You then reach thru a little panel and get your candy bar.

It’s an efficient way to sell candy bars and whatnot . . . and provide a little floor show as you watch the coil spin, the item slips forward and then drops into the tray at the bottom. Not only is the snack satisfying -  the whole process is entertaining with a touch of trepidation in that you hope that your chosen snack will not get hung up on the edge of the shelf and your sugar jones will go unrequited . . . or best case the machine screws up and you get a double drop of your chosen snack

So the snakes are standing in front of a vending machine that dispenses dead rats and they are looking at each other with glee in the eyes and the caption is . . .

“All right! Two fell!”

Lisa and I have been using that phrase for years whenever we get a double blessing or an unexpected blessing.

Starting today, January first of 2008, I now have two jobs. One is my old job redefined. I’ve worked at TWL for a little over eighteen years in various roles and my title now is VP of Operations. It’s a very good job with a great boss and some wonderful people working for me - and some wonderful peers that I work with too.

The other job is my new one at IBC (Irving Bible Church). The official title is Communications Director (or maybe Director of Communications - I don’t really know) but the real title is Storyteller . . .

Ever since I was in High School I’ve wanted to tell stories. I started out telling stories with photographs. When I got to college I added sound and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. I’ve always enjoyed writing and when I discovered blogs I’ve used it to continue the process. When folks ask why I got into this business I tell them that "I wanted to tell stories with pictures and sound." Maybe it's not the most eloquent way to say it - but it's accurate and concise - and I'm not always know for being concise :)

For the last three or four years I’ve been working with IBC to help tell their story and it seems that it’s now become a full time job. I will still continue with TWL but with a few changes. In a lot of ways it’s just a flip flop of time spent. Instead of the major consumer of my time being TWL and the minor consumer being IBC - those roles are reversed now.

There’s been a bit of skepticism of how this will work out. I’ve reorganized the groups that report to me at TWL and reassigned a couple of groups to other folks. I’ve also taken a substantial pay cut at TWL to reflect the fact that I will spend far less time in the office. I’ve been very clear at every step along the way with IBC that I plan on continuing a work relationship (with less obligation and fewer commitments) with TWL . . . if they would have me.

In this age of instant communication via smart-phones, text messaging, call forwarding and whatnot - I’m not real concerned about loosing touch with either group.

I’m also not real clear on this concept of a 40 hour work week. It’s my upbringing I suppose. My Dad worked in the pipeline construction business his entire adult life and 80+ hour work weeks were the norm until the job was done.

I see Lisa, a small business owner, working before she goes in, after she comes home and on the weekends. The “allure” of having your own business fades quickly when you realize that you “are” the business and it will not get done unless you do it - or ask your loving, patient spouse to do it :)

We do have our R&R and without it . . . well, it’s not a pretty sight. There is a balance to our work lives, emotional lives and spiritual lives. It’s not the most common way of balancing those three but we actually do a pretty decent job. Not having kids (or grandkids) comes into play too. I hear they really take up a lot of your time :)

So I get to continue my work at TWL as it moves forward into it’s new year AND explore what my new job holds for me at IBC. It will be a challenge to make it all work out but I’m confident it will. There’s lots of unkowns . . . but when isn’t there? I do know that God will be with me however it goes and I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life.

BTW, the “short” job description of what I will be doing at IBC goes something like this. "I don’t have to change the world - just tell the story of those who are."

The caption on the carton says it best about how I feel  . . .“All right! Two fell!”

Comments

[Shannon]

can't wait to work with you "full time"... the future is exciting!

[Amber]

Congratulations Bill!

[amykberger]

congrats!

[Sarah]

Since you have so much more time on your hands now...:)...let me know when you want to add "babysitter" to your resume!! I have your two great-nieces packed and ready to go! :)

Congratulations on your new adventure!