Period

When do you know that it's the end of an era? I'm sure most people can chart their lives based on events that have happened. We move, we start or end various relationships, graduate from school, etc.

I feel that a era of my life is coming to a close. My girlfriend and I moved down to Fort Lauderdale from Pittsburgh and so began what I call my Fort Lauderdale Period. It was a classic example of a young couple starting out. During this time, my wife got her Bachelor's Degree and we got our first cat together. We got married, had jobs, and paid bills. We didn't have much money, lived in an apartment my wife would like to forget, and didn't have a car (we did everything by walking or riding our bikes, a lifestyle most people couldn't do in South Florida). When I started a job as a security officer, it became necessary to get a better mode of transportation. After we looked at our finances, we decided a motorcycle was an option. I rode it to work until we got a car, then a truck. The motorcycle was put aside. Over the years, we got it fixed up a couple of times and I rode it to get to and from work for awhile. Most of it's time was spent in storage, not being ridden.

Two weeks ago, we finally sold it (gave it away). So this post is in memory of a motorcycle that embodied what I thought of my personality from that era. Farewell, Derbi.

Fascinating, energetic speaking

I have been complimented by some of my students about my teaching style. Common descriptions will include words like energetic, passionate, caffeine overdose (from a co-worker). I just try to make it something that people will pay attention to, rather than be lulled to sleep by a monotone.

I ran across this post at my favorite links blog, Neatorama. It's a video clip of a talk by Clifford Stoll. He may not follow the "rules" of how to give a good speech but his style keeps you watching. Now, I don't necessarily believe I am in his league as far as the energy and passion (let alone intelligence) he shows in this clip, but I realized that my classes occasionally looks like this clip.

A tired mind wanders, still...

Work was alright, today. What makes me enjoy my day is getting to go home to my wife and daughter. During the week, I almost get desperate for a chance to get away from the Monster. The last couple of weekends, however, I've come to realize that, yeah, I might need a little "Me Time" but I will always miss both of my girls when I'm not with them.

On a side note, I made a comment to my wife that I didn't like people. This was made more in reference to the fact that I don't like the holiday crowds especially considering the attitude that has developed the last few years. The holiday season is supposed to be good and about family and friends, etc. People are so stressed about finding that perfect gift that they get very rude to "competitors" for parking spots, the latest Elmo, the ideal present. Freaks me out. You ever feel like your in a horror movie where your surrounded by people and everyone has been replaced by some weird parody of themselves. Yeah, that's me during the holidays. Anyways, my wife thinks it's funny considering that my job is customer service and I get paid to be good, even when the holidays come at the store I work at.

Which brings me to one last gripe. I've ranted about this for the last several years. More and more companies are starting (or have been) to put out the Christmas toys/ornaments/stuff before Halloween. No one even celebrates Thanksgiving (except for the food and football) because all the stores go from Halloween to Christmas all within the month of October. I believe the reason (but I'm to young to remember, I guess) that the day after Thanksgiving is such a big sale day is because people used to celebrate one holiday at a time (even if it was right after the previous one). It's one thing for a craft store to start early. It takes awhile to make holiday stuff sometimes. But retail stores to start earlier than Thanksgiving, that's just bizarre.

OK. That's it.

P.s. My Mom misses her granddaughter, so she's trying to make a trip down sometime soon. I can finally get some projects done.

The answer is...

In some small way, I do get a big ego when people come to me to ask questions as if I'm an expert in the subject. When I think about it, however, I tend to feel embarrassed because for the most part the things I'm typically asked are simple things.

When working with fish, my coworkers (and sometimes the managers) would ask for my advice. Typically it would concern ratio of gravel per gallon in an aquarium, number of fish in said tank, types of fish that are cohabitable, etc. Basically simple questions that with time they would have found out anyways (or should have already known). Even the pastor of my church calls me, occasionally, to ask a question or two. I frequently get this now that I've gone back to training. Customers/clients are frequently needing advice on how to handle a variety of situations, i.e. potty training, barking, socialization, etc.

I don't mind. I like to be helpful. What worries me is that I may become a know-it-all and ramble on when a short answer would be just fine. How much is enough? Do I get a boring monotone after a while?

My wife is looking forward to the first match between our daughter and me. "Why" will be followed with a long and boring answer. "Why" again followed by another long answer. The Mrs. fully believes our children will learn to ask me questions only if they really want the answer for fear of being bored by the lecture that will follow.

On one hand, I could say, "Be careful what you ask the person who knows everything, for you may get more than you expected." On the other hand, I ask for the wisdom to understand I don't know everything and the wisdom to make my answers more effective with less blabbing.

Which will it be this weekend at work?

Choices in life

Last year, I was considering where my life might be going. Because we were planning on the near possibility of starting a family, I decided to go ahead and take the store's offer to be manager. I asked and they said sure. Once I was done teaching my training classes, they sent me to management training. The Mrs. went to Asia at the same time. We both got back within a few days of each other. Bada bing, we had a baby on the way. (We missed each other. Seven years and I still miss her every time she leaves!)

I expected to be put in charge of stocking (a lower position but one I thought I could learn in). Instead, they put me over the animal section (fish, birds, small mammals, reptiles). Not quite six months later and I've already been demoted back to training. It was that or get fired. The only reason I didn't get fired was because my two supervisors really put their neck in the noose to try and keep me. (Thank you A.D. and Mr. E.)

At this point, I'm thinking that the whole management thing wasn't were I needed to go. The Mrs. pointed out that during that time, I didn't do as much around the condo (aka. chores). I worked long hours (40+ hours = more money!). Not to mention, I also pretty much quit school. What would happen if I kept up with this when the baby was born?

Now I've got a little more flexibility, as far as time is concerned. Now there is the possibility that I'll stay home with the baby as a pseudo stay at home dad while the wife is at work. When she gets home, I'll leave to go to work for a few days a week (= part time) and possibly start school again. I like this better. My daughter won't have to stay with someone outside of the family for the first few years, at least until she gets old enough for daycare (and we get the money). That and I'll have more time with her.

Do I regret the management issue? No. I learned a great deal. How to be a better manager for one. I'll miss the money, I suppose. The future will be a little tight but we've lived with a lot less money before (try 1/4 of what we currently make). This will also give me a chance to get more projects done and that's what I'm really happy about. Maybe I'll finally get my workshop cleaned up...