Vicissitudes » Job

Encounters with H1N1

Todd Paterek — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:25:33 +0000

Today I was working away in my relatively sterile office (yes I alcohol regularly) and someone comes walking in. I can feel the germs fleeing his body and jumping onto my shoulders, neck and head as he stands above me.

I cringe deep into my seat assessing my options of the door or the window to escape.

He starts to talk about the issue he is having pronounced with a cough here and there. I can hardly focus on what he is asking with the thought of this mass of germs and viral bacteria building on my skin.

Deeper I sink, trying to ignore the virus now spreading through my sanctuary.

Then! The worst happens! I feel a small, cold spot gently moisten my right ear which can only be the teaming Germ & Virus soup splash from his mouth. Without hesitation I reach for my beloved Purell and rub down the dripping and infected area. Then from deep within the hell’s keep of his lungs he trumpeted a resounding, unobstructed cough summoning the armies of germs and viruses to attack.

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Trust… But Verify!

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:33:26 +0000

Putting information into the right hands is critical. Those entrusted with special information are accountable for how they handle and what they do with that information. When information is not handled properly, bad things happen or a situation occurs which is less than acceptable. I am once again forced into addressing an issue which should not need addressing, especially by me.

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Interview Puzzle

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 18:08:05 +0000

I went on an interview last night and was asked a planning / think on your feet question. I did not get it right there but was thinking about it all evening. Upset I could not figure it out I set off to bed – turned off the light and finally knew the answer. For those who might want to think about it and did not already hear it, here is the question.

You have one light bulb wired to three switches. The bulb is under a box so you cannot see it or the light it produces. You can move the switches anyway you want but you can only open the box once. At that point you should know what switch controls the light. How do you know? I’ll answer in a comment.

Interview today

On the job hunt

admin — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:25:45 +0000

I have been searching for the best opportunity to get back into my career. Since early fall I have been out of a job but it was almost a blessing as my wife went full time to work and I am able to spend time with the children. Squeeze in the job hunt and I have zero time for anything. This explains why I have such a large gap in posts. It is funny that the positions I would be perfect for never consider my resume. When the time is right and the opportunity is perfect, it will happen.

An Opportunity On The Horizon

An Opportunity On The Horizon

admin — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 20:17:27 +0000

There are some things happening in my life so I need to postpone the continuing story a little longer. I recently accepted an opportunity at a local publisher, things were okay but the pay was very low. I took it expecting growth and heck, it was 2x that of unemployment. A week went by and a company that I sent a resume to several weeks ago called me. I decided to take the interview. Two hours! Needless to say, it went well. However, there was no information after, they did not call. I had to expect they were not interested. Two weeks went by and they finally called! We setup a second interview. About a week ago, an old acquaintance called and told me about an opportunity with his company. We met and they offered the job almost on the spot. Making much better money. Being responsible, I called the other place for the second interview to cancel. Later that day the CFO (owner) of that company called to express his disappointment in me withdrawing my application but was happy I found something. We spoke for about 30 minutes. I thought it over and decided this is a much better opportunity, the best if you will. Over the weekend I sent the CFO an e-mail nicely asking to be reconsidered for the opportunity. He e-mailed me this morning saying he will be in touch today. I am still waiting on his call and will call him shortly. If I get this position, I will be quite happy and will have come full circle from last year (story still developing here – please check back often). My finances will be back on track and life will be back to normal.

Decisions

admin — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 21:24:47 +0000

Yesterday, or was it Tuesday? Either way I was offered a job at a different company. They called me because I worked with them (brought in their product) on the WF contract. They are offering me $8K more per year which works out to ~ $600 per month extra. I do not know what to do. I like where I am now but the extra money will be nice. Here I get the toys, nice computer, paid phone and home Internet. Plus, a major plus, I can pick up my son from school everyday. I don’t know if I can let that go…

Decisions

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 02:07:00 +0000

When it rains it pours. That seem to be true for both bad luck and good luck. I am faced with a very difficult decision. Do I take the job that appears to have better potential or do I take the job that could have great potential and has immediate compensation satisfaction? Seems like an easy choice however, health coverage, type of work, and distance all play a part. I believe my mind is already made up but I just want to be sure. I would hate to take the position then four months later leave because of the nice lawn next door. I guess some might say an executive would have already made their decision and acted upon that decision. While this is very true for me when I am faced with work decision it doesn’t seem to be the case when I am faced with a personal, life decision. I suppose it is time to make the decision and run with it to see where it takes me.

It is time for payback. So many people have done so much for my family and me these past few months, it is time for me to return the favor. Many will not directly accept my attempts to pay them back so I do have some ideas. Why do I write this stuff? Who really cares? I guess I am just trying to get back into free writing. Let my random thoughts go as my wife sits alone watching TV. On that note, I best get over there and dull my mind a bit.

Into The Future

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 01:34:00 +0000

Kind of a title that may prove to be too powerful for this post. Just popped into my mind so I went with it to see where I will end. I feel I have been on a pointless journey these past few months. Loosing my job, taking a rather frustrating contract position then months of nothing. Not necessarily nothing but the feeling of letting everyone down. Not having a job for someone like me gives quite a feeling of failure. “You are not a MAN” “A real man would have a job the next week”. Those and more ran through my head each day. Today I received my second job offer. Finally! But now I have these feelings that it just isn’t enough. Both are offering low pay, much less than what I made in the past. Benefits are not even that great. I am in the negotiation phase slowing building them up to something comfortable for my family and me. I was hoping to be getting more than what I left my last place at but it seems that I will have to make up some ground in the coming years.

Moving off track a bit. Many people kept telling me how much better I can be doing, that I should start my own business. Now it seems some are retracting those statements. Telling me I should grow more or learn more. Now I am not saying I do not need to grow or learn (who doesn’t) but it feels like a slap in the face.

I do not know what the future has in store for me. Next month could be next year or ten years from now. It is all empty. Not empty that nothing is there, I just do not have any idea of what will be there.

Here’s to the journey!

Did Not Happen – Will It Ever?

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 23:32:00 +0000

Well I had a second interview the following day. They brought someone in from a different company that helps them out for whatever reason. He stopped the interview and told me I sound like I should start my own business. That I obviously can take control and handle every situation. This was good to hear but I did not get the offer – overqualified.

So, in the meantime my savings are dwindling and the gas / electric bills are rising, not to mention cobra payments, and every other bill. I did manage to transfer a high % credit card to a nice low %. That will help for a bit and in the long run.

I find myself afraid to eat since I might be spending money on myself when I should save just incase it gets that bad for my family. I know it won’t (I believe) but…

I lost my thoughts besides I am just babbling.

Interview today

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 12:31:00 +0000

Today I have an interview, finally. It is for a network administrator position, a little below what I am looking for but it is an interview.