Thursday I found out that my new job will not begin until mid April. It's a little setback but in a way its not that bad of a delay. The new company will pay me once a month. So if I start mid April, I will at least get paid within two to three weeks. Much better than stretching my last unemployment check for four to five weeks. When I worked for the company out of Chicago, they paid me monthly. It's hard at the beginning, but soon becomes very easy to get paid and pay monthly expenses all at once. It really makes a budget work properly.

Patrick came home from Thursday from his working trip to New York. Friday morning we played a round of disc golf at Boiling Springs. We were invited to join a couple of locals for a casual foursome round. After hitting the first basket with a best 3 shot, I had my worst game ever at that course. I even lost my Monster distance driver in the first retention pond. The wind was calm all morning. We approached the 246 foot 14th tee and I led off with the intention of clearing the pond on my tee throw. Just as I released the disc, the wind picked up from the right and swept my disc into the thick soggy saw-grass and out of sight.

Saturday morning Gin and I visited Holston Creek Baptist Church for a family's hot dog sail for their March for Babies campaign. Gin dropped off posters and pamphlets for their displays and use. 

This evening we were hit with pea size and dime size hail for 15 to 20 minutes. The ground was pretty much covered with the little ice spheres. The sound from the roof made us think it was bigger.

This past week I really haven't felt much like posting on Facebook. Even writing this weeks Blog, I am slow to really discuss much. I have a lot on my mind and on my plate and have spent more time trying to figure what to do next. I have actually spent less time on the computer than I normally do. 

Thanks for being a faithful reader. I know there aren't many of you. Please feel free to comment or interject your thoughts any subject whatsoever.

P@

Entry for March 21, 2010

My unemployment gig appears to be winding down. Over half a year is a long jobless period but not my longest. during the last six plus months I have run the gambit of emotions. I have learned a lot about my abilities and my limitations. I have found the emotional and moral support of family and friends to be my saving grace. The prayers and positive thoughts have given me new strength when I was at my weakest. All of you who have written notes to me, called me or spoke to me have touched my heart and I thank you. I can only hope I can do the same for you when you are in need. 

This week I shall receive a formal offer for employment with Stotz Fredenhagen (SFI). SFI is a German conveyor manufacturer and supplier for the automotive manufacturing industry. Their United States office is in Greer, SC just 25 minutes from home. I am expecting to start work with SFI at the beginning of April. My position will involve the management and supervision of subcontractors' installation and commissioning of the SFI automation systems. Such systems include electrified monorail systems that transport manufactured objects via an overhead rail and trolley mounted carriers that travel through an assembly line. Other systems include floor mounded chain conveyors or roller conveyors that move pallets, racks and work platforms of manufactured materials through the assembly lines. I am pretty excited to return to the plant installation work. My first assignment will be in Chattanooga, TN at the Volkswagen assembly plant. Our work will involve the door assembly line conveyors. Here is a link to the company web site. http://www.stotz-fredenhagen.com/sites/englisch/start_en.html

I played 3 disc golf courses last week. Tuesday I played the Century Park course in Greer and had my best game at the park. I scored a 59 on the par 60 amateur course (short tees). Thursday Gin walked with me while I played the Va-Du-Mar course in Boiling Springs. I kept with my average at this course with a 67. The course does not have a par rating, but I've labeled it as a par 60 based on the lengths of each tee to basket. Saturday Gina accompanied at the Timmons Park course in Greenville. The course is entirely par 3 for the pro shots and par 54 and par 69 for amateur. Except for the first hole, there was only one tee box which makes me scratch my head for the pro/amateur ratings. I pulled off a 57 with a very luck 75 foot birdie putt on the 17th. Probably more unusual than the shot was making it in front of 10 or so witnesses that clapped and shouted "Nice Shot". I would normally throw a disc into a stream or the woods in that situation. I was shocked to make the shot and remained poised enough to write it off as pure luck. I will be practicing more long distance putts just in case it wasn't a fluke.

Saturday afternoon we attended the Saturday Mass and then decided to join the Knights of Columbus' dinner in the church hall. We enjoyed meeting our fellow parishioners and the corned beef and cabbage dinner for their St. Patrick's Day celebration. I actually ate the cabbage which is quite a feat for me. Mom and Gin know what I'm saying.

P@

Entry for March 14, 2010

I had the worst case of Monday blah than ever. I ended up being the next in line for the dreaded porcelain bus driver job. Never in my adult life do I remember loosing it from both ends simultaneously.  ENOUGH SAID!!!
I did manage to send my resume out to the recruiter for the BMW job Monday afternoon.

Tuesday I felt much better but had a splitting headache most of the morning. I managed to get out of the house in the afternoon and trudge down to the Employment Security Commission. I could suggest other more meaningful and closer to the truth names for that place, but I won't. After securing my reserve of weekly payments for the next 13 weeks, I made my way to the BMW property for a little investigation.

I contacted, Tom E., a consulting engineer I worked with at the Caterpillar plant in Fountain Inn. I needed Tom E. as a reference for the BMW job which fell into a category of work he witnessed me performing while at CAT. Tom E. agreed to providing whatever information the recruiters would require.

My next meeting was with Tom M. an old boss and friend. I worked for him for a short while during my contractor days at BMW. Tom M. had some information that was helpful regarding the BMW job. He's helping with some contacts within. Tom M. also suggested I visit JP, a manager for a German automation company.

So...I visited JP talked about a job he needs help with in Chattanooga. I've known JP for about seven years now. We worked opposite each other during my days with Eisenmann. I stayed in contact with him during my BMW contractor years. JP is also a lake neighbor of ours. He has my resume and is sending it to Germany for approval. I meet him again on Tuesday to discuss the job further.

Back to the BMW job. I called the recruiter Friday to make sure I was being served properly. Good thing I did. The girl I spoke to held my resume from the submission of candidates. She said she didn't see enough significant experience in the ergonomic field. After a lengthy discussion she requested another version of my resume and my references. She informed me that they had sent 3 resumes to BMW which were sent back because the candidates were managers and not experienced with the physical work. DUH! I know HR people and recruiters have little idea about how to screen for specialty jobs. They probably try to match as best they can, the resume to the job description. No one tells them to look for a creative person with worldly experience in all facets of manufacturing, engineering, management, and mechanical know how. Nope! Job descriptions never tell them that. Instead of looking for a mutt with lots of pedigrees in its bloodline, they look for a pure blood lap dog when they need a working dog. I regress!

I'll be following up with all my new leads Monday and the rest of the week. I will be relentless in my pursuit of freedom from the suppressing dictatorship of unemployment. Victory will be mine!!!

Thursday night I helped Gin with her Family Team kick-off for March for Babies. The event was at Monkey Joe's, an inflatable indoor playground for kids. With over a hundred people in attendance the night was a success for Gin's efforts of the last two weeks. Jessica and Debbie arrived right around six with Nolan in tow. I met them at the door and Nolan ran into my arms. As he was introduced to the March of Dimes staff, he held the biggest smile for everyone. Once inside we showed Nolan the 3 and under play area. An inflatable arena with dinosaurs, crabs, fish and snakes (all inflatable of course). He was reluctant at first, but after a few minutes he didn't want to leave. Later on that area was taken over by parents and their one year olds. I grabbed Nolan and headed to the super slide. I think I made it up and down the slide four times, lugging Nolan up the spongy stairs and sliding down the fast drop to the bottom. He didn't want to stop, but I had to. That thing wore me out. I actually want one of my own purely for the cardio workout it delivers.

Gin and I attended Mass at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC. We chose this church because of how close it is to home and we always enjoy riding to the mountains. We both need to go to confession and we plan on that this Wednesday or next Saturday. The church is a small chapel with beautiful stain glass windows and wood trim. The service was good and the congregation was genuine and respectful. We are taking our return to church seriously and one step at a time. Many of you are Catholics and others are of other or no religious affiliation. I can say I have respect for each person's views and would never want to infringe on what you find to be the truth in your mind. Please respect my decisions and wanting to reconnect with the faith that I was taught in my youth. I have many faults that I have been wanting to correct. I believe I am taking the right path toward rectifying those faults.


P@

Entry for March 7, 2010

This may end up being a two part post. Writing in the present tense, Patrick called Gin a little while ago telling her about Jessica being in the hospital. Not the kind of news we want to hear. Jessica is in her 24th week of her Baby Dean pregnancy. Nolan was sick last Thursday with a stomach virus. He threw-up several times overnight as well as a few times during the morning. Patrick picked up the illness Friday night and part of Saturday. Jessica got it today. Our prayers are with Jessica and Baby Dean with the hopes that the illness will pass and Dean remains in the fetus stage for a few more months.

This week in job searching turned up a few prospects. My old job is closer to landing a new project. I'm not hanging my hat on anything with them until they actually call me and ask me to return. The second prospect came from my mortgage banker friend, Carolyn. Carolyn has a friend who is a recruiter with the need to fill a Safety Engineer position. I contacted her friend and discussed the position. At first the recruiter, Glenda, thought the job was not a fit for me after reviewing my resume. We discussed the details of the job and discovered I have quite a bit of indirect experience in the particular specialty. The work revolves around ergonomic machinery required by a local German car manufacturer. The same type machinery I have installed at said manufacturing plant as well as a Fortune 500 diesel engine manufacturing facility in Greenville. She agreed that I should revise my resume to enhance my experience points regarding this field. I'll have my updated information submitted Monday morning.

Hoagie (pictured above) and Mac had their semi-annual vet check-up today. The routine is to drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. It's always exciting to push a 14 pound cat into a cat carrier when they realize it's going to happen before they are captured. You've seen the cartoons where the cat spreads its legs to avoid a puddle or bucket of water. It's no different with forcing them into a small plastic box. I was able to slowly force Hoagie in. He was 3/4s inside when he whipped around and had his head partially out again. So I had to hold the door while I pushed his forehead through the door. After his head was re-inserted inside, his front paws gripped the front edge preventing the door from closing. He finally gave up and retreated with some healthy meows. Mac was a little easier, but still tough to shove in. It seamed that his fur was moving but his bones and muscle were not. Eventually gave up and went in.

I've spent a lot of time over the past several years searching for answers to difficult questions. I've read several self help books from a wide variety of view points and authors. Yesterday I came to the conclusion to stop searching and start living. I have all I need with my life, my family and my friends. There is no magic solution that a book will solve for my woes and worries. It's been 15 years since I was a regular church goer. Too many stereotypes and sarcastic comments about certain beliefs and religions. Who is right and who is wrong? Which way is the right way? Then there are those who say or believe one thing, then give you the finger if you cross their path on the way to the Fish Camp. I've met people who are quick to judge someone in the name of their beliefs and claim to be faithful followers. 

Being a Catholic in this area has had an affect on my wanting to attend church. Yea, I know I need to get over that. When we moved here in 1994 and attended the church in Spartanburg, we felt like outsiders. I tried transferring my Knights of Columbus membership to the local council but had little success getting that to happen. Then work became a priority on weekends. We needed the money and the job needed my services. I let several factors dictate my desire to attend church. It all lead to us not attending church for convenience. Yes Mom, I know these are all weak excuses. Anyway, Gin and I talked about finding a church nearby that we would start attending. I, personally, think that I just need to be a round some good parishioners in a strong atmosphere free of judgmental souls.

Thank you for reading about what makes me tick or what ticks me off. I appreciate comments and criticism. Just be ready to receive the same.

P@

P.S. 

Patrick informed us that Jessica would most likely be going home and that things were starting to look better for her and Dean. At the last call he made, Patrick indicated that his trip to NY for work was still on for Monday.