a113n’s daily dose

Last night I had a visit
from some government agents. You’d think they’d let me have my last day of peace, but nooooooooooo–I had to go and get
myself entangled in some deep $#%@. Well, I’m not really entangled in it, but they needed to know what I know, which I’m
not sure that I know anything that I think I know, so I’m not sure how they know what I know or at least what I think I
know, but maybe they know that I don’t know what I know and so they want to know. Yeh, that sounds more like
it.

Anyhow, Neoteric is in some trouble regarding an Iranian–an Iranian I was against hiring in the first place.
Not due to some bigotry or the fact that I didn’t want to hire the man, but we had too many other problems to deal with
aside from immigration acts! Since I was somewhat active in the acquistion of this employee, and I am well versed in the
company’s business practices, these agents showed up at my door at 9:30. I was a bit turned off by the fact that they knew
not only where my house was located, but also the color and size. Talk about nerve shattering.

So this is how I
spend my last day, wondering what these agents are compiling and whether or not I can just walk away from the situation.
Whatever happened to keg stands and sleeping where you fall…

• Quote of the Day:
  Boy:
  "What's a joint?"
  Lady: "Show me your hand. This bump on your hand is a joint."
  Boy: "I know another kind of
  joint."
  Lady: "What's that?"
  Boy: "It's what [name deleted] comes over and does with my mom."
  
• Current Location: Neoteric
  

I got a new job…finally.
I have one week remaining in my two weeks notice with Neoteric before I begin the daily commute to Bloomington. I am not
thrilled about this aspect, but the position seems to have a lot of perks, including flexible hours (I’m going to try for 4
10-hour shifts, but I don’t have a high level of confidence in this schedule) and a stable work environment. I would make
only the second full time employee of the organization (it’s a not-for-profit interestingly enough), so I’m a bit uneasy
about the social atmosphere, but I can make do (say by doing work).

The situation with Neoteric worsens day-by-day.
My boss has yet to discuss my resignation with me, though I understand that this has been an overwhelming week for the
company. However, I forsee a dismal cloud settling over the company (unrelated to my leaving–I’m not that self-centered).
I’m not sure if I will remain on as an IT contractor or actively partcipate in the search for my replacement. My personal
belief is that my salary was a drain on the company–the president himself stated that my system was useless and I did not
produce “something that made the company money.”

My web application business seems to be thriving, though I’m
struggling to balance a 40 hour work week, family, wife, time for me, and business requirements to top it all off. However,
our financial situation remains gloom–though I’m working on a plan to put us back on the right track. Luckily, I do have
family to whom I can turn in the most dire of situations, though my pride strictly defines “dire”.

Tonight, we have 8
kids staying the night at our house (I calculated that we have 10 beds in our house, an average of 2 per room), and there’s
been too much drama for a relaxing Saturday night. Half the time, they make you want to snatch them up and smother their
faces with kisses, and the other half they make you want to isolate them for everyone’s well-being.

Argh, show me
saving grace.

• Current Location: Front room
  

Our office receives a
Christmas card from just about every supplier (makes for great paper to clog up the printer).

There is no
time more fitting
…
to wish you a Happy Holiday and New Year
…

As I read this, I could not
believe how much of a stretch the writer must have been going through. I write it off to writer’s block, but really, what
are your choices here regarding a more fitting time? During Independece Day or Halloween, do you go around and say “Happy
Holidays and Happy New Year”? I certainly hope not, unless you’ve got a time machine hidden away in some dark corner of
your basement (which, if that’s the case, I have some…business…to take care of the in the future that could pay off
well for you).

• Current Location: Neoteric
  

The first snow of the
season has fallen, and what havoc it has wraught. From UPS drivers to href="http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/08/chicago.airplane/index.html" target="_blank">airplanes, many are falling short of
a good start to the winter season. Today, I was waiting at a red light and with about 200 feet before the next vehicle
passes through the light, so I make my attempt to turn right. I dug my tires in deep, then foolishly thought it better to
back up. Luckily the oncoming truck slowed as he saw me struggling to make the turn and I came around the intersection and
took off.

On a brighter note, I found out more of my references were being checked today, so the job search continues
with hope! I read an article about
how people typically slow the pace of their job search during the Christmas season, and I really don’t get this. If you
really want a new job, you won’t stop looking just because of a holiday. We have to sift through a lot of mud to get to
the gold, and an increase in rejection during this season is nothing more than a mudslide! It doesn’t change the
underlying value. With that said, I’m very optimistic that I’ll have a new position by the end of the year–hopefully I
can turn in my 2 weeks within a week.

In the meantime, I’m going to go with the flow and enjoy the time I have now.
I’m going to miss a lot about Neoteric, but I’m very ready for new experiences.

• Quote of the Day:
  Jason: "They
  [the city] don't have many salt trucks out"
  Me: "Yes, they usually only do the main roads in the begginning. Come to
  think of it, I only saw one plow out last night, and it was a civilian."
  Jason: "They must've sent him out for
  donuts."
  
• Current Location: Neoteric
  
• Nightly Plan(s):
  • Christmas party
  • Aaron's party
  • Rest

The wife informed me
today that my boss’ absence must have put me in
a better mood this past week.  I thought about this revelation
for
a moment, then accepted it as truth.  I have been more curt with
him lately, my patience level dropping
whenever he is near or I think
about the way things are going at the moment.  I’m sure this has,
unfortunately,
affected others I speak with.  At least I know that removing him from the picture straightens me out
a bit, implying that when I find another job, I should be right as rain.

Speaking of which, the state of Indiana’s
official employee benefits:

• ~12 vacation days per year beginning first year
• ~12 personal days per
  year
• 12 paid holidays
• Community service lead
• 100% paid health, dental, vision, with nominal
  fee for families
• Life insurance and disability
• Retirement, direct deposit

Neoteric benefits: />

• 5 vacation days per year, starting after first year
• 5 personal days per year, must work to
  accrue
• 3 paid holidays
• 50% paid health, dental, vision, huge fee for families

Are we missing
something here?  They say the state doesn’t pay as well
to cover the benefits, but a lot of employers don’t pay so
well either!

• Current Location: Neoteric, thinking
  of lunch
  
• Website: http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?bCTsettings=1
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: A lot of
  people have heard of MapQuest by now, but there are some very cool features I enjoy over other web-based mapping apps. The
  ability to save locations, particular my home location is a big plus, as well as the intermediate maps (a map of Turn Left
  Onto US41 S) in conjuction with the overall map.