I started my Navy career traveling the West Coast with a Navy show band, packing clothing, personal belongings and musical equipment for weeks at a time. I finished my career leading a Nay band around Asia by ship, airplane and bus. I've packed seabags, suitcases, and equipment; I've been responsible for the packing of seabags, suitcases and equipment by sixteen sailors.
So why, I ask myself, is it so damn hard to pack the car for the trip to Kansas City? We're leaving tomorrow morning and are nowhere ready.
In part, it's a leadership problem. We're not lacking leadership; to the contrary, there's too much leadership. I am not the only person who believes he is in charge of loading the car. Another person also considers his- or her-self in charge of the operation. I've had my stuff organized and ready to go since yesterday afternoon. The other person still has open, half-full suitcases sprawling across the bed.
I have prepared a packing list so each item may be stowed according to three criteria: Does it need to be removed from the car at the hotel we're staying at tonight? Can it remain in the hold until we reach our destination? Must it be accessible to driver and passengers during the journey?
The other person is still standing in front of mirrors deciding which top goes with which bottom.
Sorry, I just had to get this off my chest. I will now revert to my usual jolly self and ask this other person how I might assist him or her in his or her preparations.
Vote Frank Mullen for Human of the Year.
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