Rewarding 4:52 PM

I answered a simple trivia question while chatting with friends on FaceBook last evening about who performed the song Pop Muzik (M). Unbeknownst to me, I won the coveted blogger award the Silver Squirrel for useless trivia! A number of people compete for this award on a reoccurring basis and I got it just by conversing! I am proud of this accomplishment!

Powerless 12:21 PM

I was at a McDonald's over the weekend where the computer system wasn't working so the employees were taking orders by hand, writing down the order, using calculators to add up the bill, and using a cash box. It was rather interesting and amusing and felt like stepping back in time. During the snow storm over the weekend, there was thunder and the power went out four times within a twenty minute period early Sunday morning. It woke me up. It was rather interesting, amusing, and annoying.

In Search Of . . . 7:48 PM

Spent the day sending out resumes online, applied to a multitude of IT jobs, mostly in Florida. Since most companies now have web sites, it is easy to search the web and apply for jobs, no more hoofing it from company to company, yet it seems like I haven't done much in the way of job searching since I don't have to leave the couch to do it. I met Christine and Kristi for lunch at McDonald's (Yum, Filet o' Fish) just to get out of the house for a while. Yesterday I went over to UWM and had lunch with Tim, now a weekly tradition! The entire campus is Wi-Fi (wireless), so I am going to take the laptop with me on the next trip. There's a snow storm looming, so I just might hang low this weekend. I just want nice weather now, enough with the snow all ready!!! I am also toying with the idea of driving down to Florida to look for jobs, but right now it's just a thought . . .

Technically Speaking 6:53 PM

I received my new cell phone today and have it charging up. There are so many features to this phone it's going to take me days to figure out what I'm doing. Don't be surprised if I accidently ring you in the next couple of days! I'm excited to have it and going to be utilizing it alot. I like my new toy and I haven't even used it yet!

Looking Pt II 6:40 PM

I am processing things as I go along and I realize this is all part of letting go, moving on. While it has been difficult, I find myself thinking about past events, places, people, all the interesting, wild, fun adventures as a way of looking to the possibilities and adventures that await me. Those things will always be a part of me, a part of who I am. Of course, part of me still wants what was, all the good things, but I know things aren't what they were and could never be at this point. It's hard to let go, but harder to remain where I'm at. So I look to the future. It's wide open...

Looking 7:11 PM

I never thought that at this point in my life I would be looking for so many things. Not too long ago I was in the groove, had a circle of friends that I really enjoyed knowing, which has since disappeared just like that. I had a job, that while wasn't the best match for me, was challenging, interesting, kept me occupied, now that's disappeared too. Too many bumps in the road and the self confidence shrinks, disappears like that too. I can take the hits, shake myself off, move on, but it is a bit much at once. I looked for a job and insurance today (even though I most likely will go with COBRA thanks to the President's 65/35 initiative which makes it affordable. I will continue to get my resume out there, found a couple of job sites I will be signing up at. As for the circle of friends, that seems to me the most daunting of tasks, to put myself out there after all these years. A job certainly would help me afford to get out and socialize. I hate to say it, but I sure do miss the friends that have gone.

Networking (Notworking) 3:01 PM

I went and purchased my new laptop computer. It had to be done. It will be easier to research on the Internet now, look for jobs, stay connected. That is if I ever get my wireless network up and running. The simple install has become quite a process, spent many hours trying to get it to work, to no avail. At one time I couldn't even access the web with my old desktop. Yikes. I still haven't gotten the laptop to identify the wireless router even though it is working and the network has been created and identified by the desktop computer. I'll keep trying. In the meantime, I'll just use a wireless signal the laptop is picking up from someone else in the neighborhood . . .

A Day Like Any Other 2:41 PM

Well, it is the first day of Spring, otherwise it's pretty much the same. Not too many job postings to choose from, going to have to get more active on the job search, actually go to a job service or something. Glad I made it through Winter. Not particularly a pleasant one for me. It had it's moments. I ordered a new cell phone (which I will post about once I receive it). I also found the lap top computer I want. Now to debate whether or not to actually purchase it. I do need a new computer, the one I'm using is eight years old and I have to wrestle with it more and more to stay connected. Had lunch this week with Jody, Tim and Christine, been spending much of the time reading, watching TV. It's just another day.

Home Invasion 3:08 PM

The weather is absolutely wonderful. Sunny, warm, windy. I propped open the windows for the first time this year. Along with the warmer weather comes the swarm of Asian beetles that call the front windows home. There are 100s of them. I could spend the day vacuuming them up and there still would be 100s more clustered in the windows. It's almost like they're crawling out of the woodwork. I just can not get rid of them. Oh well, I suppose if I get out and enjoy the nice weather, why shouldn't they? Creeping, nasty little critters.

Oh The Horror!!! 5:57 PM

I stayed up way too late last night watching horror movies on cable TV last night. I turned off the TV around 3:30am and settled into a rough sleep. About 9:00am I finally got moving. I ran a couple of errands and took a walk since it was a really nice day out. I was unproductive on the job search, but will get into the swing of things for sure tomorrow. Yesterday afternoon I stopped by Mom and Dad for lunch and two games of scrabble (won one just barely, lost one considerably). Then I read, watched TV and planned on going to bed early. Then I started watching FX. The movies were bad, but I couldn't help but watch them.

Winds Of Change 7:26 PM

Today was a nice day out. Sunny, not bitter cold, the promise of Spring, beautiful days, no more snow, frigid weather. I am liking DST already, not so dark, at 5:00pm. Got out, went to the book store, then lunch with Jan at Baker's Square. Browsed books on job searches, resumes, found one on ancient Egypt that I ended up buying. I received my severance check in the mail today, closing out an 11 year run. Things are definitely different in my life, major changes coming down the pipeline. There's the shift in my circle of friends, one I really am sorry to see go. The job hunt will be amping up, and I will go where the job is. New places, new people, new responsibilities. Certainly change is in the air.

My Couch 9:02 PM

I love my couch. It is such a big part of my life. I eat on it, watch TV, movies, videos, DVDs, sleep on it, read, lounge, talk on the phone, socialize, nap, plan, so much. Slightly worn tan crushed velvet high back, not a bad color and could fit through the doorway of my apartment building. I’ve had it for many years; it’s starting to show. I will have to get a new one at some point soon. I don’t want to though. Sitting on the couch I can have real or imaginary conversations, wild fantasies, troubled woeful lonely times. Sitting on the couch comforts me, supports me, holds me, soothes me. My couch doesn’t judge me, doesn’t push me away. Without a doubt, I love my couch.

Managing 7:05 PM

Each day is just like the same. I get up, have breakfast, shower, get dressed and fill in the hours. I check job sites, have the TV going, wait for the mail. I filed for unemployment benefits yesterday. Today I went and sat with Tim at his job for a couple of hours. He is a great thoughtful manager. He is so good to and with his employees, respectful and decent. I am so proud of him. He is so good to me also. We went to lunch at The Dogg Haus, which has great Chicago Dogs, my favorite. He treated. Then on the way back to his office, he bought us hot chocolate. I couldn't ask for a better brother and I hope he knows how much I love and respect him. Now I'm just filling in the hours...

Homefront 3:43 PM

Not much going on lately. Just kicking around the apartment, running errands, laying low. Applied for a couple of jobs online, playing games, watching TV. Met Christine for lunch today, it was nice to see her, talked about my trip to Disney, her planned trip there, just living life day by day. I now have a day time TV schedule to go along with the evening one. That's just plain wrong!

Puzzle Pieces 6:33 PM

Today I started a jigsaw puzzle. Figuratively speaking. I updated my resume and started applying for a new job. I am focusing on IT. I am looking at both the greater Milwaukee area along with Orlando and Sarasota in Florida. The effort put into finding a career is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, making sure you have the correct pieces in the right place.

This weekend, I got to see Pat and Toni, Tim and Julia, over lunch at Mom and Dads. Then we viewed pictures from the trip to Florida. I enjoyed reliving the moments. Mom, Julia, and I played scrabble too. I do like word games. Sunday brought overcast, dreary, rain weather complete with thunder and lightning, freezing rain, and snow. I had to chisel off my car this morning. Tomorrow, I'll work on the puzzle some more.

Rain 11:58 AM

The last two days have been warm, sunny. Today it's overcast and raining. Gray. I like it that we're starting to come out of the winter cycle. Been slowly getting things together for the job search, will start surfing the web and sending out resumes. Got down to the casino twice, once for dinner, once for lunch. Turned $10 into $90 so I have some fun money to throw around. Saw Watchmen last night, good, dark movie. Just kind of lounging today, who knows what I'll get myself into.

A Day At The Fair 6:11 PM

Spent several hours getting nowhere at a job fair being held at UWM. There were over 80 employers represented, and hundreds of people seeking jobs. I must say that I am unprepared, but have to start somewhere. Most were brief superficial interviews, collecting resumes, then picking and choosing potential actual applicants. One financial company's rep told me I wasn't qualified. I explained that a job is about learning, and I have had 20+ years learning a multitude of processes and procedures and what did she mean by not qualified? She explained my degree wasn't in finance or business. All the positions are for entry level, how much qualification does one need? I don't think I will be getting a call back from that company.

All Day All Day 7:10 PM

Definitely sick, up most of the night coughing and hacking. Slept in hourly spurts until I got off the couch about 8:00am. Had breakfast, showered, and did some running this morning, supplies to print and send resumes. Returned home and have been on the couch since, napping. Have a humidifier running, drinking warm tea, water, trying to stave off this nasty cold.

Extended Vacation 12:37 PM

Woke up this morning to a mound of snow. Had to navigate the roads to get to work. Started up the coffee, went about my morning routine, playing catch up after a week away. About an hour into my day I was summoned up to Human Resources and let go effective immediately. My position had been eliminated. Boxed up my stuff and fled the building. I'll miss the few people I liked, glad I don't have to endure those I couldn't stand and with all the upheaval that's been going on in my life, know that I am destined for bigger and better, and feel at ease. Now if only it would stop snowing.

Cold Fronts 2:27 PM

It certainly is a shock to the system to go from 70 degree weather to the teens. I am now battling a cold as it tries to take hold of my body. It started with an itchy throat and has progressed to congestion and a sore throat. I had to run out in the cold to Walgreens to get some medicine since all I had in the medicine cabinet had expired. I've been drinking plenty of fluids and basically lounging on the couch. Outside of the minor irritations, I feel all right, just don't want to let this cold get the better of me and want the weather to warm up just a bit too.