Well, if the last one was long-overdue...
The first three weeks (actually, each of them only four-day weeks, for one reason or another) at the new job have been a whirlwind; with an entirely new industry to try and digest, and the shock to my family's system of me getting back on a regular work schedule.
But looking back at the last check-in, it's amazing how much I'd really figured out in the mere - what - two and a half months since I'd first gotten my notice? The three "things" that I'd found (everybody knows everybody in the nonprofit world, the nonprofit world energizes me, and I'm more connected than I initially realized) all ended up coming into play, and may all be - to a great degree - why I ended up where I did.
In many ways - I could not have drawn up a more satisfying conclusion to this odyssey. I'm working in the North Side of Minneapolis. At a nonprofit. In a research/data capacity (as opposed to on the "front lines" - as a program manager or case worker or something else I'm not sure I'm cut out for). And - miraculously - brought in at a salary that's around 90% of my Big Buy salary.
Somehow, I managed to find a lateral way into this sector without having to pay the dues of going back for years and year of school, or "working my way up" through the industry. And - while I consider myself the beneficiary of good fortune, here; part of my learnings I had over the past number of months was to trust in what I had to offer a prospective employer. Early on, I saw lack of a "professional" background in the nonprofit world as a game-breaker in making a transition over; but by the point I participated in this particular interview, I had come to realize that I had a lot to offer an employer, and it was just a matter of me having a chance to convince them.
In this particular instance, my for-profit background was a positive. The idea that I had survived seven-plus years in that environment and was able to passionately convey my interest in finding something more meaningful. The years of volunteer work in theatre and my neighborhood - something I've undertaken with a relatively selfless objective - ended up really helping to make my case, as did the extensive networking I'd done over the past couple of months (and, really, with Northside movers & shakers for years prior). I don't want to say "for the first time in my life," but...it sure felt like for the first time in my life, all the groundwork that was laid, incidentally, over a lifetime of simply doing the right thing came back to reward me. It was my own little "It's a Wonderful Life" moment.
Funny - cause, for a number of people working at my new organization - they're into it & all; but for me - this is, in some ways, the last major missing piece to a perfect life (I say that realizing there's LOADS of petty frustrations & works in progress still abounding in my life; but I feel like the major bases are now kind of covered). I'm currently still a bit overwhelmed at the tsunami of information I need to wrangle, surrounding an industry at which I have next to no experience. But I'm determined to excel.
Signing out, for now, from the check-ins. Back to your regularly scheduled blog.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Sweatiest Day
OK - trust me, the final check-in is on the way.
But in the meantime, let me just pass this along: today was the SWEATIEST day of my life.
And that is saying something. This is no exaggeration: aside, perhaps, from being around T-Clog, it's been years since I've not been the sweatiest guy in the room. I simply sweat buckets. And not only that, but I put myself in situations (mostly, running) where the sweat lets fly.
Anyway - today: cooler temps than the past couple, but still temps in the 80s humidity in the upper 80s.
1. B-Ball. Woke up, first thing, and played in my basketball league. Three four on four games up to thirty in an uncooled gym. So sweaty that, following the game, I took my shirt off and hung around outside for about twenty mintues, then put a beach towel over my car seat, and STILL soaked the seat by the time I got home.
2. Run. Immediately after work, went on a 7-mile run in the sun. OK - this was not a great idea. Sopping, sopping wet, to the point of my shorts going "flap, flap" against my skin, like running in a swimsuit after climbing out of a pool. I was that wet. And - after the dehydration of the morning, and the already-worked muscles, I was starting to fear I wasn't going to make it home. Or at least that I wouldn't be back in time for....
3. Kickball. Not the most demanding workout in the world, but still in the blazing glory of still-up summer sum; and I sweated buckets.
Sweaty, sweaty, sweaty.
But in the meantime, let me just pass this along: today was the SWEATIEST day of my life.
And that is saying something. This is no exaggeration: aside, perhaps, from being around T-Clog, it's been years since I've not been the sweatiest guy in the room. I simply sweat buckets. And not only that, but I put myself in situations (mostly, running) where the sweat lets fly.
Anyway - today: cooler temps than the past couple, but still temps in the 80s humidity in the upper 80s.
1. B-Ball. Woke up, first thing, and played in my basketball league. Three four on four games up to thirty in an uncooled gym. So sweaty that, following the game, I took my shirt off and hung around outside for about twenty mintues, then put a beach towel over my car seat, and STILL soaked the seat by the time I got home.
2. Run. Immediately after work, went on a 7-mile run in the sun. OK - this was not a great idea. Sopping, sopping wet, to the point of my shorts going "flap, flap" against my skin, like running in a swimsuit after climbing out of a pool. I was that wet. And - after the dehydration of the morning, and the already-worked muscles, I was starting to fear I wasn't going to make it home. Or at least that I wouldn't be back in time for....
3. Kickball. Not the most demanding workout in the world, but still in the blazing glory of still-up summer sum; and I sweated buckets.
Sweaty, sweaty, sweaty.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
...and he ran...
Crazy, humbling times, to be sure. But the thing I can do - have always been able to do - is run. Run and run and run. And I love to run.
As I finish up a humbling few hours on any given day groveling at the feet of individuals (gracious as they may be) in my ever-increasing network, I need an escape. And I have been finding it, in the form of running - short & fast, long & steady, over hills or down by rivers, in the Urban Core or through vast expases of woods & prairies, my time of unemployment has seen me lace up the old sneakers and simply just go.
I've sort of finally figured it out - that, similar to many other cowboys, I simply have a worried mind. Or an active mind. And it doesn't want to settle down. But running is, and always has been, my meditation. Within the past week, I have run a nine mile route, pushing Rose in the stroller; and an 11 mile route, the day after running a race (see below). I've actually lost about 10 pounds, and I'm getting to be in some of the best running shape in which I've ever been (though I may never again quite hold a candle to '96).
On a side note: I did run a race over the weekend, utilizing official warm-up techniques for the first time in my life. Boy, what a difference it made. The race was finally painful at the end, but only at the end. This may just be a new lease on my 5k life. Hey, and I came in 28th out of 369 total runners - not bad! (admittedly, this was an all-comers race, and there were a lot of youth in it. But still...)
As I finish up a humbling few hours on any given day groveling at the feet of individuals (gracious as they may be) in my ever-increasing network, I need an escape. And I have been finding it, in the form of running - short & fast, long & steady, over hills or down by rivers, in the Urban Core or through vast expases of woods & prairies, my time of unemployment has seen me lace up the old sneakers and simply just go.
I've sort of finally figured it out - that, similar to many other cowboys, I simply have a worried mind. Or an active mind. And it doesn't want to settle down. But running is, and always has been, my meditation. Within the past week, I have run a nine mile route, pushing Rose in the stroller; and an 11 mile route, the day after running a race (see below). I've actually lost about 10 pounds, and I'm getting to be in some of the best running shape in which I've ever been (though I may never again quite hold a candle to '96).
On a side note: I did run a race over the weekend, utilizing official warm-up techniques for the first time in my life. Boy, what a difference it made. The race was finally painful at the end, but only at the end. This may just be a new lease on my 5k life. Hey, and I came in 28th out of 369 total runners - not bad! (admittedly, this was an all-comers race, and there were a lot of youth in it. But still...)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Post Star Trek Reflections (SPOILER ALERT)
First off - I will simply say, I was pleased; at least as much as I'd hoped I would be, and maybe more. As the resident "purist," and one who's felt the franchise has totally lost its way in the years following the death of Gene Roddenberry. there was certainly the possibility that the producers would allow the least common denominator trash everything about the original series which I held dear. And I have to say - there was very little about it that entered that territory; and nothing that really sticks in my mind. So kudos, overall, to the filmmakers for successfully balancing that tightwire of making a product that sells and throwing out numerous, obligatory bones to the likes of me.
Other ruminations
Other ruminations
- The casting of everyone but Sulu and Uhura seemed superb. As Mixdorf said, Karl Urban did an uncanny McCoy; and I thought the two principals were just what they needed to be. Chekov, suprisingly good - not just in the accent, but in the actual timbre and inflection of the voice. Wow. But I gotta say, Uhura and Sulu both appeared to be cast by someone who thinks that all black people and Japanese look alike. Uhura was a little more "supermodel-ey" than seemed appropriate for the character.
- Sulu: a lot more badass than in the TV series, and Chekov, waaaaay more competent.
- This is geeking out a bit, but....in no reference from the original series do I recall any mention of the fact that the Planet Vulcan was destroyed, and that only 10,000 or so Vulcans survived. Was that merely invented for this movie and - if so - wow, what liberty taken! Not that it seems totally wrong or anything - just, wow.
- Geeking out a bit more: Knowing simply of the appearance of the line, "I have been, and always shall be, your friend," in the film, I decided it might not be a bad idea to acquaint Sharon with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, wherein lies the origin of that line. And of course, if you're going to watch STII, you'd better precede it with Space Seed, from the original series, which introduces the character of Khan (played by Ricardo Montalbon, of course). I could not believe the number of references lifted directly from that episode and that movie. Even for the non-freaks, I would highly recommend watching the episode, Wrath of Khan, new Star Trek movie sequence; in order to add a little context, almost in "special features" style. An awful lot of Star Trek history and characterization is laid out in those two works.
- A lot of those "bones" tossed out; references from the original series. From the more obvious "I'm a doctor, not a..." line for the almost casual fan, to the acknowledgement that Kirk grew up in Iowa, for those of us a little more versed in episodic lore.
- So what - in addition to the planet Vulcan; we are to assume that Romulus (on the edge of The Neutral Zone, not on the edge of Detroit; though that one may be seeing its last days as well) will be destroyed just a couple of generations into the Star Trek future?
- Save the Federation or not; that was a mighty quick ascendancy to the command of the flagship of Starfleet.
- On the overall plot: I don't see a lot of action flicks these days. Truly, the crux of the plot (alien from future, wreaking vengeance; "red matter" creating black hole; good guys having to land at high velocity and kick a lot of ass on the edge of high-up mechanical precipeces; etc. etc. could really be swapped out with dozens...(hundreds?) of other plots of sci-fi/action films. And that's cool, I suppose. All I ask is that the dialogue and personal interactions between characters not make me roll my eyes. Anything better than that is generally cake & ice cream for me. And I did think there was some really nice, solid dialogue tying together the somewhat par-for-the-course plot, which was really just background noise for how these characters came together.
- Speaking of which - what is it about battling on high, mechanical bridges? And why does every action movie nowadays require a scene (this one has two!) in which the protagonist is hanging by his fingertips at a high altitude with a bad guy trying to step on his fingers? Folks, we're entering hottie-falling-in-the-woods-while-chased-by-axe-murderer territory here. Surely, there's another way or two bring an action sequence to its climax. Let's get creative and work on it.
- Really geeking out, here; but a nitpicker one right here: There is an old Star Trek episode that introduces Romulans; who make a reappearance about 50 years following their first contact with humans, which was an armed conflict. In that episode, it is said that the original conflict predated ship-to-ship visuals; and so no human or Romulan had ever seen the other. Main purpose with that was one of Gene Roddenberry's lessons on race & tolerance, as the ship of the Enterprise discovers that Romulans- surprise! - look just like Vulcans and share common anscestry. Anyway - that's a little inconsistant with this episode, which Kirk battling Romulans in hand-to-hand combat.
- Spock and Uhura romance - wow, wonder what that came from, and if they plan to explain how it ends, sometime in the future.
- No Nurse Chapel (though you hear her being called for in the background). No Yeoman Rand. No Transporter Chief Kyle, but (ok, starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel here, but get THIS); Transporter Chief Kyle was on the bridge of the Reliant in Wrath of Khan. Never noticed that before.
- Too much Leonard Nimoy!!! Appearing at first, wonderful (but yet another nod to Star Wars, as the Obi Wan parallel is uncanny). As the movie goes on, though, it becomes increasingly apparent, that Future Spock, like a creepy old grandfather, just refuses to go away. People not familiar with the series might expect all the episodes to include this ancient Spock double to be there, continually offering up mystical Dungeon Master-styled advice and quips. Anyway - a brief cameo would have been fine.
- Brilliant, almost perfect (and, as Mixx suggested, emotional) birth story for Kirk, at the beginning.
- Also like Mixx, I look forward to future installments.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Check-In #9
Long overdue, this one.
So, "Any luck on the job front?" has become the new "So, what sort of music does your band play?" question. The one I hate to answer, because I feel like a simple sentence, or two, doesn't dive into the complexity of the issue and the (at the risk of getting floofy) "personal journey" I've been on over the past two and a half months.
Short answer: "no." In that, I'm not employed.
Longer answer: I'm currently going through a process where I'm letting go of some assumptions and cynicism to which I've held fast over the 16 years of my post-college adulthood. Assumptions and cynicism which, I now realize, have really gotten me nowhere. In and around the expected ups and downs of day in-day out living without employment, I've have been a networking fool. On a path of self discovery and career exploration, I have been talking to people I know associated with organizations (mostly local government and nonprofit) in which I am interested. I am starting to get this weird sort of focus on non-profits and agencies involved with revitalization/planning/housing issues.
On the surface, "planning" is kind of a sister field to GIS. But in the real nitty gritty, there is an entire other discipline of study required (usually, an advanced degree) in order to become a"planner," proper (as in, "City Planner"). But, I've found that there's all sorts of individuals, community organizers to policy wonk researchers and everything in between, that make the guts of this public sector world go. And I've found three other things:
1. In the public sector, everybody knows everybody. Unlike in the Fortune 500 world I was in previously, the folks in this new arena I am exploring partner with each other, share data, and do collaborative research and projects.
2. The nonprofit world totally energizes me! Something I might have suspected; but without a social work (or related) degree, I always figured employment in that sort of field was beyond my wildest dreams, so I didn't entertain the thought all that much. But damn, if my networking isn't leading me in that direction and confirming for me -yes - this is where my future lies, by whatever path.
3. I'm more "connected" than I initially realized. Serving on my neighborhood board for a few years? Being a current board member of a 501c3 neighborhood theatre company? Being a regular at the coffeeshop, doing the annual Earth Day cleanup at the creek? I had a "network" and I didn't even know it. A lot of these folks have connections with community development corporations, The City, etc., etc., and I am meeting people and having discussions, and just generally getting out there.
So where are things at? Realizing there's still a need to simply put food on the table, I've got a handful of resumes out there for jobs at private firms doing general data jockey sort of things. But whether or not I end up having to take that less desirable option in the short term, this "network" is continuing, and - and I truly believe this (and both of my career counselors have me totally believing this) - it is truly just a matter of time before something comes through in this realm. I've actually got a couple of things in the works where I'll be doing some pro-bono research/GIS work for a couple of local nonprofits; with the idea that I'll get to know the people there better, and their connections, etc. etc. - plus be building up a portfolio and base of experience working in an industry that excites me.
There's also a couple of more strictly GIS/mapping things that are out there - not sure if anything will come of either. The first is another GIS specialist job with a metro county, but this one I appear to be much more qualified for than that one where my hopes were dashed. The pay would totally be on the low side of what it would take for us to make ends meet; but taking the job would be a no brainer for many reasons. And I've long since resigned myself to the notion that I'm not in this (and by "this," I mean "life") for the money. The other thing - and this one is kind of crazy - is a job in a St. Paul suburb working for the US Forest Service. Without a natural resources degree, I'd have never thought it possible; but for whatever reason, that didn't come up (in so many words) in the extensive application process. And lo! and behold, I just got an email from the government essentially telling me that I've made it past the first round of the selection process: they've deemed me qualified. What is really unknown, however; is whether one other person or 150 other people have been deemed similarly qualified. Time will tell. Anyway - that job is a mere 13-month assignment, but the local office reserves the right to extend it to four years; and by that time, I'm assuming new doors would have/will have opened. And in the meantime, I would have worked for Barack Obama!
Not sure what else I need to say at the moment - I'm probably missing a lot but it seems a good time to stop.
So, "Any luck on the job front?" has become the new "So, what sort of music does your band play?" question. The one I hate to answer, because I feel like a simple sentence, or two, doesn't dive into the complexity of the issue and the (at the risk of getting floofy) "personal journey" I've been on over the past two and a half months.
Short answer: "no." In that, I'm not employed.
Longer answer: I'm currently going through a process where I'm letting go of some assumptions and cynicism to which I've held fast over the 16 years of my post-college adulthood. Assumptions and cynicism which, I now realize, have really gotten me nowhere. In and around the expected ups and downs of day in-day out living without employment, I've have been a networking fool. On a path of self discovery and career exploration, I have been talking to people I know associated with organizations (mostly local government and nonprofit) in which I am interested. I am starting to get this weird sort of focus on non-profits and agencies involved with revitalization/planning/housing issues.
On the surface, "planning" is kind of a sister field to GIS. But in the real nitty gritty, there is an entire other discipline of study required (usually, an advanced degree) in order to become a"planner," proper (as in, "City Planner"). But, I've found that there's all sorts of individuals, community organizers to policy wonk researchers and everything in between, that make the guts of this public sector world go. And I've found three other things:
1. In the public sector, everybody knows everybody. Unlike in the Fortune 500 world I was in previously, the folks in this new arena I am exploring partner with each other, share data, and do collaborative research and projects.
2. The nonprofit world totally energizes me! Something I might have suspected; but without a social work (or related) degree, I always figured employment in that sort of field was beyond my wildest dreams, so I didn't entertain the thought all that much. But damn, if my networking isn't leading me in that direction and confirming for me -yes - this is where my future lies, by whatever path.
3. I'm more "connected" than I initially realized. Serving on my neighborhood board for a few years? Being a current board member of a 501c3 neighborhood theatre company? Being a regular at the coffeeshop, doing the annual Earth Day cleanup at the creek? I had a "network" and I didn't even know it. A lot of these folks have connections with community development corporations, The City, etc., etc., and I am meeting people and having discussions, and just generally getting out there.
So where are things at? Realizing there's still a need to simply put food on the table, I've got a handful of resumes out there for jobs at private firms doing general data jockey sort of things. But whether or not I end up having to take that less desirable option in the short term, this "network" is continuing, and - and I truly believe this (and both of my career counselors have me totally believing this) - it is truly just a matter of time before something comes through in this realm. I've actually got a couple of things in the works where I'll be doing some pro-bono research/GIS work for a couple of local nonprofits; with the idea that I'll get to know the people there better, and their connections, etc. etc. - plus be building up a portfolio and base of experience working in an industry that excites me.
There's also a couple of more strictly GIS/mapping things that are out there - not sure if anything will come of either. The first is another GIS specialist job with a metro county, but this one I appear to be much more qualified for than that one where my hopes were dashed. The pay would totally be on the low side of what it would take for us to make ends meet; but taking the job would be a no brainer for many reasons. And I've long since resigned myself to the notion that I'm not in this (and by "this," I mean "life") for the money. The other thing - and this one is kind of crazy - is a job in a St. Paul suburb working for the US Forest Service. Without a natural resources degree, I'd have never thought it possible; but for whatever reason, that didn't come up (in so many words) in the extensive application process. And lo! and behold, I just got an email from the government essentially telling me that I've made it past the first round of the selection process: they've deemed me qualified. What is really unknown, however; is whether one other person or 150 other people have been deemed similarly qualified. Time will tell. Anyway - that job is a mere 13-month assignment, but the local office reserves the right to extend it to four years; and by that time, I'm assuming new doors would have/will have opened. And in the meantime, I would have worked for Barack Obama!
Not sure what else I need to say at the moment - I'm probably missing a lot but it seems a good time to stop.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Happy May!
Did I mention I love my city?
This past weekend, our family headed out to Powderhorn Park in south Minneapoils to attend what one of Lucy's teachers calls, "The Best Thing About Living in the Cities." (high praise, indeed!) For the first time ever, we went to the annual May Day celebration; site of a huge festival, parade, vendor-filled gathering of tens of thousands of peace-loving-types in an enormous urban greenspace for general frivolity and a Tree of Life pageant/spectacle that, we'd heard, must be seen to be believed.
Now, from the comforts of your respective corners of the globe, YOU TOO can see it. And believe it, or not.
This past weekend, our family headed out to Powderhorn Park in south Minneapoils to attend what one of Lucy's teachers calls, "The Best Thing About Living in the Cities." (high praise, indeed!) For the first time ever, we went to the annual May Day celebration; site of a huge festival, parade, vendor-filled gathering of tens of thousands of peace-loving-types in an enormous urban greenspace for general frivolity and a Tree of Life pageant/spectacle that, we'd heard, must be seen to be believed.
Now, from the comforts of your respective corners of the globe, YOU TOO can see it. And believe it, or not.
 |
| May Day 2009 |
Monday, April 27, 2009
Spam of the Day (courtesy of Bootylicious24)
I do know I'm not supposed to open up spam emails and respond to the offers, but in this instance....have pity on me for my weakness! Am I not flesh and blood!?
Friday, April 17, 2009
"Count Me In With the Hollyweirds"
As we all know, message boards on news websites are a cesspool of humanity, bringing out the absolute worst qualities from the laziest cowards in society. To the point where, if I - in a moment of weakness - happen to check in on one, I almost invariably end up becoming depressed at the lack of meaningful discourse. So I generally don't bother.
Except when I can't resist. It's sort of like discovering there's a Vin Diesel action movie playing in your hotel room. Somehow, sometimes, I can't resist just checking in.
So anyway - you can imagine the rancor abounding in the Franken-Coleman trial debates. We know that accusations that fly from ideologues on both sides; but I just happened to check in on a board today and caught one of those one-in-a-thousand amazing comments left by some random guy who addressed that ongoing, strange right wing fury about Hollywood being in the back pocket of liberal politics:
The question one should ask themselves is...
what these donors expect to gain by their contributions. Do Hollywood actors and other celebrities who donate to Franken expect government handouts, or business tax breaks, or federal contracts? Or do they simply think Franken is more likely to promote the type of government and society in which they want to live? Last I checked, these celebrities were not corporate bigwigs looking to receive more favorable tax treatment and government contracts. Nope, but that's what motivates Norm's donors, who would prefer to further bankrupt the government for their own individual good. So basically we have one set of donors who want a more open, tolerant and freer society vs. another set who want to pay less in taxes or garner some other lucrative government contract and think giving a Republican a lot of money will help them get this. Seems pretty clear who I'd rather have in D.C. Count me in with the Hollyweirds.
Well-done, jonnyonspot.
Except when I can't resist. It's sort of like discovering there's a Vin Diesel action movie playing in your hotel room. Somehow, sometimes, I can't resist just checking in.
So anyway - you can imagine the rancor abounding in the Franken-Coleman trial debates. We know that accusations that fly from ideologues on both sides; but I just happened to check in on a board today and caught one of those one-in-a-thousand amazing comments left by some random guy who addressed that ongoing, strange right wing fury about Hollywood being in the back pocket of liberal politics:
The question one should ask themselves is...
what these donors expect to gain by their contributions. Do Hollywood actors and other celebrities who donate to Franken expect government handouts, or business tax breaks, or federal contracts? Or do they simply think Franken is more likely to promote the type of government and society in which they want to live? Last I checked, these celebrities were not corporate bigwigs looking to receive more favorable tax treatment and government contracts. Nope, but that's what motivates Norm's donors, who would prefer to further bankrupt the government for their own individual good. So basically we have one set of donors who want a more open, tolerant and freer society vs. another set who want to pay less in taxes or garner some other lucrative government contract and think giving a Republican a lot of money will help them get this. Seems pretty clear who I'd rather have in D.C. Count me in with the Hollyweirds.
Well-done, jonnyonspot.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned From LOTR
Among the lines used in various iteractions with child:
- (when rounding up the girls to get them out the door - with thanks to PGibb) Find the halflings!!!
- Strange that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing.
and
- DO NOT TAKE ME FOR A CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS!!
others, Gibb? Missing some here? No doubt, but those three came to mind first.
- (when rounding up the girls to get them out the door - with thanks to PGibb) Find the halflings!!!
- Strange that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing.
and
- DO NOT TAKE ME FOR A CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS!!
others, Gibb? Missing some here? No doubt, but those three came to mind first.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Check-In #8
Apparently, the aerial imagery company is calling my references. I've heard from two of them now that they've been contacted and have given their best on my behalf.
If this job was offered (at a living wage) I would accept; and there are definite good points about the company, the industry, and (potentially) the future - were I to end up there.
Cross your fingers on my behalf.
If this job was offered (at a living wage) I would accept; and there are definite good points about the company, the industry, and (potentially) the future - were I to end up there.
Cross your fingers on my behalf.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Check-In #7
First off, so it doesn't get buried & forgotten - the link to "Proove You Groove" has been updated & should work now.
So...
My second moment of clarity in the past two months has been met with a second kick in the face. The first, if you recall, was when I'd decided that staying with my former employer was a position of power from which I could launch "Plan B" (the future career exploration). And then I was laid off.
This most recent one was laid out in detail in check-in #6. Clarity that I should stick to my bread & butter, and do GIS Specialist work for a local government. And I was really excited about the resume that I'd sent off for a job in a SW Metro county. Well, I got a letter on Tuesday informing me that I was not among those selected to interview. Oof. Beyond bad; this could either be an indictment of my actual qualifications, or an indication of the overwhelming number of people out there trying to get jobs in this field. I had a day where I was nearly literally reeling. The pressure is on - Sharon & I have done the numbers, and it wouldn't make sense for her to go back to work part-time (e.g. in the job she used to have) before Rose gets into Kindergarten. Full day daycare for Rose and extended day for Lucy would add up to about $900/month. Then, by the time you figure in less meals from scratch, car upkeep & gas, etc. etc.; it really doesn't make sense. It's really all on me - which means I have to make a living wage for a family of four.
Luckily, I still have two career counselors in my camp, and they've got me going crazy in the networking thing; I've actually got an informational interview set up today with the guy that manages the GIS operation at that county job, to kind of get a sense of what the deal was, and his insight on how to approach working in the public sector. I'm going to a GIS job fair next week, and will be starting a process of getting involved in local user groups, including one that has membership from throughout Hennepin County. See if there's a way I can, during my unemployment, offer up my help on any collaborative projects across government agencies & get to know people, etc. Not sure if anything can &/or will come of any of that - but something kind of has to.
One of those weird things. I look at where I'm at, career-wise (kind of feeling like I'm almost back to square one), and just think: "How did it come to this?" 16 years out of college. I got these two beautiful little girls, that are completely unaware of my stress, and our overall situation. With one person in our household working, we need to gross 45k, minimum, to make our ends meet. That's with about zero eating out, not having one of our two 12+ year old cars die, etc. And what if that opportunity simply isn't there for me? I mean, I don't take the care to put this into actual words very often, but there's people losing their homes left and right; people that can't find jobs; 20 million kids living in poverty - at what point - how many months from now in fruitless job searching would my family get to some kind of crazy breaking point where there is earth-shattering changes to our lives and lifestyle. Cashing in of 401k. Losing of the house. Living in a shelter. Sounds crazy and insane, but my sense is these sorts of things cascade quickly and you can go from Point A to Point X in an awful hurry. In any event, all manner of craziness enters one's mind late at night, when one is exhausted. And when craziness enters one's mind, one doesn't sleep well, which leads to more exhaustion. Rinse, cycle, repeat.
So...
My second moment of clarity in the past two months has been met with a second kick in the face. The first, if you recall, was when I'd decided that staying with my former employer was a position of power from which I could launch "Plan B" (the future career exploration). And then I was laid off.
This most recent one was laid out in detail in check-in #6. Clarity that I should stick to my bread & butter, and do GIS Specialist work for a local government. And I was really excited about the resume that I'd sent off for a job in a SW Metro county. Well, I got a letter on Tuesday informing me that I was not among those selected to interview. Oof. Beyond bad; this could either be an indictment of my actual qualifications, or an indication of the overwhelming number of people out there trying to get jobs in this field. I had a day where I was nearly literally reeling. The pressure is on - Sharon & I have done the numbers, and it wouldn't make sense for her to go back to work part-time (e.g. in the job she used to have) before Rose gets into Kindergarten. Full day daycare for Rose and extended day for Lucy would add up to about $900/month. Then, by the time you figure in less meals from scratch, car upkeep & gas, etc. etc.; it really doesn't make sense. It's really all on me - which means I have to make a living wage for a family of four.
Luckily, I still have two career counselors in my camp, and they've got me going crazy in the networking thing; I've actually got an informational interview set up today with the guy that manages the GIS operation at that county job, to kind of get a sense of what the deal was, and his insight on how to approach working in the public sector. I'm going to a GIS job fair next week, and will be starting a process of getting involved in local user groups, including one that has membership from throughout Hennepin County. See if there's a way I can, during my unemployment, offer up my help on any collaborative projects across government agencies & get to know people, etc. Not sure if anything can &/or will come of any of that - but something kind of has to.
One of those weird things. I look at where I'm at, career-wise (kind of feeling like I'm almost back to square one), and just think: "How did it come to this?" 16 years out of college. I got these two beautiful little girls, that are completely unaware of my stress, and our overall situation. With one person in our household working, we need to gross 45k, minimum, to make our ends meet. That's with about zero eating out, not having one of our two 12+ year old cars die, etc. And what if that opportunity simply isn't there for me? I mean, I don't take the care to put this into actual words very often, but there's people losing their homes left and right; people that can't find jobs; 20 million kids living in poverty - at what point - how many months from now in fruitless job searching would my family get to some kind of crazy breaking point where there is earth-shattering changes to our lives and lifestyle. Cashing in of 401k. Losing of the house. Living in a shelter. Sounds crazy and insane, but my sense is these sorts of things cascade quickly and you can go from Point A to Point X in an awful hurry. In any event, all manner of craziness enters one's mind late at night, when one is exhausted. And when craziness enters one's mind, one doesn't sleep well, which leads to more exhaustion. Rinse, cycle, repeat.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Positives
New beginnings.
Oh...and I just got my first interview. Which is "so far, so good," since I've only applied for one job.
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.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, March 09, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, March 06, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
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.
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.
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