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Michael T. Barrett
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Mar
31
One of the hazards of collecting unemployment is having to endure required “workshops” that come along as a stipulation for you to complete in order to see those checks.
I attended my first workshop several weeks ago. It was an orientation for all of the people filing new claims for unemployment. Yes, I will call them “newbs”. So there I was, a newb in a room full of newbs, and what happens? The newb orientation was conducted by a… wait for it… newb. Yes. The person leading the orientation was new to the job. Heck, at least she got one, right?
That workshop was nothing more than a marketing ploy for all the service agencies that offer assistance to people who find themselves out of work. Needless to say, I got credit for attending and my unemployment checks continued to flow into my bank account (although you wouldn’t know it because there are leeches sucking it out as fast as I can get it in there).
Today’s workshop topic was “resume writing”. Uh. Hello?!? I have a resume. I have a kick ass resume. How do I know it’s a kick ass resume? Several recruiters and one employer have told me it’s a kick ass resume, that’s how I know. Sure, I sound cocky, but I’m allowed to, because I have a kick ass resume. When you have a kick ass resume, you can get cocky too, okay?
I suppose the workshop contained valuable information for those who don’t have a resume, but seriously, they have been out of work as long as I have, that’s 2 and a half months. If they don’t have a resume, what exactly have they been doing for the past 74 days?
I was told my resume is a shining example of a “well-thought out, detail oriented, modern day, professional resume”. Yeah, so the guy that told me was a guy who works for the Department of Labor, but heck, at least he wasn’t a newb, right?
Sphere: Related ContentMar
30
I spent the morning organizing all of the notes on my desk, which proved futile. I have been jotting notes while speaking with recruiters and I have scribbled on the bottom of so many different pages I realized that I needed something to organize my job search.
After a quick trip to the store for an inexpensive day planner, I have all of the information I need in one place. I have all of the notes I have taken sorted by recruiter and/or company, and I have all of my contact numbers listed at the front so I can make my follow-up calls without having to turn a page.
I have to jump through another hoop tomorrow morning when I travel over to the Department of Labor for a “resume writing” workshop that I am required to attend. Unemployment checks have been deposited into my account each week for two months and they want me to attend this workshop now? It doesn’t make sense. What do they think I have been using when applying for jobs for the past two months?
I followed up with the two recruiters where I have pending “action” happening. I called the first one to get feedback on the interview I had early last week, and we are hoping to hear about the “second round” of interviews sometime this week. I talked to the second recruiter about that last minute “surprise” interview I had late last week, and it looks promising, but we will not hear anything until later this week as well. I guess I just have to be patient, and anyone who knows me knows that’s not one of my best traits.
We saw what we think is a Cooper’s Hawk down the street today, but it flew by so quickly none of us were able to get a photo of it. We’re planning a stake-out of the creek later this week to catch some shots of that beautiful creature. I did get a photo of a Great Blue Heron tonight, just as he took flight to get the heck away from us. It’s not the best shot, but it shows how big they really are. I will add it to my post tomorrow.
That’s it for tonight. I need to get my sleep so I can deal with going to that “class” tomorrow.
Sphere: Related ContentThe journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Lao-Tse
Mar
29
We spent the day stuck indoors, but that didn’t stop us from taking more bird photos. The temperature was in the 40s or low 50′s most of the day, so when the rain stopped I cleaned the windows on the back door and the boys stood inside taking photos of the birds coming to the feeder.
They thought it was amazing how many birds came up while they were standing there, I guess they still don’t understand that the birds could care less as long as they stayed inside behind the glass.
When I wrote my post last night about “Earth Hour” I never imagined that Al Gore would help prove my point. If you still think that “Earth Hour” was meant to change anything last night, don’t you think Mr. Gore should have participated in the evening’s event?
There is no doubt that Al Gore is the international poster child for those suffering from GWDS (Global Warming Derangement Syndrome). He has spent years speaking about the dangers of global warming and climate change. In fact, he makes $100,000 per speech and sometimes more on the subject. It’s obvious he gets paid that much to speak on the subject because he’s an expert on all things related to climate change, wouldn’t you agree?
Well, then why didn’t he turn off his lights last night? In the past, we have learned that Al Gore burns through more electricity in one month at his house than your entire family does in an entire year. The man has a ton of lights at his place, yet he didn’t turn them off to participate in “Earth Hour”.
If “Earth Hour” was meant to send a message or make a difference, you’d think the poster child himself would have made sure every light at his estate was turned off in observance of the historic event.
Turning the lights off for an hour at Al Gore’s estate is the equivalent to turning the lights off at your house for 12 days. You do that math. Al Gore could have helped raise awareness for the cause that is so near and dear to his heart wallet, but instead he chose to ignore that cause while you chose to sit in the dark.
If that doesn’t send a message I sure don’t know what does.
Sphere: Related ContentMar
28
Save the planet! Fight global warming! You’ve heard the mantras for years but what have you done to actually save the planet? What have you done to help in the fight against global warming? Exactly what steps have you taken to make your energy footprint smaller?
If all you did was wait for tonight so you could participate in “Earth Hour” and turn off your lights for an hour to help save the planet, then you fail. You fail big time.
I hate to break the news to you, but saving the planet is going to take a lot more effort than making sure you switch off a few lights for an hour once a year. It’s going to take a lot more work than plastering the bumper of your car with cute slogans and mottos to raise awareness.
Why not just face the facts? You are not going to save the planet by turning off your lights for an hour if you spend the other 23 hours of the day (and every hour of every other day) sitting in your temperature controlled home with your ass planted in front of the television while you are drinking ice cold beverages from your refrigerator and eating popcorn you made in the microwave.
If you’re truly concerned for our planet, it’s going to take a lot more effort than making one symbolic act to show your “solidarity” while you sit in the dark for an hour.
Hell, we aren’t even sure the planet needs saving. Depending on your political position, global warming is either a science, a religion, or just a myth, but no matter which side of the fence you are on (or if you’re sitting on the fence itself) there is no doubt that humans have made a mark on this planet and, in the name of conservation, we could all be doing something to preserve this rock we call home.
Now turn your lights back on and start making a difference. Think of creative ways to help lower your energy consumption, work on a plan to reduce your energy footprint, try for a moment to think for yourself and top sitting in the dark just because someone else told you to.
Sphere: Related ContentMar
27
No news is good news, or so the saying goes.
I didn’t hear anything all day, except that I had to be patient and wait. So, as I said, no news. But that was good, because that means they are most likely checking references and performing a background check.
I started the day quite late today. For some reason I slept in. Could it have been something I ate, or could I have just been exhausted. I’ve been getting plenty of sleep, so I am guessing that my belly was so full that I was content to sleep for a long, long, time.
It’s been raining here for the better part of two days and it’s not over yet. At this very moment there is heavy rain and strong storms headed our way. The local weather “experts” say the storms won’t be here until morning. Looking at the local radar, it’s going to be here long before dawn.
I’ve been testing some of the software packages included in the MacHeist Bundle, and I must say, I am quite impressed with a few of the titles that I didn’t really think I would be too interested in. If you’re a Mac user, you’re too late to get the extra game bundle for being one of the first 25,000 people to get one, and you have just ten more days to grab your bundle.
I want to take the boys on a photo hike this weekend. I just have to decide where and when. With the rain coming in tomorrow, we’ll probably have to wait until Sunday, but that’s cool as long as we get a chance to get out and fill up some SD cards.
Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.
For now, I will sit back and watch the weather while I plan our day on Sunday. What do you have planned this weekend?
Sphere: Related ContentMar
26
I didn’t do anything all day.
Well, I take that back. I woke up early, because the puppy decided he needed to go outside and relieve himself in the pouring rain. When I let him back in, I was going to go back to sleep, but decided I may as well stay up.
I ran a package to the post office for Gidget, sent follow up emails to 8 different recruiters, and since it was only 10 oclock, I decided to organize the MacBook a bit and clean some stuff off the hard drive.
Yeah, I know, I had a really exciting day. Only three of the recruiters answered my email before 5pm. That disappointed me a bit since neither they nor I make any money if they don’t get my face in front of these employers.
Two of the three recruiters did inform me that it looked like the IT market may be picking back up. One of the problems I have seen, is that companies have implemented hiring freezes because of the economy. If that cloud is lifting some, I am happy. I’ll be happier when I am working full time again.
It rained most of the day and we’re supposed to get more rain tomorrow and Saturday. The rain is going to be awesome for the soil in the garden, which will be ready to plant by Good Friday. WooHoo!
That’s it for today. I am going to finish re-organizing myFarm on Facebook and then call it a night.
Sphere: Related ContentPresence is more than just being there
Mar
25
I woke up this morning to the rain. It rained all day. It was a nice rain though, so light at times that the birds made their way to the feeder several times. We’re supposed to get more rain tonight and tomorrow, and it’s supposed to be much heavier. At least our newly plowed garden will be ready for planting next week.
I spent most of the morning exploring some of the titles from the MacHeist 3 Bundle, which I was fortunate to get a copy of. If you’re a Mac user you should check it out. It’s only available for 13 more days, but you can get about $900 worth of software for the low price of $39. You can’t beat that.
One of the applications in the bundle is SousChef. I didn’t have time to enter any of my recipes, but I already love that application. I can take the laptop to the kitchen and SousChef will talk to me and help me cook what I am making for dinner. How cool is that?
As you probably know, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. I play Lexulous with my mom on Facebook, and I play an occasional card game here and there, but I have never really been into computer gaming. Well, until the World of Goo showed up in that bundle yesterday. Now I am addicted. The last time I was this addicted to a game (Lemmings) I had to physically delete it from my computer to break the addiction. Hopefully I have grown since then and won’t have to do that this time.
As I am typing this post, I just saw a commercial for Captain D’s restaurants. They were advertising a meal which included 2 fish planks, a crab cake, hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw for $9.99 $6.99. So, what was my first and only thought? “How nasty is that crab if they can sell it for $6.99″? I love crab, and I know you can’t get good crab if you aren’t willing to spend money to get it. $6.99? I shudder to think about the people who will eat that meal and think it was the best crab they had ever tasted. How sad is that?
Today was completely unpredictable. Around 2:15pm I received a phone call from a recruiter who wanted to set up an interview. Needless to say, I was sitting in their interview room by 4:00pm. The prospects for this job look very good, and I am very excited about the possibility of working with this company. I’ve never spent less than 6 years at a job, in fact, I spent 11 years at my previous job. The job description for this position will put me on the cutting edge, and I would be part of something much bigger than anything else I have ever done. I can see myself working for this company for much longer, if given the opportunity. Cross your fingers and say your prayers because I really, really want this job.
Now I am off to the World Of Goo again. My Goo friends are waiting for me.
Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
– John Cassis
Have a great night.
Sphere: Related ContentMar
24
It looks like I made it to the second round.
As you may know, I had an interview last week, that I thought went quite well. It turns out that I did do well, and I will be included in the second round of interviews when they take place. The recruiter for this position isn’t sure when the second round will take place, but I should hear something fairly soon.
A few days ago I posted about the neighbor burning his trash. I don’t know what it is with people here, but I can’t figure out why some of them choose to burn. I can see burning leaves and other yard debris if you are doing so to help add nutrients to the soil, or whatever. Personally I would prefer to add the debris to the compost bin and let it work that way. When you take care of a compost bin there is no smell and no hassle. Burning your leaves, yard debris, and trash (like my neighbor), only makes people irritable.
I am not whining, but I am complaining. When I have to drive somewhere and my only option is to drive down a certain road and you’re burning your crap because you’re too lazy to go to the dump, it bothers me. My eyes get itchy, my throat hurts and no matter how quickly you try to roll up the windows and close the vents, the smoke still gets in. So, if you are the person who was burning trash today along the highway coming into town, in the drainage ditch in front of your yard, I wish you would show some courtesy to people and at the very least burn your crap in your backyard next time.
Wow. I feel better already. Who knew ranting could release so much stress? Now I am going to go watch The Biggest Loser and have a snack. Yes, I snack during The Biggest Loser. Sue me.
Sphere: Related ContentMar
23
Our garden is ready for planting.
My brother-in-law came by again today and helped turn over the garden one more time. We added several bags of Nature’s Helper and some plant food which will enrich the soil over the course of the season. In just about a week or so, we will get everything planted and then the fun begins.
I can hardly wait for the garden fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peas, radishes, carrots, beans, corn, and whatever else Gidget decides is going to be planted. Our artichoke seeds should be here tomorrow, and the blackberry and blueberry plants should arrive later this week. Is it sad that I can taste blackberry jam as I am typing this (and no, I am not eating any right now).
I spent the early part of the afternoon checking all of the job boards and making sure I had applied for any relevant jobs. I also touched bases with a couple recruiters and I will catch up with the others tomorrow.
One advantage I have had being out of work, is spending a lot more time with the boys. Whether we’re fishing at the lake, or bird watching from our back deck, I am really enjoying the extra time with them. I have been posting some of our photos on my photoblog, OptiBytes, as well as my flickr account.
As I have been typing this post, I have been listing to the No Agenda Stream. I am a podcast junkie, and when I heard Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak talking about their new stream, I had to bookmark it. With the stream I get music, news, and information I would definitely not hear anywhere else.
Now, I am off to watch 24 and Heroes on the DVR. Hopefully I will have real good news tomorrow about the interview I had on Friday.
Sphere: Related ContentMar
22
I mentioned in my previous post that I was rendering the compilation of photos (and sounds) from the pow wow yesterday. In case you didn’t notice it over there in the side bar, you can click this link which will take you to YouTube so you can see it. Make sure you click the HD button so you see the awesomeness of the photos. (If you are a friend of mine on Facebook watch it over there, Facebook video totally rawks).
We got an early start today and we were fishing before noon. The boys were so excited to be fishing again, and I was shocked. Shocked at how much they remembered from last year, and shocked at how much they could do this year. Gone are the days when daddy has to bait the hook. Gone are the days when daddy has to help cast their line. From the moment we arrived at the park they were capable fishermen and genuine sportsmen.
They complimented each other on casting, they assisted each other when needed, and most of all, they had a great time drowning worms for several hours. In total we caught seven fish. I should say, in total our oldest and youngest caught seven fish. The baby of the family totally surprised me today. Baiting his own hook, getting worm juice all over his hands, and casting his own line. The look on his face when he landed his very first fish was quite memorable.
Tomorrow will be a busy day following up with recruiters from last week, touching bases with those interviews I had, and searching out the latest new jobs that were posted over the weekend.
Until then,
Sphere: Related Content“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”
- William Jennings Bryan