Okay, so maybe I was naive to think that things would get easier at work once I resigned....
Every day this week has been a nightmare. Not just the workload (it's time for our quarterly project), but dealing with my boss trying to get me to stay. So far he has used money, sympathy and guilt. Actually, he has used all of them many times. He has promised to change things, but I know he won't, which is why he is now relying heavily on money and the prospect of more money down the line. I suppose I should be flattered that he wants me to stay this badly, but come on. He is only doing it because he doesn't want to go through the process of getting someone new.
I really hope I get a concrete decision soon from the job offer I received (they weren't done checking stuff this morning). I just want to put this all behind me. I'm exhausted. Forget about sleep. I've gotten, maybe, 15 hours of sleep this week, total. That's including the 8 hours I got Sunday night.
I look like shit. I feel like shit. I'm sure I'm behaving like shit as well. So, sorry to everyone who has had to deal with me! I don't usually cry this much, I promise....
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Saturday, January 2, 2016
My new year has been really complicated. You might be rolling your eyes right now, but it's true.
How, you ask? Well, New Years Eve I saw I had three emails from a company I was interested in working for: An offer letter, a request for additional information and an explanatory email. What makes it so complicated? A couple of things:
First is that I'd requested to be able to give two weeks notice and the offer letter had my start date as pretty much two weeks from the day I got it, counting the two holidays we have this month, but NOT counting the time it takes for them to run the reference and background checks.
Secondly, because of the above, that meant I had to give notice at my current job yesterday. New. Years. Day. I was sick from it all New Year's Eve. I called them yesterday morning (after picking-up my phone and putting it down again a thousand times) to see if I could stop by their house, but reached voicemail at the two numbers I called. My anxiety was at an all time high. They saw the missed call and called me a while later and I arranged to stop by yesterday afternoon. They called me again to push the meeting back 30 minutes. It was in that call that they asked what it was about. I felt pressured, so I told them (and started crying). We decided to meet a bit later in the day, but I felt a little better that they knew.
The extra twist, and I let my bosses know this, is that I was resigning without actually officially having the new job, because I respect them enough to give them as much notice as possible. I was risking being unemployed in order to do the right thing by them. They really seemed to appreciate that.
Actually, the whole thing went well. They really understood my reasons and didn't want me to quit, but offered to give me a good reference if I needed one. I am grateful to them for that.
When I get the new job officially, I will be working in downtown. I used to hate working in downtown, but having worked in Brentwood, I realized that downtown was much more central and easier to commute to/from. That includes to/from home and getting to/from doctors appointments, etc. Working at my old job, I scheduled my appointments after work and they average 25 minutes from downtown, whereas it takes over two hours to get to Brentwood after my appointments, which I currently have to schedule in the morning.
My new hours will be great, 6:30-3:00. It's a compromise between my old job and the job I have now. Not hellaciously early (at my old job, I was getting to work at 5am), but not really late (I get to work at 9am now). Being able to leave the office at 3pm will be great. That's when I used to get off work when I was in downtown. The commute will be so much shorter! Right now, my commute to work is 30-35 minutes if traffic is light. Going to downtown earlier in the day, it will be between 10-15 minutes. Currently, my drive home is at least 1 hour (with average traffic...with heavy traffic it's 1 1/2 - 2 hours). With the new job it will be around 20-30 minutes.
I'm sure the new job won't be perfect, nothing is, but there is a lot of potential for advancement that I don't currently have. Plus, it will save my licenses. You're only allowed to be out of the business 2 years before they expire and that clock, for me, runs out at the start of April. Scary part is, I have to get another license within my first 90 days of starting. Fingers-crossed I can do it!!! I'm not a good test taker, that's for sure. The new license is not optional, so I will have to do whatever it takes to study and pass the exam.
Please send your good vibes my way that I officially get this job! I do not want to be unemployed!!!!
How, you ask? Well, New Years Eve I saw I had three emails from a company I was interested in working for: An offer letter, a request for additional information and an explanatory email. What makes it so complicated? A couple of things:
First is that I'd requested to be able to give two weeks notice and the offer letter had my start date as pretty much two weeks from the day I got it, counting the two holidays we have this month, but NOT counting the time it takes for them to run the reference and background checks.
Secondly, because of the above, that meant I had to give notice at my current job yesterday. New. Years. Day. I was sick from it all New Year's Eve. I called them yesterday morning (after picking-up my phone and putting it down again a thousand times) to see if I could stop by their house, but reached voicemail at the two numbers I called. My anxiety was at an all time high. They saw the missed call and called me a while later and I arranged to stop by yesterday afternoon. They called me again to push the meeting back 30 minutes. It was in that call that they asked what it was about. I felt pressured, so I told them (and started crying). We decided to meet a bit later in the day, but I felt a little better that they knew.
The extra twist, and I let my bosses know this, is that I was resigning without actually officially having the new job, because I respect them enough to give them as much notice as possible. I was risking being unemployed in order to do the right thing by them. They really seemed to appreciate that.
Actually, the whole thing went well. They really understood my reasons and didn't want me to quit, but offered to give me a good reference if I needed one. I am grateful to them for that.
When I get the new job officially, I will be working in downtown. I used to hate working in downtown, but having worked in Brentwood, I realized that downtown was much more central and easier to commute to/from. That includes to/from home and getting to/from doctors appointments, etc. Working at my old job, I scheduled my appointments after work and they average 25 minutes from downtown, whereas it takes over two hours to get to Brentwood after my appointments, which I currently have to schedule in the morning.
My new hours will be great, 6:30-3:00. It's a compromise between my old job and the job I have now. Not hellaciously early (at my old job, I was getting to work at 5am), but not really late (I get to work at 9am now). Being able to leave the office at 3pm will be great. That's when I used to get off work when I was in downtown. The commute will be so much shorter! Right now, my commute to work is 30-35 minutes if traffic is light. Going to downtown earlier in the day, it will be between 10-15 minutes. Currently, my drive home is at least 1 hour (with average traffic...with heavy traffic it's 1 1/2 - 2 hours). With the new job it will be around 20-30 minutes.
I'm sure the new job won't be perfect, nothing is, but there is a lot of potential for advancement that I don't currently have. Plus, it will save my licenses. You're only allowed to be out of the business 2 years before they expire and that clock, for me, runs out at the start of April. Scary part is, I have to get another license within my first 90 days of starting. Fingers-crossed I can do it!!! I'm not a good test taker, that's for sure. The new license is not optional, so I will have to do whatever it takes to study and pass the exam.
Please send your good vibes my way that I officially get this job! I do not want to be unemployed!!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but I thought you guys deserved a break.
Thanksgiving was nice, I spent it at my friends' house in Pasadena. Since my parents moved away, I don't usually do anything. This year I decided to make the most of it and spend time with friends. I had a good time.
I went to a 9am showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Saturday the 19th. I can't wait to see it again. I got the same feeling seeing it that I did when I saw the first one when I was a kid, way back in 1977. I thought it was a little too short, with certain things needing some explaining, but it was excellent nonetheless. Perhaps the questions I have are going to be answered in the next installment?
Christmas was fun as well. As usual, I went to visit my parents. For the first time in a few years we had snow, which was neat (and super-cold). It was nice spending time with the folks. Thank goodness we dodged going to dinner at one of their friends houses. My mom thinks they may have been trying to set me up with their broker. That's not going to happen. 1) I'm not interested in living up there. 2) I've been in the business for too long and brokers are bad news. 3) Never date the friend of someone, if it doesn't work out (and let's face it, my relationships never do), I'm the one that's going to look like the asshole (rightly so) and it will ruin my mom's friendship with the matchmaker. and 4) I think I'm destined for a single and solitary life with my cat (how pathetic!).
My parents' two kittens are insane, cute and, in the case of Walter, a little on the stupid side. But they are both adorable. Since they are still "kind of" kittens (small and play all the time, but growing bigger), it was weird coming home to my handsome cat. He seemed like a gigantic fat-ass (like me!). It looks like he ate all the extra food I left out for him. I thought cats only ate when they were hungry? I guess he comfort ate! He's been yelling at me since I got home Saturday night, the jerk.
I'm glad the holidays are nearly over, I'm exhausted, but also excited for the new year to start. I'm ready for (hopefully) some changes. I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few months, especially while I was visiting my parents and I really need to make a change. I'm keeping my fingers-crossed that something will happen in the new year. So, if you have any good thoughts you want to send my way, I'd be grateful!
I'm not sure I'll have time to post anything between now and the new year, so if I don't, I hope everyone has a peaceful, prosperous, loving and wonderful 2016.
Thanksgiving was nice, I spent it at my friends' house in Pasadena. Since my parents moved away, I don't usually do anything. This year I decided to make the most of it and spend time with friends. I had a good time.
I went to a 9am showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Saturday the 19th. I can't wait to see it again. I got the same feeling seeing it that I did when I saw the first one when I was a kid, way back in 1977. I thought it was a little too short, with certain things needing some explaining, but it was excellent nonetheless. Perhaps the questions I have are going to be answered in the next installment?
Christmas was fun as well. As usual, I went to visit my parents. For the first time in a few years we had snow, which was neat (and super-cold). It was nice spending time with the folks. Thank goodness we dodged going to dinner at one of their friends houses. My mom thinks they may have been trying to set me up with their broker. That's not going to happen. 1) I'm not interested in living up there. 2) I've been in the business for too long and brokers are bad news. 3) Never date the friend of someone, if it doesn't work out (and let's face it, my relationships never do), I'm the one that's going to look like the asshole (rightly so) and it will ruin my mom's friendship with the matchmaker. and 4) I think I'm destined for a single and solitary life with my cat (how pathetic!).
My parents' two kittens are insane, cute and, in the case of Walter, a little on the stupid side. But they are both adorable. Since they are still "kind of" kittens (small and play all the time, but growing bigger), it was weird coming home to my handsome cat. He seemed like a gigantic fat-ass (like me!). It looks like he ate all the extra food I left out for him. I thought cats only ate when they were hungry? I guess he comfort ate! He's been yelling at me since I got home Saturday night, the jerk.
I'm glad the holidays are nearly over, I'm exhausted, but also excited for the new year to start. I'm ready for (hopefully) some changes. I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few months, especially while I was visiting my parents and I really need to make a change. I'm keeping my fingers-crossed that something will happen in the new year. So, if you have any good thoughts you want to send my way, I'd be grateful!
I'm not sure I'll have time to post anything between now and the new year, so if I don't, I hope everyone has a peaceful, prosperous, loving and wonderful 2016.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
The holiday season is about to start and I have no idea where the year has gone.
I have this week off, so I was planning on making the drive on Tuesday to go visit my parents for Thanksgiving. Turns out they're expecting snow Tuesday and Saturday, so it looks like I'll be staying home. I was looking forward to it since I haven't spent Thanksgiving with them for years, but, as silly as it sounds, I don't drive in snow or ice. My car is too old and I don't have chains.
Maybe I'll finally get around to REALLY cleaning my apartment since I've got all this time on my hands now.....nah, probably not. Realistically, I will probably just watch Hulu or Netflix or something.
I have this week off, so I was planning on making the drive on Tuesday to go visit my parents for Thanksgiving. Turns out they're expecting snow Tuesday and Saturday, so it looks like I'll be staying home. I was looking forward to it since I haven't spent Thanksgiving with them for years, but, as silly as it sounds, I don't drive in snow or ice. My car is too old and I don't have chains.
Maybe I'll finally get around to REALLY cleaning my apartment since I've got all this time on my hands now.....nah, probably not. Realistically, I will probably just watch Hulu or Netflix or something.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
I went to see Squeeze last night at the Ebell Theater and, as always, they put on an amazing show. It actually wasn't the entire band, but a "Difford and Tilbrook" show, but it was still awesome. I've never been to that venue before and it's really cool.
I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a ticket from a friend of mine that turned out to be front row center, which I normally don't like, but worked out very well for this gig. There was actually an empty seat next to me for a while, so I was going to get my friend to come-up and sit there after the intermission, but some dude beat me to it. He was okay to sit next to, I guess, but he got kinda sloppy once he started drinking straight from the plastic bottle he had of either vodka or white rum (I couldn't tell which it was). It was a booze-free show, so I'm surprised he was able to sneak it in. He also got kinda distracting when he would take pictures (he flailed his arms a bit). I know it's nice to have photos, but jeez, enjoy the show! Neil Finn once made a speech about that. People are so busy taking pictures to remember a show by that they miss the show and the only memories they have are of taking pictures. I agree wholeheartedly!!!
It was nice to see some of my old "concert" friends. I hardly ever go to shows anymore, so when I do, it's good to catch-up. It seems so long ago that I used to go see bands at least once a week.... It was a lot of fun.
My last thought before I went to sleep was the same thought I always have after Squeeze shows: "Seeing Squeeze play makes me happy".
I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a ticket from a friend of mine that turned out to be front row center, which I normally don't like, but worked out very well for this gig. There was actually an empty seat next to me for a while, so I was going to get my friend to come-up and sit there after the intermission, but some dude beat me to it. He was okay to sit next to, I guess, but he got kinda sloppy once he started drinking straight from the plastic bottle he had of either vodka or white rum (I couldn't tell which it was). It was a booze-free show, so I'm surprised he was able to sneak it in. He also got kinda distracting when he would take pictures (he flailed his arms a bit). I know it's nice to have photos, but jeez, enjoy the show! Neil Finn once made a speech about that. People are so busy taking pictures to remember a show by that they miss the show and the only memories they have are of taking pictures. I agree wholeheartedly!!!
It was nice to see some of my old "concert" friends. I hardly ever go to shows anymore, so when I do, it's good to catch-up. It seems so long ago that I used to go see bands at least once a week.... It was a lot of fun.
My last thought before I went to sleep was the same thought I always have after Squeeze shows: "Seeing Squeeze play makes me happy".
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Wow, I had a pretty scary morning.
How was it scary? Welllll, a dude in a large black/gray truck started following me because he got angry that I didn't jump a traffic light as soon as it turned green. Before I could even move my foot from the brake to the gas, the guy laid on his horn. He was really angry!!!
Him following me all over Pasadena went on for more than 25 minutes. The longest 25 minutes I've experienced in a while. On streets and on the freeway. I was trying to remember where the police station was, but I was so freaked, it wouldn't come to me. Right before I remembered and then got near the police station, I came across a huge fire truck at a traffic signal and was going to ask them for help. The scary guy in the truck bolted the other way.
It was really frightening. I had written a lot of the details, but deleted them because I don't want to worry my friends that read this. But I was really shaken-up.
When I got home, I looked-up what you are supposed to do if you are being followed and it turns out that you are supposed to call 911 (which I was about to do when I saw the fire truck). So remember that you guys!!!
Evading a crazy dude in a huge truck with anger issues is not the way I planned on spending my Sunday morning! I didn't even get all of my errands taken care of.
How was it scary? Welllll, a dude in a large black/gray truck started following me because he got angry that I didn't jump a traffic light as soon as it turned green. Before I could even move my foot from the brake to the gas, the guy laid on his horn. He was really angry!!!
Him following me all over Pasadena went on for more than 25 minutes. The longest 25 minutes I've experienced in a while. On streets and on the freeway. I was trying to remember where the police station was, but I was so freaked, it wouldn't come to me. Right before I remembered and then got near the police station, I came across a huge fire truck at a traffic signal and was going to ask them for help. The scary guy in the truck bolted the other way.
It was really frightening. I had written a lot of the details, but deleted them because I don't want to worry my friends that read this. But I was really shaken-up.
When I got home, I looked-up what you are supposed to do if you are being followed and it turns out that you are supposed to call 911 (which I was about to do when I saw the fire truck). So remember that you guys!!!
Evading a crazy dude in a huge truck with anger issues is not the way I planned on spending my Sunday morning! I didn't even get all of my errands taken care of.
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