Under Pressure

Decision time. I've decided that tomorrow I give my 2 week notice. Since they made the announcment to us back in February they've taken the heart out of this job. Where I had felt that what I had been doing was good and important to the company there is now a big void and I feel that it's unimportant, that I'm unimportant. Throw in a commute that I'm not enjoying and it makes going there an extremely difficult task. And my feelings about this has started drifting into other areas of my life and that's not good. So it has to be over.

This bites because I really liked this job. The people in my office are good friends and I feel bad for them too, we're all in the same boat. And I'm going to miss the people in our other offices that I've been able to get to know and work with. There's a collective feeling around the company that my office is not the last to go. Not good.

So last day will be April 11th, a couple of days in Little Rock and then to the job search. To that end I went on an interview at an employment agency today. I think it went well, it was good practice to talk about what I had done and get me more comfortable for future interviews. I think I impressed the guy with what I have done and damn I look good in a suit ;-)

So I'm feeling good about this decision and don't you know something else has to come up to keep the pressure on. It seems my good friend Tony (Gobbla of the gobblog listed over on the right)(good friend even though I haven't met him in person yet - don't fuck up your pass to next year's summit) thinks that I have some admirable qualities. Damn, this is going to be tough to live up to. (Thanks, bud)

The Distance

So the first week is done at the new office. It's a nice place to visit but I don't want to live there. My heart is not into this job anymore. And that's not like me, I try to give my best effort in things I do. So I think the sooner can get out the better it will be for me. I sent out a few resumes this weekend so I'll see if anything turns up that way. Plus I don't think I could keep up with the car repairs. I spent $750 on the coolant system this week and now the windshield wipers aren't working. 100 miles a day on a car with 199K miles is not going to be good for it.

Scott received news on Friday that he was accepted into Aviation High School for next year. He's pretty excited about it. Sean goes there and it's my old alma mater too. Not only is it the best school for learning the airplane mechanic trade but they also emphasize their academics so they are both getting a well rounded education. It's going to be hard work for him, much harder than he's used to but I'm sure he can handle it. I also noticed the other day that he's getting to be almost as tall as I am (not that I'm a giant at 5'8"). I'm going to have to start looking up at him too soon.

Sean is playing on the golf team again this year. In fact they made him the captain of the team. His first match is on Tuesday so it will be off to the driving range today for some practice. He hits the ball well but is so damn cocky he doesn't listen to any advice. Teenagers!!

I haven't heard anything from Chris in a bit. He was going for a weekend trip to Spain. And then preparing for a month of field training in April. Due to the time differences it's hard sometimes for us to get together. I'll have to make the extra effort this week to reach him before he goes away.

I'm pretty lucky I have some good friends helping me through this time. They may not know it but they are helping, and I appreciate it much more than a simple "Thank you" can state.

Meeting Across The River

Later on today I start my time working out of the office in South Plainfield, New Jersey. I'll go to my office in Brooklyn to pick up my computer and a box of files and head over there later in the morning. Once there I'll probably find I'll be in a cubicle (I have a pretty nice office right now) which will be different. People will be able to look in on me whenever they pass by (wait until they see what goes on on Fridays).

This is going to change my whole day. I'll probably have to get up earlier to get my workouts in, as I'll have to leave earlier to make this trip. I couldn't switch the workouts to night time as I'll be getting home later than usual. The kids will be home by themselves longer than they are right now, and Sean is going to have to get himself to school (right now I drive him as his school is on my way, but no longer).

So I'm going to have to see how this plays out. The incentive they are offering for making this move is not a large one. And by making it to today I have met all the qualifications for the severance package they have offered. So if I feel like it is too big a disruption in my life I'll end it. And then my full time job will be finding a full time job.

As you can tell I'm not sleeping well tonight.

Eclipse

There was a total lunar eclipse visible in the northeast tonight. This one was very different than others I have seen in that the moon had already been in total eclipse as it rose into the evening sky. I had to wait for the sun to completely set before I could pick up the faint glow in the darkening sky. It was in totality for over an hour before you can see the sunlight reflecting off a sliver of the edge. Very cool to watch. And what was playing on my iPod? (10 points for the first correct guess. But remember the points don't matter)

I know, I need a life.

Hmmm, maybe it is me!!!

Edited to add:

If you want to read more about the eclipse go here. There's another one on August 28.