Well, I accepted

I had a great lunch with the oil guy today.  We really hit it off and I’d like to work for him and I think he wants me.  Problem is, he has no job right now.  He may have one in a couple months and it might be 6 months.  When he has one, he’ll give me a call and I’ll interview with his team. 

He was such a good guy that I told him about the Honeywell offer.  He said accept their offer and when he hired me it wouldn’t be a problem….they would understand that they could not compete with an Oil company.  Standard fare in private industry.

Their offer would be considerably better than the Honeywell offer.  It would get me back to pre-child support finances.  I could pay off my divorce debt.  I need to focus on kicking ass at Honeywell.  They are a good company and I may be there for the next 15 years.  Gotta make the most of what I have and the let the future take care of itself.

It has been a long stressful week.  I accepted a job with a great company.  I hope to start getting paid again.  I consider this step 1 of the post NASA recovery program.  I’m looking forward to getting things going.  I’m blessed to have the problems that I have.  It is so good to feel that way again.

2012 is going to be a great year.

Signing Week

Its only Tuesday, but it’s obvious this is going to be a big week.  I have a detailed offer from Honeywell and a no-details offer from Wood.

If it is between the 2, I’m pretty sure Honeywell is going to win out.  It is a better title, better money and about the same drive. I think my potential three years from now is better with Honeywell.  The folks at Wood are super nice, but I think I’d be a better manager than planner at this point in my career.

I need to get over my fear of the commute and fear of the unknown.  I need some of my ego back, but not all of it.

The problem with Honeywell is they really want to know this week.  I don’t know that I will have the details of the Wood offer and I’m sure I won’t have details of any potential Cobalt offer.  I spent so much time in a desperate place.  Now I’m stressing about which offer to take.  Hell, Davita may still want to talk to me.  What do I do about that?  Its hard to say no to anyone who has offered to help me when I have felt so deperate for almost a season.

Lunch with Randy was good.  I respect the man so much.  What a blessing to have him to bounce my little decisions off of. The man has terminal cancer and has taken an interest in the minor details of my life.

For three months I watch my life unravel.  It was such a dark time for me emotionally.  There where few days that I didn’t cry...some days its all I did.  Hopeless self pity would describe most of it.  I’m not embarrassed by it.  I got there honestly.  I earned it by my actions and those of people who had once loved me.  My life did fall apart.  I lost my dream job, the promise of a intact family life, half of my boys time, reputation, some faith and all of my ego….I’m not proud that I feel into self-pity depression, but I’m not embarrassed.    I think on the other side in a few months or years, I will see this as a pivotal time in my life.  I know I’m changed and I’m hoping for the better.

I hope I get the opportunity to pay the cosmic or spiritual debt I owe to those who have kept me alive.  I am by no means alone in the world in struggle.  My story is one of blessing compared to others, but for me it was severe. I have by no means recovered.  I'm not sure i want to.   I owe those who've held my head out of the mud my life.  I owe those who've showed me love my heart.  Even at the bottom of my struggle I am blessed with wonderful kind-hearted, generous souls.

2012 is going to be a better year.

Hallelujah!

My 4 hours of interviews paid off.  Today they called and made me an offer. 

The money is not what my old job was, but it's closer than I thought....and I get a signing bonus.  I feel like a pro athlete.

Its an intimidating job...Program Manager, but its a job.  I can't believe the journey I've been on.  Its not in the bag yet, but even an offer is so much better than Oct-Dec of last year.

I am blessed to have good folks in my life.  I would not have made it this far if it wasn't for the love of some really good people.

Blessed? Cursed? Blessed? Cursed?  I'm not sure its good to label your life...  Today is a gift...such a cliche and so true.

I can't wait to hug my boys....

4 interviews in 4 hours

Ok, what a day…

First, another bitter email from the ex right as I walked into 4 consecutive interviews.  Why not up the degree of difficulty.  I always thought the ex hate was over-dramatic banter.  Its not.  She still wants me to bleed more.  I can't believe there are people who get joy from other people's pain.

Again, I thought I did well.  To be honest, I don’t have to do that well.  NASA has a great brand and the folks I’ve seen thus far just assume I’m bright and can do anything as long as it doesn’t bore me because I’m used to doing much cooler stuff.

First it’s a long ass drive to I-10 and the beltway.  Second 4 straight hours of interview with no break…other than to pee is draining, even for a guy who likes to hear himself talk. 

Basically, it was 3 people telling me how hard this job was.  The consistent message was this is way harder than you can possibly imagine…then followed by if you are a big picture person and are good with dealing with a customer, you will do great.  They definitely scared me more than I expected.  Lots of “it’s like drinking from two fire hoses”.  Oh and I need a passport…25% international travel.

It ended with the big boss, telling me how much their medical coverage sucks.  It was very different from the first interview.  It sounds like the challenge of a lifetime, but if I do well, I can write my own ticket anywhere.

I’m too worn out to think.  I think I did well.  I think they are interested.  But, they did a shitty job of making me have any desire at all to work there. 

They said I could here tomorrow.  The first interview folks asked me back to meet the big boss.  I could have two offers by next week.  That is awesome, but lots to think about.  I’m blessed to have such problems after the last few months.  Long drives with jobs at the end of them are way better than no jobs and foreclosure.  Maybe the lunch next week will lead to something better…or the dialysis people will be more awesome.

I’ll figure it all out tomorrow. 

I have good friends and people who love me.  2012 is moving.  God has a plan and I’m trying to find it.

Jan 17 Interview

Today’s interview was … successful.  I didn’t know what to expect, but that said, it was not what I expected. 

First, the beltway turns eztag only after a certain point.  I didn’t know what to do, so I just jumped the gate...figuratively.  There was no place to pay and I needed to get there so I’ll probably get a ticket in the mail.  As if that was not bad enough, the address they gave me lead to an empty field.  I had to call the receptionist to get directions from the field …down an industrial road to a metal building.  Not corporate at all. 

The interview was with my future boss… a 20 something nice Purdue guy who has been their project planner for the last year.  He seems like a bright, motivated guy.  I think we connected.  My 1 hour interview went for 1:45.  He is a planner, I consider myself a planner.  I believe I understand the task well.  I think I could do the job well.  I think he believes this as well.

The problem, if there is one is that is a pretty big jump backward…so to speak.  I’d go from managing 100 people to managing zero and it would be about a 30% paycut.  I do however feel I could move up and move up quickly.  I expect to hear something either way by the end of this week….eeek.

All in all, I don’t feel my “performance” could have gone any better.  I think I’m on the short list.  It was good to have things go well.  I made a good impression and it’s a job I think I could do well.  It’s a 45-50 min drive, but everything seems to be.

Today was a good day.

First Post

Ok, here goes. 

It is a year of new for me...a year of fresh...a year of new experiences.  Why not start by blogging.  I love to talk, but blogging is probably a generation or two away from comfortable for me. 

I'm doing this for a number of reasons.  First, I don't want to forget this feeling.  I don't want to forget what it feels like to be stripped....to feel desparate and hungry.  I'm also attempting to be a blogger to get comfortable with learning or trying new things.  I'm gonna need this skill and honestly its one I should have never let atrophe, but I have. 

I'm also doing this just as a matter of ease.   I have so many folks who are supporting me...folks who have gone out of their way to help me in my time of need.  Even at the bottom of my own personal nightmare, I am blessed with many who care and are trying to help.  I want a place where folks can go and see how things are going.  There are probably a number of other reasons, but questionably not interesting.  My goal is not to be entertaining, nor do I want to bore my friends.

THIS WEEK: 

Monday, I have the boys for MLK day.  We will play some games, go to the gym and "workout" and grab some taco bell.  I'm also supposed to hear from Honeywell to arrange a day to interview with them.

I have an interview Tuesday with Wood Company (Wood GTS ).  I'm a bit nervous, but its great to finally be talking to a company and individuals who are interested in me...for a job that I am qualified to perform...as far as I know.

Wednesday I will have my second interview to talk to a "career specialist" (web portfolios)  I'm not sure about this.  It will cost money I don't have and I'm not sure what I think about it.  According to them, they have 96% placement rate.  Sounds too good.

Harris Co. is on hold.  Supposedly, they are keeping me in mind for any Project Manager Spots.  Kelley M. has been an absolute angel in trying to get me on board there.  What a huge compliment to want someone to come to work with you...to stick your neck out for someone you've never actually worked with.  Love me some Kelley.

Davita called last week and want to set up an interview sometime after the 23rd.  They are the total wild card...completely unlike everyone else.  My thoughts on this may come later.  Right now I'm focusing on what is on the menu this week.  I'm super anxious to talk to these folks...to get some feel for the job.

The point of my first post is I'm trying to change.  I'm trying to be something new.  I have some ideas who I want to be, but want to head in that direction.  If you are reading this, you are most likely a supporter or really...really bored.

Ok...I blogged at least once.