Gripe

I hate my job. I hate it more and more as the weeks go by. Partly because it is tedious, the pay is lousy, the benefits are worse, the commute is brutal, but mostly because it is the same job at the same pay I had in 1998 right out of college. So, Russell's friend Amee that said she would review my resume and help out has not gotten back to me. The awesome job I was perfect for in San Diego through USAJOBS sent me a denial notice due to incomplete application, though it lists my application status, still, as "complete". And I got a call from a recruiter - as a result of applying for a job "in Boston" - who said I was not qualified to be a Quality Manager (despite the years of running quality departments and the MBA) and should consider taking a step back before seeking advancement. I honestly can not think of how on earth I could possibly sink any lower. It is quite depressing, really. Infuriating. I honestly don't know how to try anything else. I do not understand why my career path is so awful. I should not be in an entry-level menial job as I near 40 and have three college degrees.

Work absolutely sucks. Everybody is dispirited. I am still applying for things, and still getting no love at all from any company out there. I even sent out some Quality position applications, and those fell into the bottomless void. Nauber came back from his Florida vacation this week, and has been all sweet and lovey. They apparently didn't spend the whole time sitting on the beach, so it would have actually been fun to go along. They hit up the Keys, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and Orlando in addition to the Tampa visit. St Patricks Day at Downtown Disney is apparently quite fun! (Yes, this one is Brazilian)

Take Me Away

Another big winter storm this weekend. Started Thursday and kind of ruined Friday. Should actually be nice out over the weekend, though. Nauber, meanwhile, is in Florida on vacation. I took him and Darrell to the airport Wednesday evening. There was a cop (statie) sitting around a corner inside the airport express HOV tunnel. A deserted exressway tunnel that takes people to the airport with (apparently) a 35-mph limit. Goddammit. And every week my job just sucks worse and worse. Nobody I apply at ever contacts me, though, so I have no idea how long it will take to escape. I need a vacation!

Bounce

Last Friday I went to the dentist and had my upper two wisdom teeth extracted. He did an awesome job! The bleeding stopped after about two hours, and the pain was gone by morning (possibly mid-night, but I was asleep then). Have been trying to baby the edges of my mouth, though have found food bits caught back there. Today at work was Marco's last day (hipsterish little Italian guy, married, but seemed kinda bi) so a bunch of us went to a local pub to drink eat and hang out. A couple days ago we teased Marco that if his last paycheck bounced after he moved to Missouri, he'd be screwed. Well, Thursday they handed out backup checks and announced last week's paychecks will bounce. Today there were no paychecks handed out for this week, and (hush) the HR lady said some of the backup checks would bounce. Everyone is digging out resumes. I have been applying since last fall, though not too many look feasible and interesting, and none of them ever call me back. I need to get out of there, but I have been trying unsuccessfully. At least I'm not living paycheck to paycheck and can weather a little turbulence.

Grumble

Nauber's been an ass all week. And work sucks. And the deranged Ismael is lurking around again - gee, thanks Ronny. Life is not happy right now. October may bring new beginnings; it is 6 months at my current job and an acceptable time to start hunting again. Ronny noticed my Mood. Didn't CARE per se, but at least that is a step above Nauber's insensitivity.

Seriously

Work seems to be fraying. The department is about to fall apart. I wanted to be the one to leave, but at this rate it may have imploded before I have my six months in. And I've been sort of binge-eating again. My weight loss has ground to a halt. I'm at an OK point right now, but still have like 15 pounds to lose. Grazing through the kitchen is a bad habit, and it has to stop.

Career

With the Quality Manager gone at work, there is a void. They hired some guy to be the new QM, based on the fact that he could program the CMM. Except he can't. So he needs training in that. And he can't use Excel. So he needs training in that. What kind of manager at any company can't use Excel? And he said he can't start until after Labor Day because his son is having surgery, but then let it slip that he'll be at the cape and then on a camping trip in Yellowstone. There is a discouraged air brewing that does not bode well. I want to the first to bail, but it may be a race...

Crazy

Last weekend was Pride, which means my birthday got ignored. As usual. Pride itself was Meh. As usual. Shaun, however, loved it. She was gonna go to the Girl party, but chickened out when she saw a bunch of skeevy guys there. Doctor gave me great test results. Drive home from work today took TWO HOURS. I know it is not the job's fault, but just another reason to hate working there... Pretty distraction:

Oooooo maybe

I got an email this week from the federal job that I was referred for earlier. The hiring manager (not just a computer!) asked if I was still interested in the position. He also mentioned that I didn't have an aerospace background. I double checked the posting, and it said "Mechanical Engineer" and required a Mech Eng degree. Not sure why he complained I didn't have aero background. But he also said pay would be between $55k and $66k. So, the hours would be better, the pay would be better, the benefits would be better, the organization would be better, and the location would be better. I immediately replied that Yes I am still interested. That generated an out-of-office message saying he will back on the 23rd. So, I guess I will find out more next Monday, but I may get another job offer. One of the co-workers where I am now has taken to saying "You're still here?!" every time he sees me. It is based largely on the fact that the guy I replaced was only there a short time, then stopped showing up. He also left with a laptop, and having 'borrowed' money from people. Of course, now the thought that runs through my mind whenever he says it (and others, 'cuz it is apparently now spreading) is that I may be giving notice already in a couple days! Wouldn't that be funny...

Week One

Well, Monday I hated my job. Tuesday I liked it. By Friday I was just weary of it. I am so sick of small manufacturing companies. The pettiness with which the owners treats the employees is so annoying. The thing I liked on Tuesday, though, was that my boss's boss is into consulting, knows tons of people, and is already impressed with me. So, he may be my ticket into something more fulfilling.

Also went to the gym every night after work. For one, I need to lose a big o' chunk of weight. For another, traffic heading along 93-south at 4:30 is generally hell. By spending time at the gym, the traffic has generally eased by the time I am heading home. Still always bunches up right by my exit, but I'm not going to wait until 8 to get home just to avoid an extra 5 to 10 minutes.

Progress

I got my car this week. I stopped by the new job to do the drug screen. After that, I stopped in at the Planet Fitness around the corner and joined the gym. I have a lot of work to do! Then my RosettaStone (portuguese) arrived, so I can start working on that.

I have spent close to 7 grand this past week, mostly the car, but also new clothes and just getting everything 'ready' for next week. Here we go!

You Better Work

Well, the company that I was expecting an offer from finally got around to giving me an offer on Thursday. I accepted, since income is priority #1 right now. I start on the 9th, at $22/hr as Quality Engineer. It is so 1998 all over again. In fact, I bought a 1999 Honda Accord, since I need a car, and didn't have a lot of money.

Incidentally, RuPaul's Drag Race is awesome, you should watch.

Whyyyyyyyyyy

The sure-thing schmuck job never called and is not responding to my email inquiry.

And I have apparently gained a chunk of weight over the winter because none of my shorts fit anymore.

It's always darkest before the dawn, right? I'm ready for the sun to come up!

EDIT: Just got an email from sure-thing company, apologizing for the delay. She said they would most likely have a decision on Monday, and she hopes I am still interested. That implies I am front-runner. Pre-dawn glow may be starting...

Here We Go Again

I had an interview again this week. (Sad that an interview is newsworthy.) It went very well, and I feel like a no-contest winner. Of course, I had that similar feeling when my friend Nish was going to hire me, and then his boss said No Way In Hell. But this job would be depressingly not what I wanted (despite the happy face I gave in the interview). Quality Engineer (my job title in 1998) at a small (ugh) family-owned (augh) manufacturing (ughh) company in Woburn (awhh). Redeeming factor one: I need a job, and this would pay money. Factor two: it is an AS9100 registered aerospace component manufacturer, which would open up a number of doors to aero jobs once I had this firmly planted on my resume. They apparently have a 'few more interviews' to do yet, and will let me know. So, there is still a chance this will turn into abject failure, as well.

On a completely different topic, Nauber has taken to watching telenovelas on the Spanish channels at home (Univision and Telemundo). There was this really hot guy on one of them the other day. Shortly after seeing that, I saw a run-down of the competitors on the new Dancing with the Stars. The hottie on the list looked REALLY familiar. Well, now I had a name! Which means I could Google Image search!

Say Hello to the ridiculously handsome William Levy:

Loser

Well, that interview never happened. Can't even get an interview... But two more prospects coming down the pipeline. Not gettin' my hopes up.

Ronny made a mysterious comment about Nauber "saying something" that he shouldn't tell me about. I said you can't say THAT and then not tell me what it is you are hinting about, but he wouldn't. I'm sure it all boils down to the fact that I need to start working on losing weight. A little more and I could try out for Biggest Loser. I'd definitely choose Dolvett!

Peep

I got a call from a recruiter this week. May get an interview next week. Six month position; would have paid $38/hour but since I've "been out of the field for a few years" he thinks I should shoot for $30. Right. 'Cuz going to grad school made me completely forget how to do a stupid pareto chart.

But $30 is actually more than I made when I quit my job in Worcester. And this would be with Siemens Medical. So, I would gladly swallow my pride to A) have a job B) gain medical industry experience C) become an 'insider' at Siemens. Of course, I don't even know if I'll get an interview, so for now I am assuming another strike-out.

Recruiter also said I should add the stages to my work experience. Showing I climbed from Eng to Super is valuable, rather than them thinking I was supervisor the whole time.

Shun. Shunnnnnnnnnnnn

Never heard back from HR. Even sent an email saying please send a status update. There is a tiny piece hoping that means the paperwork just hasn't gone through, yet, so there is no response available. But I know it's another rejection by avoidance.

Waiting for Good News

Wednesday I had a phone interview with a consulting firm. I thought it went very well. There are several more steps before a job offer, but crossing the first hurdle would be the biggest step forward. The guy I spoke with, Marc, said that he would forward the file with his notes and my resume to his boss for approval. Once approved, HR will send me a background/credit check form to submit. So, I am waiting for that form to show up in my email. Of course, HR could send one saying the job-hunt equivalent of "ewwwww cooties" (which I've gotten many many more times than I like), but here's hoping it is good news for once!

Wouldn't It Be Nice!

I have a phone interview scheduled for Wednesday. Trying not to get over-excited, yet, but it would be practically the perfect job. If all goes well, I will share more later, but for now, just keep your fingers crossed.

Sigh

I'm in a bit of a funk. Life has been so stagnant for so long that I feel like I will never find a job, lose weight, enjoy life again... I have no money to spend, so don't like shopping or traveling right now. That makes Nauber unhappy, which makes the relationship feel unfulfilling. It's like a big downward spiral. I've been hanging all the "change" on "when I get a job" that 3.5 years of complete rejection from every employer on the face of the planet is wearing me down.

In honor of my foul mood, here's the most uncharacteristic choice I could find in my collection: