Proove I Groove (Let's Try This Again)

Been working on my piano jazz since I got a couple of intro starter books from Sharon for Christmas, in and around my dislocated finger. Here's my first attempt at a little combo recording, of Phil Peskett's Proove You Groove.

Check-In #6

It's been awhile. I have since determined that my immediate career options fall into a couple of broad categories: One, is staying in GIS and working in a map-production style capacity, probably as a GIS Specialist. Truly, it is work I enjoy. And it's work I would potentially really enjoy, if I were doing it at an organization (think public sector or non-profit), where the mission/culture/etc. were more in line with my personality. As opposed to...oh....say...retail. The other possibility is to use some of my professional experience (both at my last job and in my years of marketing/communications prior) to carve out a communications-y or writing-style role at within a larger geospatial environment.

In the latter of the two options, I actually just had an interview with a photogrammetry/aerial imagery company in a NW suburb. I would be writing technical proposals and presentations - something that I originally thought would be a good use of my "talents," such as they are, but now (following the interview), I'm wondering. While it would remain in the greater sort of "geo" field, a part of it would feel like "what the hell have I been doing for the past eight years?" Like I was picking up where I left off, in the last barely tolerable job I had before my career change. There's a lot to like about the company, but I'm having a little trouble identifying exactly what "doors" this opportunity is opening for me, in whatever path is my future.

Part of the problem is that I was not quite far enough along in the career exploration path with Cindy, prior to the layoff. I still don't know what I don't know.

And the x-factor is the economy, of course. At a certain point, you simply need to have employment.

Beyond the interview, I have a resume in one other place - which is with a county in the SW part of the metro. A bear of a commute, but I'd be doing GIS Specialist work - I would almost certainly enjoy the work and environment. I still don't know about being a GIS/technical guy far, far into the future - but it definitely at least makes sense in terms of the career progression; I'd love to work for a county, and there'd be some aspects of the job where there'd be a lot less riding on my (non)understanding of some of the super-technical aspects of the job (programming/application development) that I'm not so hot on; cause I'd be part of a larger team. The pay would be a little less than what I was making at my last job (and, again, the commute is about 40 minutes with no traffic), but I am totally hoping for this one, relative to the other one.

Much, much more has been transpiring and going on in the overall search process, but these are the two major things that are circulating right now.

Positives

New beginnings.

Glorious day yesterday, sunny and a light breeze and about 50 degrees warmer than just three days prior. The first Spring day. We went for a long, wonderful hike with the girls and our neighbor, Ginger. Over to the river by our house, up to a playground, messing around barefoot in the mud, checking out the riverfront phenology, and looking for brachiopods & their friends on Fossil Hill.

Below is a shot of the girls and me in front of our favorite Cottonwood tree; a true gentle giant.

Oh...and I just got my first interview. Which is "so far, so good," since I've only applied for one job.

Quick Update - Rocky

Indeed, he seems back to normal. Somewhat clumsy, but utterly past his strange, four-day partial paralysis.

The test for FIP came back negative. All tests for anything chronic and awful, even down to irritable bowel symdrom, are negative. Which is amazingly great.

Fearless, playful, and affectionate; he makes life more fun, and I'm so glad he'll be sticking around for awhile. My Rocko.

Gearing Up for Monday

We're supposed to get a call from the pet doctors to talk about tests Rocky was undergoing to detect feline peritonitis. Suddenly, however, we're optimistic. The son of a gun has showed remarkable improvement over the weekend, getting all feisty, lovable, and generally full of piss-and-vinegar, once again. We're wondering if it's possible he had some sort of viral thing - maybe in his inner ear, maybe even in his spine(?). But we'll see what they say tomorrow.

And we now have hot water. And showers are glorious.

And I'm taking tomorrow off. Totally off. Sharon has an appointment in the afternoon, so I'll be hanging out with Rosie, but in the morning I'm thinking about heading over to Columbia Heights to bust out 1,000 layups.

Word.

So, It's Really Been a Two Weeks for the Ages

We're trying to cut down on expenses, with the uncertain financial future that's facing us. To the point where we're drinking powdered milk, exclusively, and Sharon is making our own bread, crackers, cereal, and even yogurt.

But God has other plans for us, apparently. We just plopped down $500 on a new water heater (which, after a week, is still not up & going - it's been bucket bathing by water heated over the stove for 8 days now) and - Jesus Christ, - but Rocky (the cat) has suddenly developed some sort of mysterious debilitating condition where his hind legs aren't working correctly and/or his balance is way off, to the point of tripping and falling over. And we're currently $300 into tests and bloodwork that have ruled out some things (feline luke and inner ear infection), and are still trying to look at other possibilities (heartworm, feline peritonitis, or some time of degenerative brain condition). So here's to hoping for the heartworm.

What IS it with us and our pets, anyway?

I used to fancy myself somewhat of a rock, emotionally. In the big scheme of things, anyway. But in more recent years, it seems like my psychological condition is always precariously balancing on the edge of a precipice. This is most evident in times of stress when I realize I can go from feeling normal to being on edge as a result of a single incident. Sharon & I refer to this as "having very little reserves." I thought I'd sort of mellow out and be able to cope with whatever life throws at me more easily the older I got, but it seems to have sort of worked in the opposite direction. Sharon's theory is that my "ambient stress level" is a little higher, overall, due to the amount of energy and "reserves" spent on our kids. She may be onto something there.

Check-In #5

Should be brief, as I'm going to need to make some time for a little meditation and relaxation before hitting the sack. I've got basketball tomorrow morning.

The last few days have seen a dramatic improvement (I think) in the state of my resume; with the help of my career counselor. The last few days have seen little else, unfortunately. Maybe it's just the psychological fragility speaking, but I feel like the world is conspiring against me being able to devote uninterrupted time in this job search process. A succession of events you would not believe - from water heater replacement ones (putting me on daughter duty) to appoinments by Sharon (also putting me on daughter duty) and me that have sent us piling across town, and last-minute duties related to my theatre's play that opens up in two days, have put me, generally, on edge as I feel like I can't get momentum or traction going on anything. For days on end. It doesn't make sense - I'm unemployed and supposed to have gobs of free time.

As...I...type...(9:20 pm) Lucy is screaming from the other room because she's not asleep yet and I'm ignoring her (she's used up her two "turns"). I'm totally fucking strung out.

We Interrupt These Check-Ins to Bring You...

Lucy's phonetic spelling. She's way into writing; constantly cranking out stories, cards, etc. This particular piece, done at some point during a recent school day, was published in a student submissions section of the school newsletter called "Precious Voice." If can can enlarge her writing, it's not too hard to follow the phonics and figure out what she's getting at. The transcription is at the bottom, if you get stuck.