Coordinated coordinates

So, I can officially say I'm landing on my feet.  Well... we'll see.  What I'm trying to say is that I have been officially hired for a real job.  Not that Scholars was a 'fake' job, just ... well this is full time, and although it's contract, it feels like it could be permanent.  Who knows?

I just went in to check out the 'digs' and it's pretty sweet.  I'll put pics up shortly.  I get a cell phone, a laptop, there's a budget for driving around town, alot of swag, and I might even get a trip to Hamilton with rental car priveleges... so what is this job?

PASSPORT TO PROSPERITY CO-ORDINATOR

It's a branch, or wing ... essentially overseen by the North Superior Training Board.  It's a great job thus far.  Tho' I haven't done anything.  The majority of the job seems to help coordinate the setup of the Regional Career Fair by contacting local businesses and getting them to register with the employer registry program so that students can have opportunities for appropriate training.  I'll find out on Monday more specifically what are my duties.

Kinda feel bad, the board (nstb) just had a press conference dealio yesterday and I missed it, and then missed seeing it on TV ... probably shoulda so I could brown-nose with the boss for her media presentation.

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Anything else?  Well Mandy put some new videos of Dean up on the web over at youtube.com.  Go check 'em out.  He's getting to be a real handful, now that he's crawling everywhere.

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.

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 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,

Mandy got to have Prozz fries,

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.

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.

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).

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)

photo from Sandi

Another day writing my blog at a highschool

So, another day goes by -- the job searching goes through its paces.  Things are starting to look up, but I don't want to get too positive sounding, else I set myself up for a fall.

Do want to say thanks to the relative who has been really helpful... shouldn't say who as it might jinx it all (not that I'm a superstitious type) - but you know who you are.  Thanks a bunch I hope it plays out well.

The days at home with Dean are great I must say.  I will treasure this time being able to be spent with him.  Watching him slowly develop.  However, he has been most needy lately.  I hate to just prop him up with some Pocoyo or In the Night Garden, but at times it's the only thing that keeps him from that baby's whine.  I know he's a baby, and they do cry, but the really pathetic whine rubs against me in the way that fingernails do on a chalkboard.

That and I'm finding the days home doing almost nothing driving me insane.  I have to get out to go biking or something just to DO something.... not playing video games, writing cover letters, scouring job sites or watching infant television or worrying about my financial future.  So I've been taking to getting the bike out -- haven't biked much since the layoff.  I just absently cruise around.  Dropped by Robin's house, but he wasn't there the one time.

Anyhow, it's Hallowe'en and Dean's costume is ready for showing off to the family.  Seeing as it's themed it means that finally there'll be some family shots (it was pointed out that there really isn't a shot with Mandy, Dean and myself).  So we had sent the email out to go and trick-or-treat.  But as with all best laid plans they go awry -- I get called for supply.  Not that that's a bad thing - heck it's easy money.  Just I would have liked to go out the day with my kid for his first Hallowe'en day.

Oh, well - pay the mortgage - that's the first priority right?  I'll be home soon enough to do some trick-or-treating and then hand out some candy (which reminds me I should go and get some more... just in case right?)

My latest news

So it has been a while since I have been on here.  I did however post some pics of Dean at Gammondale's.  Did you see them?  Dean's so cute.  It was a good day with Justin, Karen, Parker, Derek, Mia and Tia.  It coulda been an expensive day... however, Dean is under 2, therefore, he's free and doesn't really want to do anything that costs tickets.  There were several different types of mazes, a straw pyramid for climbing, horse rides ponies, barrel rides.  Lots for any kid.

That day was a great day for the family actually.  We went to the farmer's market in the morning, and bought some good food, and then went to the other farmer's market in the victoria ville down town area (in the old George's Furniture).

It was a great time.  We found my steamed buns... mmm... After, we went to my parents' house to visit, but somehow after telling both my parents the day previously, mom went out and missed the whole thing, and dad was missed out on a shower.  Then we headed out to Gammondale's and then the Gold Rush Days at some church (I forget which one -- but we met a nice old lady and bought the best cookies ever:  ROOT BEER COOKIES).

What a day -- helped me take my mind of the turning of events of the week.  For those of you just turning in - I was laid off from PTC.  I had written previously about how the numbers were low, and we figured that somebody would get the axe - and well, it was me.  At least I can still supply teach.

Well I've done over like 25 resumes and set up profiles on a ton of sites - but so far nothing yet.  I've had a phone interview which seemed promising, but ... we'll see.  I'm still waiting my ROE... hopefully it comes soon.

Apparently by writing an email to Tony trying to get some answers was a bad idea.  I just think that he needed to know that there's been some wrong decisions made in the past while.  I really don't mind at all, or feel slighted in any way.  I've been meaning to say something about Ally's direction but while I was employed there was thge scare I would have been fired.  She tends to go through people quickly, making sure she only looks in the best of lights herself.

Anyhow, I'm not there anymore, so I don't have to worry about that anymore -- yeehaw.  Now just to find something better.... know anything?