For those asking about the baby...

Here is my recent collection of baby photos, organized into multiple albums:

Easter & Easter Event

First Birthday Party

Sloppy Joe Night :)

August Greenjackets baseball game

Spring 2009

Summer 2009

Call or Email me for the password.

-gen

The Conundrum...

OK...once again...

*rock*me*hard place*

sigh.

Had a second "interview" this morning for a position. I have to put it in quotes because it is becoming increasingly obvious that it was more of a screening than in "interview". The difference being...in an interview, one needs to determine which of many candidates one will choose for a job. In a screening, it is more a determination of which of the pool of candidates are not fit for the job, leaving one with a group of people to invite to take the job. You find screenings often associated with sales jobs, because they are so difficult and require special people who are almost impossible to pick out of an interview process. In the old days, we use to call it the "throw everyone against the wall and see who sticks" methodology...which is crass but not a poor analogy.

Anyway, back to the situation...The first interview was a seminar yesterday where the Regional manager gave a presentation on the company, the product and the sales role. He is, without question, an excellent sales person. If he asked us, at the end of his presentation, to take him on in hand to hand combat and defeat him for the position, I'd probably have considered it. He then informed us that we would schedule a second interview and we were to bring a "letter of commitment" and a "outline of reasons he should hire us". So I picked a time for this morning and I went home and banged out a decent letter and outline (You know me...with a little effort and polish, it was pretty good, in all modesty. I am a solid "high mediocre" in writing, mostly due to undeveloped talent...kinda like Bo Jackson at baseball.) So, anyway, I went in this morning for the interview.

I was 10 minutes early and sat in the lobby waiting...When I went in, I got a glimpse at his interview calendar and realized that he has people in 1/2 hour increments, not 1 hour increments, as I previously thought. 1/2 hour == screening. :/ Then, we started the interview. He let me ask questions but I limited that, due to timeframe. His first question was to verify that I can pay the significant cost of the training materials for the training class beginning Monday. I did confirm that I can...I did not outline that it is a large amount of money and I have been unemployed since April and that chunk of change will be a significant hit on the family budget...I just confirmed that we can do it. His second question was to inquire if I want the job. He wanted an unequivocal yes, with enthusiasm and excitement. I didn't give it...I pointed to the need to discuss with the wife. He immediately drew back and went into a classic takeaway close. He set me up to fight for the job. I saw it happening but what could I do? I had two options...decide that this opportunity was not for me and let him take it away or fight for it. After a brief mental review, I decided to fight...So we argued...that is the nature of a take away close...and I pushed hard enough that he continued the interview. He had a form with things he was looking for and we reviewed my letter and outline and he checked off things on the form. By the end, he had me fighting him to get the job and he let me win. We set the expectation that I'll be there on Monday for training with check in hand.

There are a number of issues here. First, I really hate how we left it. I hate playing these games. I recognize that he needs to play the game because a lot of people are resistant to the idea of a full-commission sales job and a lot of people are not going to see the process happening as it happens. But, it takes away the ability for us to be honest about each other. He gets to be honest in saying that I appear to have what it takes to be successful but he won't know until I try it but I don't get to be honest in saying that I am scared about a big leap of faith on their sales process and product, as well as my ability to be successful in their system. Instead, I have to behave as though I want nothing more in life than to join his team. And, in the end, if I can't make it happen for whatever reason, I'll feel bad. I know he won't care...he probably expects a 50% show rate at training on Monday. He and the Sales Manager will chuckle at the nature of sales and move on..me, I'll feel bad if I can't do it. Because I will not have been honest. And the reason I was not honest is because he couldn't let me be honest about my doubts and still proceed. Maybe if I were dumber, he would have convinced me that I do not have doubts with that exercise...but I am not and he didn't.

It gets worse. I called the unemployment office and they are not supportive. If I go to training (week long), I will not be eligible for benefits. Because I won't be "available for work". That complicates matters a lot...now, I am not just risking the significant amount I give them for "materials" but I am risking a week of income for the family, another kick in the family budget's balls (better get that budget a cup.) Further, It will be a week off from interviewing. There is another sales position that wanted to interview me next week...I sweet-talked the scheduler into putting me on the boss' schedule for Friday but she is not 100% sure he is going to go for it...`cause he said "next week." I have an interview tomorrow as well...the only job interview I've been able to procure that wasn't sales related. (If that Regional Director is reading this blog, he'd be dishearted for me to express excitement at the prospect of a job not in sales, so I won't express it. Not to say it ain't there, but I won't express it.)

So, it boils down to this:

Situation 1) Take the Outside Sales 1099 Full Commission job (Cost: Medium $$$ to company, Lost of big $$$ in income during training)

1a) Become successful in short term, pay bills with income, live happily ever after

1b) Fail to become success in short term, damn near starve or get some sort of assistance from state

Situation 2) Skip first job - Get other sales job (No way to estimate potential before interview)

Situation 3) Skip first job - Get non-sales job (No way to estimate potential before interview)

Situation 4) Skip first job - Get nothing - No job, no prospects, back to square one.

Note that I do not acknowledge that I will have long term success as the Outside Sales job. I will. I am 100% confident that a company that has been doing this for 30+ years has a sales system that I can master and implement to my own success...I am just not sure I can do it quickly, before I die of starvation, given no income from work or unemployment insurance.

The kicker is...Situation 4 is superior to Situation 1b, thanks to the state's unemployment rules, which are fucked up, btw. But I am not surprising anyone with THAT statement.

I don't know what to do. I'd hate to gamble the family...If it was me and the wife, that'd be one thing...but there's the baby...that's like pressure, dood!

Any advice?

-gen

P.S. If you are that Regional Director and you want to revoke the offer at this point, I'm ok with that. It was a dumb game from the very beginning and we should have just talked like two intelligent people dealing with a unique situation and the opportunity for us both to help each other create success and income for each other. Since we couldn't do that, *shrug* it was not destined to be.

P.P.S. Oh yeah, I forgot. I know me. that 1099 job. I'll hate it and it will make me miserable. But I view that as immaterial. I mean, I won't be the only guy working hard at a job he hates and makes him miserable so that he can buy formula for the baby. Shit, I probably won't even be the only guy on my block in that situation.

The asshole driver returns...

Ok..time for another lesson people...from the mind of the quintessential Asshole Driver. There are few more things we need to discuss...

1. The cop by the side of the road.

If you see a cop by the side of the road with his lights on and a car parked in front of him, there is no need to slow down. Let me repeat that, THERE IS NO NEED TO SLOW DOWN. Especially if he is on the OTHER side of the road (ie, in oncoming traffic.) Why does everyone slow the fuck down? Do you think he is going to abandon his established ticket and come after you? Don't flatter yourself. Ok, there are some exceptions to this...Here is a list of acceptable reasons to slow down:

1. You have an outstanding warrant for your immediate arrest on a felony or major misdemeanor. (Can't be too careful)
2. Despite the car setup, the cop has his door open and is visibly pointing a radar gun at you. (OK, fair enough, you got me. Usually, all he wants to see is you slow down.)
3. You are doing more than twice the legal speed limit. (You should probably slow down anyway. I may be an asshole, but that is ridiculous. Arrive Alive, buddy. Jeez.)

Conversely, Here is a list of things that are NOT acceptable reasons to slow down...

1. You are concerned about getting a ticket. (Trust me, the cop is not coming for you. He has his ticket. Remember your grandma tellin' you, "A bird in the hand is worth 10 in the bush..."
2. You want to see what is going on. (Seriously? Some poor slub is getting a ticket, THAT's what's going on. It's not cool to mock them; that'll be you one day. Have some pity...eyes forward!)
3. The cop is standing near traffic and you are concerned for his safety. (Then swing left and avoid him. What do you mean 'the left lane is blocked.'? Then you aren't going fast enough.)
4. It is a gesture of respect for the law. (Get off my blog. No, seriously, click the 'x" on the upper right immediately.)

2. Being Pissed Off

Ok, so I cut you off. It sucks but it's your fault...I never should have been able to pull that crap on you...you let it happen. If you didn't, I'd be exchanging insurance info with you right now, not writing a blog post. So, accept that it is your responsibility. And, while it is ok to be angry, don't be stupid about it. The fact that I cut you off means that I am, at least a tiny bit, crazy. You don't want to flash your lights and honk your horn and start chasing me, shaking your fist in the air. Especially, if you are on a motorcycle. Cuz what *might* happen is that you start a crazy war with me...we are going to determine which of us is MORE of an asshole driver. The problem with this is, based on the initial maneuver, I've already shown that I am a little crazy...so you are at a disadvantage in this fight. Plus, I'm in front...another disadvantage for you. Remember, in a rear-end accident, it is always the fault of the rear driver...so I will splatter your motorcycle-ridin' ass all over my rear bumper and you're paying to fix it (assuming you can afford it after your medical bills; you're riding a fuckin' motorized bicycle for cripes sake!) Learn this lesson, now...Don't play biggest douche with someone who has already established himself as a giant douche...just doesn't work. Just shake your head and flip me off and resolve to never let it happen again. Life's too short...

3. Red Lights

If you are stopped at a red light and it turns green, you have a responsibility to take off as quickly as the guy in front of you will let you. Don't dawdle. Why? Because there are people behind you who want to make the light...including someone (probably me) 4-12 cars back who will just barely make the light and I won't make it if you sit there with your thumb up your ass. DRIVE, dammit! That is why you are on the road, in the first place.

That's it for now...Don't make me come back!

-The Asshole Driver

I'm dying slower

So, I guess it's getting better. Still, I have fallen off the wagon in the past couple of weeks...I need to get back on my "weight loss" plan. It isn't like it is tough or something...it works for me if I do it...so I need to do it.

Anyway, ignore this. Read the next blog. It's about baseball. And supposed to be funny.

-gen

OK...Someone has to say it...I'll say it...

I am a baseball fan. I am a Giants Fan. I am a Yankees Fan. This means that I hate the Dodgers and I hate the Red Sox. These are facts.

For years, the Dodgers have sucked. They've been awful. Of course, the Giants sucked more but that is immaterial. :) But they were awful. Let's face it...the whole National League West sucked. I can admit that.

Conversely, the Yankees were awesome. I mean, playoffs every year. Often winning ALCS and occasionally even the World Series. That was nice.

Then the 2008 season happened. The Giants still sucked. A Lot. They finally got rid of Barry Bonds (something that should have happened a LONG time earlier) but they still sucked. A Rebuilding year.

But the Dodgers didn't suck. Well, they did still suck but they sucked a LOT less. In fact, they were downright average. At the end of the season, they were positively good. Made it to the NLCS for cripes sake!

However, the Yankees now sucked. Didn't make the playoffs for the first time that anyone could remember. It was hard to be a baseball fan of my makeup. Usually, I could count on the Yankees to make the post season bearable.

Now, it is 2009. The Giants aren't sucking quite as much (as of this writing, 6 games over .500). The Yankees are having moments of suck and moments of ok...what we in the industry refer to as average. Luckily, the Red Sox are also mired in average.

But this is the real kick in the balls. The Dodgers are awesome. Like best team in baseball awesome or something. I know this is a year in which Kansas City is passable, so maybe I am in bizarro world but The Dodgers are kicking ass.

So, one is forced to ask why? Why are the Yankees not good? Why are the Dodgers good?

The obvious answer and the one you'll get if you read the above to the average baseball fan is Manny Rameriz. They will point to him for the change. But it doesn't work. Manny didn't come over until 60% of 2008 was done. He is definitely resposible for the Dodgers late-2008 playoff run and some of their 2009 success but he is now on suspension and hasn't helped them for a month. Plus, he has nothign to do with the Yankees.

I woke up this morning realizing something that I haven't seen, heard or previously understood. In the fall of 2007, the paragons of shortsightedness that is the Yankee ownership *cough*Steinbrenner*cough* refused to provide the necessary compensation to retain what I am convinced was the ultimate secret to their success for years...a secret that the Dodgers ultimately capatalized upon. One Joe Torre, baseball manager.

Torre left the Yankees and went to the Dodgers in the 2007-2008 offseason. Joe Girardi was hired to take over the Yankees. That was when it all started. That was when my baseball life started to tank. Why could the !%#(!@%#*# Yankee ownership just give Torre the money? Shit, give him Chen Mieng Wang's salary...that was wasted money.

So here I sit. The Yankees are average...Girardi is doing his best but whatever. The Giants are doing better than they have in years and have the best rotation in the National League (Zito not withstanding...I kid I kid...much love, Barry...thanks for cleaning up that Ranger sweep baby)...They would be ABSOLUTELY DOMINATING the National League West...except SOMEBODY let what appears to be the best manager in baseball leave the toughest division and migrate to the weakest. Thanks.

As for the Royals. *shrug* Got me. That Greinke kid right. And Coco Crisp. That dude is fierce.

-gen

Disgusting...

I watch ESPN all day. I sit at home and search for a job online and submit resumes and read tweets from hot single moms and watch ESPN. It's what I do.

Today, this is what I am seeing over and over again.

Am I the only one disgusted by this? Mayhap he did not intend it but he is using his wife's illness to pull on the heart strings and get the public behind him for the U.S. Open.

Now, it is not his wife's fault...she is far far too attractive to be at fault for anything.

Phil...if your wife wants a trophy, go win her one...and keep it to yourself. Don't cheapen it and her with this sort of BS.

Go Tiger!

-gen

Perhaps...I am going about this the wrong way...

Maybe the reason I am not posting very much is that I wait until I have bunch of thoughts and post them all together. I think it might work better if I post my thoughts individually as I go...so that I don't wait for a whole list. So, I'll try that for a while.

Update on job search: It sucks!

I have been on a couple of "interviews". I use quotes because they are really not good jobs I want or can even do. Both were for outside sales jobs to consumers. ie, knocking on people's doors at home and trying to sell them something. I think this job requires a certain personality and I am not that personality. The companies know this because they make you go along with someone doing the job and observe...I did this both times and both times, it was a miserable experience. So I am convinced that it won't happen.

So I yet persevere...I have a phone interview tomorrow regarding a bank sales position (at least it is inside sales) and another outside sales "seminar" interview on Tuesday. (Why do I keep scheduling these? I dunno...perhaps I hope the next one will be different. Perhaps I need a reason to get out of bed. *shrug*) I have an interview for another job that I could do well and would like on Thursday. And it doesn't involve sales at all. Of course, at this stage, I have no idea what it pays, so it is probably far too little.

I send out resumes every day. And I call to follow up on em. Sometimes I beat the gatekeeper on those calls and sometimes I don't. I don't get very many response or call backs...I would say I hear SOMETHING on about 15-20% of the resumes I send. The other 80% just disappear. Maybe that is why I am responsive with the outside sales positions...because of all the work I do and all the calls I make, they are the only people who genuinely seem interested in discussing employment and perhaps hiring me, rather than being burdened by my very existence. A need for simple affirmation, perhaps...(see Strip Club Addiction.)

I am doing something wrong. I know this...I mean, I should have better return than 15-20% right. I am not networking...Sure, I make the follow up calls but that is not the same thing...there are people in the world, some of whom are fairly influential, who would help me if I asked. But I don't ask...why? I am not sure...it is not something I can bring myself to do. That could be it...it could also be that I have no real experience other than in sales. I worked for 10 years for a company that I helped run. I did what was needed to keep the company successful and that doesn't really translate beyond general office work. I didn't do any IT stuff, I didn't do any writing, I sure as hell didn't do anything legal. I did do sales (on some level) for the whole 10 years. I did some basic training but nothing extensive. I ran a small business (expense control, P&L, management of staff, etc.) but that isn't really a skill set in demand. So, it could be that no one is responding because they do not feel that I have the skills they want in their candidates. That would be my fault for applying to the wrong jobs but I am canvassing the options applying to everything that I am confident I can do (but that is also likely to pay more than unemployment. There is no point to me getting $10/hour work.)

Oh well, I guess I keep at it and hope for the best. People tell me that it is the economy and that it is "tough" out there. These things are true and I know there are unemployed people who are in that boat. But that ain't me...I am waiting for a job that won't make me want to kill myself every morning to get out of bed and go to it...and it appears that I am not really qualified for those jobs. :(

OK...enough happy thoughts. I'll post again soon about something depressing, honest! :)

-gen

P.S. if you are not viewing www.boobemancipation.com every single day, then what is wrong with you? Everyone loves boobies!

I know...I know...

I know...it's been a while...I'll find the time to do something...wanna tell you about my birthday, job search, boobs and a bunch of other stuff...for now...just a quickie...new Weird Al...

*sigh*

OK...Some stuff is bugging me...maybe if I babble about it, I'll feel better.

* Went to an interview this morning. Wasn't TOO interested in the job but I failed my saving throw on the call with the recruiter so in I went. Got dressed up, did the lucky Starbucks visit (You know I hate Starbucks but going is fast becoming a pre-interview ritual) and headed over, arriving 10 minutes early. Enter the building and up the elevator based on the signs. Getting off the elevator, I find the reception desk empty and abandoned with a sign that says to call who you are here to see and a list of names and numbers. I call my contact and leave a voicemail. Wait 1 minute and he comes out, apparently coincedentally. He leads me back to a classroom where two women sit, completing applications. I am given an application to complete. Working on it, I review the room. It is a Sales Training room and it is hard core...this is clearly a SALES position, if you know what I mean. Sure enough, the guy comes in and gives a presentation...it is a really good sales recruitment presentation, pointing out the strengths of the position and situation and glossing over the stereotypical BIG concerns. I watch, mostly ambivilent...I know I can do sales but my past experiences have not made me real happy. Of course, they were in one situation for one employer, so it is hardly a comprehesive review capable of ruling it out for life. 

End of the presentation and several big concerns are addressed (prepare to work long days) but the biggie is left out (full commission.) At least 2 of the 3 other people in the room likely missed that. We are then given a Wonderlic test. I love these...they are SO much fun. If you get the chance to do one, definitely take it...So I do it and have a blast. The guy takes them and proceeds to bring us back for one-on-one interviews. Since I still need to work on my application, he takes one of the others back. I work on and finish my application and wait a good while. Finally, the guy returns, carrying the scored Wonderlics. He points at the other guy and calls him by name. He is stereotyping, though I don't think he meant anything bad by it...he just assumes that a guy that looks like me is less likely to have my Wonderlic score than a guy that looks like the other guy. We both correct his impression and he brings me back for a face-to-face.

He asks some questions about my background and I answer them well. It is an interview for a Sales position...I've done 1000 of these...it is not too tough to turn the tables. He doesn't beat around the bush and  says that my Wonderlic score is very very good and he is VERY interested in proceeding with me. However, there is one problem...an aspect of my personal life that we all laugh off is actually kind of a big issue, in light of the nature of the company. We discuss it, seriously, and he lets me know that it might be a deal break. I acknowledge it. He then asks me to proceed to the next stage...a day long "ride along" with someone currently in the job. He asks when I can do it...and I mention next week. He wants to do it tomorrow. I have an appointment tomorrow. He hints that I should move that appointment. He calls in the big boss and they talk about me...he asks if the big boss if he can arrange a "ride along" for me tomorrow. He looks at me. I roll. Fail. so, I am going on a "ride along" tomorrow.

Do I want this job? It's my blog, I don't have to answe that! I can do this job and probably be successful at it. Would I be happy doing this job? If history serves, probably not. But is happy important? especially in the short term. The wife keeps cutting stuff and cutting stuff to make the budget work. Honestly, I don't want to see what's next on the chopping block...I am well past my personal comfort level. I need to earn money. So, Ima do this "ride along." We'll see how it goes...I think it will come down to a choice between being employed and being happy. 

* Randy Johnson goes for his 300th win tonight against the Nationals (worst team in baseball.) Everyone keeps saying he SHOULD get it. Why? Tim Lincecum is one of the top 5 pitchers in the game right now and the Nationals gave him a ND last night when he left the bullpin with a lead and 7 measly outs. I am getting so frustrated at our bullpen. Our problem is supposed to be offense but Uribe, Sandoval, Ishikawa, Molina, Lewis and hell, even Rowand are managing...they aren't going to the All Star game but they are getting the rotation run support...they're making it happen. But, Timmy, Sanchez, the Unit and Cain can't do complete games (Forget ole' Barry "Auto-Loss" Zito; even my hope for him is wanning). We need performance from more than just Affeldt. Hey Bullpen, STOP sucking! What are you, the 2007-2008 Mets? I wish you luck Randy...don't worry, if the bullpen stinks it up and you get a ND, you'll have another chance in Florida.

* Dude, I am becoming a fan of Barry Melrose. I was disappointed when he went to coach at the beginning of the year. But then he got fired and came back! :) He is funny and entertaining and he makes NHL highlights vaguely interesting. I just saw a fake commercial with him...a play on the Dos Equis commercials with the most interesting man in the world...it was pretty funny. God help me, I might miss the NHL when the season ends.

* New blog for the reader..."Boob Emancipation"... If you love boobs, and who doesn't, it is worth checking out :)

* Got another interview on Friday. See what happens when you start applying to sales jobs :|

* Server Reset crapped out the Naxx run last night. But not before I got The Undeath Carrier and Vest of Vitality (off-spec). Not bad for 75 minutes and 4 bosses in a wing and a half. Oh yea, I was main tank. Which means we never wiped on a boss but wiped twice on trash pulls. And it took us 13 minutes and 59 seconds to defeat Heigen the Unclean. Ya, I know. Seriously. You know...I might just settle down and become  a halfway decent tank if I ever get around to stop telling myself I suck and actually try. Yeah...you're right...forget it...I suck.

* Would it be inappropriate to apply to work for McDonald's given that I can't eat their food? Think there are any alcoholics working for Jack Daniels?

Oh well, I'll shut up now.

-gen