Journey & Adventure

First the Public Service Announcement: The opinions expressed here are my own. I’m not saying all men experience these symptoms, there are a few in my life that do, so I speak from experience. Whether real or perceived symptoms, they are a problem for me. If you are a sensitive man (or woman) – get over yourself, as I’m tired of dealing with your hissy fits. So, I’ve noticed a trend… just like women, men experience PMS. My boss is a perfect example of this – his severe monthly mood swings, outbursts and hissy fits for no apparent reason, coupled with moments of over the top cheeriness and random acts of thoughtfulness. I’ve been working here for almost five years now and although, it’s not at necessarily the same time every month, it happens just the same. This is not a segregated sensation sweeping the nation - I’ve also noticed this trend with the other men in my life. J and The Boy are prone to this behavior as well, as I’m sure many other men. Men just don’t realize it’...

In January, we hired a new lawyer, which allowed me to transition out of contracts and into other things, including a “special project”.   I’ve been actually working on this “special project” since August of last year, so until January, I was essentially doing the job of two people.    That was until a couple of weeks ago.   The President of our company and the gentlemen I happened to be working on the project for, suffered a stroke.   The results of the MRI showed, the stroke was actually caused from a brain tumor.   The prognosis is not favorable. I am devastated and I can’t even imagine how his family is feeling.   This gentlemen is in his early 80’s but has the brains and stamina of someone in his 30’s.   He was completely hands-on with his company, beyond successful and cares greatly for his employees – an unusual combination.    I am told by the management team that stepped in – that the “special project” will proceed on the pla...

I don’t know about any of you with children, but when my son was little and was having a melt-down, being disrespectful or just plain out of control, we would put him in a “time-out”.   The time-out was typically done away from others, in a quiet spot, with no outside stimulation.   For us, the bottom step on our staircase worked wonders since there was nothing around, and nothing to look at except a wall.   The time-out period usually only lasted 5-10 minutes, but in extreme cases it could last longer. Today, I wish someone would put me in a time-out.   I’d happily find a secluded staircase somewhere in the building where I could refocus my energy and have a moment to myself, to readjust my attitude. I woke up from a good sleep and was ready for the day.   AND THEN…I got to work.   Duhn, duhn, duhn, dunnnnnn!    I wish I could say the rest of the day will get better, but alas – it won’t.   I have a “team” lunch meeti...

For years, I’ve struggled with happiness in my career.   I’m easily bored, need to be challenged and most important of all, don’t like to be micro-managed.   Well, I’m 3 years into my current position and am still unhappy with my choice in careers.   It’s my problem and I’m dealing with it, BUT knowing it’s only short-term (3-5 years) definitely helps.     That being said, I’ve come up with a plan of sorts – something that should keep me engaged, reduce my exposure to unpleasant people, allow me to be slightly creative and the best part – my report structure should change.   AND, there is a need for this position within the organization – they just don’t know it yet!   Here is where by diabolical scheming comes in.   I need to figure out a way to – make them aware of the need for this position, convince them I’m the right person for the position, convince my boss he’s not the reason I’m want out of our department, so he’ll give the ne...

For those that have been following this blog for awhile, you know that I have a terrible history for staying at one job for a long period of time. Other than my favorite boss, whom I stayed with for 12 years and where I’d still be if it wasn’t for a non-solicitation clause in his employment agreement that kicked in after a corporate take-over, I’ve never lasted in a job position for more than 3 years. Yep, since 2000, I’ve worked for 6 different employers. I have varying reasons for why I left and moved on – everything from earning more money, needing more challenges, stupid co-workers, unbearable bosses, to extreme boredom and no work. The list goes on. I’m hopeless in the sense that I can’t seem to find my career groove. I’ll toot my own horn and say that I’m really good at what I do, but tend to get bored, easily if not engaged. I liked to be challenged, but not micro-managed. I like the freedom to make decisions on my own, but also like knowing that if I need guidance o...

I’m constantly perplexed at how I could have possibly made so many bad career choices over the years that I am now once again sitting at the crossroads of disconbobulation and quagmiredness. Yeah, I don’t know what it means either, but it pretty much sums up how my job has been making me feel for at least the last six months. Oh well, life goes on and I’ll manage to get through this. It helps knowing that it’s only a means to an end… Perplexed Definition: (i) filled with uncertainty; (ii) full of difficulty; Disconbobulated Definition: when something odd happens and you get an indescribable confused feeling. Quagmire Definition: (i) soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot; or (ii) a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position;

Yesterday was The Boy’s 20th Birthday. I’m not sure how I feel about that little tidbit. Yesterday, it seemed like just another day, but today I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of where the last 20 years of my life went. Today would have been my mom’s 63rd birthday. As with the last 20 years, the 5 years since her passing have flashed by. I don’t know where the time has gone. So much has happened, yet so little has changed. Tomorrow, I’m having lunch with my boss to complete my performance review. We NEVER go for lunch together until it’s performance review time and then suddenly he feels the need to take me for lunch. Maybe he feels if he feeds me first, I’m less likely to speak my mind. I’d much rather just meet in his office and get it over with. Ugh… Day After Tomorrow is pay day! Everyone LOVES pay day – even if the money is spent before you receive it. Wait, maybe that’s just me… And then…it’s Friday! Need I say more? Happy Tuesday – I hope your...

If you are a regular reader, you know the story…I’m restless in my career. Apart from working with the best boss in the world for almost 10 years, I’ve never stayed in one place for very long. The longest stint within the last decade has been 3 years. In case you’re wondering, I’ve held 6 jobs within the last 10 years, including the current one. My restlessness is beginning to surface again. We are currently at the 1.5 year mark. Eeek, I have a problem. What is my problem exactly? Good question. I have many issues, BUT the biggest factor in my restlessness is the “need to make a difference”. I don’t need to save the world, I don’t need public tributes, accolades or recognition of any kind, but I need to personally know that my contributions are doing something for the organization. If I can’t take something that’s in disrepair and make it better or improve upon a process, I don’t see the need to continue. If I can’t do my job well, I don’t see the need to do it at all....

When asked how he was doing, the President of our company responded: "I'm crankier than a bear with a sore ass." He's 78 and just doesn't give a s**t.  That man has made my day!

I’ve always been perplexed by that phrase, but now that I have a specific goal in mind, that phrase holds new meaning to me. “A means to an end” is exactly what my job is…something done to achieve something else. My current job is simply a way to facilitate my disappearance from North America culture. I’ve always done well with my career, but I can say with 100% certainty that I don’t enjoy what I do and I haven’t enjoyed what it for probably the last decade. I’ve come to the realization of late that this latest job, while the most financially fruitful has left me feeling like I’ve sold out – money for happiness. My previous jobs left me counting the hours down until the end of the day. I was always bored and unfulfilled, but I seemed to find a way to make it work. At least I had the freedom to come and go as I pleased, I was able to freely surf the internet, to blog, or to just laugh with co-workers.   Here, there’s none of that. Every hour of the day, I’m monitored ...

I’ve never thought myself to be OCD in anyway, but lately I find myself consumed with my e-mail inbox. You see, I use my inbox as a sort of “to-do” list. If a matter needs to be dealt with, it stays in my inbox until it’s either been dealt with by me or had become someone else’s problem. Once it’s been addressed, it gets moved out of the inbox and into a customer specific folder. Out of sight, out of mind.  Life is good, but... Around my workplace, it’s like a big ole game of “hot potato”. Something comes in and of course, it needs to be dealt with ASAP. Sending a response to the person immediately is the ideal course of action, but lately, I’ve noticed a new mentality forming around here. I like to call it a “stall tactic” and my boss is the king of such tactics. If you ask him a question, you will get at least three questions in return and at least one of them will send you off on a wild goose chase…to places unknown, where no one has gone before and no one will go again. ...

The weather this past weekend (yes, I realize that was almost a week ago) was not nice – at all.   It was either raining or when it wasn’t raining, it was so cold that pants and a long-sleeved shirt were required.     With the arrival of colder weather, cold and flu season has also arrived.   There are two people in the vicinity of my office that are sick.   I cannot stand the sound of someone sniffling and not blowing their nose.   “Gross” is all I have to say about that…   My father-in-law held a yard sale this past weekend (in between when it wasn’t raining).   I swear that man could sell air conditioners to Eskimos.   We had taken him a small amount of “junk” that had been lying around our basement for years to sell on our behalf and he conveniently made us a nice $400.   Have I said how much I love than man?   I love him even more since he didn’t ask for a commission.   My new found wealthy feeling...

J has been with the same company for 8 years now and has been having some ongoing issues with his boss.   His boss is and always has been a dictator, know it all and over all pain in the ass.   J is very easy-going and usually can let things roll off his back, but lately it’s getting to him and he’s bringing his dark moods home with him.   He’s lost total interest in his hobbies, exercise, etc. and basically sits on the couch, watching television and sighing a lot. *sigh* I of all people, understand bad times at work.   Hell, I could write a whole book on jack-off bosses and bat shit crazy co-workers.     I’ve been patient, I’ve been supportive.   I’ve even told him to quit, that we will manage, but my patience are failing.   My motto is “get the hell out if you aren’t happy”, so why the hell is he not listening to me?    J and I are different in that, I embrace change.   He’s a little more reluctant to take chan...

I just went up to our reception area and saw a gentlemen standing with his back to me. The slight tilt of his head and his stance from behind looked oddly familiar. Could it be? I knew he worked in town, but it’s been about 10 years since our paths had crossed. As my heart rate quickened, I felt myself beginning to blush. Should I say something just to be sure or should I just turn and walk away. What if I was wrong and it was a case of mistaken identity? I moved a little to his left side just to confirm my suspicions. It was him! It didn’t take me long to swoop in and grab him for a hug. I’m not a total creeper and did announce his name to ensure that he had a chance to turn around and not be totally freaked out by the sudden movements of a crazy person sexually assaulting him from behind. The man in my reception area just happened to be one of the best bosses I have ever had – even if he is a lawyer. I loved him once (in a boss sort of way)...