A New Chapter.

Greetings.

It has been quite some time since my latest post, so I thought I would at least bring those interested up to date on the life and times of Jose', or in blatant disregard of the obvious, Me.

He's dead. 

The jalapeno plant, Jose'.  Dead.  And so is Hose-B.  Since the freezes are obviously done, I might head down to my local joint and pick of a Hose-C.  I digress.

I've actually been pretty low key since the last post.  I spent a lot of time thinking, trying to determine what is next for me; writing letters for jobs, and trying desperately to find a spot in the niche that I once occupied.  I sent about 25 letters, some applying directly for positions, others to hiring managers at various companies here and yon. 

Of the letters, applications, and other stuff, I got a response from a grand total of two companies.  One company was on the east side of town, and manufactured train cars.  It sounded interesting, wasn't a strict 100% of the time office job, and actually was in the direction of where I wanted to go;  to get out of the strict design and calculations position I'd occupied for almost a decade.  I wanted something fresh.

A friend made a suggestion about changing careers, and trying something totally new.  So, I did.  Two weeks ago. 

I have always thought that sales was door to door selling vacuum cleaners.  I was apprehensive to try something even remotely close to that, but I think I have found an opportunity that makes it somewhat palatable, if not maybe enjoyable in the relative near future.  I have support, and even though it is door to door, some appointments are set for me.  It's straight commission, but that really isn't affecting me too much at this point.  It has potential.  And, I'm starting to key into the plan, and the ideas behind the program, and I'm having ideas every day that actually make me excited a little.

So I decided to take the job, the IBA (independent business analyst) position, and took training on a Monday.  At the lunch break, I got a call from the very first company I sent a letter to in January.  I had interviewed with them per phone at that time, and they wanted a second interview.  I granted it, and met with them last Friday.  That night, and Saturday night, I didn't sleep well; my mind was racing.  About the business job.  About how to do it better.  About ideas on how to improve.

And so I'm gonna risk it.  I'm gonna leave my mind open; I'm gonna learn the product, and learn the specifics.  And I'm two weeks in. 

My team leader (the guy that guides me, like a mentor) got me in touch with one of the most successful people in the company.  I talked to him for about half an hour, and came away with some excellent insight.  The thing that really stuck with me is  'run it like you'd run your own company'.   And so I will.

However;

That opens up a whole new can of worms.  I have to change my mentality:  from working for someone (which I have done for the last ten years) to working for myself.  Having control over more than I've had control over.  Being the man.  The CEO.  The CFO.   It's making my mind run wild.

I had been pondering branching out and doing something, but didn't know how to make the step.  And now, that I've been shown some of what could be, I'm excited. 

I hired Terry to help me find a job. We wrote letters.  We reworked my resume.  We talked about different psychological things that helped me try to find out why I never got out of the design world.  And, when I wasn't applying, or writing enough letters, or finding jobs that I had even a remote interest in, I started to evaluate why. 

It just comes down to wanting something new.  Something different.  Something totally new.  And so I try. 

A New Chapter. 

In the other major goings on, my sister and I are continuing to deal with Dad's estate.  We have sorted everything, and next week, after Memorial Day, we are meeting up to load up everything that Renee has acquired.  We're going to load a moving van, and drive to Colorado with their possessions.  Next on the agenda will be placing the house on the market, and selling the Sanger residence.   A chapter ending.

I have actually brought back a few things from Sanger that mean the most to me:  Dad's guns, of which I hope to fire here in the near future at the nearby range, and the radial arm saw.  It's been a few years since he was even out to the shop, but I've cleaned it up and it looks great. 

While looking through items, my sister and I found some papers, certificates, and other items.  I'd like to end this post with something worthy of a obituary that we found in Dad's nightstand.  It would have fit perfectly at the memoral services, or wherever, and I'd like to share it.

High Flight, by John Gillepie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled
and soared and swung
Hight in the sunlight silence.  Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls for air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept height with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.


Miss you Dad.  Love you.