10 more working days (including today) until I experience being rebalanced. "Rebalanced." If I could find the genius HR person that dreamed up that word I'd punch them in the head. Speaking of the evil empire commonly known as HR, I almost felt bad for them yesterday. I had a short meeting with them yesterday so they could find out how my current job search is going. I found out that, at least those under the manager level, they are caught in this round of job cuts too. But that thought was fleeting.
Two interviews yesterday. I felt one went really well, and I scored a second interview out of that one. However, the second interview is the technical interview, and I'm not sure I'm going to make it past that one. The other interview was with the government, and I found out that it was a one shot deal - one interview and they make offers to those selected and shoot down the rest. However, although the interviews end today (Tues) they won't make a decision as to who is selected for another three weeks. I really wanted a second interview on that one too. I felt like I totally bombed the one yesterday.
I told my gorgeous Jess last night that I would find it extremely ironic if I did somehow manage to get that government job. After all, I'm the one that says the government is way too big and should be cut back immensely. As well, I didn't let on to my thoughts about the government in the interview, but there were several things that were mentioned that I told Jess yesterday afternoon were case-in-point problems with the government. For instance, the job is exactly what I do now, but it is overpaid by a good bit. If they offer it to me, I would take it...after all, Jess and I could then hit some financial goals pretty quickly. But that doesn't change the fact that their pay scale for the position is way-inflated. Also, I found out that once you're in, unless you're a total screwup, you have a job. And get raises. Period. So, for as long as that department existed and I came close to meeting my goals (notice I didn't say met or exceeded) I would have a job with pay increases. Several times during the interview as I would ask questions, one of the interviewers (it was a panel interview) reminded me that government jobs were not similar at all to private sector, corporate jobs. I guess they're not.
It's snowing. It's December, and it feels like it should be. I put my Christmas tree up the other night. It's the one I convinced Jess to let me get last year or the year before. It's similar to this one. Only mine didn't come with a Linus blanket and is like 2 1/2 or 3 feet tall rather than just a foot. The older I get the less I like the pomp of Christmas. I believe we've lost the meaning of what Christmas is supposed to be. Consequently, I really like my little tree. It's simple to a fault. And it looks so poorly it makes me laugh whenever I see it.
The weather is supposed to be cold and wet for the next few days. I was going to run tonight, and thinking about running in the Jingle Bell Run 5k this Saturday in Sundance Square. But looking at the weather for now through the weekend I think I'm going to sit it out. Now I just need to find something to do during the winter to try to stay in a little bit of shape while it's cold out. If I manage to score another job soon I may think about getting a treadmill or something with the PTO payout I'll get. But then again, maybe I won't. I'm half thinking that I may be one of these crazies that's out running when it's 30 degrees outside. So long as it's not wet and raining it can't be that bad right?
I forgot how much I enjoy Harry Connick, Jr. Pulled one of his CDs out yesterday and stuck it in the car. Been totally jamming to it.
Now that it's the 21st century and I'm...probably older than you...am I still allowed to say I was "jamming" to music? Or is there some other word I'm supposed to be using? Or am I getting old enough that I have to start using proper terminology like "immensely enjoying" the music? Why am I even wondering this?
After today I have 11 more working days until, as T phrased it, I enter the world of funemployment. Have another interview with Cook Children's Medical coming up. I'm really hoping that one comes through for me. For several reasons.
So I just was in the restroom washing a blister I got the other day off because it burst (or rather I played with it until it burst) and thought of LotR. And then, you know how you get tickled at the most inane stuff and get the giggles at all the wrong times? Well, it was stinkin'. Like really, really bad. Somebody had taken a mean one, and not sprayed the deodorizer or anything. You could hardly breath. And all I could think about as I was trying to catch my breath (you think I'm joking here) was Gollum saying "It burns us!" That's when I got the giggles for no apparent reason and had to rush out.
Found a pattern for an R2D2 hat. Jess bartered some pictures with one of her coworkers to have the hat made for me. I can't wait to get it! And Jess also said that since she got her picture of me last week I can cut my hair again. So as soon as I get another job I'm going to cut it back off. WOO HOO!!!! Jess also said I have been called the "R2D2 husband" at her work because of the hat. I'll have Jess model it for a pic when it gets finished. Not really sure why I'm so excited about this hat. Except that it's gonna be THE COOLEST HAT EVER!!!!
I've always liked this song, but have really been digging it lately. I just love the tune. Course Hendrix is the original. Then SRV took it and made it his own. And I think everyone else has done it as some time or other as well...Skid Row, Steve Vai, just to name a couple.
Here's the Corrs version of it. It's fast becoming my favorite non-instrumental version.
News item this morning on the way to work...and I'm looking for a source other than the radio station.
Tarrant County ambulance services have seen a 181% increase in the number of calls so far this year. What's driving the calls? People calling with the flu.
What?!?
An ambulance for the flu?!? How much of an overkill is that?!?
I heard of a guy way back when that moved around quite a bit so when he got a cold he would head into his local emergency room and sit for hours just to get some prescription strength meds. That was back before the day that there was a clinic of some sort on every corner. I can almost understand that. New in town, no doctor, no clinic, where are you supposed to go. He no longer does that since the introduction of the CareNow, CareMed, FirstCare, etc clinics that are everywhere.
Calling an ambulance for the flu?!? What kind of waste of money is that...your money, the insurance company's money, and, if the New Guy has his way, soon to be my money.
One of the local ambulance services has announced their plan of action for these new callers. If it is clear that the caller is calling for the flu then they are going to call them a cab so that the ambulance can be reserved for real emergencies. And then bill them for the cab fare. I think that's more than fair.
And while I'm on the subject of some sort of health care, let me go ahead and make everyone mad that I haven't already...
Your health care, your kid's health care, your mom and dad's health care, and your great aunt's best friend's mother-in-law's dog walker's health care are NOT my responsibility, and, yes, I resent the fact that you think I should foot the bill for any of it - even if you can't afford to pay for it yourself. The only health care for which I should be responsible is that of my family and myself.
And that guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness doesn't promise you what you think it does. It promises you that you are free to have the best life possible in your pursuit of whatever makes you happy. Like it or not, it doesn't promise you health care. Or a new car. Or to have your mortgage paid. Or, while you're wishing, a new pony.
I've heard some say that the philanthropy of the people isn't enough to pay for the hurting and afflicted in this country. I totally agree. But that doesn't mean that I should be forced to pay someone else's way.
It really wouldn't surprise me if the politicians manage to pass this whole health care thing. And if they do, I promise that it is going to be chock full of pork (or discretionary spending or whatever they're calling it now) to the tune of billions upon billions of dollars. Which while I'm talking about resenting folks, I resent any politician in Washington (or Austin or even the chambers in Fort Worth for that matter) trying to tell me what they think is best for me. Until they have stood next to me for a week to see where I live they have no idea what's best for me and should just keep their mouth shut.
Heartless jerk? Maybe I am. But while you're cogitating what a cad I am for not wanting to pay your way, let me give you the address of a buddy of mine that just managed to accumulate a medical bill that all of us together probably couldn't pay off today. For all your noise about my heartlessness I haven't seen you volunteering to help him out. So since you're not really willing to help out either I guess the gov't may be on to something in wanting to force all of us to pay for everyone else. Oh wait. It's still a bad idea!
Ran 3 miles last night. And felt really good. I should have kept going. Not sure if it's the cool weather we've had recently or that I'm running the first mile with Jess and then speeding up after that, but the last couple of runs have been really good. I've stopped just short of saying that I've really enjoyed them - I'm almost afraid to say that I "actually enjoy running." After all, it's still exercise right? My new goal...5 miles by the end of the year. That's adding a mile a month...a quarter mile a week. Certainly I can do that. Right?
I looked looking back at my lone Facebook comment this morning, I evidently has have grammar issues.
Last night Jess and I were discussing books we've read this year. We started naming off what each of us have read. Seems that most of mine were either Star Wars novels or on Excel/VBA. And there're still two Star Wars novels coming out before the end of the year that I really want to read. The first one actually came out a week or two ago. Deathtroopers. It looks like it might be an interesting departure from the usual Star Wars story. The second comes out in December and is the new Darth Bane book. Reading the last Darth Bane book got me to wondering why I seem to have such a fixation on the Sith (the bad guys for those of you from College Station) and I think I finally figured it out. I find it really interesting to see their progression to the dark side. And for anyone wanting to just try out a Star Wars novel, Death Star (I think is what it was called) is a really good one to start with. It follows Grand Moff Tarkin and several others from the start to the finish of the first Death Star.
I sometimes forget how much I enjoy GLAD back when they were still a band...the first time. That Hymn Thing will always remind me of the carefree days when I was a teenager.
I really need to trim the hedges, but am just so incredibly unmotivated to do so. The scary-bushes that are right at the gate are beginning to get really scary. If we do end up buying that house one day, those are the first things I'm going to rip out.
