Off on another adventure…

Here later today, I will be going down to Delhi, Ohio to stay with Cathy and Richard for at the most a month.  A lot is happening here with me.  There might be a good chance I won’t be updating this blog as much as I have been after I move down to Delhi, Ohio.  I won’t have access to a computer like I did here in Lima, Ohio.  Then on Monday, I have an interview with Robert Half Technology for a few positions they feel that I’m a strong fit for.  If I see things aren’t working out by the middle of July, I might be taking up an offer from a person in San Antonio, Texas by the end of July.  This is getting down to a crucial time for me majorly.  I will continue to post as soon as I can.

TL

$30 Million Bikini

   As I was browsing one of my favorite website HighT3ch, I came upon this great looking bikini that will more likely be my future wife’s first purchase whenever 1) I get married and 2) when I get rich.  I wonder if any women besides Molly Sims of course would actually wear this bikini?  Yes, it’s real diamonds.  So, women, what would it take for you to wear this in public?  *lol*  I think it would almost be worth it if I was rich to offer a woman some kind of deal?  What would it take for you to wear this in public?  So, are diamonds really women’s best friend?

 

You can find this at the following link:  High T3ch » $30 Million Bikini

TL

No Apology? No Diploma

I have been noticing a lot of trends lately with school’s withholding diplomas or giving outrageous punishments to students over the last few months to a year that it’s alarming.  I ask myself “Who is right?”  Is there really a right or wrong answer to that question?  Is it the faults of the schools?  Is it the faults of the students?  Or is it the faults of both the school and students?   The schools job is to teach our kinds respect, to become leaders, and become a better person.  When does schools have the right to bully kids to fit a certain mold?

In this article, No Apology? No Diploma out of Los Angeles, a group of 15 students at a middle school protested the guest speaker by not standing and turning their back on the guess speaker.  The kids  and the parents were protesting teacher cuts and oversize classes.  After some of the parents heard why the kids where protesting even some agreed with the kids.  Would it had matter if the guest speaker wasn’t part of the school’s board?  In a statement released by the middle school states that “the LAUSD's John Liechty Middle School works to provide students with an appropriate learning environment that includes being safe, being responsible and being respectful. During any school event, Liechty Middle School expects students to demonstrate respectful behavior….”

In my opinion, last I heard this is America.  We are allowed freedom of speech.  I think the school should had taken the high road and not responded to the actions of the kids.  By withholding their certificates was a bad move.  It’s a school that is trying to bully a group of kids because the bully got their feelings hurt.  There really isn’t a right or wrong in this situation.  Some can make a case to say the kids were disrespectful which I can see but two wrongs don’t make a right.  The school shouldn’t have responded the way they should.  The media will make the school out to be wrong in this case.  Can respect be taught?  In the statement above from the school they mention they “expects students to demonstrate respectful behavior” but the kids were only following the behavior that they were shown by the school during the year.

Over the last few months, I have been reading a lot of articles regarding schools taking extreme actions against students for what they feel is disrespectful behavior.  Of course on the other hand, it is only 8th grade?  Should the parents and student just apology and just move on?  Makes me wonder what schools are coming to now a days?  Do you all think schools are going overboard these days?  Let me hear your opinions on this subject.

TL

Father’s Day…

As I was celebrating Father’s Day with Michael and his family I couldn’t help but wishing two things:  1)  That my father was a part of my life but he hasn’t been since I was six years old.  I always wonder what it would be like if my father was in my life in some sort of fashion.  Would I had grown up any different with a father figure in my life?  Not a day goes by I think about this.  But I have told myself that if I was ever going to get married that I was going to find my dad and invite him to my wedding.  He would of course have a choice to attend or not to attend but if he wants a life with his son, he needs to attend the wedding so that way I know he wants a life with his son with what’s left of it; 2)  The second thing as I was enjoying the celebration at Michael’s grandma’s place involving  several of his family members it also makes me wonder what it would be like if my family had some kind of get together like Michael’s family did.  It was a very great day as I was in the pool all day long, talking to one another, playing volleyball in the pool, and eating out as we celebrated Father’s Day.  Other than family reunions, my family didn’t have anything like this.  Another reason I wish I had a father.

Of course, after a perfect day like this, I thought it couldn’t get any better until Michael decided to go to the movies.  We watched “Hangover” and let me tell you that it was very funny movie.  Better than I thought it would be.  It seriously made me laugh.  Must say though, it’s definitely not a kids or a teenager movie though.  So, I would whole heartedly recommend this movie to others.

TL

Cincinnati, OH and San Antonio, TX vs. the rest of the US…

What is it about both Cincinnati, Ohio (Northern Kentucky Area) and San Antonio, Texas that seems to attract my attention to these areas compared to any where else in the United States?  Since August of 1995, I transferred to Northern Kentucky University and have been in the Northern Kentucky area every since.  The Northern Kentucky area consist of Cincinnati, OH, Covington, KY, Newport, KY, Bellevue, KY, Dayton, KY, Florence, KY, and a few other cities.  When I did try to move out of this area, I seem to be drawn back to this area.  Including the three years living in Williamstown, KY from when I was 3 years old to 6 years old, I have lived in the Northern Kentucky area now for 17 years.  Am I meant to stay in this area?  Every time I seem to try and move out of this area it falls through or the time isn’t right for me.  The thing about it though is I can see myself living in a great area any where in the US but I know what will happen when I try to make things happen.  If the time isn’t right for me to move than I’m always going to be staying in this area.

San Antonio, Texas on the other hand has another strong attraction to me for some reason.  Ever since I went down there for vacation with my brother back in the mid 1990’s, I feel in live with San Antonio.  Ever since, I have told myself I’m going to move down there when the time for me is right.  Is that time ever going to come?  When I was down in San Antonio for my brother’s wedding, my family member all saw how happy I was down there.  I honestly can see myself living there.  But will San Antonio be able to keep me away from the Northern Kentucky area or is it meant for me to stay in the Northern Kentucky area where the rest of the US will be good for vacation?

TL

Doctoral Degree Discussion…

Well, today, I called the University of Phoenix to see about their Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership/Information Systems and Technology degree.  This was my first real thought and research about going back to school to get my doctrine degree.  You can read more about this degree here.  I think this would be a great addition to my already collection of degrees that I go.  This doctor degree would go great with my Bachelor of Organizational Studies, which is now called Organizational Leadership.  Also, great with my Master of Science in Technology degree that I have.  So, I feel that this doctor degree would connect the both of those degrees together lovely.  But before I get to carried away, I need to really consider this.

Here is what I found out from the Phoenix people.  This is a three year degree that will cost $53,000 to complete.  Basically, my financial aid would have to cover all of this.  Learned that there is a cap that the US Government give for financial aid and that is $138,500.  Right now, I think I’m near $120,000.  Not to mention there are some in class seminars that I would have to attend at a regional campus of Phoenix at my own cost for that trip.  Very doubtful I’ll be able to do this.  Plus, I will need to have access to a work environment as well.  I will have more discussions with my “campus representative” on Wednesday afternoon regarding this.

What I would have to do is figure out if going back for my doctoral degree is really worth my time and effort or would it just be ridiculous to even attempt?  As my friend Brett told me, “it would be a stupid move on my part because if a Master Degree can’t get me a job than what’s the chances that a doctrine degree will?”  I will also see what my current financial aid situation is with FAFSA to see if even going back to school is even remotely an option.  Only way I can go to college is if I can get financial aid or whenever I find a job, I get them to pay my way.  Another thing I have to clear up is why am I wanting to go back to college for another degree?  Am I doing this because I feel like I have no other option or because I think this will help me with my job?  What is it that is making me want to research the fact that I want to go back to school after all the years I was already in?  I told myself when I graduated with my Master Degree that I wouldn’t be going back to school unless the company I work for pays it.  Of course I said the same thing about my Master degree after I graduated with my Bachelors degree.  Only a year and after after graduating with my Bachelor degree that I went back for my Masters degree.  And now after thinking about it, it’s basically been a year and half after graduating with my Masters degree that I’m thinking about going back to school for my doctrine degree.  Also, have to figure out is Phoenix right for me or should I think about going to actual college?  Would it be cheaper to go to a college compare to Phoenix?

Things are the things that I have to think about over the next few weeks to months.  One thing I do know for a fact that I’m not in any hurry to make a decision on this.  But if I was forced to make a decision tomorrow, it would be a “no”.  I’m 95% sure that I wouldn’t go back for my doctrine degree.  But don’t count out that 5% because as I continue to discuss this with friends, families, and continue researching, I’m sure that 5"% will change.

TL

It’s Official…

I won’t be going to San Antonio, Texas at this time.  After talking to Michael to wee hours of the morning (as you can tell by the time of this blog post) and that even he consider this plan that I had very high risk along with me basically doing this because he gave me an ultimatum and that I know it was high risk as well.  We determine to put it on hold for now.  I do still want to go to San Antonio but it will be at a better time.  Michael has asked me to think about possibly going back to school for my doctrine degree.  Could be a possibility?  Maybe I can tie it into a school down in San Antonio?  But the bottom line is I will continue to job search and whenever I get a job that is where I will move too.  Thank you Michael.  So, back to the drawing board I go and continue researching things.

TL

Probably Not Going Now…

As you all know, I have been making arrangements to go down to San Antonio, Texas lately but it looks like I want be going right now.  For one, even I know it’s a very high risk to go to San Antonio without a job lined up, no place to stay, and no money.  Yes, I do have job leads but as Michael said “I have job leads here too”.  Then after doing research and talking to people about homeless shelters, I have been getting basically the same answers from everybody to not stay in one unless it’s your very last resort and they mean very last resort!  It is supposedly one of the worst shelters to be in.  But I had a plan to move in with a friend down in San Antonio but that looks like it fell through because I haven’t heard from him in like three days or so.  Then I had a talk with Michael and told him basically why I’m doing this move is two reason:  1)  Even though I consider this move very high risk that maybe going to another area will jumpstart things.  It’s a new area, supposedly a little better job situation down in San Antonio than here?  2)  Because he gave me originally until the 15th of June to find a job or I could no longer stay.  Which I then was able to get him to extend until July 1st.  When I mention the second thing to him he said that he meant for me to find a job and that it didn’t mean I have to leave.  Once I heard that, a little bit of pressure was off but not much.  But I still need to get this more clarified with this.

But don’t get me wrong, I still want to go down to San Antonio when the time is right and it’s not high risk.  If I can solidify a place of living down there for two or three months rent free or can go down there with money myself to rent a place than I will still go down there.  But one thing I do know is that I don’t want to stay in a homeless shelter.  So, it looks like San Antonio is on hold for now?

Haven’t heard back from the recruiter down in Cincinnati about the Scanning Tech job.  That was the two month temp job.  I was supposed to hear something back on Friday but I didn’t.  I did call and leave a message but still didn’t get a response back from them.  So, I’m still praying and keeping my fingers cross that I get this job because it could be what I need to go down to San Antonio with cash in my pocket.  Until I hear back from them I will continue searching for a place to stay in Cincinnati for those two months just in case I do get the job.  I like to plan ahead.

My friend Adam called me last night.  He was sitting on his back porch of his new apartment drinking a Long Island Ice Tea and smoking a cigar just relaxing and he was buzzed a little.  We talked for about an hour or so.  He was telling me that the movie company that he was working for was up for sale and about this time next year it will be sold.  I find that very surprising though as it’s one of the top Five theatre company behind AMC I thought.  I guess I could be wrong.  I wouldn’t mind getting even a part-time job with a movie theatre because then maybe Chris will stop telling me to find a better outlet for my stress that’s free because it would be free?  *lol*  Anyway, the one thing that stuck out in my mind from Adam’s call is that he asked me “not to move because he will miss me and my friendship”.

It felt good to know my friendship is wanted.  Which got me thinking over night?  I see myself as having more acquaintances than friends.  I can basically count all my friends on my fingers.  Right now I have Chris, Brett, Michael, Adam, and Sean.  Looks like it was less than I thought as I was thinking I could count them on both of my hands but look like I was wrong.  Anyway, this got me rethinking my move to San Antonio as well.  If I move down there, I will be somewhat giving them up as I won’t have them close by like I did when I was here in Cincinnati.  I do miss hanging out with my friends.  I don’t know what I would do if Michael wasn’t my friend.  Who knows where I would be right now without him?  Seems like every time that I think about moving away from Cincinnati that something keeps me from pulling the string to move away.  Is this a sign that I’m meant to stay in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area?  Or am I just being indecisive?

TL

A Promising Week…

This last week was a promising week and hopefully next week will be just as promising as it was this week.  I got a call back for a two month temp job down in Cincinnati that I might have.  My resume was moved to the top of the pile they said.  Better to have a job and some money than not having a job.  Yea, it kind of will put a two month wrinkle on my plans to move down to San Antonio.  Maybe by the middle of next week, I will know more about if there will be a two month hold on my move or not.  I’m hoping there will be so that I can have some money when I do go down to San Antonio.  But either way there will be little bumps that I need to clear whichever way I go.  So, keep your fingers crossed for me and pray for me.

TL

No Joe B's for Cats, since NCAA 'disassociated' restaurateur…

The times I ate at Joe B’s I meet a few UK players.  I must say, I love Joe B’s restaurant though.  Hard to believe Joe would do something like this since pretty much how all UK Athletics went there.  So, even though Joe B’s will survive this but he will lose some money for this mistake.  But it just goes and show how tedious that the NCAA is.  Hard to believe the NCAA goes this far.  But will admit though if you haven’t ate at Joe B’s that you should definitely go and eat there.  The food is great!  Enjoy reading this article below:

No Joe B's for Cats, since NCAA 'disassociated' restaurateur - Latest News - Kentucky.com

TL

98% sure…

I found myself today getting excited more than scared every time I started doing researching, thinking, or even talking about moving to San Antonio.  So, I’m raising my percentage of me moving down there from 95% to 98%.  The last two percent is going to be the crucial part.  The last two percentage is going to be the planning part.  The planning part is all about what I can do to get down there, where I will stay, how I will get around, where I will find a job, and etc.  These are big questions that I to answer in the next few weeks.  Right now, I’m going to tentatively set my date to move down to San Antonio, Texas on June 30, 2009.  Over the next few weeks, I will give out more details on my plan move down to San Antonio.  So, pray for me as I make this big change in my life.

TL

HOW TO: Create Custom Twitter Backgrounds

As Twitter is becoming more and more popular, it can also be a productive tool in helping a person find a job.  Twitter can help a person get their personal brand or image out there to let others see who they are and can be.  One of those tools or settings that Twitters gives people is the ability to Create Custom Twitter Backgrounds.  Creating a custom background for their Twitter background can help them show off their skills and personality.  Skills like computer knowledge of the software that is required to create the background as well as the knowledge of how to set that newly created background on their website shows off a person’s skills.  Technological skills is another skill set that will be shown off if you use your cell phone to update your Twitter by sending a text from your phone to your Twitter account rather than using the website to update your account.  Of course, need to be careful with this option because standard charges do apply.  Besides skills, a custom background can show a person’s creative personality side.

So, if you have a custom background, please feel free to post your Twitter URL here and why you create this custom background for your Twitter?

TL

A few more nibbles…

I have been getting renewed energy lately from my job searching as I finally are getting calls from a few recruiters in San Antonio, Texas.  So, now I just need to hook them to get the job.  Once I get a job, it will be a step getting back on my feet.  So, keeping praying for me.  Back to job searching I go.

TL

Creative Thinking…

Over the last week or so, I have been trying to come up with a name for my new blog idea.  It’s going to be a blog reviewing software and hardware.  Plus, it will give tips on how to better use the software and hardware.  Besides working on the title of blog with a friend, I have been sending out fillers to other people to see who would be interested in helping out blogging with me on this new blog.  I think this would be a great opportunity for a beginner blogger that is savvy with technology.  So, if you or you know somebody that is savvy with technology that wants to become a blogger, leave me a message.

TL

Got a nibble…

Well, I finally got an e-mail message back from a company that I put in my resume in with about a week and half ago.  The message asked me to call them back at my early convenience.  But a funny thing happen that I yet found out how it happened.  I called the 1-800 number they gave me and was listening to their menu when the next thing I know I got my friend Michael.  Now talking about awkward.   After getting back off the phone with Michael, I called the 1-800 number and they took information from me like where I would be willing to relocate to Dayton or Dallas, if I was convicted of a felony, if I did drugs, if I would submit to random drug testing, if I was eligible to work in the US, and then gave me information letting me know that they will get back with me in three to five days to let me know what the next step will be.

TL

Windows Live Writer…

I recently just found Windows Live Writer and must say that I’m very impressed with this new software.  When I blog, I have been going directly to Blogger to sign in to type up my blog.  I was always getting tired switching back and forth between windows to get the information I need.  Now, I can just click on “Blog this in Windows Live Writer” which is now connected to my Blogger account and it puts the link of the page that I clicked on and the name of the page in a blog page ready for me to start typing up my blog.  I like the ease of this Writer.  I will type up a review of Windows Live Writer at a later time.  But, a quick review of this software, I would recommend this to other bloggers.

As of right now, I’m writing this blog to test a feature where I can set a time for this post to be posted to my blog at a certain time on a certain date.  So, I have set this blog to post on my blog at 1:00 am on June 1, 2009.

TL

How-tos for organizing your search for work

Having an organized job search makes one’s job search easy.  An organized job search comes in handy for someone that have been job searching for a long period.  By keeping an organized job search will keep a person from applying for the same job over, in which will keep that person from re-inventing the wheel over and over.  Also, an organized job search will keep updated information about various jobs that you have been applying for.  What does it take to have an organized job search?  Below is how I organized my job search.

1)  Create a schedule – For me, my schedule is pretty much everyday from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed.  My schedule starts with checking my e-mail to see if I have any responses from potential employers from previous days.  After I check my e-mail, I start job searching at sites like CareerBuilder, Monster, HigherEdJobs, and Yahoo.

2)  Stay on track – Everybody knows how fast time can fly when on the internet.  But not only that but how distracted a person can get when they are on the internet by getting side tracked by going to other webpages other than the ones that you need to be going too.  My problem is just that where I find myself on other pages that I shouldn’t be on or I get off tracked.

3)  Define a work space – For me, my workspace is actually on a bed.  Only time I basically leave the bed is if I grab something to eat, take a break, or to get something from another room.  It’s the bedrooms that I get peace and quiet as I do my job search.  Most of the time, you want this space to be where your computer is.

4)  Manage a database -  After I found all my job ads, I usually print them out and put them in a binder that is tabbed as leads.  Then a few days later, I will take a look at these leads and if I haven’t heard anything back, I will make a call to them to see where things stand.  Not only do I print them out but I also save them to my portfolio that is given to you when you sign up for CareerBuilder, Monster, HigherEdJobs, and Yahoo.

You can continue to find more information on How-tos for organizing your search for work by Kristin White del Rosso.