Monday, January 31, 2005
Negotiating.....
Why is it easier to negotiate on behalf of someone than for yourself? I think I mentioned that I received the Boise job offer and was disappointed with it. Now I'm trying to come back and figure out exactly what it is we need to accept the offer. We really want to move back to Boise, but not by sacificing everything else.
My talk at church yesterday was on sacrifice. I received a few compliments on it, which was nice to hear, even though I know I'm not a good public speaker. But it always good practice to talk to a group.
I took my truck in to the dealer to have it looked at. The check engine light came on Saturday. The truck only has a 120k miles on, but it may be time to start looking for something else.
Why is it easier to negotiate on behalf of someone than for yourself? I think I mentioned that I received the Boise job offer and was disappointed with it. Now I'm trying to come back and figure out exactly what it is we need to accept the offer. We really want to move back to Boise, but not by sacificing everything else.
My talk at church yesterday was on sacrifice. I received a few compliments on it, which was nice to hear, even though I know I'm not a good public speaker. But it always good practice to talk to a group.
I took my truck in to the dealer to have it looked at. The check engine light came on Saturday. The truck only has a 120k miles on, but it may be time to start looking for something else.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Acceptance........and Rejection
Yesterday was Friday. I love Fridays. Last day of the work week, wrap up the loose ends of the week and look forward to the weekend. At around 430 pm, I received a phone from the Director of the Head Start program. He asked for my email address so he could email the benefit package of the company and added that he had been approved to offer me the job. I said great. I would look it over with Amy and we would talk again on Monday. Acceptance.
About an hour later, I checked my email (ok, actually I checked it every 5 minutes after hanging up the phone, but it was about an hour before it came) and there was the offer. First, the offer was low. I was thinking they would make an offer that we would really have to weigh and pray about. But it wasn't even close. On top of that, they didn't include any details of the health insurance coverage---just the cost. At least tell me what I would be buying I said to the computer screen. Rejction
Today is Saturday and I've not thought about it much more. I'm not sure if that was their best offer or just a first try. Amy thinks that is probably it, that they won't move much, if at all. I feel sad for Amy. I know she would love to be closer to her family, so would I. But we need to take care of our family and that includes our financial well-being
Yesterday was Friday. I love Fridays. Last day of the work week, wrap up the loose ends of the week and look forward to the weekend. At around 430 pm, I received a phone from the Director of the Head Start program. He asked for my email address so he could email the benefit package of the company and added that he had been approved to offer me the job. I said great. I would look it over with Amy and we would talk again on Monday. Acceptance.
About an hour later, I checked my email (ok, actually I checked it every 5 minutes after hanging up the phone, but it was about an hour before it came) and there was the offer. First, the offer was low. I was thinking they would make an offer that we would really have to weigh and pray about. But it wasn't even close. On top of that, they didn't include any details of the health insurance coverage---just the cost. At least tell me what I would be buying I said to the computer screen. Rejction
Today is Saturday and I've not thought about it much more. I'm not sure if that was their best offer or just a first try. Amy thinks that is probably it, that they won't move much, if at all. I feel sad for Amy. I know she would love to be closer to her family, so would I. But we need to take care of our family and that includes our financial well-being
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Salesman....I'm Not!
Today I did my part pretending to be a salesman. I had my phone interview this morning with the Boise head Start program. Remember, these are the folks I mentioned yesterday that canceled the video conference because the cost.
Anyway, parts of the interview went well and other parts I was bored with. Sometimes I find myself not even trying to hide my boredom with some of the questions.
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Ok, this place is known for handing out $500-1,000 per year raises while jacking your health insurance from a $250 to a $2000 deductable. Did I forget to mention no opportunity for growth? If I had any ambitions I wouldn't be applying there!
"What do you think is the difference between a manager and a leader?" Who cares! I'd be supervising 1 or 2 people. Can't we just do our jobs in peace without taking a Myers-Briggs test (or whatever it's called)?
And to wrap up the interview, there is about a $10,000 gap in what I want for a salary and what they are paying. I'm close to the end of my written rampage, but if I was them, I would pay that for the ease 0f knowing that the fiscal affairs of the agency are in order. One popular saying is "You get what you pay for." If they want constant turnover and sub-par performance, they are on the right track!
Good night all!
Today I did my part pretending to be a salesman. I had my phone interview this morning with the Boise head Start program. Remember, these are the folks I mentioned yesterday that canceled the video conference because the cost.
Anyway, parts of the interview went well and other parts I was bored with. Sometimes I find myself not even trying to hide my boredom with some of the questions.
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Ok, this place is known for handing out $500-1,000 per year raises while jacking your health insurance from a $250 to a $2000 deductable. Did I forget to mention no opportunity for growth? If I had any ambitions I wouldn't be applying there!
"What do you think is the difference between a manager and a leader?" Who cares! I'd be supervising 1 or 2 people. Can't we just do our jobs in peace without taking a Myers-Briggs test (or whatever it's called)?
And to wrap up the interview, there is about a $10,000 gap in what I want for a salary and what they are paying. I'm close to the end of my written rampage, but if I was them, I would pay that for the ease 0f knowing that the fiscal affairs of the agency are in order. One popular saying is "You get what you pay for." If they want constant turnover and sub-par performance, they are on the right track!
Good night all!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Here we go.....AGAIN!
Tomorrow is my second interview for the Business Manager job in Boise. It was supposed to be a videoconference, but they decided that cost too much, so we just going to do a phone interview again. But until two years ago, I worked there. So hopefully there is a comfort zone bringing me back without a visual interview. On the other hand, I think this also describes how tight with the $$$ this place is. I'm not sure we'll agree on a compensation package.
If I end up taking this job, this will be the second time I've returned to a former job. Sometimes I think its better walking in not knowing where all the skeletons are kept....
Tomorrow is my second interview for the Business Manager job in Boise. It was supposed to be a videoconference, but they decided that cost too much, so we just going to do a phone interview again. But until two years ago, I worked there. So hopefully there is a comfort zone bringing me back without a visual interview. On the other hand, I think this also describes how tight with the $$$ this place is. I'm not sure we'll agree on a compensation package.
If I end up taking this job, this will be the second time I've returned to a former job. Sometimes I think its better walking in not knowing where all the skeletons are kept....
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Sadness....
I'm feeling a bit sad tonight. I went out with a LDS missionary tonight to visit less active families. These are families that haven't been coming to church. Tonight we visited a man, in about his mid 50s, who told us he just didn't know how he felt about the Church anymore. He has a son who is gay. He's also known some gay men who eventially committed suicide, because they didn't feel like they fit in anywhere.
While the LDS Church beleives in marriage between a man and a woman, and this is something I believe in too, I just couldn't help but feel sad. This man obviously loves his son very much, but didn't feel like he could support a church that didn't approve of his son.
I love you too, Amy!
I'm feeling a bit sad tonight. I went out with a LDS missionary tonight to visit less active families. These are families that haven't been coming to church. Tonight we visited a man, in about his mid 50s, who told us he just didn't know how he felt about the Church anymore. He has a son who is gay. He's also known some gay men who eventially committed suicide, because they didn't feel like they fit in anywhere.
While the LDS Church beleives in marriage between a man and a woman, and this is something I believe in too, I just couldn't help but feel sad. This man obviously loves his son very much, but didn't feel like he could support a church that didn't approve of his son.
I love you too, Amy!
I love you, Robert Thomas Pickering!
love,
your wife
HJ
MQERIP
MQERIP
Monday, January 24, 2005
Legacies...
Johnny Carson passed away yesterday. He retired from the Tonight Show in 1992 and retired on his terms, doing what made him happy. I never saw him make any specials or guest appearances after his retirement, though apparently he did show up once on David Letterman's show. The news is covered with nothing but fond memories of the man, the entertainer. We should all strive to be remembered that way.
Today I received a call asking for a second interview with FCF Head Start in Boise. Even though I worked there once before- and think I did a good job and I think I was liked - I didn't think I would get a second interview. My interview is Thursday.
Tonight I need to work on my talk for this Sunday's sacrament meeting. I'm talking on sacrifice. I was I was a better public speaker. But since I'm lacking the confidence, I'll type out the entire talk and read it from the pulpit. I won't be leaving any legacy there.
Johnny Carson passed away yesterday. He retired from the Tonight Show in 1992 and retired on his terms, doing what made him happy. I never saw him make any specials or guest appearances after his retirement, though apparently he did show up once on David Letterman's show. The news is covered with nothing but fond memories of the man, the entertainer. We should all strive to be remembered that way.
Today I received a call asking for a second interview with FCF Head Start in Boise. Even though I worked there once before- and think I did a good job and I think I was liked - I didn't think I would get a second interview. My interview is Thursday.
Tonight I need to work on my talk for this Sunday's sacrament meeting. I'm talking on sacrifice. I was I was a better public speaker. But since I'm lacking the confidence, I'll type out the entire talk and read it from the pulpit. I won't be leaving any legacy there.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Day of rest...
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, but can be a busier than the rest of the week. I arrived at church for a meeting at 8:30 am and was home at 2:30 pm. Next week I am speaking for 10-12 minutes on sacrifice at our sacrament meeting. I don't like speaking in public, but I'll try to do my best and I'm sure things will go fine.
I finally got around to reading a flyer that I picked up at the Fiddler's Green convention. It's a short story by Jeffrey Valka called Tooth Fairy from his book Dragonfly Heart. More the most part it's a good story explaining the tooth fairy to children. I say for the most part because the last sentence almost ruined the story.
I think I'm going to read for a bit on the last book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, named appropriately enough, The Dark Tower.
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, but can be a busier than the rest of the week. I arrived at church for a meeting at 8:30 am and was home at 2:30 pm. Next week I am speaking for 10-12 minutes on sacrifice at our sacrament meeting. I don't like speaking in public, but I'll try to do my best and I'm sure things will go fine.
I finally got around to reading a flyer that I picked up at the Fiddler's Green convention. It's a short story by Jeffrey Valka called Tooth Fairy from his book Dragonfly Heart. More the most part it's a good story explaining the tooth fairy to children. I say for the most part because the last sentence almost ruined the story.
I think I'm going to read for a bit on the last book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, named appropriately enough, The Dark Tower.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Wanting to be happy..
The other day I wrote about how we are faced with making decisions - decisions that can impact the rest of our life - at a very young age. College students pick a major that may determine how they they spend 2000 hours a year for the next 40 years. How much consideration should be given to something that we could spend 80,000 hours doing?!? Or how a young adult's life can be changed by becoming a parent at 17 versus 24?
I was just listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter's Why Walk When You Can Fly and the words to the song stood out
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
In this world there's a whole lot of shame
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
And a whole lot of ground to gain
When you spend you whole life wishing
Wanting and wondering why
It's a long enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly
I think the times when I'm not happy are often the times I wish I was spending my time differently or doing something else with my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't spend my days wanting and wondering, but sometimes I do. It was comforting to hear that our time on earth is a long enough life to be living. We'll have the time to do what we need to.
The other day I wrote about how we are faced with making decisions - decisions that can impact the rest of our life - at a very young age. College students pick a major that may determine how they they spend 2000 hours a year for the next 40 years. How much consideration should be given to something that we could spend 80,000 hours doing?!? Or how a young adult's life can be changed by becoming a parent at 17 versus 24?
I was just listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter's Why Walk When You Can Fly and the words to the song stood out
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
In this world there's a whole lot of shame
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
And a whole lot of ground to gain
When you spend you whole life wishing
Wanting and wondering why
It's a long enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly
I think the times when I'm not happy are often the times I wish I was spending my time differently or doing something else with my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't spend my days wanting and wondering, but sometimes I do. It was comforting to hear that our time on earth is a long enough life to be living. We'll have the time to do what we need to.
Shoveling and Good Neighbors...
After a heavy Minnesota snow storm, like we had yesterday and last night, the sounds of shoveling and snow blowers rings through the neighborhood. Since Amy and I are just renting, and haven't settled down in one place yet, we haven't invested in a snow blower. I spend 45 minutes shoveling the sidewalk, came in for rest and breakfast and headed back out to tackle the driveway. Ugggh!
But our good neighborbor Gene, who does own a snow blower, essentially told me a get out of his way. "You'll be out here all day at the rate you're going!" 15 minutes later. Snow moved. It's nice to have good neighbors!
After a heavy Minnesota snow storm, like we had yesterday and last night, the sounds of shoveling and snow blowers rings through the neighborhood. Since Amy and I are just renting, and haven't settled down in one place yet, we haven't invested in a snow blower. I spend 45 minutes shoveling the sidewalk, came in for rest and breakfast and headed back out to tackle the driveway. Ugggh!
But our good neighborbor Gene, who does own a snow blower, essentially told me a get out of his way. "You'll be out here all day at the rate you're going!" 15 minutes later. Snow moved. It's nice to have good neighbors!
Friday, January 21, 2005
It's snowing....
This winter has been pretty mild (Minnesota speak) until today! We've only seen 2 or 3 inches of snow, granted it has been cold, but not much snow. Then this afternoon the whole sky fell! I spent about 90 minutes to drive 9 miles. But it looks nice, everything covered in a white blanket.
This winter has been pretty mild (Minnesota speak) until today! We've only seen 2 or 3 inches of snow, granted it has been cold, but not much snow. Then this afternoon the whole sky fell! I spent about 90 minutes to drive 9 miles. But it looks nice, everything covered in a white blanket.
It's Friday morning.
This has to be one of my favorite times of the week. With just a little bit of work left in the week, the weekend will be here to enjoy. On the flip side, while Sunday evenings can be the most peaceful time, its hard sometimes to not think about the beginning of a new week at work.
Yesterday, I came home from work and found Amy laying on the couch taking a short nap. Being pregnant must take quite a toll on the body. Even though Amy hasn't said it, I think she loves being pregnant. She'll be a great mom.
On the chair next to the couch, was a package from Amazon.com. Last Friday, Amy and I ordered the Consumer Report book on baby products. There is a lot a stuff we'll need for the baby. But I'm sure there is even more stuff available for sale that we don't need. Hopefully, this book will keep on track - with what we need and what is safe for the baby.
The other item I ordered from Amazon was I'm a Geek by Wil Wheaton. I discovered his blog for the first time a few week ago and liked it. He's a good writer. To be honest, I never thought much - positive or negative - about Wil's ability as an actor. I was a big fan of Star Trek, and then after a season or two of Voyager, I stopped watching. I never thought any of the Star Trek series did a good job portraying kids. They seemed thrown in an attempt of future realism.
I've read the first third of the book already. It's a good read. Wil writes a lot about his decision to leave The Next Generation. At the time, he thought it was a good decision, but seems to have spent the last 15 years second guessing that decision.
I guess a lot of us always think about how our lives would be different if we would have made different choices. It's amazing to think how some choices we have to make - like picking a college major - totally changes how we'll spend our lives.
This has to be one of my favorite times of the week. With just a little bit of work left in the week, the weekend will be here to enjoy. On the flip side, while Sunday evenings can be the most peaceful time, its hard sometimes to not think about the beginning of a new week at work.
Yesterday, I came home from work and found Amy laying on the couch taking a short nap. Being pregnant must take quite a toll on the body. Even though Amy hasn't said it, I think she loves being pregnant. She'll be a great mom.
On the chair next to the couch, was a package from Amazon.com. Last Friday, Amy and I ordered the Consumer Report book on baby products. There is a lot a stuff we'll need for the baby. But I'm sure there is even more stuff available for sale that we don't need. Hopefully, this book will keep on track - with what we need and what is safe for the baby.
The other item I ordered from Amazon was I'm a Geek by Wil Wheaton. I discovered his blog for the first time a few week ago and liked it. He's a good writer. To be honest, I never thought much - positive or negative - about Wil's ability as an actor. I was a big fan of Star Trek, and then after a season or two of Voyager, I stopped watching. I never thought any of the Star Trek series did a good job portraying kids. They seemed thrown in an attempt of future realism.
I've read the first third of the book already. It's a good read. Wil writes a lot about his decision to leave The Next Generation. At the time, he thought it was a good decision, but seems to have spent the last 15 years second guessing that decision.
I guess a lot of us always think about how our lives would be different if we would have made different choices. It's amazing to think how some choices we have to make - like picking a college major - totally changes how we'll spend our lives.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Let's try this again....
I can't believe it's nearly been a year since I created this blog. I only used it for a couple of days - and then like most things in my life - I give up without giving it a chance.
But I want to try this again. For several reasons.
One: To improve my writing skills
Two: To keep a journal of my experiences to pass on to others. Amy and I are expecting our first baby in a few months and I want to keep my early memories of the baby for him/her.
I'm encouraged by two popular bloggers: Neil Gaiman and Wil Wheaton. I enjoy reading their sites and want to see if I can duplicate it.
I can't believe it's nearly been a year since I created this blog. I only used it for a couple of days - and then like most things in my life - I give up without giving it a chance.
But I want to try this again. For several reasons.
One: To improve my writing skills
Two: To keep a journal of my experiences to pass on to others. Amy and I are expecting our first baby in a few months and I want to keep my early memories of the baby for him/her.
I'm encouraged by two popular bloggers: Neil Gaiman and Wil Wheaton. I enjoy reading their sites and want to see if I can duplicate it.
