Can I be in your Five?

So, it has been a while since I posted last... Coincidentally, I tend to post more when I am not home... Oh well..

1. I am without a project now. In someways, I am relieved. I really hated some of the people and problems associated with that project. Being without a project is normally pretty scary, but my company has a good number of projects ready and waiting. Let's hope that the next one has less travel and hours... Oh look, a leprechaun!
2. I am obsessed with A&E. That network differs so much from TLC and Discovery in that the people on TLC and Discovery tend to be normal or attractive or stylish, etc. A&E has some new exterminator show with some guy who looks like a cross between Yahoo Serious and Nikki Sixx. The real gem of A&E, though is a show that is not new. It is Dog the Bounty Hunter. I can't believe that a family like that really exists. Those people are crazy! I can't stop watching. Dog can't seem to buy shirts that stay buttoned up. Beth makes Dolly Parton look like a classy, flat-chested socialite. Dog's sons are muscular ex-cons. And then there is Baby Lyssa. She is Dog's 21 year old daughter. The other night she took down a fugitive. The takedown cracked me up for some reason...
3. What's up with Facebook? I feel a little sophomoric for being on that site, but I have caught up with so many friends from high school, Progressive, etc. Maybe the ice is beginning to melt. I really miss some of those people.
   
4. I am lucky to be a dad and husband. Yes, it is not always easy, but sometimes one of my girls looks at me and my heart stops... I live for that look or smile or expression or funny comment or fancy dance move or runway walk or scissor hand-scissor hand-scissor hand-fork-fork-spoon arm-scissor fingers... Well, you know what I mean, right? They are truly and without a doubt the reason I live.
5. I can't believe that I am going to be 36. WTF is that all about? I really am getting old.
   

Finally, I am going to Vegas for my birthday. I can't wait. The little lady and I have not spent a lot of time with just her and I for a LONG time. She deserves an Arc de Triomphe for all that she does.

Funniest Video I have seen in awhile

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo

Facts of Life: 2009

“You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life...”

The Bad
My rental car was vandalized.
They broke a window and stole the rental company’s GPS.
It is freakin’ -6°F…
Why they hell would someone be out there doing knucklehead things in those elements…

The Good
I have a new best friend on Myspace…
I know that me having a Myspace is moronic, but I have one.
My new best friend is my favorite celebrity not named Salma Hayek…
Her initials are JLH.

I was never really insane except upon occassions in which my heart was touched...

Well, I am back on the road... I so hate spending time in hotels, airports and rental agencies. I know that part of it is that I have been coming to the same airport and the same hotel and the same customer for almost a whole year. Last year at this time, I was just starting out with this company. I was just so grateful to have a job. And, I was dealing with the emotions of the layoff and its effect on my family. This last year was a crazy one. In addition to the new job, I replaced the most tenured BA in my company on the most complex project. My company was purchased by a much larger company. My company laid off people (including some of my friends - I sure know how that is). Office locations were closed.

But, in the grand scheme of things, I work this job that I hate so much for one reason... to buy my eldest a PSP, laptop and desk... LOL
I would work as a custodian in a well-frequented bath house if that is what it took to earn money for my family.

I truly hope, though, that I can find a company or project within this company that will not require me to travel and work as much.
I miss seeing my family (especially after being home with them for over six weeks). I also miss hanging out with my Prog friends. I really need to spend more time with them. In reality, I really need to extend myself out there to be a good friend and to accept that others might want to be my friend. Being a friend (and making friends) takes energy. For the most part, I often think that I just don't have the energy to do it even though I know that I will have a more rich, more vibrant life. It is like I have become accustomed to and enjoy the shades of grey that forgot the beauty of the colors that exist beyond me. I have friends from high school that I never contact because I just don't know if I care. Maybe I am just afraid to extend my energy on seeing them when I can barely see the friends I do really care about.

With all the rambling above, I have realized that I really need to make this year a good year. "F" it! I need to sound my barbaric yawp. I need to seize the day to make my life better, my family's life better and my future better. I need to choose happiness. You know (of course you don't know...why do people begin a sentence with that inane phrase?), I have often thought that depressed people were selfish and that I would not choose to be sad. I have realized that happiness is selfish, too. I need to be selfish. I need to chose happiness.

Vacations scheduled... Stress Less?

So... my vacations are scheduled for the next few months... I am taking off from the 19th through the end of the year... My work also let me carry over 5 days from this year into the first few months of next year... So, I am taking my wife on a first-class trip to Vegas... The cost for airlines and hotel? $10. Finally my traveling pays off. I still have three weeks to take next year. I will totally make sure that I take that time.

• I have this week of work at home and I hope that next week will be the same. I have a long week in Chicago the week after and then my vacation...
• I look forward to seeing my old friends next Wednesday. I sure hope that my "friends" at my current job don't ask me to travel.
• Heroes was great... I can't wait for next week...
• I so need to finish shopping for Christmas... I have some things, but need more..
• I love my new TV... Thanks to my wife for allowing it...
  

Enough of my stream of consciousness.

One Year Anniversary

Thursday will be the one year anniversary of my layoff (the date of 11/15), but it occurred the week before Thanksgiving. I remember that day vividly. I remember exchanging pleasantries with a manager who had never managed me (but had wished that she had). I remember talking with friends and telling them that I had this meeting to which Sue (enjoy hell Sue) had invited me. I remember thinking, "I have a 9 am meeting... I wonder what it is about..." I remember walking in the room and seeing people with whom I never had meetings. I remember the "solemn" looks of the SS Guard. I remember them reading a declaration from the Führer about how we had to walk into the career gas chambers. I remember walking to my desk and seeing all of my friends. Their faces full of such unbearable sadness. I remember leaving the building and getting in my car (oh, don't forget that Sue had to collect my ID). I remember driving to the park accross the street and sitting in my car for what seems like hours. I remember gathering the courage to call my wife. I remember speaking to her as she cried. I remember feeling like I had no idea how I would survive this ordeal. I just wanted to see my wife and kids.

But, This year has taught me that I am and my wife is and my children are much stronger than we ever envisioned. We survived this year. Sure, it sucked... But, we survived it together. I am also thankful for the friens I left behind . Thank God for their support.

P.S. What makes this day even sadder is that four of my friends from my current company were let go today. I truly wish them the best of luck. I totally know how it feels.

Long Hours

So, it has been a long time since I posted... I was home last week, but I am back this week... This week has been and will continue to suck... I am scheduled to work 8am until 10pm tomorrow... How fun!!! I am not sure that we will be able to get lunch or dinner, but they may bring in something.... How nice of them!

Anyways, it was so nice to see some of my old friends last Friday (some of whom I hadn't seen in years). I am hoping that I will be able to see everyone next time.

Also, while I hate going to church... I really loved sitting next to my wife and eldest during the service. I so love being with them