Close but no cigar
I didn't get the job. But I'm OK. I was their second choice and the guy that got the job is great and well qualified so I don't feel like I got looked over. They said they had a really difficult time deciding on which of us they should go with. They said they'd keep me in mind for future positions they may have.I think there are a number of reasons for my calm regarding this: - Their selection is a guy I've known for 11 years. He's a friend of mine and an all around great guy. He knowledgeable and talented. He's a wonderful fit for the job.
- The job requirements are in a state of flux right now so they're not really sure "what" this person will be doing. In my current situation with the baby on the way, it's probably best for me to stay put at a job I know I can do without any issues.
Labels: Colored Parachutes, jobs
Wish me luck
I have an interview tomorrow....I've been in need of a change for a few years. I've been feeling a bit burned out and bored. But I wasn't sure "what" I wanted to do so I figured staying put was the safest move. My old boss got a new job (same company) doing something that may be cool. She has some job openings so I'm going to try out for 1 of the openings. I'm not sure what the job entails but I'll find out tomorrow...Labels: Colored Parachutes, frustrations, jobs
What's been going on?
Sorry I haven't posted recently. Here's what's been going on...Work: Hasn't let up. It's kept me running around like a chicken without a head. They have no idea what they want but they want it ASAP, yesterday if not sooner. And they don't tell me what they need and then get on conference calls and complain!?!? How can I help you when you don't let me know your needs? I've been trying to remember to do my breathing exercises to keep my stress at a manageable level. (It's helped a little) I've been walking HRH after work. That's helped too.Miata: Finally all fixed up. New clutch & glove box lock. I'm tops down again!! Oh I forgot to mention the new glove box latch was needed because someone tried to break into the Miata when we went up to Morraine State Park a while back. They stole a pair of $5 sunglasses from the center console and broke the lock on the glove box. You know whoever they are are really hard up when they need to steal $5 sunglasses. I hope they enjoy the cheap sunglasses as much as I did. I'm glad they didn't get into the glove box though since I had a 12 CD holder in there...HC: She's doing well. Busy with work and getting sporadic painting jobs here & there. HRH: Unsatisfied with the amount of food & toys his peeps give him. Always planning his next escape attempt in search of the land of food-&-toys-a-plenty.The Daddy-o: Doing well. He's been going on his daily walks. He's in good spirits. He had me took into a trip to Montreal for him last week. (I've stopped telling him it's cheaper if you plan your trip at least 14 days in advance.) It's his money and he can spend it however he chooses. I'm not used to him being this way. All my life he's been very frugal with money. So to have him pass up the opportunity to save some money for the same service/item is strange to me. But I guess it does add to the spontaneity AND besides he's not getting any younger so you never know...Me: Still frazzled & burned out. I need to get motivated to find my "What's next?" HC's been very supportive but I need to get motivated to read my "What Color is your Parachute" book and do the exercises. Most days I'm so tired at the end of the work day all I want to do is go home & hide. Thinking is T-H-E L-A-S-T thing I want to do. But I need to do it. I'll know when the time is right. I've noticed in my life things do happen for a reason. If I can see & learn the lesson I'm supposed to, I'll move on to the next phase/step in my life. Oh yeah. It was my birthday last Tuesday. HC took me to Whisper's Pub for dinner. The food, service, and atmospere were very nice. We'll be going back!Kids: We're back to going back & forth. Concerns about risks to HC's health. Concerns about having the time, energy, and money to raise a child. Concerns about how it will change our lives. We like our life together now. What's a child going to do to the mix?!?! Concerns about how good a parent I'd be. After all, I'm not the most patient person....Labels: Birthday, Cars, ChowderHead 101, Colored Parachutes, Family, frustrations, HC, HRH, jobs, Miata, Parents, Time to get on with my life, Update
The velvet cage
A friend of mine used this analogy to describe the trap you get in with Corporate America.
They make it comfortable for you to stay even though you may be unhappy. All the benefits and amenities a big company can afford to give to its employees. Your job/career at the company is a cage. A velvet lined cage but a cage none the less. And the longer you stay the harder it is to leave because you are that much closer to retirement or getting that extra week of vacation or vested in your pension plan, etc…
The benefits and amenities are a factor that make it tough to leave a job once you’ve been there a while. It’s definitely something I have to consider before I make any move. Labels: Colored Parachutes, frustrations, jobs, Time to get on with my life
Hello - long time no post...
I'm still here. Sorry I haven't posted much. Some days I get home and I feel so drained it's all I can do to eat and/or make dinner. Then I'm done for the night. Work is heading in a better direction. It has a way to go but at least things are looking up.Life is heading in a better direction. I've been cranky, impatient, and bitchy towards people as of late. Fortunately for you, you haven't been around to experience it first hand. My wife has caught the brunt of it. I'm trying to be better about it but sometimes I just want to be left alone. Some me time. No conversation. No chores. No activities. Let my brain resolidify.
I've started to read the What Color is your Parachute book. It's made me think about my situation. About the good, the bad, and the ugly. The big thing is the reminders of the good aspects of my job. I've been so focused on the bad & ugly as of late I forgot about the good.
There is plenty good about my job AND the really fortunate position I'm in.
- Good paying job with benefits.
- I'm well regarded by my peers, managers, and customers.
- I usually get a fair amount of latitude regarding how I plan and execute projects.
- My manager is really good about allowing my to take time off as I need it (vacation, medical issues, etc...)
So yes. There are some pluses to my current job & position. It's not all a suckfest. I need to keep this in mind as I think about what I want to do next with my life.Labels: Colored Parachutes, frustrations, jobs
Chowderhead 101 - Restlessness
Restless, hyper, all over the place, fidgety. These have all been used to describe me. I get that way. I’m always curious. Always wondering “Why”, “Why not”, “How”, “What’s next”. I hate feeling like I’m stuck in a rut. I want to experience things. I always want new stimulus. New challenges. I want to be out in the world seeing/doing. I’m never satisfied. I feel stifled otherwise. And then I get cranky!!!
My restlessness is currently manifesting itself with my job.
All my life, I’ve been taught to focus on a good paying job with good benefits. But now I’ve become restless/dissatisfied and need/want more. I want a job I LOVE. OR at least a job I see value in other than paying the bills and keeping us alive. (I don’t need to save the world but a job that’s more meaningful/satisfying would be nice.) I’ve always known what I am currently doing isn’t what I want to do the rest of my working life. I like it mostly but I don’t LOVE it. It pays the bills and it pays well. Most days I’m happy to get up and go to work. But the past few years it’s been out of duty and responsibility as opposed to looking forward to being there doing my thing.
The disorganized, poorly thought out project I’m working on is really bringing these feelings to the surface. Most of the time I can ignore these thoughts and feelings. OR rationalize that a good paying job with benefits is more important. But my dissatisfaction has been building up for a bunch of years now and I think it's finally reached critical mass and can’t be ignored anymore.
We’re at a good point in our lives to think about these things. Financially, we’re secure enough for me to make a change. Life wise, we’re not particularly tied down to any lifestyle we need to maintain. No kids to support. No particular place we have to live. We feel secure enough in ourselves and each other that change will be OK.
We’re not wealthy so some kind of money making proposition is required. But now I need to figure out what I want to do next? So what’s next? What to do? What to do?
Step #1: Read What Color is your Parachute? And go through the exercises.Labels: ChowderHead 101, Colored Parachutes, frustrations, jobs
Hurry up aaannndddd wait
Sorry I haven't posted much recently. WORK has been a bitch and I had browser problems on the home PC. Computers. I hate them!!!You know the phrase "Hurry up and wait"? Well I did the hurry up part for this project a few months ago. Then there was the wait part. And now we're back to the hurry up part! So I've been hurrying. And hurrying. And hurrying. Like I said previously, I've been getting progressively burnt out/restless the past few years and this project isn't helping. All I know is everything happens for a reason. And maybe this is what I needed to show me it's time to move on. More about this in another post. I'm going to run some errands today. 1 of which is to pick-up that "What color is your parachute" book. Labels: Colored Parachutes, frustrations, jobs, Time to get on with my life
