No longer working at the airbag inflator company!

I know it has been weeks since I last pasted anything here and I apologize to the couple of you that still come around to see what's up. The good news is, I've started a new job, today, back in the aerospace industry and while it won't be exciting work, it is good paying work. It's a 220% increase from my Autoliv production work so I can't kick about that.

I'm not kicking at all, actually. I'm happy. Relieved even. It will be day shift, 1/2 the distance to commute and I can arrange my hours to either take off every other Friday or every Friday... Yeah, that's gonna be a tough decision!

But it is fall and I have been busy getting ready for winter. It always seems there is so much to do and not enough houors to get it done. Fish Slayer has been cleaned up and is ready to be covered for the winter but the shrink wrap cover I saved from last year isn't going to work for reuse like I expected. I may have to cough up the cash to have it wrapped again this year. The swamp cooler has been drained and covered and the Halloween decorations are in the front yard. Most of the hoses have been put away and the rasberry bushes have been cut back.

I have been giving serious thought about how to get this tiny little blog re-motivated and pointed in a new direction. It's about time I get off of the occasional updates about my own life and start mentioning many of the dumbass things I see going on in politics and other subjects. I'm going to have to figure out how much to say about what I see going on around me but at least now I can do so without fearing that a potential employer might stumble upon this blog and decide not to hire me because of my pubished opinions.

Stayed tuned!

Well ain't this a kick?

I've got a job! I start tomorrow afternoon, assembling widgets that will become part of nearly every automotive airbag screwed into every new car no matter the brand of car.

It's only been 18 months since I was laid off and went out of work. My unemployment payments ended 2 weeks ago and the BSU and I have been getting pretty desperate about how the blls were going to get paid but I start tomorrow and get paid weekly so by next week I'll be getting paid. The job is through a staffing agency and if I do a good job and stick at it for a few months, I should get picked up permanently by the company. When that happens, I may be able to work a transfer from the Brigham City plant 20 miles away to the Ogden plant just 4 miles from Wasted Electrons World Headquarters. In the mean time, I'll just make the drive everyday.

It is swing shift and that will be a huge adjustment for the household. I'm not used to being out of the house evenings nor is the spousal unit used to having me out late but I guess we will have to adjust. I'll have to learn to pack and carry a lunch bag but once again, we will adjust.

Most importantly, this means I am employable! I have read any number of reports that employers much prefer to hire new employees that are already working somewhere else instead of people out of work, especially long term out of work people like yours truly. There's lots of reasons but it boils down to people that are already working are presumed to be in the habit of getting to work on time and to have current skills. So while I'm not going to complain about this current work, I am going to keep looking for work more similar to my latest employment. And when I update my resume to show my current employment and send it out in the future, possible employers will know that I'm working and employable.

So a new chapter in this saga begins tomorrow. I'm nervous and anxious and excited.

Sunday evening week in review-

I used to squeeze in a post most every Sunday evening but that habit slipped off some time back- completely unremarked by the (very) few of you that still stop by but I'd thought I might try to get back into the habit. This last week has been full and busy and heartbreaking, so it's only fair that I share some of it with you.

You already might have seen that we took our Very Elderly Visla to the vet for her very last appointment. That was a heartbreaker for everyone concerned but it really was time. We are missing her around here very much. Eating the last bite of my peanut butter toast or lunch snadwich seems completely foreign to me as she has shared those bites these many years. The picture down below actually shows Sandy enjoying her last bite of peanut butter toast before leaving for the vet's office, that's why her lips are curled and her teeth are showing, not because she was snarling as it appears.

I stayed busy job hunting this week. The job interview for the hardware store job seemed to go well but they haven't called and asked me to start. The store is scheduled to open on April 11 so if they are going to call, I suppose it will be soon. I applied for a job as a maintenance manager for some type of equipment fleet. That should be a shoe-in as I was an aircraft maintenance manager for 18 years while in the service! I even took the time to write a new resume that focused on my experience managing aircraft fleet maintenance requirements. But again, I haven't heard anything back from that action; maybe next week.

I applied for a handful of jobs with the giant orange box store so maybe I'll land a job that requires me to wear an orange apron everyday. We'll see.

I actually may have scored a job as a Program Manager but it is contract work similar to what I've done for 10 years and the contract won't be issued until July. If the company that contacted me wins the contract, I'll be fully employed in August but that sure is a very long way away.

The BSU and I went out to the movies Friday night and saw Lincoln Lawyer which although it's no Oscar candidate, it is a decent and interesting tale. Matthew McConaughey plays an LA defense lawyer that prefers operating from the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car who runs into a big-time case that really puts all his skills to task. It isn't too long before he realizes that his client is not only probably guilty of the current crime he is accused of but is without doubt guilty of killing a woman that another client went to jail for all the while claiming his innocence. But in spite of threats to his family and the murder of his good friend and investigator, he manages to earn an aquittal for his client and the fat payday that was agreed upon while getting justice done on all coounts. It was definitely a worthwhile movie for the cost of the tickets and popcorn so go see it if you're so inclined.

Oh yeah, we got out taxes done... Being unemployed and having to take money out of a couple retirement accounts has not done me any favors with the IRS and the state. Not sure at all how I'm going to get everything paid that needs paid but it sure is going to keep me eating cheap for a significant period of time!

Next week- a coule days of driving cars, taking the BSU to the airport for another trip to Oregon, a Dr.'s appointment, and I have to get the Lincoln inspected so I can buy registration for the next year. The Lincoln needs new air springs up front, (and maybe more suspension parts) so getting it passed might be a trick. And perhaps I'll get fishing line wet for the first time this year with Jim & Kenny but it has to quit snowing first!

What to wear-

For a job interview this afternoon for a hardware store job?

Khakis and a dress shirt and tie seem about right.

The good news? The store isn't even open yet- still under construction and right here in Ogden so not too much of a commute. I'll bet I can sell hardware.

Is it weird-

that many of my dreams lately have involved me being at work? And many of my dreams that I remember involve me being in uniform?

I'm not usually cognizant of my dreams after waking but in the past couple weeks, I have been aware of my dreams and most of them have involved me being on the job, and frequently back in the uniform of the USAF, the uniform I wore for 21 years. But I've been out of uniform for 11 years, (and out of work for 13 months), so I really don't know what it all means.

Good news on the job front or just sad commentary on being out of work and remembering the days when I did have a task and a calling to attend to- I admit I don't know what the answer might be. Right now I'm leaning towards the latter circumstance.

2 interviews- 1 "close but no cigar"...

Bummer. I wrote that I had 2 job interviews scheduled for last Tuesday and so I did. Both of them seemed to go very well. At the first one I actually knew one of the interviewers and even though the job wouldn't have been perfect, it would have been very good and I think I'd have been plenty qualified and suited to the task. But that was the position that I was not selected for and received the email telling me so this morning.

I also had the 2nd interview later on Tuesday with the University of Utah and again it seemed that the interview went very well. This is also the position that I really hope I get called back for another interview as this one was just a preliminary one. I believe this position could really be a calling where I could be happy and productive and to do good for a lot of people- military veterans in this case.

So keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer to your favorite deity or capture a neighborhood raccoon and make an animal sacrifice if that's your method of beseeching your higher power for favors, that I might get a call for another interview very soon!

Doing the background work-

I've spent some of this morning researching the Director of Veterans Support Services position that I am interviewing for tomorrow. Over the weekend, I've decided that I would really like this job and it might just be the calling that I have been looking for these past months.

One thing I discovered is that the center has received a new name. It used to be called the Utah Student Veterans Center and their website and blog are way out of date. The former director was a junior at the university, heading off to study and surf in Hawaii and had just a few years of military service time.

The more I look at the requirements of the job description, the more I think that I could do a really good job in being this director. I'd have to bone up on all the different agencies and programs that are out there to assist veterans but I believe I could become their very strong advocate. The commute into Sale Lake City and across town to the university every day would suck but if I decide to use public transportation, the Front Runner trains have wi-fi so I could catch up on my mail and news and blogging while getting to work. And in the warm months, I have Sleek Black Beauty to ride!

It's been an interesting day in the job hunt...

Can you believe it has been a year that I've been out of work? I still find that to be incredible. I never would have guessed 1 year ago that I would be still looking a year later, but there it is.

But today has been very interesting... I applied online for an Equipment Specialist position that I got turned on to a couple weeks back, to one of the companies that I've previously worked for during my time as a contractor. Today, I received a call from one of their recruiters. He asked me some questions, seemingly liked the answers and later called me back to ask if I could meet a local management team for an interview on Tuesday. Of course I said yes, even though the job is temporary and doesn't offer benefits. If I get selected and back to work, I'll take it!

Shortly after that, I heard by email from another company asking about my availability. This company is partly owned by someone I know and have worked around in the past. I found out later that this company is also seeking Equipment Specialists for the F-16 office! What this means is that all the support companies out there are getting wind of potential contract offerings and they are looking to gather resumes of potential employees to offer as part of their proposal, should the .gov actually put a request for proposals out on the street. At this point, I don't really care which company's name is on my badge, I just want to get back to work.

Then I discovered another job on the Department of Workforce Services website that I decided to take a chance and appy to; it's called Director, Veterans Support Services for the University of Utah! I emailed my resume and just a couple hours later, I received a phone call asking if I would be available for an interview on Tuesday... Yes! Of course I'm available!

Now this job sounds interesting. It is a new position, situated in the university student services building and would involve recruiting veterans to apply to the U, troubleshooting their difficulties transitioning from military to college life and generally being the voice of the veteran on campus. I'd have to learn a great deal more about the Veterans Department programs for students but I think I would really enjoy the challenge of this position.

I don't know how any of this will play out but today was certainly a red letter day in my year long search. It also falls on the day after I had a first discussion with the BSU about seeking a new career in an entirely different direction- one that would cause me to never wear a necktie again and ensure my Sundays were always a day of work...

The job interview seemed to go well today-

Since the owner of the indoor kart racing track actually remembered and recognized me from the times i've been in his place, I think the interview actually went pretty well. The job's for a mechanic on the karts and nearly full time and it would be evenings and weekends but if I land the job, I'll take it and be happy until something else comes along.

I do have a bacterial infection in my eye- saw a real eye Doc today, and he prescribed some thicker, stronger antibiotics for me for the rest of the week. Hopefully things will get better quick with the new drops.

I think I've found some plans for a motorcycle lift for my workshop that I can actually afford to purchase and store! Buying a commercial lift is outside my budget and would hog up far too much of my floor space in my shop. The one I found pictures of tonight is much cheaper and much easier to store when I don't need it for tinkering with Sleek Black Beauty! I just need to make a trip to Harbor Freight and Home Depot!

Ok, let it snow!

I've got Fish Slayer back from the boat store where it has been tightly shrink wrapped for the winter and pushed it back to the fence and out from under the carport. I also got the neighbor to help me back the camper behind the fence today and once I get the battery out of it and the tarp tied down, the weather can just go wild and bring in the snow- which is due beginning on Saturday.

I've been up to Powder Mountain Ski Resort to try and obtain employment for the winter and I expect- since the guy doing the hiring remembered me from previous years handing out chocolates, that I'll be working once the resort opens. Powder Mountain isn't using dedicated ticket checkers any longer so I's have to be part of the lift operations staff, meaning I'd have to bump chairs and operate the lifts but I've done all that in the past so I guess I can do it again.

And I had a job interview! I actually had a sit down interview yesterday for a logistics coordinator for a big company here in Ogden that makes interesting and big stuff that requires some really cool machine tools. Now I'm on pins & needles waiting for a follow-up call to see if I got the job. I really think I'd like this job and company so I am very anxious for them to call me.

Well, I got a job...

It's not as a logistician or scheduler or program manager or anything like I've studied or had paid experience in, but it's a job- driving cars! Mondays are half days, going out in a van full of drivers and bringing back cars to go through an auction and Tuesdays are a full day of actually running the cars through the auction barn.

Not great pay as you might expect but it is something and it is only 2 days per week leaving me the rest of the week to focus on finding an inside job and to grow Ogden Clear Headlights business. I expect I will be working at Powder Mountain Ski Resort after the snow flies so maybe driving cars until then will keep me occupied.

Another job that I didn't get...

Well the HR recruiter told me that the down-selects for the job I interviewed for on Tuesday might take 2-3 weeks but the rejection letters didn't take very long to arrive. He was right, I got the "thanks for playing but no prize for you" email today. It really busted my bubble for a couple hours today.

I did receive a phone call from another recruiter for a scheduler position today and I owe him an updated resume tomorrow or Monday. So maybe that will turn into something.

In the mean time, I've turned into a full time lawn sprinkler professional and I've been working for St Michaels Episcopal Church up in Brigham City, relocating some sprinkler lines so that they can install a brick labyinth in their garden. I nearly got the work done today and I would have finished except for the flooding irrigation water coming in from a neighbor's yard that turned my trenches into a moat! There was a moat surrounding a lake in that back yard this afternoon! So I'll finish that job tomorrow before Noah gets home.

So- ups and downs in the employment arena and enough work taking care of my own yard and 2 church's sprinkler systems to keep me busy. But Saturday I'll be fishing with Noah and on Sunday we are going to car races at Miller Motorsports Park!

Not so fast there Bucko...

As reported last night, I did get a job offer from a company yesterday and I did sign it and return it today as requested. But- and there are a couple "buts" here, the company hasn't actually been awarded the contract or workload yet. That might happen as early as next month- ifthey win the award and ifthe contract isn't disputed by some other company that doesn't get the award, then there may be a job to go to. I also discovered the company sent offers to numerous individuals with the intent of actually choosing 1 or a couple when the workload is ready...

So I'm not going to stop job hunting just yet...

Finally- a job offer!

Yes! I received an offer letter for a logistician position today- sweet! A start date is still to be determined as the offer is contingent upon the company winning a contract award and the transfer of my security clearance to the new company.

But hey, somebody wants me! I'm so excited! Details tomorrow after I learn more.

Go to work where?

Somebody asked me this week if I had considered looking for work anywhere in southwest Asia, you know, anyplace surrounding the Persian Gulf. There is lots of work to be done there and with huge paychecks offered to entice qualified people to work accomplishing the things that the people who grew up there won't do or won't get trained to do.

The very first thought to cross my cranium when I encountered this question? I'm not going without my firearms for self protection! And since we can all be certain that possibility is out of the question, so is the likelihood of me going over there to work. Let me take along my Taurus 1911, my SKS and 2 Kel-Tecs, (the P3AT and the Sub 9 carbine) and we could talk about employment.

Job interview update

I think it went well. I was on the phone with the interviewer for 40 minutes and answered 14 questions. I had experience with all the different AF computer systems he was interested in except 1 that was just being introduced when I was leaving the F-16 community. He asked me all about my experiences and skills and goals and he seemed to like my responses.

There's a pretty good chance I'll have an answer before the weekend. A little birdie told me that my name was at the top of the list for this job and that the interview was just a formality. How that birdie might have any insight is beyond me but stranger things have happened.

Cross your fingers...

Say a prayer, kiss a shamrock or rub your lucky rabbits foot for me because tomorrow, I have a job interview! It will just be a phone interview so I don't have to get dressed up fancy or even shave if I don't want to, but hopefully this will turn into a job. It's another contractor job, back in the building and the F-16 Program Office that I worked in some time ago, I'd actually be replacing a guy I know, so I'm pretty excited about the possibility.

On a related note- and I hope I don't jinx myself here, there may be a Civil Service position opening up for me in the last building I worked in. I'll take the first thing offered but jump ship in a second if a Civil Service position becomes available for me.

Well it's been a good day-

except for the blisters of course... I've given myself 2 blisters in the palm of my right hand from turning too hard on a screwdriver putting my floors back in Fish Slayer. I tore one of them so I have an open hole that's about dime sized. It's pretty miserable.

But Fish Slayer is going back together! The 3 seat bases are installed, both windshields are back in place and the first 2 pieces of the recovered panels have been put in place. Tonight I bought the hardwae needed to reinstall the steering wheel cover. So things are coming along and that makes me happy. Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be crap but if it gets nice enough, I'll be out there putting things back together.

No words back on any job offers yet but I had some pretty positive feedback from some of the folks I spoke to today so I'll see.

On another note, the BSU talked me into buying a weeping willow tree for the backyard. She won't admit that it is going to overpower every other tree out there in 10 years or so which it no doubt will. But she's been wanting another willow for a few years now and she caught me in a weak moment. I've already planted an apple tree beside the house earlier this week and tomorrow I suppose I'll be digging a big hole in the backyard for the willow. Doesn't she realize how difficult every new tree makes my mowing?

Busy morning on the job hunting front!

In spite of what seems pitiful few places to apply for work, today is turning out to be a red letter day and with any luck at all, something good- maybe several things good, could result. I'm energized by the swirling possibilities!

I spoke to a man in Oklahoma City about a job opening here in Utah as a support contractor this morning. I know the guy that is leaving the position, he heard recommendations from a couple people that know I am out of work and had already forwarded my name back to his boss in Oklahoma. Today I spoke to that boss and sent him my resume. I also attended a job fair for positions on the base that were supposed to be intern positions but the qualifications required a current or pending Masters degree. That was the bad news. The good news was that the fellow doing the interviews is a supervisor in the building where I worked last and we were able to close a connection concerning my availability that he was unaware of. He didn't know that I was a contractor in his building, thinking I was already Civil Service and also unaware that the assistance he was providing to one of his Flight Chiefs regarding bringing in an external hire was for my benefit. Once all those coincidences were ironed out it sounded like he would do all he could to get me hired back into his building at the first opportunity!

I also received my first ever email from the Utah Department of Workforce Services recommending that I apply for a particular position based upon my skills and so I did that just before coming here to write about it. It's a technical writing, and get this- a blogging position! Woot!

Now it's time for lunch and more work on Fish Slayer. I installed the new glovebox last night and I can begin to reinstall all the newly recovered panels.

Another first in my life-

And not one I am particularly happy about either- this week I applied for my first ever unemployment payment. I'm 53 and have never in my life received state subsidy of my budget but if things don't change this week or next, I'll start receiving weekly unemployment payments.

It's not really too big a bummer, it's just frustrating. I'm at home today job hunting after taking yesterday off to run errands. There are a few really good jobs being offered that I think my skills would be a good match with and I've applied for several but so far I haven't been hearing my phone ring in response.

Somebody must want me!