Had the interview...As Han Solo would say, "I've got a bad feeling about this, kid."

There comes a time when in an interview after hearing what is needed of
you, what will be required and what will be in your future, money,
second interviews, etc... that you just want to say, 'You know what, I
really don't want this job...But, thanks for the interview'

In looking into this company, I see growth, I see potential... but, I
see it similar to a situation of Company #1 & Company #2... 
'We don't want to hear the reason for why it's down, just get it
fixed... Just get it done...'  Mind you this is just a first
impression that I am getting from this company...  I will be given
training, but on the job and maybe the occasional course if it is
approved,etc... I will be dealing with three companies in and around
the immediate vacinity.  So wireless and Point-to-point routers
will be a necessary evil I will have to deal with.  They also
seemed to want an Access programmer as well as a programmer for
Routers, etc...

I haven't programmed in over five years.... The Access Database that I did... was never completed....

This company doesn't even have any documentation, no standards....
Which I have a feeling that I will be doing.... fun stuff ... oh, and
did I mention EDI? Oh ya, we'd like you to help with that as well...
But, there is some website stuff too.... blah blah blah....

It's amazing how some people think they know you...

I've been great friends with Dave and his family for over 15
years.  They are like a second family to me as I have mentioned in
past posts.  I called up 'Dad' and asked for information on
Company #3.  He said that it was a great company and that I could
use his name as a reference, which I did.  I then called all my
other references and confirmed with them that it was ok to use
them.  Jenn just completed her ECE (Early Childhood Education)...
she has some knowledge in the psychology aspect... so here's our
conversation...

J: How did it go ?
Vx - サッソ: it went alright.  I might get a second interview... but,
it just seems like the place will be like Company #1 and Company #2...
call it a hunch
J: oh ya? So does that mean you don't want it?
Vx - サッソ: I need a job and I'll take this one.. but I'll definitely be looking elsewhere
J: Did you use Dave's dad?
Vx - サッソ: I did yes, called him last night.  I mean, they don't
even have any standards, they seem to want a programmer as well... no
documentation whatsoever
J: Call me rude but don;t you think taht if you are goingt o use
someone's name you should be seriously committed to the job you are
applyingfor,...It doesn't make him look good if he talks for you and
then you quit
Vx - サッソ: now hold on a sec, maybe you are reading into things a little
too deeply, this is my first impression of the company, that is
all.  Once I get into a second interview and understand what it is
that the company wants out of a person like myself, then I can make a
more solid and educated judgement.
J: ok
Vx - サッソ: And I have never quit a position. I always stick it out until the end. I have always done that.
J: you quit Company #2
Vx - サッソ: Because I was given no choice. I was given an
Ultamatum.  I was more than willing in all aspects to work things
out.  But, due to the personal nature that I had with the client
and the fact that they divorced, I think I got the raw end of the
deal.  They were not willing to work things out and I was used as
the punching bag.. so tell me, how long would you of taken the type of
crap I dealt with for over a year?
J: It was Only a question
Vx - サッソ: I'm moving on, that's all I can do and trying to turn what was a bad situation into a more positive one

So that's the jist of the conversation... I know she was trying to help, at least I think she was...

Onto filling out more applications.. Talk with you all tomorrow after my JJ class

Vx Out

Been a few days,... I've been preparing. What about you?

Well, I've researched this company. Hopefully it will be called Company
#3 soon.. so keep your fingers crossed.  I still plan to go to
University. I mean, why not... do it part-time or something and go from
there.. that or just save up all the money and go full-time in Sept.

This company has expanded every year for the past 5 years.  That's a good sign.

Other than that nothing new. 

Have your hands healed already? Bad news then, we're doing Yawara again...get the ice...

Well, I know one thing that I've said in the past: "If you don't throw
yourself into the hobby/sport you are playing then what's the
point."  Bruises heal. Ligaments stretch and eventually go back.
Elbows that are hyper-extended also heal.  The Yawara stick as I
have found out, is a potentially deadly tool.   We did the
kata 16 out of 32 moves which was rather interesting.  But, I have
first hand knowledge from when I transfered the videos to CD... I
remember alot of the stuff that was shown there.  So the kata I
remembered. The pressurepoints, I definitely remember. I can't wait
untill we get into the guard/side mounts, etc.. then those internal
pressure points are going to really kill.

Sensei said to me, well my partner as she was working on me with the stick:

Sensei: "See Vx tries to be tough and not tap when it hurts... that doesn't help the other person out..."
Vx: "But, if it is not working, then why should I tap? If the technique doesn't work, then tapping doesn't help the person..."

Mind you, I'll pay for that comment evenutally lol...

To the job interview tomorrow... does this shirt match these pants?

Job interviews to me are usually nerve racking... I have a set routine
I do everytime I have a job interview. I call it good luck, but I think
that I have to change that up... It's only worked once out of the last
4 interviews I've had... go figure.

So I'm going Blue on Blue with brown belt and brown shoes for the
interview and of course blue socks... I mean, yes I'm italian and I
could wear the typical italian socks.. white... but that just would
look unprofessional... or it could be a conversation piece.... hmmm,
the possibilities are endless...

--------------------
Going to bed

Vx Out

A job's a job's a job.. ah hell you get the idea...

Well, as luck would have it... I received a call last Friday for a job
interview.  That's the good news. It was one of the companies that
I submitted my resume at the fair.  The person that I submitted it
to, was the first cousin of a guy that I did some computer work for
while I was at Company #2.

Then what's the bad news you might be asking? Who knows... I have till
Friday to figure that out, but I'm looking at this job as a positive
step in the right direction... ie: I need money.

I have looked into this company, just a basic Tool & Die company...
about a year ago they created a new 10,000 square foot facility located
on the main stretch. 

The job is just a basic MIS position from what the lady told me, so not
really much to go on that's for sure. But, we shall see what's will
happen.

Those CD's have been around for the past 8 years.. clean them up already...

It is truly amazing what kind of crap you collect as a computer
person... I mean seriously, I had stuff dating back eight years... I'm
not kidding... So, I took a look at the stuff I needed, stuff that I
didn't and have now made a hanging wind chim with CD's. Plus, when the
light hits them just right, the cats go crazy trying to catch the light   Funny and yet strangely relaxing at the same time.

I found old Eddie Izzard stand up routines... If you don't know who
Eddie Izzard is, he's a british comedian that does his routine in drag.
But, other than that he's hilarious. Plus, he did a cameo apperance in
Ocean's Twelve as the Hologram guy. Not a fetching title, but a decent
role nonetheless.

He has a website as well... www.eddieizzard.com I believe. But, Google his name and I'm sure you'll find it.

It sure pays to have legal software... no, really you pay

In order to maintain a legal computer, one must bite the bullet and
purchase software. Now, I'm all for purchasing software... But, when
you buy the latest Office 2003 professional.. and the total comes to
(with tax) $700... full version, not an upgrade.... you cringe, swear,
cringe again and in a daze, pull out the debt card and bite the
bullet... then try not to swallow your tongue as you stumble out of the
store... and that was Staples... fucking rip off big time...

Yes, I know there is a version called Open Office.  Which is basically an Office-type client that is free or for a smaller fee than $700.

On the cold/flu front...

I'm feeling sooo much better now... I still get the occasional
cough, but that's about it. Just need to keep the fluid intake going
and I'll be right as something in a few days. Last thing I want is to
be hacking and coughing all over my interviewer.. not a good first
impression.

Vx Out

Wow it's already Saturday... the name's Vx, just Vx...

Went with CoderMike to see Constantine yesterday... I had happened to
DL it about a week ago and thought it was an awesome movie... Turns out
it was an awesome movie with dark humour... not unlike your common
light-humour... just with a darker, funnier undertone...

What can you say, Keanu fights against Hellspawn all the while dealing
with his own inner-demons... It's like most of his career only now it's
onscreen and called Constantine.. ironic isn't it?

Please raise what's left of your hands to show that you are still serverly bruised... owwwy

We had more practise with the Yawara stick... I must say... one week is
definitely not enough when you need your hands healed... we went over
the moves again and at one point BigBen got the move to work to the
point that I had no feeling in my thumb... I'm going to have bruises
upon bruises...

As Caboose would say... owwy, owwy owwy.....

That's about it... and I created another character, a Gnomish warlock
called Ganish... don't ask why, the name just came to me...

Vx Out

I've been accepted... yay me.... yay indeed!

Well, I looked in the mail yesterday and found that I had been
accepted to the 4 year Masters Degree program in Business
Administration.  In fact, with all of the schoolling that I had
done in the past, they took off the first year as a show of good faith.
So, now I have three years to get my Degree, not four... at least
that's how I'm reading into it.

Called up my dad and he was happy with the congratulations, etc.

Now, I just have to pick my courses (which I'll be able to see what
courses I can take in the first week of April), pay for the year and
away I go.

Jobs, Jobs... where are you?

A few days ago, I was just relaxing and mother walks in and sees
that I'm playing a game. Flips out on me and says, get a job any
job.... Fuck sakes. I've applied to over 200 jobs in the past two weeks
alone, what more can I do?

So today, I went to every store and picked up applications and intend
to fill them out.  There is a local store called Zehrs (Food
retail) that I worked before and I swore that I would not work again...
I will never work there again, not midnight stocking shelves, not
anywhere in that store.  To me, that is the type of store that is
6.85/hr and every 500 hours of working you get a .15 raise.... I can't
deal with that... people that bust their ass working and those that
don't still get an increase of the same amount...

My English teacher always said to us: "If you don't learn this english
you'll be saying 'Would you like fries with that?' the rest of your
life..." So that's what I've tried to do... get jobs that don't require
velcro straps for shoes or the above phrase.... I know I can find a
better job than that.

Sensei's back and he's brought a few tricks with him from NS....

Well, Sensei came back from NS with a few new moves,etc... and the
Yawara stick... Which we did yesterday. This is a small cylindrical
device about 7" long and not even an inch round... both ends are
tappered at about 1/4" bevel so not to prevent cuts, etc and it is made
out of acryilic plastic clear.

Since I have done most of the transposition from VHS to CDROM I have
seen many many tapes and was lucky enough to see the Yawara
demonstration.... Pressure points with this device, hurt... and it
doesn't take much... we did many different moves with this device and
it does not take alot of pressure to make it hurt... I know I have
bruising on the top of my hands... on the wrist joints and a few other
places...

It was a fun class that's for sure... I can't wait until Saturday...

Vx icing both hands...

What's that saying: Freeze a cold, heat a fever?

I was never good with these phrases or quotes or anedotes,
etc... But, one thing is for certain... installing 5 dehumidifiers and
turning them all on high through out the house will greatly reduce the
heating bill as well as the body temperature...

A mother's advice... Wear a sweater...

If I add anymore layers of clothing onto my body I will look like that
the little brother of the kid from that movie: "A Christmas Carol"
waddling down the hallways, etc saying... 'but I have the go Pee!!!'
and probably stick my togue to the doorhandle to the john, just to see
how cold it is... I haven't planned my night yet...

As I type, and I can type pretty fast, my fingertips are still
purple... I'm still coughing, my room which is usually the warmest in
the house (because of my computer) and one vent opened above my bed,
plus the fireplace chimney (which is gas now) is about 10 inches away
from my head, so yes, usually I'm nice and warm....

But, nooooo.... I have to have a mega/ultra/gigantic dehumidifier
deluxe that not only can go 10 setting past high, but has enough torque
to make Ben Affleck have a career comeback... That or Mr. Freeze will
take it away for the night and have some 'alone' time since the fridge
left him for the stove... apparently I've been told not to ask any
questions... so I won't...

Anyhow.......

This will be like the ol' winter camping days... two pairs of socks,
longjohns, sweats, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater, toque and my
personal heater... my boo (my main cat )

So I'm off to bed, but my appetite is coming back slowly which is good
news and bad news... good news, I can eat again... bad news.. I'll have
to get back to the gym... oh the choices...

Plus, I'd like to see Constantine sometime soon... I DL'd it and it was
a great movie.... but the version I had, had a lot of skipping a few
frames and then back again... annoying... so time to see it in the
theatres.

------------------
Quote of the Day:

Just a quick thought that popped into my head... remember those rythms
in school... Joany and Bobby sitting in a tree? stuff like that? here's
one for you...

The Fridge and the Stove sitting in the tree....
First came ice cubes, then came bacon...
Then came Mr. Freeze home from his business trip in Aspen...

Well, like I said it was a quick thought... lol

Vx off to bundle up and go to bed

When taking other Xangian's advice on fighting a cold... try not to do it literally...

Magicbeanstalk, gave me a great idea... keep myself warm by
warming my feet by a fireplace... So I did, two of three layers of skin
roasting off later and I was indeed toasty I'm just kidding. But, I
did sleep all day yesterday and most of the day today.

Who needs the Southbeach, Atkins or other diets... just get sick

Over this past week I have lost 8 lbs.  Personally this is
good news. You drink tons of fluids. Get plenty of rest. Eat very
rarely and take your meds. These dietians are all in it for the
money.  The only problem is, you feel like shit for the whole
week, the meds taste awful (but work) and you don't feel like doing
anything because you can hardly move... But, 8lbs lost is still good.

Going to try to eat something now...

Vx starving...

Doctor, I'd like a second opinion... will I be able to play the piano again?

Because I couldn't
before. It's an old Simpson's joke but its still funny.  Went to
the Doc's today.... I really didn't want to go because my night was
spent like this.

10:30pm.... wake up... cough a ton... fall back to sleep
12:30am .... see above
2:30am.... see above above
4:30am... you get the idea....

I was sweating up a storm, trying to burn this fever out of me, and it
helped somewhat... but Robatusam does not help.. .if anything it
increased my blood pressure to give me a splitting head-ache all
throughout the night.

Trust me, I'm fighting like there is no tomorrow.

I ended up having a shower, and then going right back to bed. I slept
until 11:30am and then dragged my butt out of my nice warm bed to go to
the doctor's.... I have some strong pills that should help break this
cold in a week... I can handle that....

I'm going back to bed now... Night all...

Vx drained...

Uggg... sick... flu hit hard...

The flu was brought home three days ago... I figured that I
couldn't get it... But, as I was cleaning up, I noticed I was starting
to cough...

Needless to say the next day I felt awful... Still do.. .I won't go into details... but I'm just sore all over....

Curse you flu!!! Curse your biological terror that you are!!

Vx sleeping now...

Hey baby, look at those legs!

The humour of the internet and most importantly thost funny emails that get sent to co-workers to brighten their otherwise boring, uninteresting day extends to those types of emails being forwarded from co-worker to co-worker, address book to address book till the same email has been sent around the would quicker than Philias Fog in 80 days.

But, other than that they can be funny like this one:

Those nuns what a bunch of habituals luncheon diners. Crazy crazy nuns... and who said nuns don't have a sense of humour?

Look it's the Dr. Doolittle parade!

With four cats, yearly trips to the vets become an interesting affair of cat and mouse (so to speak.) So it is difficult to wrangle up the wild ones and then transport them to the vet... My mother has about a 4 inch scratch on her stomach to prove that... trust me, my scar looks better, but her's is a close second.

But, the vet's is a great place to met women. No, really it is because you already have a common interest, your pet(s). In fact, I struck up a conversation with a real beauty as I was carrying in one of the wrangled four. The good news, she is a cat lover. Bad news, I didn't get her name, phone number or any information like that... doh!

Going to the gym now... cat (or is it chat) with you all later.

----------------

Vx Out