OK

Yeah. I'm still around. I've just been verry busy. Managing a department takes a lot out of you when you're handed a pile of crap and told to "Fix it."

I've been doing all I can to fix the problems that exist, but I cannot do it. I have let it be known what is required to mend the damaged parts of my department, yet I have not been allowed the autonomy to do what is needed, nor have my requests been fulfilled. I recall this being a reason for stepping out of Department Management before.

I have received daily lists of things to be done, yet I haven't the resources to complete the lists.
I am asked why my tasks aren't complete. I reply, "You are cancelling my orders. You are telling my associates not to do what I say. You are putting everything on me and not letting my team work on these issues. I am one person. However, since I'm so slow... show me how to do it the correct way and I will follow that model."

I have received no more lists.

Goin' Up...

Well, I figure that I'm not getting out of my current work place any time soon. So I might as well try to go up (get a promotion). Not what I had in mind, but I guess it'll have to be enough. Though I like Monster.com's slogan ("Never settle"), that only keeps me from having a job - can't have that. I'm going to have to settle for what I can get.

Sad really. I performed at the top of my class. I led several projects. I spent a few years doing volunteer work (to get experience). I did work on federal projects (excellent experience). And at each of these I performed above the levels required/expected. And I did most of this while working a full-time job, being a full-time father, and carrying a 3.95/4.0 GPA in college. But I can't seem to get anywhere with my area of expertise.

So I had a talk with my store manager. I let him know that I want to move into management. Sure, this will kill my family life. But I need to provide a life for my family. Being there for them doesn't do that - not when you can't provide a place to live, and not when you're sleepy all day.

After a couple of interviews for a couple of positions, I have been given a promotion. I have taken the next step toward the Assistant Manager Training Program - I have stepped back into the Department Manager role. Though this would have made some of my co-workers overjoyed, I accept this position with disappointment.

Don't get me wrong. I'll do my best to have the best department in the store. And I'll do my best in every other way for this position. I do no less.

But here's looking for more stimulating and rewarding employment.

*Cheers*

That Was(n't) Fun

Thanks for the O2, Harvey.

Well, I got what I wanted... that being a new job... well, I got the "conditional offer" anyway. All seemed to be falling into place. Then *dramatic pause* it all collapsed around me. They disqualified me because of a misunderstanding on their 14 page application. One question that I misunderstood and answered wrong. This lead them to believe I lied on my application. I did not, but that doesn't really matter. They said I can reapply... in 3 years!

I also moved my family out of "da hood." We moved into a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath house with a nice yard. The landlord didn't even want a lease. Cool! Since my wife and I quit smoking a good while back, we were happy the landlord said, "No smokers and no pets." Yet, the house had the familiar odor of smoke and dog. My older daughter couldn't sleep - breathing problems (asthma and allergies (pets and smoke)). Hmm... The landlord failed to mention the last people that lived in the house were smokers with pets. We vacated the premises before the furniture was even in place, let alone bags be unpacked.

So we moved in with my mom (oh, the joy). Within 3 days, I found an apartment for us - so we moved once more. We had lived in the complex once before and remembered the security and amenities were awsome. I explained our house experience to the rental agent, and he assured me the 6 month old carpet in the apartment was pet-free and smoke-free. Wow! Where does it go wrong? Here: 1. He lied about the pets. The last renter had a dog. I know this because of the smell on the stairs after the carpet cleaner dried - and because of the dog food I swept from under and behind the fridge. 2. I sat in my living room and could clearly hear conversations in the apartments on either side of me. College guys on one side and a couple with dogs on the other. I knew intimate details about the couple, yet I never saw their faces. Since our toilets were less than 3 feet apart and only a wall separating us, I could sit on my throne and hear them use theirs. 3. Time to go.

So wemoved in with my mom (oh, the joy). Deja vu. Two weeks. Four moves. Four U-Haul rentals. Two transfers of three utilities and cable/internet. All utilities and cable/internet canceled. One job kept. One job offered and withdrawn. One day on top of the world. Three weeks of a harshly downward spiral.

Funk-E sent me a link that gave me some light in my darkness. It seems Fred is a man after my own heart. Someone I can truly relate to. Please follow this link, you'll be glad you did.
http://www.fredoneverything.net/Cultural%20Psychiatry.shtml

I'm holding my breath

And I refuse to breathe, until I get what I want.

**currently a glowing red**

4 Days of Waiting

I'm waiting...
Again.

When will this blog site have a respectable posting?
Hmm...

Let's hope it's soon.

Two Down

one to go

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Like (Blog)Father...

I was noticing my blogpapa got himself some new specs - WoW! Me too.
I had to have my lenses ordered b/c no one carries mine on a regular basis, so I just got to pick them up on Saturday morning. I'm not as happy as Johnny-Oh!, but I am sure I will be - my lovely wife has a way of getting things fixed for me (she's an awsome complainer - she once got me paid to get a new pair of specs and prescription sunglasses).

See... I always have a problem when I get new glasses. They always get something wrong. "They", meaning the optometrist and/or the lens cutter. This time, the optometrist didn't pay attention to me when I said the left eye was still blurry. Hence, the blur I now see through my left lens. But enough of that.

It's been a while since I posted, and things are much the same. Job hunting. I came to realize there are few jobs in my field in this area, and even for those with high demand degrees it often takes a while to find the job they want. Patience hasn't been a strong point for me.

So I'm teaching myself SQL. I believe I'll be learning Visual Basic in my spare time, but I'm not sure right now. Maybe that sounds a bit geeky. Maybe it sounds a bit behind. At any rate, it increases my knowledge; thus, increasing my hirability.

An old college professor hooked me up with a job interview a little while back. The job sounds great, it's perfect for me (as jobs go), but there's no insurance available for the first year - bummer. With a family, that's a must. Perhaps something else will come into the picture soon.

My older daughter just started 6th grade. I'm getting scared. I say that because I remember 6th grade. I hope she dosen't screw-up like I did. My son is in 8th grade - he's already screwing-up like I did. Yet, the more I try to help, the more he stays away. The parental curse is upon me. Yep, it's like the post began: Like Father...