Daily report

Today I had two cheeseburgers, two sodas, and did not read a page from any book. I will post the symbol tomorrow

Trying this blog thing again

So, once again, here I am doing the blog thing. I have come to realize if this thing is going to work, I will have to abide by a few things:

1.  This blog is for me. I do not care if anyone else ever reads it.  This is not an attempt to go viral, make a side hustle, or turn in to a book. It is for me to write, ruminate, and capture memories I forget as I grow older.

2.  I think that is it. Do not beat yourself up if you do not write every day. Write when you want. Enjoy it

3.  Do not forget your password

So, what is today's entry. I have interviewed for four jobs in the past eight months. Actual in person interviews and was asked back for a second interview in each case. I have not received any job offers. I am doing something wrong. I am jealous of Dana who can walk in to any interview and be offered a job. I do not know how she does it, but she does. Every time.

She tells me to be confident, be polite, get them to talk about themselves. I dress in a tie, I am knowledgeable about all of these positions, but I do not get the job.  I have e-mails thanking me for the effort imputing to this interview and how talented I am and wishes for my future success. Just not with their company because they found someone else to give the job to. The job that you wanted.  I realize this has to happen it is just hard to dust yourself off, put on a smile, and start sending your resume to anonymous e-mail addresses wondering if a human will ever see it.

I dream of contacting the manager hiring for this new position and saying stop your search.  I am the guy.  However, until the, I am back to scanning job boards and looking for jobs that make sense.

One more week with my son

in one week my son is off to college. Like every parent I am bursting with pride that my son is going to college and like every parent I am scraping money together to have enough for the next tuition check. I am worried about him.  That he won't fit in, that he won't make friends, that he will fail all his classes, that he won"t like it. I am worried because he is my first born, my only son and I will not be there to protect him.

At the same time, I hope that he does take advantage of this experience to the fullest. I want him to go to school and appreciate life. Maybe not in the crazy dumb frat brother kind of way, but be a part of the college.  I hope he joins clubs and has a part time job at the college. I hope he meets other students and talks about ideas from their different points of view. I hope he learns to cook so he does not starve or eat too much Top Ramen. I hope he participates in college, not just spectate so.

Sick little boy

My son is 18 years old, as tall as me and in much better shape. He ate something bad yesterday and spent the day sick. As big as he is and as strong as he is and as much as he is a grown up who does not need me, yesterday he did. And I fussed over him and worried about him and took care of him.  All day.

He may be big in size, but he is still the same boy I did laps around the kitchen humming and singing him to sleep to rock and roll oldies because I didn't know any lullaby so. He is mine. I will always worry about him.  He is my son.

My boss left today

scott retired today. As he said when he told us a couple of weeks ago, he served at the pleasure of the chair, and she did not want him to serve any longer. He did a lot in his 43 years.  I think that all of his managers like him.  I am not sure all his field officers and line staff did, but it is was it is.  I was happy to work for Scott. As I have said many times, if Scott was the manager of Burger King, I would work for him.

I know that things will change in the office, just not completely sure how much. I will have the support of Truls, I am just not sure Truls will have the same polical clout as Scott. He still has the weight of Multnomah County, but not sure that is enough.

I still have the challenge of my team and getting them to do anything.  I would just like o complete a project in less than six months. I am tired of hearing that it is impossible to forecast how long a project will take or that we can't possibly set a date.  I just do not know how to build a sense of urgency in them.

Truls did give me some advice today to work with Lisa. He said meet with her often, be kind, and over communicate. It sounds a lot like keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That is an accurate way of how I feel.

Something other than kids

i took the day off of work today to help Pop, my 83-year-old father-in-law get information for taxes.  That really didn't go so well.  I spent most of the day running errands and him telling me he did not need help.

A lot of old people talked to me today. I like to think I am friendly, but old people talked to me at CostCo, when I was eating, at Social Security. I know, there are a bunch of old people at Social Security, but I was not inviting the conversation. They just saw me and had the tell me something because I reminded them of a nephew or brother or just where they were. Am I really that interesting, or do old people just want conversation?

Pretty normal Wednesday

The kids went to school, we went to work, both kids had soccer practice after school and we had dinner this evening.  There really isn't much excitement to my wife two kids and a mortgage, but that is what America describes as my ideal of success.

We are continuing the College hunt for Andrew. He was frustrated with his video project today.  He worries me, but if I didn't have something to worry about I would be lost. He expects to be able to create excellence after really taking a class for two weeks.  Delaney is the same.  They both expect to be amazing at whatever new skill or task or class they try, the first time they do it.  When do they learn patience, hard work, and perseverance.

The dogs got groomed yesterday. Mage wagon is being repaired so I had to get them there is the VW Bug. No one wanted them in their car.

Still trying to lose weight and still clocking in at 302. Some day I hope to lose weight.