Monthly Archives: January 2024

Is the Pier Un-pallet-able?

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The death of Madi was tough on Dr. StrangeJob, and he is considering shutting down InComps. Madi, his close friend, served as the group’s Chief of Intellectual Guerrilla Activities. She was also the brains behind many of the group’s missions.

Conflicted about what to do, StrangeJob asked Doc Spinolee to meet at Doktor Luke’s to discuss the group’s future. Spinolee is a retired professor and the intellectual leader of the group. Spinolee also serves as the moral compass for InComps.

“Thanks for coming,” StrangeJob says to Spinolee. “I want your advice on whether to disband the group. I am not sure if we should keep it going after Madi’s death.” 

Spinolee, looking distracted, nods in agreement that Madi’s loss is tough on the group. “Perhaps we should consider what Madi would want to do before you decide,” says Spinolee.

StrangeJob, noticing that Spinolee seems a bit off today, asks him if he is doing OK.

“I think I am losing my marbles,” replies Spinolee.

“Hey, I have known you for many years and have never questioned your intellect, so I don’t think you are having any issues,” replies StrangeJob.

“I don’t think you understand,” says Spinolee.  “I have lost my marbles, and I’ve looked everywhere!”

StrangeJob was puzzled by his friend’s concern when they were distracted by a boisterous discussion at the adjacent table, a group complaining about the province’s plan for a Pallet Shelter in Whitney Pier. Some Pier residents were upset that 30 homeless people would be housed at the site, including druggies and thieves. Some have complained about Ally Centre clients and the homeless shelter downtown, so these Pier residents were concerned that the pallet site would result in similar issues.

“You and Madi were from the Pier, and she lived there when she passed,” says Spinolee. “What do you think about the plans for the pallet site?”

“That’s a tough call,” says StrangeJob. “I have been in recovery for over 30 years and can appreciate the needs of those with addictions, but, like others, I would worry about the potential problems that the site could bring.”

“Perhaps,” replies Spinolee. “However, as I understand, the pallet site will have stringent rules, 24/7 security, and a formal selection process for prospective residents. Perhaps the concern is more about property values than for the betterment of those in need.”

“Yes, I heard concerns about property values,” replies StrangeJob. “That might bother me too, so the not-in-my-neighborhood issue is legit. Someone already lost out on a home sale after the announcement for the pallet site.”

“Listen, I don’t mean to be rude,” says Spinolee, “but shouldn’t we look at this from a moral perspective? Homeless people are suffering in this weather. Didn’t a local unhoused person die recently?”

“Yeah, that’s true, a person sleeping between two dumpsters behind Sobeys died,” replies StrangeJob. “There wasn’t much news about what happened to them, so I am guessing the person either froze or overdosed. The powers that be didn’t want any negative publicity, especially after all the hassle with the New Dawn affordable housing initiative in the North End and the recent complaints about the goings on at the Ally Centre and the homeless shelter downtown.”

“I know about the concerns over New Dawn’s affordable housing project,” says Spinolee. “But what about the Ally Centre and the homeless shelter?

“Some clients have addiction and mental health issues,” replies StrangeJob. “And some have been disruptive, causing grief for downtown business owners and area residents. I haven’t witnessed any of the shenanigans, but I have heard stories about drug use, violence, and other nefarious activities as witnessed by the public.”

“If that’s true, then blocking the pallet shelters might prevent those ready and willing to seek help from receiving needed services. That could make the problems worse,” says Spinolee.

“Fair point,” says StrangeJob. “But a concern is that once the pallets are in the Pier, they will also move the Centre and the shelter down there.”

“It sounds like the mosaic melting pot is boiling over,” says Spinolee.

Their conversation was interrupted again by the ruckus at the adjacent table. Another customer overheard the group complaining about the pallet site and added their two cents’ worth.

Alex, Madi’s good friend and new InComps member, was upset with the table’s discussion and wanted to set the record straight.

 “Don’t you realize people are dying out there?” says Alex. “We need to do something to help.”

The table conversation started getting heated when Spinolee noticed Alex and waved him over.

“Hey Alex, it sounds like you are barking up the wrong tree with that group,” says Spinolee. “Let’s not start any loud arguments with them, especially in public.  We don’t want to disturb the other customers.”

“Well, maybe they need to be disturbed,” retorts Alex. “Don’t you two know there are members of InComps living in tents as we speak?”

“I didn’t know that,” replies StrangeJob. “If you know who they are, can you ask them to talk to us about their experiences?”

“Yes, I will,” replies Alex. “The more personal stories people hear about homeless struggles the better. I’ll let you know. What do you think Madi would say about the pallet homes?”

“She would be the first to volunteer her support,” replies StrangeJob. 

“What would she say to the site’s detractors?” asks Spinolee.

“She would likely tell them to pitch a tent at the proposed site and spend a few nights in the cold to see if that changes their opinion,” states StrangeJob. “I doubt the detractors could hack a few nights out in the cold. They would rather be at home pontificating at their keyboards.”

“That’s a bit harsh,” Spinolee retorts. “Again, perhaps we must look at this from a moral perspective. Shouldn’t all other concerns be secondary if the pallets could prevent a single death?”

“You’re right, so what should we do about it?” says StrangeJob.

“We need to support the pallets, but we should insist that the community be more involved with the process, including the client selection process and site monitoring.”

StrangeJob was about to reply when he noticed Mary walking into the coffee shop. Mary is Spinolee’s significant other and an amateur sleuth with a fondness for Agatha Christie’s adventures. 

“Hey, there’s Mary,” says StrangeJob. “Let’s see what she thinks about the pallets.”

Spinolee’s mood was lifted as soon as Mary joined them for tea.

“Where have you been all day?” asks Spinolee to Mary. “I looked for you everywhere!”

StrangeJob suddenly realized the reason for Spinolee’s earlier distraction and his concern over losing his marbles. Mary’s full name is Miss Mary Marbles.

“Hi Mary, how’s the amateur sleuthing going?” asks StrangeJob.

“I was down the Pier checking out the proposed pallet site and researching some of the concerns people have with it,” replies Miss Marble.

“We just discussed that issue,” says Spinolee. What are your thoughts on the site?”

“I think InComps should make it their next adventure,” says Miss Marbles.

To be continued …

Dr. StrangeJob is a satirical blogger, retired educator, social activist, actor, screenwriter, creator of Incompetents Anonymous (IA), and interim leader of the CBLA-InComps. He can be reached at drstrangejob@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @drstrangejob or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/drstrangejob.

Dr. StrangeJob or: How I Learned to Stop Raging and Embrace the Bull

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I finally started my book Dr. StrangeJob Or: How I Learned to Stop Raging and Embrace the Bull. I will post updates as things develop, but here is the introduction ‘to pique your interest.

Introduction

The Peter Principle was first published in 1969 by Dr. Lawrence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. The principle states: “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.”  Although the Peter Principle refers to the incompetent as male, it is likely a reflection of the time the principle was developed rather than an assumption that only males are incompetent. On the other hand, I have met more incompetent males than females in my day, so maybe the authors were more insightful than I have given them credit for.

The classic example of the Peter Principle can be found in the field of education; take, for example, the competent teacher whose lack of administrative skills becomes painfully evident after being promoted to principal. If the promotion causes significant disruption in the workplace, then the principal is either promoted to district manager or remains in a state of incompetent stagnation until retirement. Simply put, given any hierarchy, all employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence.

The Peter Principle does not discriminate against race, age, sex, or political party (OK, maybe by political affiliation). Look to any hierarchical organization in which you belong to witness the Peter Principle in practice. Gaze down the organizational ladder, and you will see competent employees in search of a promotion or incompetent employees likely to receive a promotion. Gaze upwards on the organizational ladder, and you will find incompetent employees in search of a golden handshake or competent ones about to be downsized. Gaze in the mirror to determine your competence level, but do not be fooled by what you think you see.

If you cannot evaluate your competence level, then you may have already reached your level of incompetence within that particular hierarchical structure. However, if you can determine your competence level, there may still be hope for you – unless, of course, you are incompetent at judging competence.

It’s a Catch-22. If you can see incompetence within your hierarchy, you may not have reached your level of incompetence. If, on the other hand, you cannot see incompetence, then you are likely already there. In other words, you are either in on the joke of Dr. StrangeJob, or you are a part of the joke of Dr. StrangeJob. If you are in on the joke, then tag along for the ride. If you are a part of the joke, then you probably stopped reading by now and are likely beyond redemption.

Does Dr. StrangeJob have the competence to write a book on incompetence? I believe so because thirteen years of industry experience in information systems, thirteen years of full-time post-secondary teaching experience, and five years in post-secondary program management have provided daily opportunities to see the Peter Principle in practice.

Although some may disagree, I believe I have managed to maintain a semblance of sanity after surviving over 30 years in a workforce fraught with incompetence, insanity, cronyism, and nepotism or controlled by psychopaths, sociopaths, and arseholes. Somehow, I was always able to find humour in the chaos. This project is my attempt at maintaining that sanity.

The idea for this book came to me during my last day of work at a local university. At the time, I was in a managerial position, being reclassified into a position I did not want to pursue. Although not ready to retire, I decided it was my time to leave. As I cleared out my overhead file cabinet, I stumbled upon an old file folder brimmed with work-related musings, notes, clippings, anecdotes, emails, and organizational reflections I had collected during my work career. The file folder was labelled “Work Shit,” and each item had not only passed my initial smell test but also managed to remain fragrant with each successive viewing.

I had the idea to use the folder’s contents as fodder for a satirical look at life in the workplace, but I needed a framework to tie the material together. Circumstances and three disparate events collided to form a skeleton for the manuscript.

  1. I recently purchased the fortieth-anniversary edition of The Peter Principle by Lawrence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. The principle is as applicable today as it was in 1969.
  2. I watched the forty-fifth anniversary edition of Stanley Kubrick’s film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Unfortunately, the film’s subtext is as relevant today as it was in 1964. Oh, my precious bodily fluids.
  3. I reorganized my home library and stumbled upon my collection of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. novels.

Presto!!!

The framework became a satirical text of propositions ruminating on the continued relevance of the Peter Principle within the context of my work experience.

And so it goes…

Dr. StrangeJob is a satirical blogger, retired educator, social activist, actor, screenwriter, creator of Incompetents Anonymous (IA), and interim leader of the CBLA-InComps. He can be reached at drstrangejob@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @drstrangejob or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/drstrangejob.