tfl: The Flatiron Life

Somehow I did not post that World Famous Nina was proposed to by her longtime boyfriend, and my friend, David. She said yes, obviously. They are setting a date in the summer of 2004. I am very excited and happy for them.

If that was not enough to be excited about, David called me last night and asked me to be a groomsman! I am excited and floored by this. David and I are good friends, and I am absolutely honored that he counts me as a close friend to stand up with him.

(Note: Excited is used 4 times in this post because the thesaurus is broken in word on my machine.)

One would think that I should be posting like mad now that I am retired, but I have been pretty busy. I have been catching up on some reading, but the majority of my time has been taken up by moving. I am moving about 4 blocks away, but all of my stuff has to be thrown into a box, put in my car, and lugged up to my new apartment on the third floor. Yesterday I moved just 6 boxes, but was absolutely soaked afterward.

Today I receive a Notice of Violation from the City of Chicago Department of Revenue. The city claims that I have an outstanding parking violation. I disagree, sort of. I do not deny that I received a parking ticket, on the day at the time where the notice states. However I paid the ticket. I wrote a check, put it into the envelope that comes with the ticket, placed a stamp on it, and mailed the Monday after being ticked. I looked online in my bank account and turns out the check was never cashed. During my vacation I will take a trip downtown and pay in person, just to make sure.

Yesterday was my first day of unemployment. I went into my former employers Chicago office. I returned my laptop and its various accessories. I also turned in my badge, AmEx card, change of address form, and confidentiality form.

My first act as unemployed was to try to become employed again. I emailed my resume to a couple recruiters that are looking to fill positions where I would fit in great, if they were not looking for folks with 4 years experience. It is curious how recruiters are looking for folks that have more general experience than I do, but for the specific technologies that they are looking for I have as much experience as any one else. I know, I know there are other non-technical skills you learn from working, like leadership. I am confident in my leadership skills as well, but I know that there is no way to convince a recruiter that a 23 year old could lead a (non-sports) team.

In the afternoon I interviewed at a company in the north suburb of Northbrook. Before driving out there I did not have any intention of working there. I greatly prefer to stay in the city. The drive out there was not bad, around 45 min, but this was at noon. The interview went well. I started to think that this could be a good job. I would be coming in at the beginning of a new development project. Help with analysis and architecture. One big draw back was the significant reduction in vacation time. In total I thought it was a real possibility I would want to work there.

Then I drove home. The 45 minute drive there turned into 105 minutes back. I am sure that much of this was just Friday rush, and other days are better. Also I am sure I would not be leaving work at 3 pm. However, might want to leave at 3 pm on a Friday or some other time when traffic is crazy and my only options would be to sit in my car watching the gas gauge go down as the circulation in my legs started to stop. I was reminded that I prefer to set on the bus and let someone else drive me around while I am reading or annoying other passenger by talking on the phone, then sitting in traffic watching my car depreciate.

The search continues.

What this story leaves out is that Al-Qaida is also the name of a power company in Ohio.

If the high temperatures in Barbados where less then that of London this week would that mean there is global warming or global cooling. This is a great article that talks about that a much more. It is not very technical and a great read. In other word everyone, yes even you, should read it.

This is a great reminder of what this country is, by looking at what it is not.

Saturday, my best friend Corey married his long time girlfriend Sarah. It was a beautiful ceremony. It was outside at Billie Creek Village (think mini Colonial Williamsburg). I am very excited for them and wish them the best of luck as they venture together in this new phase of their life together. As I told them on Saturday, I pray that one day I will be able to find a woman that I want to commit my life to and who will want to commit her life to me. (The last part will probably be the harder of the two.)

Pictures!
Somehow Brian, fellow groomsman, never made it into a picture where he is recognizable on my camera. But I do have: The new Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Jason and Corey, and Jason and myself.

Today I was planning to announce my intention to run for governor of California, but I am not. Like much of America, I was amazed that Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy. I am throwing my full support behind Mr. Schwarzeneeger.

This is one of the most touching things I have read:

Bubby I just want to say that I am very proud of you! You weren’t happy with
your career and so now you are doing things to change it. I hear people
complaining all the time about not being happy in their jobs, and the truth is
they are the only ones that can change it. And you are that person changing
yours…it’s great!! As you should already know you are always in my prayers
and I’m sure God will see you through all of this and help you make the right
career choice next!!