Going Stir Crazy!

The job hunt continues. I sat in many area coffee shops and sent out resume's to a few places but haven't heard back. The latest is Zipcar, which is one of the Boston area companies that I'd love to work for. I'm really hoping this one comes through.

My Aerotek recruiter on the other hand has been completely useless. I guess it's typical with all agency recruiters to keep making promises that they can't keep. The last email I received from him was 9 days ago, where he requested that somebody else contact me. I sent a follow up this afternoon and was copied on yet another email requesting that someone get ahold of me. I did receive a call while getting a much needed haircut, but that was not the place to take it. I'll check the voicemail in the morning and go from there (I don't have any sort of high expectations though).

One more note, I'm off to Lollapalooza on Friday and can't wait! RSVP'd for several after parties but will probably just stick to the ones at the Hard Rock. If only I could get paid for going to music festivals...sigh.

Being Unemployed Kind of Sucks!

So, for the last 2 days I've been trying to find a new job. Dealing with the Massachusetts Dept. of Labor yesterday morning was ridiculously more difficult than it should be. In the meantime, I've started trying to learn how to make apps for the iPhone and finding that I'm absolutely loving it! Now, if I can only come up with some ideas.

I'm really hoping some kind of job opportunity comes through soon though. I really hate not working.

Damn it's hot today!

Today starts my first official day of being unemployed, after getting told to leave at 2:30pm yesterday by my (former) boss. They pretty much gave me the bums rush out of there. Talk about awkward! Maybe try to use a little courtesy next time huh?

So, this is one of the hottest days of the year and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter. The plan was to go to the gym, then hit Starbucks for a few hours to soak up some A/C and send resumes out. The Lexington Starbucks was slammed with people trying to escape the heat and there was nowhere to sit, so off to Peet's in Lexington I went. As much as I love (and prefer) Peet's, this one sucked! No A/C, 1 hour time limit on internet, and just rude people sitting around me. Then the power goes out. I took that as a sign and got out of there.

I guess I'll try it all again tomorrow, but will definitely find someplace with A/C and some seating!

I Heart Weekends!

So, I'm doing my usual weekend thing by hanging at the Java Room in Chelmsford and working on either a movie idea, tv idea, updating my music blog, or my resume. Sometimes all 3 at once. This seems to be the only place I can ever get anything done.

Although I'm not too concerned about losing my job, and it was a major relief, the reality is starting to set in a bit. Guess I'm just going to take things as they come and go from there. Worst comes to worst, I'll start my long dreamed about web media company or a tv show for the web or maybe open a sandwich/surf shop down on Cocoa Beach.

Trying to figure it all out.

So, in less than a week, I will be one of Massachusetts's many unemployed people. I'm trying to figure out which direction to go. Do I stay here in Massachusetts? Do I follow my lifelong dream of moving to Seattle or Denver which I fell in love with last year? Or perhaps, I should move to Cocoa Beach and open a surf and sub shop on the beach. People get hungry while surfing...right? Yeah, that sounds like an awesome idea!

I'm also still on a high from being an extra in the new Seth MacFarlane movie Ted, which is being shot around Boston. Kicking around the idea of going to MassArt full time to pursue my first love of filmmaking.

Wow! This blog still lives!

It's been nearly 3 years since my last post to this blog. To be honest, I had forgotten all about it. Man, did I call the iPhone wrong back in 2007 huh? Keep in mind that at that time, there were no apps and the appstore wasn't even on Apple's radar.

Things have definitely changed a lot since the last posting.

It looks like I'm being let go from the job mentioned in other posts here. It will have been almost 5 years to the day. Now, the job hunt is back on. We'll see how this goes.

An update, work, and the Disney Channel

I'm back! I kind of forgot about this blog while trying to get some other projects off the ground (they are still residing on my hard drive and not online yet). I'm hoping to launch 3 different Drupal based websites before the end of the year. More info once I figure some stuff out.

My work situation needs to change. One can only stare into Excel spreadsheets for so long before going mad. I think that my job would be more bearable if it wasn't soo boring. I'm just not cut out for what I'm doing. I *need* a creative outlet within a smaller company. I find myself doodling on Post-Its and getting quite good at it. Perhaps I should apply to RISD. I've really gotta get a podcast or videoblog together! Ugh! I'm giving this networking thing on LinkedIn a shot and we'll see if it helps change my situation any.

On a lighter note, I've become semi-obsessed with the Disney Channel. I think this is because you can only watch soo many reruns of the King of Queens every night. For some reason, I'm finding these shows more entertaining even in multiple reruns than anything on the other channels at the same time.

Off to bed and 1 more day til the weekend!

Damn you iPhone!!

Seriously, I'm sick and tired of hearing about that damned iPhone. I really hope this thing fails spectacularly. Apple fanboys are the worst kind of people (the irony in this statement is that I'm actually typing it on my iBook). Perhaps it's all of the Steve Jobs apologist that I find annoying. For instance, take a look at any posting on the Macrumors website. According to most posters there, Jobs can do and say no wrong. It must suck to be soo blind. Honestly, I'd love to meet each and everyone of them just so I could give them a punch in the face.

I had a chance to play with the iPhone last week and found it to be a little overhyped. Yeah, it's a neat little device, but not something I'd use for any more than as an iPod. Even then, it would need a lot more memory. But who knows what the future holds. Perhaps by rev 3 or 4 and if Verizon gets it, I'll probably want one.

The job search begins (again)...

Warning, major ranting and venting below:

At this point, I can't take my job anymore. I felt like I was coming down with something last week and by Friday it had pretty much kicked in. So, Friday morning I told my boss that I would most likely leave early since I was feeling like shit, but it was not to be. Our rep from Lexmark showed up and what should have been a 3 hour meeting, lasted all day. Needless to say, I was pretty ripshit. He goes on to show me all this software that I need to learn, which was a wasted effort, because when you're sick, you can't concetrate on anything.

Monday, I'm feeling even worse, so I decide not to go in to work. Plus, I needed a kind of day off to de-stress. This morning, I get bitched at for not calling in, which I didn't do because I couldnt find my boss's number anywhere. I'm only a temp, so should I really give two shits about this?

My rep from the temp agency called me this morning because I hadn't had a chance to submit my timecard. He wanted to know how things were going....and I let him know. He seemed kind of worried about this, which in a weird way, made me feel a little better. I asked for more money and he was going to try and get me that too. As much as I'm against temp agencies, this one has not played games or tried to screw me over. I'm still going to look for something that makes me happy in the meantime. I wish it were easier to find jobs at startups...sigh.

I have an idea for a podcast/videocast. I'm working on building a site for it, and then take it from there. Hopefully it will take off and I can just work from home or something for a while.

On to happier things... 3 things that make me happy:

That moment when Michelle comes through the door after work (makes me smile!)
Dark Chocolate Raisinettes (the best food ever!)
Cupids Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes (Fun and catchy!)

Work rantings...

I have come to really hate my job. My boss is awesome, and the people in my department are cool. It's the Apple fanboy, Wii fanboy, and a few other tech geeks that sit on all sides of me that are annoying. On top of them being very loud when I'm on a conference call, or any call for that matter, my new responsibilities just plain suck. For the last two months or so, I have been "the Lexmark guy". I basically order printers for clinics, which is more complicated than I can explain here. I truly hate it and it has stressed me out to the point where I'm downing a glass or two of wine on an almost nightly basis just to relax(me and Menage Au Trois red wine have become close friends lately).

So today, this bitchy lady calls me asking about two printers that she ordered a week before her clinic was supposed to open. It takes at least 10 business days to ship. She bitches at me because they still haven't arrived. What the fuck am I supposed to do about it? These printers were sitting on a truck in transit. I damn near told her to fuck off. I'm very close to just walking out, I mean it's only a temp job anyway, nothing to lose. Some of us were told we would be taken on permanently about a month ago, this has yet to happen.

Another clinic that I had helped get a printer to, sent the following to my boss:

"I am the clinic secretary for Clinic XXXX in Cincinnati. We recently had a need for a new Lexmark printer. Very long story, but we had never had one.

That being said, I just wanted to let you know what an outstanding job Charles did with making sure that everything was taken care of from the moment we made the request up until the moment it was installed. He actually processed the order for the printer the same day he received the request. I have never seen anyone respond so quickly. In fact, he was always courteous and prompt with everything I asked of him.

Basically, he just did a great job for us and we really appreciate it.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions

XXXX XXXXXX"

That definitely made me feel better, even though I hate getting praise like that. I mean, I'm only doing my job and I do try to do the best I can. I used to get the same kind of emails sent to my boss when I worked at Blue Cross.

On another note, that chick in the Butterfinger commercial is kinda hot, but that laugh...ugh! It makes me want to slap her with a candy bar.

Random Thoughts

Kinda bummed that I didn't win a pair of tickets for the KimChee Records 10th Anniversary show tonight at TT the Bears. I had the number in my phone all ready to go when the DJ on ZBC announced he had tickets. I listen everyday on my way home and it figures the one time I try for free passes to something, someone called and got them. Meh! Either way, I'm pretty sure I'm going to the show tonight. I have to see Geoff Farina, it's been way too long!

I was told at work today to think about my career path because we have a big meeting on Monday, but also because there are a couple of positions opening up. I think it's going to be in billing/leasing though...bleh. I want something in video or web development or tech. Although I'm not sure if I like the company, since it still feels very impersonal, I might end up taking it until I can find something else. Happiness definitely comes before a life of working at something you dont really want to do. I do have to say, my boss is awesome and pretty chill though.

I made myself a promise to go to the gym more this year. I really want to go before and after work but I just can't get up that early. Although I'll get up early to try and get a coffee at Diesel and get to work on time, go figure. It still amuses me that Danny from MTV's The Real World is almost always at the gym when I am. So, yeah, I seemed to have gained some weight over the holidays even though I thought I was watching my food intake. Perhaps I'll get a really big tan this summer!

So so confused!

I just got back from an interview at a startup in Cambridge. I think it went mostly well and I find out on Monday if they really want me. This is a great opportunity as the job will be built around me and I'll learn sooo much. BUT...it being a startup, that is still in stealth mode, there are no guarantees. That is what worries me, especially since I just bought a new car. I soo don't know what to do, if offered, take that chance, or stick with my temp job where it's at least stable work.

The 3 guys I met with were really cool and laid back. After the interview, I was challenged to a game of foosball, where me and my teamate were soundly thrashed 10-5. I think that was the first time I've ever played foosball while not in a bar or having a drink. It was wicked fun though. On the way back home, I stopped at Diesel in Davis Square to get an iced coffee and rum scone. But they didn't have rum scones today...boo. I miss going there for coffee.

I want to go to the Brainwash Festival this weekend...especially on Sunday to see Windy & Carl...sigh.

Off to work, gonna be a late night there tonight :(