Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Semi Employed

So, yeah, I'm not exactly a bum anymore... well, I wasn't EXACTLY a bum earlier... just with no days supplying I get pretty lazy.  But that's over with now.

I have some work lined up now with Scholars.  Pretty much what I was doing over at PTC in the days of yore, but still somewhat different.  There's kids from highschool, there's kids who just need math help in general as well as adults who need tutoring as well.  Kinda good to keep practicing the 'art'.

Only, I wish it were more hours, but I'm the new guy... so just be patient.

I do have my interview with TD tomorrow...  'if' I get the job that'll mean 2 p/t jobs... ugh.  Plus supplying... but with that kinda schedule I'll doubt I'll get, or be able to do, any supply work.  Hrmm... keep applying I guess.


 On other notes - the Celtic Kitchen Party wasn't not too bad.  Sure wish we coulda had more people there... but the Dust Rhinos really do a good show.

Doug enjoyed himself,

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Mandy got to have Prozz fries,

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Crystal said she had a good time, accented with a nice Wendy's burger after -- I enjoyed our BK burgers.  Mmmm...  The band wasn't too bad.  I think we played very well; we sounded amazing I thought.  The quartet I thought we'd try a new tack and start with a slow tune together, then do solo tag offs with a culminating set after... it was good despite Rory's gaff and Dylan and Jessome's slower set.  Let's just hope everybody who came enjoyed it enough to make it profitable for us all.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The great hunt

So my hunt continues -- same as always.  Check the job bank and other sundry websites.  Compile custom resumes and cover letters and apply.

I did have one interview at Fastenal.  And a phone interview with TD, which was followed with an online psych test.  The Fastenal one kinda interested me, so I did some research on them before I went.  Company sounded interesting, but none too fond reviews... albeit they were from ex-employees.  When I went to the interview anyways.  I've never had an interviewer convince me that this would be a company I would not want to work for.  Within the 45 minute interview he informed me that the job would be a huge challenge as they've experienced huge losses in the area and it would be my job to turn that around; that they've had huge turnover in the past few years (3 in the position for the past few years and no employee with no more than a year); that I was continually "wrong" as I answered the questions.  And when it came time for my second interview by phone with them I was supposed to call long distance.  What kind of company does that?

Anyhow... still many irons in the fire, another interview coming and more closing dates coming - just crossing my fingers.  EI still hasn't kicked in... but ah well.

I do need, however, to start really pumping my name around the highschools... I haven't had any for a while.  Which will be kinda rough come mortgage day...

But still, this is viewed as a positive event all around.  I will not look back with regrets or even any sort of vindictiveness.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Blog errata

Okay, so I have some errata to clear up.

  1. Derek's kids are Tia and Ivy (I have no idea where Mia came from - I still am unsure how to spell Tia tho')
  2. My parents have taken a picture of us all together back in July 30.  Still waiting to get the photo emailed to me (I have seen it - my mom made a point of finding it for me when she saw my last blog post).

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Dean's First Hallowe'en

So Dean had a great first Hallowe'en... I was a bit late getting home from teaching so I get home around 4 and hoping to get out and do some trick-or-treating with the kid and family.  I get home and Mandy's parents have already stopped by and given Dean his treats.  My parents had the visit the day previously and he got some gifts there too.

So I get home ready to go ... and Dean's just started his nap... it's already 4, and he could sleep up to 2 hours, which means he'll miss trick or treating (if we don't want to get back home and dish out some treats of our own).  So do I wake him up, or just let him sleep?  Well a bit of both, I move him a little just to see if he'll wake up... no go, he's ultra limped.  He eventually starts to wake and then I put my outfit on and we go.  It was then I realize that my outfit isn't exactly as comfortable as I thought.  Mandy cut the bottom hem a little longer, so I am wearing a type of miniskirt -- getting into the car is a bit of a trick.

Anyhow, we get out to visit Cookie, Sandi, Jeff & Jenn (and all the Howie girls), Margaret and Burt.  We want to go home as Dean is now super upset and has missed a dinner and we were out way longer than we thought.  By the time we get near home Dean's a little settled so we stop in to quickly visit with Rory, Rain and Anna (a cute frog costume).

Well we get home and unpack and hand out some treats.  It's at that point we realize there's a message on the machine of a voice not identifying themselves saying that there is a gift of treats for Dean at her parent's house.  It took us like 10x listening to the message and then finally having the person IM us to determine who it was... Brandy, who then came by for a visit.

All in all... a good first Hallowe'en for Dean.  Jeff learned that it was indeed the Rubbles who had BammBamm (the Flintstones had Pebbles), I learned what it's like to wear a miniskirt and Mandy learns how to handout candy to some greedy and adolescent kids ("can we have lots?").  Oh, and Sophie and Jerry get to see Dean dressed up too.

So, Dean's Loot:

    • Baby food, Rice Krispies a card and some college fund donations (My parents)
    • Graduation cereal treats (Mandys parents)
    • Stacking blocks with numbers and animals (Cookie)
    • A Newfoundland shirt (Sandi) & probably the first ever full Moore Family photo (see below)
    • Halloween bag with teething cookies, juicy fruit treats, and sippy cup (Howies)
    • Animal crackers, fruit, puding (Brandy's mom)

Dean at Halloween 002

photo from Sandi