After seeing some of the things that my mate Drew King, from setupzero, has been posting; I really need to get out there and start working on getting some good photos in my stream. So my goal this week is to take my camera with me and start cycling around looking for some good elements that make up a good shot.
lets see how this will turn out.
6.29.2009
6.23.2009
Hello, thank you, and good bye...
I head into the office on Monday the 29th after a fantastic time in Florida to an easy work load. I talked much with my co-workers about how the trip went and how pursuit was doing in our current plant; all in all things were going back to the way they were before I left. I received an e-mail from the company stating that we would be holding a sexual harassment video conference on Wednesday. I started working on fine tuning our software and set-up for the meeting so that we would be able to start on time and without any for of delays. Tuesday came around with much of the same, and I think that Tuesday evening was one of the first evenings that I was actually able to sleep in my own bed and get a full nights rest since the Florida trip.
Wednesday’s alarm came blaring in my face at 7:30 and I started making the normal slow process of getting ready so that I would not only be presentable in the conference call, but also awake. I arrived at the office at 7:55 and instantly started to turn on the computer, projector, and start the programs needed to get this thing a-rollin’. There was quite a ruffling on the London end with delays, and our key note speaker being late, so I wasn't in any real rush. 8:30 rolls around and it seems that we are going to postpone the meeting until a later date. Rick asks me to wait a bit and I end and close out what was left of the video conference.
Valerie and I were sitting on one side of the table and Rick on the other. He looks at me and says "Due to the lack of data from the plant, Pursuit UK finds it necessary to remove some of its overhead costs. What that means is that along with Warren and Pete, you will be laid off."
Shazam.
Needless to say I was pretty shocked; and yet, I wasn't completely destroyed by the news. I gave up an extremely steady job in San Diego for this opportunity, and even with this result I think it was a good move. Pursuit has a product that is brand new technology, and I knew that there may be some bumps and hurdles along the way. Even though they had testing data to prove the product we had yet to put it into full power and test it in the real world. With idea of helping out the world to be greener, the 5 minute drive to work, and salary increase I figured it was a risk worth taking. As of right now the project is still underway, they are still making further tweaks to make it run perfectly. Although I no longer belong to the company, I am still 100% sure that their product will succeed and change the face of the ethanol industry.
At the end of our talk Rick mentioned that when the product is completely running all of us that have been laid off will be re-instated. They will still have that need for salesmen, and a definite need for my CADD work. So while it sucked at the moment, it looks like it will still pan out for the good. Another upside to the situation is that the company still needs my skills, but since I am no longer employed by them I would be contracted out. What this translates into is more money; granted I no longer have benefits, and set schedule. The ability to make more money with less hours of work is there.
Rick's plan of sending me to Florida to work for Rob wasn't just one friend helping out another; it was also for me to develop a connection with him. Rick didn't know that I was going to get laid off until that morning; but what he had created between Rob and I was worth its weight in gold. Rick and Rob went above and beyond to make sure that I would be okay, and I seriously can’t thank them enough for what they did. Within a few hours Rick, Rob, and I were on the phone talking about prospects and possible future work. To top it off me getting laid off, really put me into a mindset where I really need to finish school. If I would have had my degree right now I would not fear anything about the future, I would be able to go anywhere and not fear my wellbeing; but since I don’t I kinda do.
All in all, the positives out weighed the negatives, and the loss of a great career may turn into the development into a better one.
The end of the week was filled with me still working in the office gathering and cleaning out the comp of all of my data. Surprisingly enough I still had work to do; and since I only have to work 20h a week to make the same amount of money I was more than happy to work.
Wednesday’s alarm came blaring in my face at 7:30 and I started making the normal slow process of getting ready so that I would not only be presentable in the conference call, but also awake. I arrived at the office at 7:55 and instantly started to turn on the computer, projector, and start the programs needed to get this thing a-rollin’. There was quite a ruffling on the London end with delays, and our key note speaker being late, so I wasn't in any real rush. 8:30 rolls around and it seems that we are going to postpone the meeting until a later date. Rick asks me to wait a bit and I end and close out what was left of the video conference.
Valerie and I were sitting on one side of the table and Rick on the other. He looks at me and says "Due to the lack of data from the plant, Pursuit UK finds it necessary to remove some of its overhead costs. What that means is that along with Warren and Pete, you will be laid off."
Shazam.
Needless to say I was pretty shocked; and yet, I wasn't completely destroyed by the news. I gave up an extremely steady job in San Diego for this opportunity, and even with this result I think it was a good move. Pursuit has a product that is brand new technology, and I knew that there may be some bumps and hurdles along the way. Even though they had testing data to prove the product we had yet to put it into full power and test it in the real world. With idea of helping out the world to be greener, the 5 minute drive to work, and salary increase I figured it was a risk worth taking. As of right now the project is still underway, they are still making further tweaks to make it run perfectly. Although I no longer belong to the company, I am still 100% sure that their product will succeed and change the face of the ethanol industry.
At the end of our talk Rick mentioned that when the product is completely running all of us that have been laid off will be re-instated. They will still have that need for salesmen, and a definite need for my CADD work. So while it sucked at the moment, it looks like it will still pan out for the good. Another upside to the situation is that the company still needs my skills, but since I am no longer employed by them I would be contracted out. What this translates into is more money; granted I no longer have benefits, and set schedule. The ability to make more money with less hours of work is there.
Rick's plan of sending me to Florida to work for Rob wasn't just one friend helping out another; it was also for me to develop a connection with him. Rick didn't know that I was going to get laid off until that morning; but what he had created between Rob and I was worth its weight in gold. Rick and Rob went above and beyond to make sure that I would be okay, and I seriously can’t thank them enough for what they did. Within a few hours Rick, Rob, and I were on the phone talking about prospects and possible future work. To top it off me getting laid off, really put me into a mindset where I really need to finish school. If I would have had my degree right now I would not fear anything about the future, I would be able to go anywhere and not fear my wellbeing; but since I don’t I kinda do.
All in all, the positives out weighed the negatives, and the loss of a great career may turn into the development into a better one.
The end of the week was filled with me still working in the office gathering and cleaning out the comp of all of my data. Surprisingly enough I still had work to do; and since I only have to work 20h a week to make the same amount of money I was more than happy to work.
6.22.2009
The last few weeks...
Since there has actually been a shit-ton that has happened within the last few weeks since I have been back from Florida I’ll make this one short, and hopefully I’ll get to the blag later this evening to quickly catch up.
The last week in May was pretty much mellow while I was in Florida. The rain still kept up on the weather front, and the hopes of getting back home on Wednesday were pretty much shot I was either in Rob's house or in the office working on drawings for the rest of my days there. Rob left for an overnight in Texas on the 27th, and I had the place all to myself for a couple of days. It was a nice change of pace; a bit lonesome yes, but at that point it was really nice just to sit and think about what I have done in Florida and how much I have been able to accomplish even without a degree in engineering.
I flew back home on Friday and arrived in San Diego around 8pm. My mam, sis, and Chase (Zoe's boyfriend) were there to pick me up, but were a bit late due to them being in the mall shopping for random needs and wants. As per our usual tradition of getting a stiff drink before heading home, we made our way to CPK. We talked about what I was up to, and how things were in Florida; when out of the blue Jeg and Mo showed their faces. It was a fantastically happy surprise, and quite coincidence. Jeg was in San Diego picking up his runner’s packet for the Rock and Roll Marathon happening in a couple of days, when Chase spotted them. He let Jeg know that we were going to grab a drink before we made the trip back to Fallbrook and asked him if he wanted to make an impromptu surprise out of it, and he gladly obliged.
We sat around talking and laughing about this that and the other, and after an hour or so we made our drive back into town. Once I got back into he car I was completely knackered out, and the 8 hour flight and the drinks didn’t help that either. Throughout the evening she was texting and messaging me constantly about where I was and how long it would take me to get into town. I held my tongue for a bit, but eventually told her that I stopped into CPK for a drink. I know how she is, and even though I was in no fit shape to do anything but sleep she wanted to see me pronto. I told her that I was going to head home get some sleep and that I would see her as soon as I woke up, it wasn't good enough. She wanted to see me as soon as I got into town and I would be the one driving over to her place so that I could stay the night.
I got home around 11pm and tried to wake myself up as best as possible before I got on the road to get to her house. She was glad to see me, and even though I wasn't in the most pleasant of moods I was okay to see her.
She had soft plans for the entire weekend set up, and all I really wanted to do was rest and get to Jeggi's run on Sunday. I wasn't able to get much sleep in due to her bed being way too small for me, but it was enough for me to at least be less of a zombie. I may have gotten a nap in that day, but I am unsure.
Sunday was a blast. Ken showed up at my place in the morning and we drove to pick her up on the way to San Diego. But once we got there I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to her, or in the manner that she would have liked, because there were quite a few conversations that we had that I wasn't too pleased in having. There was a point where I was so frustrated I squeezed a little too much and I hurt her. I didn't mean to do it, but the aggravation and annoyance was just too much to handle and I popped. I am pretty sure there were a few more instances after that and before that where we didn't get along, but the lack of sleep and the amount of smothering blurred most of my mind as to what was happening.
Jeg wasn't able to finish in the time that he would have liked to, but everyone that was there was extremely pleased and happy that he finished where he did. After the race we left the Marine training depot and went to grab a bite to eat. We tried to find an Indian restaurant, but in the end we settled on this nice Italian place and Jeg and I stopped by after my half-century cycling run. Lunch was nice, but the tension that she and I had wasn't making anything nice for anyone at the table.
Ken rode home with us and the rest of the day has been lost in my mind.
Stay tuned in tomorrow or later this evening for the next few weeks of fumbles, bumbles, toils, and tumbles.
The last week in May was pretty much mellow while I was in Florida. The rain still kept up on the weather front, and the hopes of getting back home on Wednesday were pretty much shot I was either in Rob's house or in the office working on drawings for the rest of my days there. Rob left for an overnight in Texas on the 27th, and I had the place all to myself for a couple of days. It was a nice change of pace; a bit lonesome yes, but at that point it was really nice just to sit and think about what I have done in Florida and how much I have been able to accomplish even without a degree in engineering.
I flew back home on Friday and arrived in San Diego around 8pm. My mam, sis, and Chase (Zoe's boyfriend) were there to pick me up, but were a bit late due to them being in the mall shopping for random needs and wants. As per our usual tradition of getting a stiff drink before heading home, we made our way to CPK. We talked about what I was up to, and how things were in Florida; when out of the blue Jeg and Mo showed their faces. It was a fantastically happy surprise, and quite coincidence. Jeg was in San Diego picking up his runner’s packet for the Rock and Roll Marathon happening in a couple of days, when Chase spotted them. He let Jeg know that we were going to grab a drink before we made the trip back to Fallbrook and asked him if he wanted to make an impromptu surprise out of it, and he gladly obliged.
We sat around talking and laughing about this that and the other, and after an hour or so we made our drive back into town. Once I got back into he car I was completely knackered out, and the 8 hour flight and the drinks didn’t help that either. Throughout the evening she was texting and messaging me constantly about where I was and how long it would take me to get into town. I held my tongue for a bit, but eventually told her that I stopped into CPK for a drink. I know how she is, and even though I was in no fit shape to do anything but sleep she wanted to see me pronto. I told her that I was going to head home get some sleep and that I would see her as soon as I woke up, it wasn't good enough. She wanted to see me as soon as I got into town and I would be the one driving over to her place so that I could stay the night.
I got home around 11pm and tried to wake myself up as best as possible before I got on the road to get to her house. She was glad to see me, and even though I wasn't in the most pleasant of moods I was okay to see her.
She had soft plans for the entire weekend set up, and all I really wanted to do was rest and get to Jeggi's run on Sunday. I wasn't able to get much sleep in due to her bed being way too small for me, but it was enough for me to at least be less of a zombie. I may have gotten a nap in that day, but I am unsure.
Sunday was a blast. Ken showed up at my place in the morning and we drove to pick her up on the way to San Diego. But once we got there I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to her, or in the manner that she would have liked, because there were quite a few conversations that we had that I wasn't too pleased in having. There was a point where I was so frustrated I squeezed a little too much and I hurt her. I didn't mean to do it, but the aggravation and annoyance was just too much to handle and I popped. I am pretty sure there were a few more instances after that and before that where we didn't get along, but the lack of sleep and the amount of smothering blurred most of my mind as to what was happening.
Jeg wasn't able to finish in the time that he would have liked to, but everyone that was there was extremely pleased and happy that he finished where he did. After the race we left the Marine training depot and went to grab a bite to eat. We tried to find an Indian restaurant, but in the end we settled on this nice Italian place and Jeg and I stopped by after my half-century cycling run. Lunch was nice, but the tension that she and I had wasn't making anything nice for anyone at the table.
Ken rode home with us and the rest of the day has been lost in my mind.
Stay tuned in tomorrow or later this evening for the next few weeks of fumbles, bumbles, toils, and tumbles.
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