the return?
Ok, time for an entry.... Not that I've actually talked to most of the people on this friends list for years, but what the hell.
First thing, and this is mostly for jakshadows , I did my first run of the year today after work. I stopped running last year when it got really cold and moved to just doing the treadmill at the gym. So I did my run today, 1.03 miles in 9.07 seconds. When I stopped for the winter I think I had it down to about 8:30, so I'm pretty happy about only losing half a minute. It's a fairly pathetic time, but I'm 30 and wasn't particularly fast to begin with.
So then, how about work? Well, work is something that I'm a bit torn about. On the one hand, there are very capable people who I know (or follow) who are out of work or working what amount to odd jobs right now, which makes me think that I should be happy just to have something that pays well. On the other hand, despite having a well paying job, I'm underemployed, and getting frustrated that there really doesn't seem to be any growth or upward mobility possible in my career. Now, lets be clear form the start, this is entirely my fault. I have a long and strong track record of being given excellent, almost obscene opportunities, and making the wrong choice every time. So this isn't whining, more like observing in a whining tone.
It's almost funny, but today I was talking with my contact at a client company. She's being promoted, so they're looking for someone to fill her role. The person will be responsible for basic day to day IT related tasks, and will call my company (generally meaning me) in for the advanced work, or for consulting when they get over their head. I asked for details about the position, and it turns out they'll be making more than I do, and have better hours and benefits too. So to recap, I'm going to help hire a person less qualified, but better paid than I am. Oh yeah, and they'll have much better job security and growth potential. I really want to just take the job myself, then help hire someone to replace me at my company. Ok, so it is funny, just not to me.
Not being one to bitch and moan without doing anything, I've started taking steps to change careers. I've been working in IT for about 12 years now, and while by all accounts I'm very good at it, the reality is that I'll be good at any number of things. So for the past few months I've been working towards getting my insurance producers license. I took and passed the licensing test last month, and am just waiting on state approval before I get started. I really don't know how this is going to play with my current job, but so far it looks like I'll start doing insurance strictly on the side, and see if I'm able to build up a little residual income from it before deciding whether to jump in fully.
Hmm, anything else new? The house is progressing slowly. I'm ready to redo the bathroom, kitchen, and replace the windows as funds become available (see complaints re: job). It's been nice to have my own place though, and to be able to think beyond a year as far as living improvements. I'm shooting quite a bit more now too... I've been competing in trap since I was about twelve, but I've started joining pistol and three gun competitions too (three gun = pistol, rifle, shotgun). I placed 2nd in a very small three gun at the end of last year, and in the top 5 at a trap shoot in January. What the hell, it keeps me off the streets.
First thing, and this is mostly for jakshadows , I did my first run of the year today after work. I stopped running last year when it got really cold and moved to just doing the treadmill at the gym. So I did my run today, 1.03 miles in 9.07 seconds. When I stopped for the winter I think I had it down to about 8:30, so I'm pretty happy about only losing half a minute. It's a fairly pathetic time, but I'm 30 and wasn't particularly fast to begin with.
So then, how about work? Well, work is something that I'm a bit torn about. On the one hand, there are very capable people who I know (or follow) who are out of work or working what amount to odd jobs right now, which makes me think that I should be happy just to have something that pays well. On the other hand, despite having a well paying job, I'm underemployed, and getting frustrated that there really doesn't seem to be any growth or upward mobility possible in my career. Now, lets be clear form the start, this is entirely my fault. I have a long and strong track record of being given excellent, almost obscene opportunities, and making the wrong choice every time. So this isn't whining, more like observing in a whining tone.
It's almost funny, but today I was talking with my contact at a client company. She's being promoted, so they're looking for someone to fill her role. The person will be responsible for basic day to day IT related tasks, and will call my company (generally meaning me) in for the advanced work, or for consulting when they get over their head. I asked for details about the position, and it turns out they'll be making more than I do, and have better hours and benefits too. So to recap, I'm going to help hire a person less qualified, but better paid than I am. Oh yeah, and they'll have much better job security and growth potential. I really want to just take the job myself, then help hire someone to replace me at my company. Ok, so it is funny, just not to me.
Not being one to bitch and moan without doing anything, I've started taking steps to change careers. I've been working in IT for about 12 years now, and while by all accounts I'm very good at it, the reality is that I'll be good at any number of things. So for the past few months I've been working towards getting my insurance producers license. I took and passed the licensing test last month, and am just waiting on state approval before I get started. I really don't know how this is going to play with my current job, but so far it looks like I'll start doing insurance strictly on the side, and see if I'm able to build up a little residual income from it before deciding whether to jump in fully.
Hmm, anything else new? The house is progressing slowly. I'm ready to redo the bathroom, kitchen, and replace the windows as funds become available (see complaints re: job). It's been nice to have my own place though, and to be able to think beyond a year as far as living improvements. I'm shooting quite a bit more now too... I've been competing in trap since I was about twelve, but I've started joining pistol and three gun competitions too (three gun = pistol, rifle, shotgun). I placed 2nd in a very small three gun at the end of last year, and in the top 5 at a trap shoot in January. What the hell, it keeps me off the streets.