Gainful employment?

I got a call back from Answers in Genesis--their background check is still ongoing, but because it is taking so long and they're opening so soon (May 28) they want to hire me on a contingency basis (i.e. if the background check process turns up something really bad they'll let me go).  I accepted and will be figuring out how much notice I need to give my day job tomorrow.  I turned in notice at bigg's tonight that I would be quitting after my last scheduled day next week (whenever that is, I don't have that schedule yet).  That was exciting.

I'm hoping my current day job doesn't ask for two weeks tomorrow morning--if they insist I will give it to them (though I don't have to) because I feel that I owe them that much for the time (6-7 months) that I've been working there--but I just hope that they'd be happy with less.  I figure that they haven't offered me a real job in all this time, so they shouldn't really expect me to stick around forever.  I would be there still if the AIG thing hadn't landed in my lap after a search of their website.  I wasn't searching actively for work because I didn't have time--just on the lookout for really good opportunities.  What was the point of trying to squeeze in interviews for a job only marginally better than what I already had.  *shrugs*  Hopefully I'll have a good update tomorrow.  I know AIG wants me to start training ASAP, so I'll let you know when that actually happens.

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Still waiting

I'm still waiting to hear back from Answers in Genesis. I thought that I would hear before this, after they told me about training starting next week. But I haven't heard anything since my interview on Wednesday. :(

~Matt

Interview

Today I ventured out to the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum (nearing completion) for an interview. I think it went rather well for an initial interview. I have hopes that I'll be called back in for a second interview. I don't want to say too much (be too optimistic), but I'm quite hopeful now. Now to just pray that this is the open door God would have me go through (or that if it is to close I could at least avoid it hitting me in the face as I readjust, ;-)).

~Matt

Can I Explain?

Well it seems that at least one person was confused by my blog entry last night. I'm not sure why. I was just trying to communicate information about my latest job offerings. I can provide you with more information at this time, courtesy of the diabolical Julie. Here if the full recruitment pitch. Oh, I did edit the transcript slightly to include some informative and interesting links. Check some of them out, especially the multiple Colorado links!

Julie: Message: Mr. Graubner we are pleased to announce that you have been accepted into despot training STOP we will expect to hear from you as soon as is feasible STOP we hope that you will accept our scholarship offer STOP

me: Oh, I like telegrams like this!

When do I start?

Julie: right away!

but you have to travel back in time to a country who needs a despot first.

me: What about Colorado?

I could be a good Colorado despot!

Julie: i don't think Colorado is currently on our list.

California is, though

me: Why not Colorado? I like California, but Colorado has some great scenery. I could build a nice mansion somewhere on the Mesa. Oh, what about turning Land's End into a waterfall? Is that a good despotic project?

Julie: That would be an excellent project. I like your initiative. I'll talk with the current despot of Colorado (otherwise known as the congress) and see if i can get you an internship.

They may deny your request, however. They truly enjoy inflicting their own tyranny.

me: Yeah, well they've had more practice. It isn't really fair the head start they have.

Julie: I agree. But since it's a despotism, i have no grounds to protest.

It's part of the rules.

me: But I think a successful coup d'etat might get me a passing grade.

I've made preparations.

Julie: Very good! You even have a media for propaganda! This is even better than we'd hoped.

me: I even have a group of people brainwashed into following me. They get their instructions from an on-line message board--little do they understand the subliminal messages I programmed into its code!

Julie: Mr. Graubner, you may be able to test out of these classes at this rate. I will try to push a recommendation through to the upper level training commander that you be moved through the ranks as soon as possible!

me: That sounds acceptable to me.

Send me more information in the morning, right now I must go to my beauty sleep so that I make plot more dastardly deeds on the morrow (and continue in my efforts to memorize the Evil Overlord List!).

Julie: As you wish.

~Matt

I've been recruited

I'll be seeing y'all.  But I think I'll be too busy to communicate in this mundane fashion in the future (unless I need some propaganda practice).

Message: Mr. Graubner we are pleased to announce that you have been accepted into despot training STOP we will expect to hear from you as soon as is feasible STOP we hope that you will accept our scholarship offer STOP

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Wonderful Morning

This morning was great.  One of my nephews slept over.  I woke up early and dozed back to sleep.  At some point I heard my nephew get up, and he went out to my living room and started quietly watching DVDs.  I eventually got up a bit before eight, came out and finished up my work for church tomorrow (I put the song slides together).

Then I had plenty of time to cook an omelet for breakfast, take a shower, fix my lunch, and still have a couple minutes to watch the DVD that my nephew was enjoying.  I didn't really feel rushed before I had to leave around 9:15.

It was quite relaxing and not a bad way to start the day, especially when I knew it would be a good day at work.  I wish that more of my days were like this, but I don't want to get up at five or five thirty, so I only leave a half-hour to get up and get ready each morning.  What with returning from my night job so late I just need time to unwind at night and would rather cut sleep than never have any weekday free time.

I am getting tired of it (as I've mentioned far too often)--but that is why I'm hoping that at the very least I can interview for the Answers in Genesis position.  But anyway, I don't mind working so early when it give me more time before my night job (taking fifteen to twenty minutes to go home, fifteen to twenty to get to the other job and thus only having twenty or fewer minutes wasn't fun when I first started this crazy routine).  However, once I can hopefully settle down to one day job and the Museum for fun on the weekends I would definitely not mind a later start time!

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

A Perfect Oportunity?

What may be the perfect employment opportunity has just presented itself to me--or at least I've been made aware of the possibilities.  It is a "guest services" position at the soon to open Answers in Genesis Creation Museum here in Northern Kentucky!  This appears to be quite similar to what I do at the Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Coupling my over two years of experience doing that with my commitment to Creation I hope that I at least have a shot at being interviewed.  I took the first step of telling them of my interest via the AIG website.  Not I just have to wait for the HR individual to return my message and I can send off my resume, cover letter, and other documents.

I would appreciate prayers.  At first glance this looks like a perfect opportunity (though I don't know what the job pays).  I don't hate where I am now--but it isn't what I want to be doing in ten years if they end up hiring my on full-time.  Of course they might just string me along as a temp for months.  This wouldn't be so bad but I don't have health insurance and I need to keep working at bigg's.

I'm getting quite tired of that and having no life.  No Saturdays free because I choose to work at the Museum Center is one thing.  Having no nights free because I have to slave away at bigg's is quite another altogether!

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

Cleaning

I need to clean.  Saturday I was busy with the Museum, movie, and dinner, and yesterday I was either at church or my sister's place.  I really need to find some free time to clean things up and finally get rid of my Christmas decorations.  As much as I enjoyed having me decorations up, I'm ready for them to be gone and packed away until another year.

In this vein I need to find some free time to stop by St. Vincent de Paul and see if they have any useful furniture.  I'm not sure what I could fit into my living room, but I might be able to find something that could work better than something I have now.  Eventually I need to find a desk that is actually big enough for what I need (but that can wait).  Right now I need a bit more book space and some drawers/shelves to put things now stacked or on the floor.  I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but I think I'll know when I find it.

In the middle of this I need to get some sleep.  I haven't been getting enough lately.  I still operate and work at work, but getting up is harder.  I'm finding it way too easy to sleep in and do everything (shower, pack lunch, get dressed) at the very last minute or second.  I would much rather have some time to eat breakfast, wash any dishes, and relax for a few minutes.  It would even be nice to be able to get up early enough that on a few days I could swing by McDonald's for one of their delicious breakfast meals.

In other news (and I know I've mentioned this many other times) I'm really getting tired of bigg's.  I need to closely examine my budget and see if I really need the job.  If I can get by without it and try to find another I'm seriously considering it--or even if I can get by without another.  I would dearly love to have my evenings free.  It would make dinner and cleaning much easier.  Plus I wouldn't feel pressured to squeeze so much into every weekend.  They wanted me to work some weekend days coming up and I pretty much said no (but felt guilty).

On one hand I dislike bigg's enough that I don't want to spoil a completely free day (like Sunday) working there, especially when that is half my weekend.  On the other hand I feel some loyalty to be as flexible as I usually try to be at work.  On the third hand, part of the reason my weekends are so full is that I try to spend time with my sister (I hate being alone at my apartment for hours when they're just across the street).  I think I would do that less exclusively on weekend nights if I had other nights free to spread my time out.

~Matt

--
"A room without books is as a body without a soul." -Cicero

bigg's

I'm now employed. bigg's is a local grocery chain and I've gained employment there. 'Tis full time, which will be great, and the pay isn't that bad. The only bad part is the department--carts control and housekeeping. I'll treat it like any other job and do my best, but this wasn't what I imagined doing when I set out to find work! ;-) For now I'm going to work and build up my savings. I'll keep my eyes out for an office or other higher paying full time position as well.

Perhaps I should have posted this earlier, but for some reason I didn't. I figured it was time now as I have to be at my orientation/training in an hour. :-)

~Matt

Mañana

Tomorrow I have two appointments with temp agencies, one at 09:30 and the second at 14:00. Hopefully in between the two I'll have time to go by the agencies that I registered with here in Kentucky last January. I'm still hoping that other jobs will pan out--but if not these might get me something at least. And I'm certainly not adverse to a temp-to-hire position if I can land one. :-)

This poem I wrote a week ago yesterday at church. 'Tis an old habit of mine writing poetry during church sermons--I think I started it during chapel when I was in college actually. :-) Yes, I do still pay attention--in fact sometimes writing the poetry helps me to stay focused on the sermon.


Faith's Furnace

Burn away the dross,
- Sear the open wound.
Give to me O Lord,
- Your strength in me.

My flesh does strive,
- Against your Truth
Come to me O Lord,
- Your presence in me

Work through my life,
- Root out treason.
Live in me O Lord,
- Your assurance in me.

My mind will wander,
- Away from worship.
Lead in me O Lord,
- Your purpose in me.

Tear down my lies,
- Strike down the sin.
Grow in me O Lord,
- Your victory in me.

That is all for now, well, except that I haven't been watching as much of the Olympics as I would like. But it seems every time I turn it on I see ice skating or speed skating. Everything else I enjoy, skiing, hockey, heck even curling--but those two aren't my favourites. *shrugs* I still have a few days left to change my bad habits--especially with CBS only airing rereuns.

~Matt

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, I'll grant that it isn't the most original title, but there wasn't much competition. Here it is just a normal hectic day with last minute chores. Later today my brother Larry and his family will be arriving from Tennessee. It should be a good time with them here--but it will be a very full house! Fortunately (I can use the money) and unfortunately (I'll miss some of the time with everybody) I'll be working Friday through Sunday--but they should only be partial days and I'll be home before dinner time. My brother and his family are actually going down to the museum on Saturday--hopefully I'll see them while I'm working up in the Rotunda.

I'll also be working at UPS, but that will just be on weekdays. For the duration of December (unless I secure a full-time position elsewhere) I'll be working as a Driver Helper at UPS every weekday and I'll be at the museum every weekend and some nights. It will be crazy, but I can use the work right now so it all works out! Oh, and if you're in the area I should let you know that from tomorrow (the museum is closed today) until New Years parking at the museum center is free.

I have to go do, um, some stuff that I don't know yet but I'm sure that my wonderful eldest sister has volunteered me for! ;-) Please have a wonderful day and remember everything that you have to be thankful for!

Finally a thought from the Federalist, they do choose good quotes:

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits,
and humbly to implore his protection and favors."

-- George Washington (Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789)

~Matt

Crusade, Children, and Death

Well I've recently been watching Crusade, the abortive spin off of Babylon 5. It is a very good series, and I very much regret that only 13 episodes were produced. I've reviewed the DVD set at Amazon.com and I thought that I'd post that here for kicks, ;-).

Who do you serve? 5 out of 5 stars
The Drakh have struck Earth. These allies of the Shadows have poisoned the planet with a Shadow plague that will wipe out all life once the virus has fully adapted to Human DNA in five years time. The Excalibur, one of a new battleship design commissioned by Alliance President John Sheridan is pressed into commission to serve as a mobile platform for seeking out information about the plague and how it may be cured.

I really wish this show had gotten the chance to get off the ground properly, there is so much here that begs to be explained. As with Babylon 5 this show obviously has a five year life built in (though regretably it didn't even make it through one of those years). If you go digging around you'll even be able to find out a bit more of what JMS had in mind for the show.

In many ways this series reminds me somewhat of traditional Star Trek, whereas Babylon 5 is more similar to Deep Space Nine. However, of course both shows are quite different, quite good, and not copies of each other. Okay, with that caveat out of the way I can continue. We have one ship visiting many ports, discovering new races and cultures, and going someplace new--very Star Trekian. Now I don't believe this is bad, or truly derivative--I just mention what I see as similar. One thing that definately jars this is JMS's habit of not including every main character in each episode as Star Trek producers are usually wont to do. Like Babylon 5 (where there was only one episode in the entire run to feature each then listed main character) you can go several episodes without seeing certain characters. I like this (and would have liked it more if the series had run for years and it hadn't severely limited our exposure to some characters) it just takes some getting used to. If you like Star Trek look at this as more good sci-fi--if you don't like Star Trek know this is quite different stuff.

You'll find the serious mixed with the lighthearted. When talking about episodes I must include the JMS recomended viewing order. I defied this at first and watched the episode the case said should be first (War Zone)--and it was indeed an introduction, a very traditional pilot. However, I found out later that it was only produced later when the producers said they didn't like Racing the Night as an introduction. Furthermore, there were certain elements that didn't fit so well--such as a fistfight and crazy airing order that TNT producers insisted on--so don't blame everything wrong on JMS. Really this all reminds me of Firefly (which came later) and the trouble Joss Wheedon had with producers at Fox who disliked his excellent pilot and made him redo the second episode Train Job to serve as a new pilot.

However unlike JMS, Wheedon was able to make Train Job a new pilot and yet remain as a consistant second episode. Unfortunately for Crusade, the episode War Zone is somewhat of a continuity orphan, especially if you watch in the JMS order, which I would strongly suggest. I also enjoy reading the Lurker's Guide to each episode after viewing it. You'll find this at http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html. Here is the order, the only problems you'll find with it are some out of place uniform changes (that flow in the original airing order) and a couple minor errors (such as Lockley and Gideon meeting for the first time twice ;-)).

Racing the Night
The Needs of Earth
The Memory of War
The Long Road
Visitors from Down the Street
The Well of Forever
Each Night I Dream of Home
Patterns of the Soul
The Path of Sorrows
Ruling from the Tomb
The Rules of the Game
War Zone
Appearances and Other Deceits

Racing the Night is a very good pilot, introducing us to each character in a gradual manner on JMS's terms. Additionally we join the crew in the middle of their quest and only gradually find out exactly what is happening--it isn't all just thrust upon us. We not only get a pilot, but a darn good episode.

Visitors from Down the Street is definately an episode in a lighthearted vein, it being a definate mock/tribute/mimic of the X-Files. However, this time it is aliens believing that humans are interfering in their culture. :-) Try to spot as many X-Files references as you can.

Galen is a remarkable character. First introduced in the Babylon 5 movie A call to Arms he is a technomage. However, unlike the rest of his brethern he has decided not to retreat from Known Space, but to return to help the crew of the Excalibur fight for humanity. JMS has called him the traditional fantasy RPG magician of the group. Really the whole cast is a collection of eccentric, but fun characters. What little we get to see of them is quite revealing.

A note about special effects. Please keep in mind that just as on Babylon 5 effects shots are computer generated, and it is noticable. They aren't horrible, they just aren't as flawless as a big-budget blockbuster. However, if this is a problem then you shouldn't even be looking at Crusade or B-5. The stories are what make the show, the special effects just help them along.

The music and shooting style are by design very different from Babylon 5, so don't go in expecting to just see and hear more of the same.

Now there aren't many special features, only four in fact. You'll get a featurette on the production of the series, and a five minute one on the design of the Excalibur. Additionall JMS has commentary on Racing the Night, and two of the actors, the director, and writer comment on The Path of Shadows. The JMS commentary goes into more depth not on just the episode but the series, and what it might have been.

If you enjoyed Babylon 5 then I would definately suggest that you check out this partial series. You'll get some fun episodes and the chance to see what might have been. I always enjoy learning more about my favourite universes, and this is no exception! You get a whole new look at the world of Babylon 5.

Now for some more personal news...but first, please understand that the following is quite tentative, I have no idea what might happen. I have a possible lead on a full-time position at the Museum Center, in the Children's Museum. It does have benefits, but I'm not sure of anything else other than that I think I'll fit the qualifications and one of my current supervisors told me that he thinks I would be good for the job. :-) I'm going to apply as soon as I can. The description is here on the Museum's website. I don't fit all the technical aspects perfectly, but neither did I completely sound like a good fit (to my ears) for my Monkey King supervisory position. I have quite a bit of informal experience with kids (nerfs), some Sunday school teaching, many hours of classroom observation, and hours of interacting with kids in both Monkey King and the Space Exhibit. The worst that can happen is that I don't get the position or I find out it isn't exactly what I'm looking for. If that happens I've got some extra days lined up to work in the exhibit as one of the staff is switching days due to a job found elsewhere.

I'm only up so late (or early to also be precise, ;-)) because I was watching a movie that needs to be returned to the library soon. I've been reading so much that I've not had time to watch everything I check out.

Oh, before I forget, I did watch SG-1 and Atlantis tonight. I am disappointed that they decided to forgo opening credits this season forboth shows, :(. I did enjoy those. However, I really am enjoying the introduction of characters--though based on the slow pace of SG-1 (so far we've only seen Colonel Carter in one scene--on a video phone) that I fear it really will be the last season--at least I don't see at this point how the show can continue to be at least somewhat what it was. The SG-1 team is scattered and doesn't want to come back together. Of course they can definately keep making episodes in the universe and with the new conditions following the fall of the Goa'uld--it just won't be the same. Now please, I'm not complaining, I'm enjoying these episodes--I'm just wondering what is going on. But I'm sure it will all become clear eventually. :-)

Oh, I think I'll also post a short story that I wrote recently. :-) I wrote it while I was at work last Friday and had no idea where it would go, however, now I believe that it will fit neatly into the mythology of a race I've developed in one universe--a cooperative universe I developed with some friends. But perhaps more about that later, for now just the story and then I'll sign off. The style is intended to be "old-fashioned" without new sounding words or phrases wherever possible. I tried to make it sound like an old oral tale of mythology. And now, without further ado, I present The God of Death and the Kinslaying:

Now hear a tale of murder and malice from when the world was young and the dew of creation did linger. The gods and men performed great deeds of valour, for in that age man was yet young and his days were long. Cai, the great god of death, he of ebon skin and ivory hair, ruled the yet small Black Realm of the dead with a fist of iron. He jealously guarded his few spirits and begrudged any that kept men from death.

Long did Cai look upon his brother Tulbel with envy, for the god of war commanded many legions. Though Tulbel held dominion over the arts of death and tools of war he was loath to decrease his realm to Cai’s gain. He was yet the youngest of the gods and new to his craft, never suspecting Cai’s great jealously. Tulbel taught his worshippers honour and restraint, proclaiming duels and contests of skill while war was forgot. So infuriated was Cai at this usurpation of his power that he dared to dream the unthinkable—the murder of his brother.

Though Cai held the very keys to the gates of death his brother was yet an immortal and therefore could pass out of the Black Realm as he desired. So Cai did send forth his spirit lords in search of the uncommon black rose, even then infamous as a bringer of death. When at last the dread bloom had been secured Cai did prevail upon Dala, goddess of life, to distill its essence into a most potent elixir, though she never suspected its true purpose. Once Dala had departed his domains for the bright fields of Eras Cai did turn his thoughts to the murder of his brother. Upon his obsidian throne he brooded for many moons, devising a plan in his dark heart. At last as the nights did lengthen Cai sent forth a demon herald to summon his brother to a midwinter feast.

Once he drank of the vile potion, concealed in heavenly ambrosia Tulbel felt mortality descend upon him with sure swiftness and divined his brother’s evil plot. Giving up his body as already lost Tulbel sought to set his spirit free from suddenly mortal flesh. Yet in the midst of his struggle Tulbel’s soul was strangely divided as his darker nature reveled in the brilliance of Cai’s trap. Even as Cai strove to restrain Tulbel’s spirit he divined his brother’s doubt and acted with swift speed. Calling upon Tulbel to join him Cai embraced the darkness in Tulbel’s spirit and permitted the remainder to sunder itself and flee, though he knew not where.

Even as he took a portion of Tulbel’s spirit unto himself, Cai perceived a profound stirring of his essence and grew utterly still, his calm visage concealing a raging tempest beneath. For days the two spirits waged an epic duel while Cai sat motionless on his great throne.

When at last he arose the god of death bore a cruel grin, utterly devoid of humour or mercy. He proclaimed that henceforth he would be known as Tul-Cai and he would demand fierce worship from his followers. No longer would mere death satisfy him—nothing less than rivers of blood would serve to slake his thirst.

While his darker essence tarried to be devoured by Cai, the remainder of Tulbel’s spirit did fly to Eras, the abode of the gods. Even as the allure of Cai’s darkness struggled with the not fully sundered spirit it struggled from the reach of the Black Realm to the forge of Aar, god of the smithy. As Tula, patron of journeymen, looked on in wonder the sundered spirit bel pleaded for Aar to take up its cause.

However, bel was not without guile and he wove a masterful tale of woe. As Aar opened his spirit with grief bel did delve into his heart and force a new union. Though yet much tormented in spirit Aar could do naught but accept this new life within his breast.

And then did arise Aarbel, a most fearsome and terrible god of war. As swiftly as Tula took up the mantle of the smithy did Aarbel seek out Dala, goddess of life. Yet while Dala mourned the Kinslaying of Tulbel still more was she yet gentle and full of love. All the succor she would give to vengeful Aarbel was the prophecy of her high priestess. “From sons of man shall come the doom of death. And he shall force the Dark Gates from within though the whole realm stand against him.”

Enlisting others of the immortals to their cause, long did Aarbel and Tula strive against the Dark Gates—yet to no avail were the efforts of the mighty gods. For a long age did the Kinstrife consume the minds and hearts of the immortals until at last they grew weary.

Yet while his allies flagged Aarbel redoubled his efforts, training legions of men in new and deadly arts of war.

With each death the followers of Aarbel pray they have delivered up the ‘chosen one’ into the Black Realm. And to this day such enmity exists between Tul-Cai and Aarbel that soldiers of the faith will slaughter even death monks without more cause than that they yet live.

~Matt

PS My original title was just Crusade, but I decided on something more accurate--looks so much more cheerful now doesn't it? :-)
PPS Well that was fun, now wasn't it? I first posted this on the Superheroes and Villians blog, by accident. Then while I tried to move it Blogger decided to go haywire for a bit. Therefore I made the mistake of copying the text into Notepad so that when I copied back into Blogger the spacing was off because of the Word Wrap in Notepad (as far as I can figure it). Grrr... Well I went through and fixed everything, and hey, if nothing jogs y'all as odd then I guess it must have worked.

History

Sometimes I wonder if it was easier searching for employment in earlier times. Yes I know there were many other drawbacks to those times, but I'm not going off on that tangent. Today though it seems as if everything (employment, learning, etc...) is so specialized. I'm having trouble finding jobs where they'll consider me since I'm not really a good fit for most things that I've seen so far. My history degree is great and I wouldn't trade those years for anything, but I sometimes despair of finding an position where I can utilize my degree, or at least some position that I'm qualified for.

It seems as though it used to be you didn't need as much training or specialized experience for many positions, or there was more on-the-job training. It is hard finding entry-level positions or ones requiring little to no experience that will give me even a semi-decent amount of money. It isn't that I'm greedy, but I know that at some point I need to be making enough money for me to live on my own and be able to take care of expenses and save for the future and emergencies.

*sigh* I need to keep reminding myself that God is in control and He knows exactly what is in store for my life. He knows exactly what I will be doing five months, years, or decades from now and I just need to remember that.

~Matt

Buenas Dias

I can't even remember enough Spanish to properly conjugate an opening sentence, so I'm just going to stick to English, ;-). Oh, and don't ask about the image, I just did a Google Image search for "Buenas Dias" and this was on the first page of results...

At the insistence of my sister I've compiled an agenda for today and a partial one for the rest of the week. I'm keeping it in a notebook where hopefully I'll continue to add agendas for each passing day that I'm job hunting. I've entitled the section "Life, the job hunt days."

Today I'm going to visit the unemployment agency, check on a subbing requirement for the local school, contact the county schools for subbing requirements, check out the employment sections of Home Depot's web site, fax my resume for a receptionst job requiring no experience, compile a resume complete with addresses, phone numbers, and wage history, call a temp agency to establish my availability, and check with TMC about my loans. *whew* I know I could do more in a day but the list looks long enough for now, I'll have to see how it works.

I've almost finished Brian Jacques Redwall book Loamhedge so I really need to go over to my literary xanga (The Spectral Lounge) and update it with this information, especially now that I've started a new fantasy book. Ah...I've got so much to keep up with on-line, sometimes I wonder how I manage it...;-)

Okay here are another couple pictures, I think that I'll keep putting up one or two per day as long as I have good ones to put up. They may be ones from several months ago, but I promise they'll be good ones! :-) Again thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (the thumbnailed images)--the fully visible ones are hosted in my Photo Bucket account.

Here are a couple of the family dog Sasha. She is a boxer and the nicest dog that you'd ever find, quiet, great with kids, and gentle. Before photographing Sasha I'd never noticed it, but apparently with dogs (or at least this dog) you don't get red eye, you get blue eye. The second picture of this lazy dog shows that quite well.


And here is an image from my trip to Las Vegas last fall. Unfortunately it didn't turn out that well, but all of my pictures from Star Trek: The Experience were at night or inside without flash... :( Oh well, the experience was great even if the pictures aren't.


Okay, I'd better get off to fulfilling my busy agenda so I'll end this post now...perhaps I'll make a mid-day update, or perhaps not, I'm not sure yet.

~Matt

PS Please tell me what you think of the pictures. Would you rather have thumbnails to click on (It is easier for me to post these) or would you rather I resize images to insert smaller ones directly into the post? I don't guarantee that I'll follow all recomendations, but I would like to hear what you have to say. Thanks

Jitters

Yeah, I've got a few... ;-) I leave for my interview in a few minutes. My nephew Ryan helped me out immensely by tying my tie for me before he left for school. *sigh* I really need to learn how to do that. My sister then helped me match a good color-coordinated outfit (I am clueless about what goes well together). Hopefully everything will go well. Now I'm going to brush up on the company's history and then get my shoes and socks on and get going! :-) I have had breakfast this morning so I'm fine mom! ;-)

~Matt

Slashing and Dicing

Yeah, that is what I spent the last couple hours doing last night...playing Dungeon Siege with my nephews... :-) I played the game a couple years ago when it was new...but I still really enjoy it, though I've not played it in two or more years. The graphics are still good enough that I wonder what the sequel will be like... :-)

Okay, I guess I'll let the cat out of the bag. A few hours after I posted my resume on Monster.com and applied to a couple jobs I recieved a call. It was from a recruiter managing one of the listings that I'd applied for, the position of management trainee with Bob Evans Restaurants. Basically the restaurants (only in the east and mid-west) started out as a sausage farm and expanded into the family restaurant business. They recently purchased Mimi's Cafe in the west. Each unit is company owned and they like to hire management trainees straight out of college, no experience required (though my cafeteria work is a plus!!). I've talked with the recruiter several times and gone into a restaurant for lunch and to get an application. The application is completed and I have an interview time for Thursday with the area manager. Jonathan, the recruiter, is calling me back today to go over some aspects of the interview...then I go in Thursday. Everything is sounding really good, so I'm quite confident at this point, though I know that everything is up to God and as good as this all sounds it might not be what He has in mind for me. Training is for 13-14 weeks (paid of course) and then the job pays $28,000-$30,000 a year to start. So yeah, that is what I've been sitting on for a while... :-)

Well I've got stuff to do...more later.

~Matt

Time to get up already?

Ah...yeah, that is what I felt like this morning...I was reading a bit late last night and so I didn't get up until 07:11. But I rapidly dressed and drove the kids to school. I woke Chris up at 07:22 (I think he ignored his alarm) but he wasn't ready in time so I drove off and left him to walk. I wouldn't have, but my sister told me to and said they know they have to be ready by 07:30.

I have sorely neglected this blog...I'm sorry! :( If I have any faithful readers please accept my apology.

A couple nights ago I saw that the Red Green show was on and so I watched two episodes with my nephew Ryan and then we saw a documentary on Steve Smith, the guy that plays Red Green. The show is great...duct tape fixes everything! Check your local PBS listings if you've never seen it, hopefully this Canadian export will be playing in your neck of the woods.

I do have some job news...but I want to wait just a bit longer before posting news. It all sounds good but I'm not completely sure if it will work.

~Matt

Mid-Day Update

I have a second blog that some might be interested in. It is one that I started just so that I would have a Xanga account...but now looks as though it might become something I regularly contribute to. The Spectral Lounge is a place where I'll review and talk about the books that I'm reading. The name comes from a thread that I started in a lounge on the TrekBBS in honor of a fellow member with the username including the word "ghost." I've only made one substantial entry so far, but I welcome comments and suggestions (though please make them at the Lounge ;-) ) and hope that others might enjoy what I write. But of course I'll probably be using the archives myself for those times when I can't remember a book that I read before... :-)

My sister drove me out to two temp agencies and a bank today...I've found out how to seek employment at each. I'll be getting right on that when I return. And if I can get an alarm set for tomorrow morning I'll also be calling Tennessee to talk to my former UPS supervisor to see if I can get a recommendation for working for UPS up here in Northern Kentucky. That is all for now but I'll post when next I'm able.

~Matt

ch'ya

No, it isn't pronounced "chee-yah"--try saying "ch" rapidly as you lead into an accented and quick "ya." It is a new word that I've created for myself. At this time it isn't a part of the languages that I've created. When I pronounce the word it usually has a sort of oriental flavour, and it can mean many things, none of them explicitly delineated. What really matters is the tone of your voice as you say the word, it can be an explicative of sorts (like darn or shoot!) if uttered in a frustrated voice (especially after someone has done something to you, like cut you off on the freeway) or it can be a good thing when uttered calmly and in a pleased tone. No I don't know why I've done this, but I am. Life is fun when you can do crazy things like this...and yet I question my sanity and its perception as I type these words, knowing that I'm letting this secret out to my massive (um...well...five or six persons is massive if you're an atom or a mouse, right? :-) ) audience.

Today was a good day at work as I worked with Mike again on the route I've run since last Thursday (with the exception of yesterday with Brad on his normal route). I enjoy working with him (and with Brad, just for different reasons for each) and look forward to another day tomorrow. The weather was (and I know this will shock my Californian friends! ;-) ) quite warm today, especially compared to what it has been. Despite the fact that I was born and bred in Southern California and never traveled much through snow, or stayed in snow country, the cold has never bothered me as much as it does most other Southern Californians. Today was a balmy and quite comfortable 50 degrees at its hottest. Additionally there was little wind, making for a nice day, so nice that I didn't even turn my heater on as I drove home from work! Most of the rest of my work days (with the exception of 30s on Monday) are supposed to be in the low to mid forties, rising up to near fifty next Thursday so I'm quite happy, :-).

I recieved my first paycheck today, so now I just need to remember to get an envelope so that I can deposit it tomorrow...perhaps even tomorrow morning. I've also done some Christmas shopping, though I have a bit more to get done on-line here in a bit. :-)

I should get going now since I want to get that shopping done and get back to my reading... I've decided to re-read book 5 of the Lord of the Rings (i.e. the first part of Return of the King) after watching the Extended Edition of the film. While I really do love the films and especially the extended editions my first love always has been (and will remain) Tolkien's actual books. Peter Jackson did a great job, but the movies are his interpretation and oftentimes I disagree with his interpretation in favor of what I believe to be closer to Tolkien's intent. Of course no movie can be perfect and please all fans, which is why I don't try to degrade the movie, I just go back to the books when I need a good dose of authentic Tolkien. :-)

~Matt

Fed-Up

Do y'all remember when employees of Fed-Ex and UPS were on strike? A joke running around was that the two companies would merge, becoming Fed-Up, ;-). Well I'm anything but fed up...I got the UPS job! :-) I start with an orientation tomorrow at 15:00 at the local office I'll be based out of. It is also wonderful because the job ends December 24th, and hopefully I'll be able to go home a day or two later in preparation for moving back out here. This is definately an answer to prayer.

Oh, and I also stopped by a temp agency on the way back to get them thinking about looking for work for me, though I'll not be available for other work until I return in the first or second week of January. I took a typing test and the guy helping me called a co-worker in to look. I had six mistakes on the five minute test portion so the other guy told me to retake the test. He said that if I could cut the mistakes down to 0-3, even if I was at 50-60 WPM it would be good. I did think that I typed significantly slower the second time, but apparently not. The one minute preliminary test was 85 WPM with 1 mistake (84 WPM adjusted) and the five minute actual test was 83 WPM with 2 mistakes (81 WPM adj). :-) I had no idea that I was this fast--and I credit it to my instant messanging and taking notes in class for four years, both of these definately helped my dexterity. Of course I actually made more mistakes than are noted above, but I corrected them with the backspace key. I would definately be a poor typer on a typewriter--I'm just too addicted to the backspace key and spell-checker. *sigh* Oh well, you can't with them all... ;-) Okay sorry, I don't mean to brag. I'm just quite happy!

~Matt

PS I feel like a complete idiot!!! I was just now attempting to fill out an application to try to work as a bank teller, in my quest for permanent employment after I return in January. I accidentally clicked "Yes" in answer to the question of prior felony conviction. I was astonished when a screen popped up saying that I was ineligable for employment after just this basic step...then I went back and saw where I had misclicked. Unfortunately I wasn't able to resubmit the information and I cannot find an e-mail address of anyone that I can contact to explain my mistake. :( I'll keep exploring the website, but it looks as though this avenue may be cut off (when I tried to resubmit a correct answer it said I couldn't apply until one year from today). [12:41 CST]