Lame but thrilled

I haven't kept my promise to blog. I apologize. Let me give you the rundown:

I start a new job next week.

How great is that? This wasn't anything posted... just from networking on Facebook (and you thought it was just to invite people to play Mafia Wars). IT is kind of an incestuous industry, and it would be too much to explain here, so let's just say I'll be consulting with a bunch of people with whom I used to work and for a company that I kind of worked for once.

I knew something would come up. And I'm glad too, because the posts on this blog have been real downers. So, starting tomorrow, I'll probably blog about cake again, since it's my final cake day and I have it on good authority that there will be plenty to be had. In the meantime, since both of you reading this have been chomping at the bit for more posts, just rest knowing that more shall follow tomorrow. Maybe with pictures and everything!

Till then...

Gallows humor

I think my idea for blogging about my experiences as a statistic have gotten a little too serious. I mean, it is serious, but I don't like being so serious and introspective all the time. So today, I share some gallows humor that seemed highly appropriate.

(Click the image to see the last frame.)













This is good, but has not been my experience at work. This is because no one ever believes the Man. It's more of a relief that you have made it so far. That the rug isn't being pulled out from under you yet. The next is better:













Yes, that feels about right.

Blessed indeed

What a great day! I was able to volunteer at the kids' school and cap off the day with a lacrosse game. Good day to be a Dad. I guess that's all this whole job thing boils down to me. I'm a Dad who loves his kids. I want to see them taken care of, and that's why I work. I have not been particularly happy with my job the last few years, so I don't feel a great loss there. What I fear is not my career being stunted: it's not having a paycheck so that I can provide for my kids.

But today was great. I got a job lead, finished updating my resume, and, besides checking my email and Facebook accounts every 15 seconds to see whether I had received any news, I was not manic about anything. Last time I was unemployed, I really hit the wall. I learned through that experience. Granted, it's only been a few days, but the last experience taught me the way God works things out. And let me tell you, He does things His own way.

Last time I was unemployed, I was actively attending seminary. I had my plans all set. Seminary, ordination, full-time vocational ministry. Even after I was unemployed, I kept telling God in my head just how He could make all of this happen through my unemployment. Our best laid plans are nothing but crap, though.

I have learned more about myself in the last five years than at any other time in my life. I'm anxious to learn more, and hopefully change from the experience. God's ways are best. I've come to accept that I might never complete my seminary education, might never enter the full-time vocational ministry. That's just fine. He has blessed me in many more ways. And I wouldn't change a thing.

It's not you, it's me

Day one wasn't too bad, despite the overwhelming lack of knowing what to do. Being laid off for me is more startling than anything. I have worked since I was fifteen years old. To be told to get lost, to be rejected, really, is difficult.

The fact that I was told that the decision had nothing to do with my performance was comforting yesterday. Not that I don't believe the Man, it's just that I was raised, like many typical Americans, to believe that hard work, that quality work, that competent work, was rewarded. Working in the computer industry has taught me otherwise. Being told that the decision was about dollars strikes me the same as the teenager whose girlfriend dumps him with the line, "It's not you-it's me." It's not comforting at all.