One small step forward

Well, SOMEONE got hired today...but it wasn't I.  My spouse is now a para-educator for the Title 1 program at Chinook Elementary School here in Auburn.  She was hoping for the position at Gildo Rey...but hey, it's a job and that's what counts.

This will help my search as I don't have to shoot for the same salary I had giving me (hopefully) the flexibility to even start in a different direction.

Life goes on...new year upon us and hopefully the recession will ease sooner rather than later.  

TTFN

Small town life...

The Seattle area was slammed with snow that past 10 days.  I have to hand it to our "little" town of 50K or so.  Our cul-de-sac was rather socked in, but once we got out to the main drag, the road was great and was well maintained throughout the snow event.  Stocking caps off to the street maintenance folks in the city of Auburn!

Christmas Day they even plowed many secondary roads to help folks get through the deep slushy stuff!  

We're back to normal now with just lots of sand along the sides of the road!

TTFN

Now closer to 50!

I don't feel any older, so today's anniversary of coming forth into the world really isn't a big deal.  Got the coconut cream pie in the fridge; the boys made cards for me; someone bought me breakfast at Auburn's top-notch breakfast spot (The Sunbreak Cafe), so what could be better.

Weather continues to try and throw a monkey wrench in the game.  We'll see if we make it up to Bothell/Mill Creek for the Christmas Eve festivities.  

Job hunt continues to be slow.  I think I need a slight change in tactics.  I might start hanging out at the church and do some work there -- fewer distractions there than at home.  We'll see.

News from the economic front doesn't bolster my hopes.  Much will also depend on what happens to Debbie's attempt at full employment (6 hours/day). 

Merry Christmas!

TTFN

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

The next wave of snow is upon us and they say there is a wicked wind-storm that will hit us a bit later.  Boys are outside in the new stuff.

I have to brag about the city of Auburn.  During this winter storm we've received multiple updates each day from the mayor (and his staff).  I think per capita, we have more plows and sanders than other more affluent cities in the area.  Our hill is in pretty good shape and we've had no issues getting down into Auburn.

Of course, all bets will be off tonight with the new storm, but we might actually make it to church tomorrow morning and do the advent wreath ceremony.

TTFN

Greed, Greed, Greed

The guy's name is rather ironic..."Madoff".  Not too much of a stretch to call him "Made Off" as in made off with their money.

I'm sometimes amazed at the depth of our greed and laziness as a species.  Is it just Americans, or are all humans in the quest for something for nothing?

OK, off the soap box.

The cold snap continues.  They say that the snow is due to fall tonight.  We shall see.  I believe the weather reports when I see the weather actually happening.

TTFN

Small World

As I looked at the news article in the paper about the bomb blast at the bank in Oregon, I was shocked to recognize the face of the one officer that died -- SGT. William Hakim.  He was in my Surface Warefare Officer School class in San Diego WAY back in 1985-1986.

http://www.komonews.com/news/36108109.html

My thoughts and prayers are with his family (wife and two kids).

The kids are enthused with the snow that fell last night.  It's BITTER cold, too.

A good day to hunker down and read and drink warm beverages.  Getting Debbie to work tomorrow should be interesting!

TTFN

Winter Storms?

Last night the local news folks were all in a lather about the looming cold weather front headed our way.  SNOW, wind, COLD...winter storm warning.  Well, the storm warning has been cancelled, the rain has stopped and I betcha we don't see snow this weekend.

Job front.  Nothing new my way.  Got some good ideas from my old boss this morning.  Will pursue those and hopefully the whole job situation will improve as 2009 moves along.

TTFN

"S" squared, "D" squared...

The job hunt goes on.  There are three of us in my small cul-de-sac that are in the job market.  My next-door neighbor is in the funnel for a position.  Another interview is a possibility.  The other one is still looking but has had some nibbles.

It's hard to not get stuck in a mode of staying inside all day and looking and looking and applying.  Gotta get out.  Do have a couple networking appointments in the next few days to help with ideas.

On the positive front, my spouse might land a permanent job soon at a local school.  Right now she gets paid a small amount, but if made permanent, there's about a $6/hour raise in store.  Yippee!

In all seriousness, that news might change my strategy to then shoot perhaps for something in a new field that doesn't pay as much now and we'll still keep our current standard of living.

Speaking of that, I'm still a bit miffed about having done the "right" thing for so long and feeling a bit "hosed over".  We've saved, not splurged (what's a cable bill?); "deprived" our kids of the X-box and GameBoys and the fancy vacations to Disneyland with the mind of preparing for a "rainy day".  Some of our work was undone by the whole banking thing (a hit of gin seems appropriate before opening the 401 and IRA statements).  At least our savings (a bit more lucrative that stashing under the mattress) will help us get through this bump on the road.  But I suspect that I'll work until 72 or so before officially calling it quits.  Maybe the main street bailout could be an outright grant into our 401k's!

TTFN

"The Blue House"

Check this place out!  Can we say OMG???  It's not too far from my house.

You can see the blue glow as you approach.  Even with LED's, I'd still not want to pay the electric bill!

http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/features/holidaylights/images/large_1172.jpg

Please read or watch Dr. Seuss' "Grinch".  Nice perspective on "the reason for the season".  

See ya later!

What about law enforcement?

Today's job fair was a bit of a disappointment.  Catered to vets, but I think the target audience was to those folks a bit "younger" than I.  Also coming up to the end of year budget slow downs...Let's just hope the budgets open up in 2009.

Several law enforcement agencies were represented...including out-of-state jurisdictions.  At first I scratched my head, and then it dawned on me that since the fair was in Tacoma, there's a large outflow of folks from McChord and Ft. Lewis.  

Schlumberger was there...the CIA...even Blackwater.

I probably saw more opportunities for my spouse than for myself.  Oh well, perhaps I could be a "kept man"!

Now, it's time for a bit of volunteer work..."glad handing" at a holiday event with local elected folks and then a church meeting to approve our budget.  

TTFN

Can we say TEDIOUS!!

Today was spent delving into the "supplemental" questions for a federal job.  At least they are hiring!  But, it takes forever.  Then came the process to apply for a Corps of Engineers civilian job...Cool, I have a resume on USAJobs...should be a snap.  

Not so fast bucko!  The Army has its OWN site for resumes, and you have to have one there before you can apply...Now just waiting for it to be active so I can apply.  

Yesterday we Seattleites learned of 3,400 lay-offs from WAMU.  Many next year,  but it sounded like some would happen this year.  Been there, done that and got the severance package when I left DHL.  My competition increases.

Speaking of which, I saw a note that the data center in Scottsdale that DHL built will close midyear of 2009.  We'll see if they can get it done on time.  I could have moved there and then faced a situation with no job, who knows what kind of severance and trying to sell a house in a REALLY tough market!

On the good side, I managed to put together a budget for our church that is BALANCED and representing a slight increase from 2008.  Now THAT's great!

And, the training for the Nookachamps half-marathon next January 17 continue...at the rate I'm going, I should be ready!

Cheers!

It's been a year

Layoffs and economy aside...

Please remember the family of Stacia Thompson as we reach the first anniversary of her passing.  The world is a bit dimmer now without her smile.  However, we remember her and that memory keeps her with us.

http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/staciamariethompson/homepage.aspx

In the rising of the sun and

in its going down

We remember them;

 

In the blowing of the wind and

in the chill of winter,

We remember them;

 

In the opening of the buds and

in the warmth of summer,

We remember them;

 

In the rustling of leaves and

the beauty of autumn,

We remember them;

 

In the beginning of the year and when

it ends,

We remember them;

 

So long as we live, they too shall live,

For they are now a part of us as

We remember them.

Gates of Prayer

Reform Judaism Prayerbook

Happy Turkey Day!

Talk about turkeys...Spent quite a while last night on the USAJobs site applying for one position.  Still scratching my head about the whole thing.

Important safety tip...you DON'T get a chance to go back over the supplemental questions to edit and make sure you've answered the questions correctly.

Anyhow, aniticipating a smaller group today -- a mere dozen (one of those is still a babe in arms).

How to have a martini without great grandma suspecting you're drinking that wonderful clear fluid that comes out of the baby-blue bottle?  :)

Eat lots and work out tomorrow!

Ciao!

Where's my bailout?

OK, the only political reference I'll make.  I dread seeing the 401k and other financial statements arriving.  Thus the pile of statements still in their envelopes.

For my devoted fans (HAH), sorry for the delay in getting to the blog.

Anyhow, we ponder how to handle Christmas this year with essentially zero income.  Unemployment will pay the mortgage, but that's about it.  One of the youngsters recalls the sled tracks and hoof marks  in the snow...the oldest knows that "Santa Claus" might not wear a red outfit and have white hair (gray maybe).  We'll figure out something.  I think one notion will be to give "experiences" (and actually do them).  The oldest LOVES to sit at the local airport and watch airplanes take off and land...cheap other than half a buck to get there and back and the time.

Can we say "hiring freeze"?  For a while, there was hope that a position at my "old" company would come through and my time of unemployment would be quite limited.  Last week I learned of a freeze, so in keeping with the season...my goose is cooked.

Favorite job searching site right now...www.indeed.com.  

On the positive side, my running has ramped up and my minimum run sits at about 4 miles.  Nookachamps here I come and this year it will be the half-marathon.

Cheers!

Rain rain go away!

Today begins the first day of the official job search. Monday the 10th was the official last day of work with drugstore.com.

All is not last. I work(ed) for a company that does value its employees and looks for success. Since I've met with success there in the past, the goal is to still find a home for me and that work continues.

So, despite the hard times, we'll forge ahead and make something work.

If you have ideas, send them my way!

The bubble ready to burst?

I sit today after a nearly sleepless night thinking that I may join the unemployment statistics next week.

I thought there was promise earlier this week with a communication, but alas, at least the stark reality faces me that if things can't be put together for a position within the next week or less, I will be an unemployment statistic.

Perhaps this time on "vacation" should have been spent in a more aggressive pursuit of a job, but I guess I relied too much on hope rather than face the grim reality of a job search (they do rather suck).

Also, I felt much better about myself a couple weeks ago, but last night relived the past few BAD months.

I need a run to clear the head...rain or not, I will hit the road today. Maybe a good drenching will be what the psyche needs.

Joe

Time flies!!

So, today I've managed to create this blog, follow-up on a few things at the office, eat lunch and get the boys off to their respective buses...but not much else with respect to finding out what other opportunities might exist for me at another company other than drugstore.com...

Oh well. Try to do better this weekend and next week...

So what the heck happened??

Since this is so public, the thumbnail view...

It's best to sum up this way: Oil and water.

Back in my "younger" days, I heard it put this way: In the event of a personality conflict between a "junior" and a "senior", the "senior" has the personality and the "junior" has the conflict...

So in this case, I was the junior.

Things change and in this case, when all is said and done (hopefully sooner rather than later), I'll snag a new role and all will be happier.

The journey to a new role started: October 14

End Date: soon we hope! Next meeting with HR is 11/3

More spooky stuff

Well, sorry if this is so random right now...maybe I'll find "Blogging for Dummies" and figure out what people normally do on these things.

• Anyhow, wimping out on getting outside for a run...too wet right now
• What Color is your Parachute? is a great book but A LOT of work!
• We're lucky...our boys are just fine with skipping wandering around the neighborhood getting buckets of free candy...spending the evening at the cabin, playing some games and making smores!
• Why is it that I get no more sleep now on sabbatical than when I was slogging my way to/from work?

I'll sign off for now...

Joe

Waiting...waiting...

It's Halloween and I await word on status.

First posting on the blod and I'll add more as I do more each day.

Off to run and figure out something fun to do on this spooky day!

Joe