Tales from the Unemployment Line

What is a Handbasket?

2011-08-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

The United States is going to Hell in a handbasket. S&P downgraded our debt rating, unemployment is high, Obama looks lost and Travis Lewis broke his toe and will not be playing linebacker at OU for 10 weeks. OK, so Lewis being lost is my personal problem but I'm scared for the US.

I believe the S&P thing could be a good thing in the long run. Maybe we'll start to hold our elected officials a bit more responsible? Then again, we forgot about being under attack by Muslims pretty quickly, we'll forget about this.

Physical

2011-07-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was reading some of my old posts and I came upon one about my benefits starting and the first thing I'd do is get a physical. I did and discovered a problem. I have Type II diabetes.

I had fallen down the basement stairs in August of 2010. I cut my leg very bad and it was taking awhile to heal, but it finally did but in the mean time, I scratched myself raw on my shin and started a new problem that would not go away. When I finally got my benefits, I went to see the doctor. He ordered blood tests. They came cack that I had Type II diabetes. The shin also developed into a staph infection.

My diabetes is under control. I'm watching what I eat. I really do need to walk a bit more often. My staph infection took a very long time to heal and was very painful. I was on a very strong antibiotic.

This whole episode makes me question healthcare in this country. I don't like the President's plan but I hate to see people not covered.

So, what have I been up to?

2011-07-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Good question. Had a job with a very nice company. Pay was OK, had my own office, lots of support, I was miserable. I hated doing the office thing. It's just not for me.

About two weeks after I started working there, I got a call from my current employer. I had interviewed with them during the summer of 2010 but it wasn't to be. I must have left a decent impression as they wanted to interview me for another position. I told them thanks but no thanks, I had just started with this other company and could not leave them so soon.

About two months later, I got a call from a head hunter about a position. I listened and figured they had not filled the position yet. I told the headhunter thanks but no thanks, hung up and fired off a quick email to them asking if they were still interested. They were. Two weeks later I was offered the position. Outside sales again. I cover most of PA.

I am now there just about 7 months and I'm extremely happy.

Holy Crap, I Have Blog Visitors!!

2011-07-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a long long time since I last blogged. I actually checked my account because I wanted to reply to a friends blog. I had a few visitors since I last blogged. One today from Ireland although it may be my sister who is over there visiting.

I'm employed again but you know what...I think I'll keep blogging about stuff. At least my father reads it. I'll try to get my followers updated as to where I am and what I'm doing.

BCS BS

2010-10-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma is in the driver seat for the BCS National title game. Win out, hope those you beat get better and you're in. This worries me. OU has let teams back games they were controlling and didn't look good. I knew the bye week would help, 52-0 over Iowa State but was Iowa State. Hopefully they'll start kicking butt the way they normally do after playing Texas.

Everyone wants to see their team win the National Championship but I'd hate to see another loss. Then again, you can't win it if you don't play in it.

Not A Bad Weekend

2010-10-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Three out of four will make you some coin, so it was a good weekend in college football. Of course the previous one out of seven will put you in a huge hole.

4 for Friday

2010-10-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

As my buddy Joey Z. says, "Leave the handicapping to the pros." Well Joe, I'd have nothing to write this Friday, so here it goes.

Cinncinatti (could care less how you spell it) -3 over Louisville
Pitt -1 over Syacuse
UNC -6.5 over UVA
SMU +4 over Navy

At the rate I'm going, I'd lay a bunch of money the opposite way.

I Suck

2010-10-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

An 0-4 weekend picking winners. I gave the National Championship to Alabama, and they go and lose to South Carolina. I hand the Heisman to Denard Robinson and he looked absolutely plain. In my Yahoo College Football pool, the leader is Canadian.

I think my dog hates me too.

4 Pack Friday

2010-10-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

Each Friday I'll pick four winners for you. Started keeping track last week and I'm 1-3. Here's what I have.

Temple -2 over N. Illinois

TN +10.5 over UGA (Will Georgia continue to lose?)

ND -8 over Pitt (please note, I hate ND)

Baylor +3.5 over Texas Tech (I like Tuberville but loved Mike Leach)

Florida vs. OSU??

2010-10-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

A month ago I made my prediction for the National Championship game. Florida didn't hold up their end. Might as well have Alabama leave the trophy at Walmart because it won't be changing hands this year.

Early predition for next season? Michigan if it gets a defense. Denard Robinson is the most exciting player out there today. I can't remember there being a player that I looked forward to watching each week. There have been teams but not a player.

Where To Go From Here?

2010-10-08T07:18:00.001-07:00

I haven't written anything in quite awhile. The problem is not writing but what to write. I called the blog "Tales from the Unemployment Line" but I'm employed now. I'd hate to change the title. I think I'll start writing about anything I want but two things will dominate.

I'll write about college football. I love college football. Not a big fan of pro football. I'm really not a big fan of pro sports, not that major college football isn't close to being the pros.

I'll also write about some changes that I'm going to go through, like a butterfly. I'm fat, so I joined weight watchers. Lost 5 lb. in 2 weeks. I walk with a limp due to a crappy hip and back. Yeah, weight loss will help but I'm guessing surgery will too.

My ultimate goal is to run in a 5k race. I just want to run it and finish it, not looking to be the next Jim Fixx...especially not wanting to check out as early as he did. I have special incentive to accomplish this goal as my good friend Cindy will run the first one with me.

By the way, this post is dedicated to my father. I notice that he continues to look for new posts every day. Love you Dad.

My Stories

2010-09-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

I had an Aunt Peggy who used to watch soaps operas back in the day. When she would visit with my Grandmother, you knew not to bother Aunt Peggy during her stories. Oh, she wouldn't get mad but out of respect, you were good.

I have my own "Stories"...college football. I love college football. I'd say it's a hobby because I don't play golf and I don't do much of anything. Nothing stirs my passion like college football. I could talk your head off all day long about it if I could and you would let me. I'm not talking big time Division I either ( bullshit, I will never call it Div. I Bowl Division. It's I, IAA, II, III and NAIA I and II), I watched Grand Valley State and West TX play a fantastic game the other night, Divison II powers.

Those of you who know me, know I love Oklahoma but I love the sport too much to say they'll win a National Championship every year, they don't. My second team is Temple. No, I didn't jump on the bandwagon last year. When they brought Al Golden in and joined the MAC, it was a great move and I started to really suport them at that point. Virginia is my third favorite as my brother Bryan is a graduate and I got to go to games during his years there. As a matter of fact, he writes about his game day tradition in his blog today. Check it out.

My prediction for this year? Florida vs. Ohio State with OSU winning it all. See, I'm not an OU homer after all...but they may just sneak their way in.

Computer problems

2010-09-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have neglected my blog duties. Computer problems have me down. Lost the hard drive to my desk top, no problem there are I'm all backed up on an external. Wif'e's laptop runs like crap. Again, no problem there as I'll just reformat the drive and start fresh. My daughter has the nasty Security Suite virus on hers. I've been able to get rid of it a on a few machines for neighbors but this time it's tough. I'll fix it today as I have time during the games today.

Everybody's Working For The Weekend

2010-08-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

No, I was never a Loverboy fan but now that I work in a real office, I look forward to the weekends and humpday and Thirsty Thursdays and so on. You see, when I traveled 4 days a week, I had an office day at home on Friday. Oh yes, lots got done but you could always knock off early get it done Saturday or Sunday nights. Now I'm in an office and I'm there 40 hours a week until I start to travel. Travel is different here because it's more flying out for 1 to 3 days.

So, How's That New Job Going?

2010-08-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Been having computer problems lately. My desktop did want to let me sign on to my own page. Something to do with google-analytics or something, then the computer crapped out on me. Hard drive is shot. Thank goodness I was planning on reformatting the drive and copied all my info to an external HD. Thank goodness again as I turned in a mess of used ink to Staples and had a $30 credit to buy a new HD.

So today was day 6 of the new job. So far so good. I was assigned 13 states and all 13 are virgin territories. I jumped in and started making contacts with state DOTs. It's very hit and miss right now. A bit fustrating as it's like moving through a maze. You think you're heading in the right direction and you run into a wall. You have to back up and try again. The company knows this and they aren't expecting me to set the world on fire right now, but I certainly am trying to set it on fire.

New Job On Monday

2010-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to start my first day with this company and can't wait to finish my last. What I mean by finishing is that they asked what I was looking for. I told them I wanted my last best job, I think they liked that. Seems like a great group of folks. Got my benefit package and was blown away by how good it was. I feel like a state worker! Benefits start the month after my first 30 days, which will be October 1st. I think the first thing I will do is get a physical.

So, What Have You Done For The Past 8 Months?

2010-08-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

I was unemployed for eight months. That's a long time. You certainly can do a lot around the house in eight months. I didn't do any of it. The walkway project, where I got all the materials for free, did not get done. The railing upstairs, or down depending on your point of view, never got off the ground. The paint touchups that I could have been doing....nope. Why? I think it was/is a bit of depression and fear.

Depression is to be expected but fear? I feared not being there for when the phone would ring. I checked messages every 10-20 minutes when I was away. Yes, they could have and did, leave messages but I thought I needed to answer that phone. I look back at the time and energy I wasted for the past 8 months. Time I'll never get back. I know, stop beating myself up.

I also spend the past 8 months being a social loser. I was invited to a few outings with friends but always made some type of excuse not to go out. I made a deal with myself that as soon as I got a job, I would celebrate a bit. Maybe have that long awaited beer then again, maybe a diet Pepsi. Who knows, it's time to shake this thing.

Where Do I Go From Here?

2010-07-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

I won't be standing in the unemployment line any longer, not that I ever did, so can't write about being unemployed or a job search. I never got much readership but then again I am new to this. I think I'll continue writing about the new job and the state of the economy as it relates to the regular guy.

I Got A Job!

2010-07-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Got an offer today from the company I had lunch with 2 weeks ago. Had a final interview on Tuesday with the President and 3 Vice-Presidents. With 3 Vice Presidents, I thought they had a corporate structure like Primerica, where everyone signed up was a VP. Not the case. Anyway, they made an offer of a base salary plus commission and they will guarantee my commission for the first year as they know it's going to take awhile to get ramped up.

Had a great interview yesterday with another company and walked away knowing that I would get strong consideration for the position. They are supposed to make their decision either tomorrow or Monday. Who knows, I may have two to pick from.

Eight months unemployed sure sucks.

Unemployment And A Political Brother

2010-07-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

I was reading this article the other day about a Republican Congressman voting against the extension of unemployment benefits and his brother being unemployed. I had thought about that previously because I have a brother who is quite the go getter and will probably run for something some day. How would I feel about this? Probably the same way as US House Republican Leader John Boehner's brother, that I wouldn't want him voting for programs that aren't paid for, even though it would hurt.

Then again, I'd expect my politically connected brother to hook me up, or I'd pull a Billy Carter on him.

Huge, Huge Week

2010-07-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Huge and busy week this week. Final interview on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is going to be the first and final at the same time as I don't see the guy coming back a second time from Canada. Had a one hour telephone interview two weeks ago and when they called back to set things up on Wednesday, they were asking about salary. Tuesday's also talked salary because they didn't want to embarrass me with low numbers. At this point, embarrass me.

Also, Tuesday night I'm heading to the local college to see what and if NJ is willing to fork over to retrain me. Thinking about taking a few psychology classes to become a Life Coach...sounds like a good racket to me. Teaching is something I would love to do. NJ is tough for that right now but maybe by the time I'm done with classes, there would be lots of openings?

Wow, My Kinda Guy

2010-07-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

Had a dinner interview this evening. The guy was from NY but working out of the Philly office, so he invited me to dinner. Very nice conversation, as a matter of fact, he said something that I always thought to myself. He said that if you're a good salesman, you can sell anything.

I agree with that statement. Yes, I may not have contacts in your industry but don't you? Don't you have a list of customers for me to see and then add on to? I probably don't know your products but I'm not a tool and it's not rocket science is it? I had one person downplay the fact that I sold concrete but their product was a bit more chemically involved. I then let him not that there was a chemical process behind concrete and that over or underwatering the product was bad. Concrete heats up, it's part of the process and causing it to heat to fast will cause it to crack. Oh, I didn't know.

So when this guy made that statement, I lit up. Yes, I was previously in his industry, wire and cable, but it's been awhile. He's looking for someone with industrial experience and he'll worry about products later. As a matter of fact, he said it's the inside guys that need to know a lot about the products and the outside guy to establish the relationship.

My kinda guy.

What's with these lunches and dinners?

2010-07-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Have another interview tomorrow with a wire and cable company. We are meeting at 6pm for dinner. Am I a good excuse for the sales manager to run up his expense account? Just throwing that out there, actually very excited to be going.

I'm very excited to try out a new line when I'm asked if I have any questions. "Yes, thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?"

Saw that on a blog I'm reading called "Ask A Manager".

Ground Rules

2010-07-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Had an interesting telephone screening today by the Sales Manager for a large construction equipment dealer. He stated the ground rules right off the bat. We would talk for 10 - 15 minutes. If he liked what he heard, I would get an email before 12 noon tomorrow with links to the next stage. If I didn't get it by 12 noon, they wished you luck. Simple.

One of the first questions he asked was if I had the ad for the position in front of me. I did not but told him I remembered it very well. He asked me what they were looking for and he was impressed that I hit all the key points they were looking for. Does that mean I'll get an email before 12 noon tomorrow? Let you know at 12:01.

UPDATE:

No email.

An Old Fashion Interview

2010-07-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Went on a lunch interview this afternoon. I have only gone on one lunch interview before this and the guy told me that I wasn't his kind of guy. That was a good thing because two years later, his picture was in the paper along with others that were arrested in a child porn sting. True story.

Anyway, met this guy for lunch and I could tell right off the bat that he does this to get you to talk a bit more about family and interests. You know, the kind of stuff you really can't ask about. I could tell that they wanted someone with a bit of folksiness. Very nice guy and a great company. He told me during the process that he would like to set up a second interview. Gotta like that.