It has been at least a few times a week since we moved here that I really wished we had more space in the place that we rented. Walter mentioned it again last night - our smaller than used to living quarters. Oddly enough, I saw this photojournalism piece called 100x100 today that really made me appreciate where we live an how much space we have in comparison to what others have. No more complaints of lack of closet space or our "over furnished" living room. (really, if we did not have the dresser which is great storage, it would be a perfect space to be in, but even so it is not bad as is.) Nope, nothing more from me!
Check it out for yourself. It is pretty cool.
http://photomichaelwolf.com/100x100/
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Friendly Skys...
You just gotta love flying Southwest Airlines! Never a dull crew. They may get a lot of flack for being a cheep airline, but I have been on flights where the flight attendants give funny announcements.. This one is just great though!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mixture of Unexpained Emotions
Who knows why we feel the way we do when we do. Today at work the new girl started. This is the girl who got the job that I was not able to get. Now remember, I am actually glad I did not get into a job doing something that I did not want to do and into a job where I have to dress up everyday, but there are still some odd emotions running through my mind and body. I guess it could be because my boss has introduced her to everyone around my cube but me. Or it could be that I spent most of yesterday moving my cube to a different spot so she could have it. Or it could even be that I was asked to move some of the crap out of my old cube that has been there since before I was here. It is as if there was no place to put it while I was here, but for her a place needed to be found for it so it was not in the cubicle anymore.
I do remember that I am a temp. I remember that this is not my employer, Office Team is. I remember that, but somehow my feelings are still getting a little hurt, as they have been over the past few weeks. When I first started working here I was a temp. Then they saw how good I was and they treated me like a co-worker and part of the team. Once it was found that they could not hire me due to the high recruiting fees, they practically ignored me, not even giving me many things to do. I just cannot work in such a rollercoaster of a workplace! This may sound rude to all the women out there, but I cannot work in a female dominated office because of the rollercoasters! I am having issues with the whole way of office communication (even when you are 4 feet from them) is email, rarely even a phone call. It is as if offices want to avoid human contact at all costs!
I need a new job – a job where I can interact with human beings! A job where people talk to you and you are around people. I need a job where there is noise. I swear this is the quietest office I have ever worked in in my life. Given, I do work with some really nice people AND it could be the fact that I have not worked in a large office in many years and the standards have changed, but thank god I am doing it now. By doing it now, I have realized that this is no longer for me. It is not me. I need my freedom! I need people around me! I need to be creative! I moved to Austin to have that and why get into a job that suppresses that again! Anyhow, those are my feelings today!
I do remember that I am a temp. I remember that this is not my employer, Office Team is. I remember that, but somehow my feelings are still getting a little hurt, as they have been over the past few weeks. When I first started working here I was a temp. Then they saw how good I was and they treated me like a co-worker and part of the team. Once it was found that they could not hire me due to the high recruiting fees, they practically ignored me, not even giving me many things to do. I just cannot work in such a rollercoaster of a workplace! This may sound rude to all the women out there, but I cannot work in a female dominated office because of the rollercoasters! I am having issues with the whole way of office communication (even when you are 4 feet from them) is email, rarely even a phone call. It is as if offices want to avoid human contact at all costs!
I need a new job – a job where I can interact with human beings! A job where people talk to you and you are around people. I need a job where there is noise. I swear this is the quietest office I have ever worked in in my life. Given, I do work with some really nice people AND it could be the fact that I have not worked in a large office in many years and the standards have changed, but thank god I am doing it now. By doing it now, I have realized that this is no longer for me. It is not me. I need my freedom! I need people around me! I need to be creative! I moved to Austin to have that and why get into a job that suppresses that again! Anyhow, those are my feelings today!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Grateful...
So this move for us posed to be a huge change. Not like everyone would think. While it was a change of time zones, states, surroundings, weather, etc, it is even more of a lifestyle change which I am still adjusting to.
It begins with our living quarters. Our space is limited and that is a huge change. Even when we lived in an apartment, it seems like we had more room. While I am grateful for our place and its fabulous location and inexpensive rent, it is still, after 3 months, difficult to adjust to. For those of you who do not know, we moved from a 2000 sq ft 3 car garage house to an 850 sq ft no garage "house". I think it would not be so bad if we had a garage for storage to allow more space in the house, but we hardly have enough storage for what we need to regularly store. All this in consideration, I am still grateful that we are here and have a nice (other than the sloped floor upstairs) place to reside.
Then there is the money difference. It is a change budgeting and living paycheck to paycheck again, but I am super grateful that we have jobs, especially in this market. I am grateful that we make enough to pay our bills and allow us a few comforts extra. When I saw my first paycheck I was awestruck since I have not seen a check like that in about 6-7 years. I literally laughed when I saw Walter's. It is as if we were just starting out again. We did it once and built up to great salaries and a very comfortable life, we can definitely do it again! Grateful that within a month Walter was able to move from a job that was not particularly his style, to a job which suited him better with more pay and less hours. I am grateful that, while be it a temp job, I am working and bringing in a decent wage. I am super grateful that we found jobs when I have heard of others still looking after 3 or 4 months. I am really grateful for the help that friends have given us in our pursuits of employment, whether they worked out or not.
We are blessed beyond belief; with friends, jobs, a great new city, and everything we need here. When I question if the timing for this move was right, I have to look at the facts; while our lifestyle has sacrificed some, we have been graced with so much more. For all this, I am truly grateful!
It begins with our living quarters. Our space is limited and that is a huge change. Even when we lived in an apartment, it seems like we had more room. While I am grateful for our place and its fabulous location and inexpensive rent, it is still, after 3 months, difficult to adjust to. For those of you who do not know, we moved from a 2000 sq ft 3 car garage house to an 850 sq ft no garage "house". I think it would not be so bad if we had a garage for storage to allow more space in the house, but we hardly have enough storage for what we need to regularly store. All this in consideration, I am still grateful that we are here and have a nice (other than the sloped floor upstairs) place to reside.
Then there is the money difference. It is a change budgeting and living paycheck to paycheck again, but I am super grateful that we have jobs, especially in this market. I am grateful that we make enough to pay our bills and allow us a few comforts extra. When I saw my first paycheck I was awestruck since I have not seen a check like that in about 6-7 years. I literally laughed when I saw Walter's. It is as if we were just starting out again. We did it once and built up to great salaries and a very comfortable life, we can definitely do it again! Grateful that within a month Walter was able to move from a job that was not particularly his style, to a job which suited him better with more pay and less hours. I am grateful that, while be it a temp job, I am working and bringing in a decent wage. I am super grateful that we found jobs when I have heard of others still looking after 3 or 4 months. I am really grateful for the help that friends have given us in our pursuits of employment, whether they worked out or not.
We are blessed beyond belief; with friends, jobs, a great new city, and everything we need here. When I question if the timing for this move was right, I have to look at the facts; while our lifestyle has sacrificed some, we have been graced with so much more. For all this, I am truly grateful!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Ever wish you had a lot of money
I do. Every day. It would make life and decisions so much easier and more difficult at the same time. Here is why I want unlimited money today.
I am at work; a temp job that cannot hire me because of the high cost of the agency fees. I am not hurt, I totally understand the thought behind it. (see the blessing? post). I just feel now that I am in limbo, never knowing when my last day will be here. They assure me that they are going to keep me as long as they can, which, truth be known, may be until the Expo, but with the new person hired, could be until next week. Who knows. I don't and that is what bothers me.
Anyhow, feeling this state of limbo, I was returning from lunch and while in the elevator I had an urgent feeling to just hit the down button and go to my car and go home unannounced. Would the really miss me? I had done all my work for the day, hell, possibly for the week. I actually finished something already that "we will look at in a few weeks". It was not only that, but the feeling of disconnect from the position as well.
Unfortuately for me, I am to damn responsible and actually think things through. As I stood for the eternity which was actually 2 floors I began thinking of all the bills that need to be paid, all the things that would fall behind if we could not pay them, etc etc etc. So I silently returned to my cube, sat down at my computer and attempted to find things to do.
My point now is...if I had the funds to not care, I could have gone home, been doing things that need to be done, and even things that don't but that I want to do. Instead, here I am trying to look busy and typing in my blog!
I am at work; a temp job that cannot hire me because of the high cost of the agency fees. I am not hurt, I totally understand the thought behind it. (see the blessing? post). I just feel now that I am in limbo, never knowing when my last day will be here. They assure me that they are going to keep me as long as they can, which, truth be known, may be until the Expo, but with the new person hired, could be until next week. Who knows. I don't and that is what bothers me.
Anyhow, feeling this state of limbo, I was returning from lunch and while in the elevator I had an urgent feeling to just hit the down button and go to my car and go home unannounced. Would the really miss me? I had done all my work for the day, hell, possibly for the week. I actually finished something already that "we will look at in a few weeks". It was not only that, but the feeling of disconnect from the position as well.
Unfortuately for me, I am to damn responsible and actually think things through. As I stood for the eternity which was actually 2 floors I began thinking of all the bills that need to be paid, all the things that would fall behind if we could not pay them, etc etc etc. So I silently returned to my cube, sat down at my computer and attempted to find things to do.
My point now is...if I had the funds to not care, I could have gone home, been doing things that need to be done, and even things that don't but that I want to do. Instead, here I am trying to look busy and typing in my blog!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Blessings?
So as many of you know, I was asked to apply for a position at the temp job I am working at. I did and was getting kind of excited over the decent pay, good benefits and full time status (especially in these rough times). I was told 2 days ago that I would not be getting the position due to the fact that HR did not want to pay the price required to buy out my contract from the temp agency.
After getting the news, I was shot. I was having a hard time functioning and, being in a very quiet office and alone in my cubicle, I had time to stew. I used the word stew because I had no way to vent or bounce out feelings to anyone. I was getting mad and frustrated and just felt like crap. I knew it was not my bosses fault. She thought HR would take care of it and I would be part of the time. I felt like I did not want to learn anymore. I did not want to put my extra into things anymore. I just wanted to go home and pout.
So many thoughts went though my mind: "What a waste of time learning all this when I could have been looking for a job" "Why am I getting so down over something that was not 100%?" "Why were they teaching me all this stuff anyhow?" "Fuck HR. Does talent now mean anything?" It was not until I got off work that day and started calling people and venting when I realized/remembered something...I did not want this job to begin with.
Even when she asked me to apply, I told her I would do it, but internally I was pondering IF I wanted to do this all day, every day. I honestly WANT to work downtown. I DON'T WANT to dress up every day. I DO WANT to be making a decent wage similar to what I made in Vegas. I DON'T WANT to be sitting behind a desk all day. I DO WANT to have things to do. I DON'T WANT to be pretending like I have things to do and surf the net all day. I DO WANT a full time spot somewhere.
I settled on the last thinking "What a great opportunity to jump into this business. How great it will look on my resume. I bet this could open up a lot of other opportunities in the future." I talked myself into it because right now, it is not easy to find a decent paying job, or any job for that matter. I was settling for something that probably I would be ok with, but not happy with in the next few months or years. I guess this was a blessing in disguise. I realize it now. I did not that day though. But now, I am feeling better and looking that
A. I still am working, temp or not.
B. I can still be job hunting.
C. There is probably something out there that I will have more of a passion for.
I guess, good things come to those who wait should be my current motto. There must be something good coming up.
After getting the news, I was shot. I was having a hard time functioning and, being in a very quiet office and alone in my cubicle, I had time to stew. I used the word stew because I had no way to vent or bounce out feelings to anyone. I was getting mad and frustrated and just felt like crap. I knew it was not my bosses fault. She thought HR would take care of it and I would be part of the time. I felt like I did not want to learn anymore. I did not want to put my extra into things anymore. I just wanted to go home and pout.
So many thoughts went though my mind: "What a waste of time learning all this when I could have been looking for a job" "Why am I getting so down over something that was not 100%?" "Why were they teaching me all this stuff anyhow?" "Fuck HR. Does talent now mean anything?" It was not until I got off work that day and started calling people and venting when I realized/remembered something...I did not want this job to begin with.
Even when she asked me to apply, I told her I would do it, but internally I was pondering IF I wanted to do this all day, every day. I honestly WANT to work downtown. I DON'T WANT to dress up every day. I DO WANT to be making a decent wage similar to what I made in Vegas. I DON'T WANT to be sitting behind a desk all day. I DO WANT to have things to do. I DON'T WANT to be pretending like I have things to do and surf the net all day. I DO WANT a full time spot somewhere.
I settled on the last thinking "What a great opportunity to jump into this business. How great it will look on my resume. I bet this could open up a lot of other opportunities in the future." I talked myself into it because right now, it is not easy to find a decent paying job, or any job for that matter. I was settling for something that probably I would be ok with, but not happy with in the next few months or years. I guess this was a blessing in disguise. I realize it now. I did not that day though. But now, I am feeling better and looking that
A. I still am working, temp or not.
B. I can still be job hunting.
C. There is probably something out there that I will have more of a passion for.
I guess, good things come to those who wait should be my current motto. There must be something good coming up.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Apparently I am more Qualified then Sarah Palin!
Here is what being bored and trying to spread work out so you have something to do the whole day can do to you. On top of all the ones on my Facebook, here is another I just did not feel the need to post there (I already posted like 5 there today).
AreYou More Qualified than Sarah Palin? | |
 | You are 83% more qualified than Sarah Palin. You're no short-term political stunt, you're the real deal, the VP the American people deserve. I guess your phone was off the hook when John McCain was calling around looking for a running mate... must've been one of those pesky robo-calls. |
| Find Your Character @ | |
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Prop 8...Video, just watch
Walter and I talked about it, and it probably won't be until it is recognized nationally that we will get married, but please don't let us have to wait 50 years to do it.
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
Click here to sign the letter.
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
Click here to sign the letter.
Paper Airplane in New York City
Got this sent to me in email one day. Very fun to just watch. Check it out and enjoy.
Flying from Sam Fuller on Vimeo.
Flying from Sam Fuller on Vimeo.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Let's Go Fly A Kite...
So last weekend I spent Saturday bored at home doing laundry. Walter worked and I was just bored. Well, that night a friend and I decided to go see The Reader at the cinema. What a great film. I was crying by the end. I could not help it. Anyhow, that was not what this blog is about, but wanted to add it in since it was such a good film.
Sunday, however (this is where the title of the blog comes in), was the 81st Annual Kite Festival at Zilker Park. Who does not love kites and, with such a beautiful day, who didn't want to be out there. Who is right! Everyone was there. It was packed, parking a mess, roads crazy, but all totally worth it. We were scheduled to meet friends there, and thank god for cell phones! We would have never found them.
We parked, walked a nice distance to the park, then a further distance to get to the main area. There were tons of people there. Everyone was having a good time, enjoying the beautiful day. I was personally just trying to not be clothes-lined by one of the kite strings and came near to it once, tripped on another once, and was almost pegged in the back of the head by another (fortunately it missed me and I only got the tail hitting me).
It was fun to meet up with friends, walk around and people watch, watch kites, and munch on some highly over priced, undersized festival food (I was penniless and starving by the end). We spent a good 3 hours there soaking in the sun and atmosphere. What a great day. I must say that I am loving living in Austin! Never seems to be a dull moment (except when I am home alone doing laundry).
Reconnecting...
OK, so I am the biggest "I don't have the time or care for (insert: MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, etc.) ". But during my boredom lately I signed up for Facebook since it seems to be the most adult, non-hook up, least crazy person, and least hard to look at site out of the big 3.
It was actually pretty cool. It started with me finding who of my friends had account all ready, then in turn it was me looking for people I had not seen and sometimes thought of for years. In turn, I was able to find friends all the way back to childhood. It was awesome! I found my best friend as a child Kevin. Chatted with him online for a bit. It was a great time catching up. I found a bunch of friends I had when I was in Salt Lake City, people whom I just lost touch with and not seen in about 10 years. I found co-workers from jobs past, friends in foreign lands and the yesterday I found a friend, through another friend, who actually lives here in Austin. I was ecstatic. I requested his friendship, and he immediately responded. He was looking through my profile and saw Austin and asked me where I was at. I gave him my office location and he was elated! Jumped in his car and met me! It was great to see this friend whom I have not seen in about 10 years or so. We talked and talked and talked, then went to his house, picked up his partner and went to have dinner where much more talking ensued. It was great.
I wish that all my friends who I have reconnected with could be here so I could see them and chat face to face. Unfortunately, that is not a reality, but what is, is that I know where they are now and when the chance arises, I can visit them.
I am also thrilled to have another friend here in Austin. We have been so lucky to meet such wonderful people, but now to have someone who I have a history with is so exciting too!
So, lesson learned, Facebook is not that bad. Best part it, you can connect with those you want and leave the rest. Don't feel like you or obligated to be friends with old acquaintances. If you didn't like them then, you probably won't like them now. So save the grief and let them be.
It was actually pretty cool. It started with me finding who of my friends had account all ready, then in turn it was me looking for people I had not seen and sometimes thought of for years. In turn, I was able to find friends all the way back to childhood. It was awesome! I found my best friend as a child Kevin. Chatted with him online for a bit. It was a great time catching up. I found a bunch of friends I had when I was in Salt Lake City, people whom I just lost touch with and not seen in about 10 years. I found co-workers from jobs past, friends in foreign lands and the yesterday I found a friend, through another friend, who actually lives here in Austin. I was ecstatic. I requested his friendship, and he immediately responded. He was looking through my profile and saw Austin and asked me where I was at. I gave him my office location and he was elated! Jumped in his car and met me! It was great to see this friend whom I have not seen in about 10 years or so. We talked and talked and talked, then went to his house, picked up his partner and went to have dinner where much more talking ensued. It was great.
I wish that all my friends who I have reconnected with could be here so I could see them and chat face to face. Unfortunately, that is not a reality, but what is, is that I know where they are now and when the chance arises, I can visit them.
I am also thrilled to have another friend here in Austin. We have been so lucky to meet such wonderful people, but now to have someone who I have a history with is so exciting too!
So, lesson learned, Facebook is not that bad. Best part it, you can connect with those you want and leave the rest. Don't feel like you or obligated to be friends with old acquaintances. If you didn't like them then, you probably won't like them now. So save the grief and let them be.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Strengths
So I walked into work this morning and was presented with some "Monday fun". My boss gave me a book Strengths Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath. She explained that it was something they had done in the office and would take an hour or so to read and take the online test to find out what your strengths were. In reading, the book focuses on how to work on your strengths and fine tune them rather than try to become better at your weaknesses. By doing this you will be happier and not become bored with the things you do at work and home. I read the short 30 some pages of the book and how the studies worked and found it highly interesting. Something that tells you to focus on the things that you do well already and hone in on them rather than become something that you naturally are not intrigued me. I went online, put in my special code and took the test. The results were interesting and pretty well decribed me. I love tests that tell you how you really are an not how you want to be perceived. That is what this did. My results are as follows with a breif decription of what they mean.
1. Maximizer: People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into
something superb.
2. Strategic: People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
3. Adaptability: People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to “go with the flow.” They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
4. Relator: People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
5. Command: People who are especially talented in the Command theme have presence. They can take control of a situation and make decisions.
The more detailed descriptions I found very interesting and insightful. They also give you top 10 things under each strength to take action on improving and using those strengths. I have not read through all those yet, but found it really interesting.
On a similar note, last Friday I was given another test to deturmine my "color" of skills at work. Mine was RED. Here is what it means: Adventure
-Break the rules
-In the middle of the action
-Wants to handle things now!
-Creative and innovative
-Hates rules and ultimatums
-Action-oriented
-Competitive
-Risk taker
-May act in haste
Reds are concerned more about what’s happening now than what’s in the future. If it isn’t fun, forget it. They are often bored, restless, and want to ACT NOW!
Reds learn by experiencing – not reading manuals. They are witty charming, naturally competitive.
To communicate with reds, talk about immediate benefits and get to the point quickly, then go back and fill in the details.
Emphasize actions items.
Use humor and keep the atmosphere fun.
Has anyone else taken these tests? If so, I am interested to know what you are and if you feel it relates to you. I feel mine really relate to me and how I am. Let me know, those of you who know me personally and/or quite well, if you think these describe me well or even at all.
As a final thought from the book today, I think it is important that we focus on our strengths and team up with those who a strong in areas that we are weak. Shine where you should and don't worry about rest. It just might not be your area to.
1. Maximizer: People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into
something superb.
2. Strategic: People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
3. Adaptability: People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to “go with the flow.” They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
4. Relator: People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
5. Command: People who are especially talented in the Command theme have presence. They can take control of a situation and make decisions.
The more detailed descriptions I found very interesting and insightful. They also give you top 10 things under each strength to take action on improving and using those strengths. I have not read through all those yet, but found it really interesting.
On a similar note, last Friday I was given another test to deturmine my "color" of skills at work. Mine was RED. Here is what it means: Adventure
-Break the rules
-In the middle of the action
-Wants to handle things now!
-Creative and innovative
-Hates rules and ultimatums
-Action-oriented
-Competitive
-Risk taker
-May act in haste
Reds are concerned more about what’s happening now than what’s in the future. If it isn’t fun, forget it. They are often bored, restless, and want to ACT NOW!
Reds learn by experiencing – not reading manuals. They are witty charming, naturally competitive.
To communicate with reds, talk about immediate benefits and get to the point quickly, then go back and fill in the details.
Emphasize actions items.
Use humor and keep the atmosphere fun.
Has anyone else taken these tests? If so, I am interested to know what you are and if you feel it relates to you. I feel mine really relate to me and how I am. Let me know, those of you who know me personally and/or quite well, if you think these describe me well or even at all.
As a final thought from the book today, I think it is important that we focus on our strengths and team up with those who a strong in areas that we are weak. Shine where you should and don't worry about rest. It just might not be your area to.
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