of fucking course

Nothing like watching your favorite team blow it in overtime only to walk out into the first snow of the year.

Dammit

Current beer-scale: 8.2

ugh

I finally managed a ride this morning, on a sunny but cold 30-degree morning.  As of today I need 10 more 17-mile days to hit 2000 miles for the year, which is sad considering the past two years I've hit nearly 3100.  Oh well.

grrrrrrrrr

Just a word to the wise: if you're trying to cut in-front of everyone else waiting to try and get on a packed brown-line at the end of rush hour, AND you're wearing a Packers hat, you're lucky you don't get pushed right off the platform.

You stupid fucker.

Current beer-scale: 7.1

?

Okay, I'll bite.

I've been looking for a new pair of oxfords in case I ever get called in for another interview, specifically some doc marten brogues.  And apparently there are a bunch of $0.04 shoes on amazon.  I'm not sure I believe it but here they are...

So I got two.  We'll see if they ever actually ship, or even exist.

Current beer-scale: a sad November 9.2

good/bad

I love getting ready for Halloween.

Not bad for a $10 old navy sweatsuit and some felt.

But I also hate it, b/c by the time the work is done, you realize your two day-old pumpkin is already too banged up and rotten to carve, and it's going to be too cold on the 31st to wear anything other than a winter coat anyway.  Oops.

That's if I can even convince the kid to wear a costume anyway.  Oh well.  I was really looking forward to carving a pumpkin last night but we made the best of it.  Got out the chalkboard paint instead and then the chalk markers.  Didn't turn out too bad.

Would have looked better carved though.

Now is the part where I mention I just have to make it to Friday, b/c I hate my job and each day is slowly bleeding the life out of me.  I need a beer.

Current beer-scale: 9.3

ouch

Nothing like having a few beers and ordering a pizza to get an ass-kicking off your mind.

Hey, wait a second...oh those fuckers.

I guess we'll have to find some other way to ease the pain these days. 

For fuck's sake.

Current beer-scale: 7.1

Father of the year

Sometimes fatherhood means sacrifice.  Like when your team is playing in a top-five primetime match up and your son is watching Toy Story.  Guess who got the tv and who got the ipad?

It's the little things that make a difference.  Floor time with daddy is fun anyway.

Current beer-scale: 9.1

take that vegetarians

I guess that's not too bad for day old steak at room temperature.  It's the little things that keep you going on the long weeks.

And this has been one of the long weeks.  But there's football, pumpkins, and chilli in my future, all with some beers mixed in too.  That'll be a good time.

Current beer-scale: 8.2

So enjoy the ride

You never know where the day is going to take you.  I woke up this morning dreading spending another day in the office, and suddenly I found myself at the pediatrician's office instead.  And I liked that a lot better actually, even with the puke.

My boss saw me leaving in a full suit yesterday, so I think it would be pretty easy for him to figure out I was on my way to an interview.  I wasn't really looking forward to getting asked about it today, but then I got an email from another application I've got out for a supplemental questionnaire and that took up most of my attention.  Just as I was finishing that, the wife called saying our son was refusing to get off the floor and barfing all over the daycare, so there I was on my way home.  

A ride home, a nap, a webinar, more puke, a doctor's appointment, it all made for a much more enjoyable day than I initially expected.  I feel bad saying that too, since even though it's not serious he now has a fever and it's going to be a long night, but I liked it way more than a day in the office.  

Current beer-scale: a tired 6.6

Get up, get down, get a drink

I was feeling a little down about the job search so I went back to reread some of my 2009-10 posts from when I was completely unemployed the other day.  They actually made me feel even worse, b/c I might have been completely out of work then but it seemed like I was in a better mood most of the time.  And, the dog looked so young and happy in all of the pics I posted of her.  Her tearing her ACL has really been a downer. 

Maybe it was easier to feel positive when I was totally unemployed since it was spring.  Looking for a new job all year to the point where it's fall already isn't really helping my attitude.  The closer we get to the end of the year the smaller my window is to get out of here, which does not make me feel good about prospects. 

But then I get a late email from another university about a similar position, and I have an interview set up for Monday.  If I nail the interview and the pay is above where I'm at now, I'm out of here.  Two big "ifs," but that's enough to get through the next couple of days.  Drinks, football, interview prep, sounds like a good weekend. 

Current beer-scale: 7.1

It's not perfect

but in the end what is.

That lock is a monster.  Heavy as shit, too big to put anywhere in my frame with the clip, just where exactly am I supposed to put it on my bike if I can't leave it on the rack?

Eh, it fits at least.

Plus, it makes the bike sooooooo much heavier to carry up and down the stairs at Chicago.  Woof.  That's a very noticeable 4+ lbs.

Current beer-scale: an I-don't-want-to-be-at-work 8.8

At least I got a new lock out of it

Man, after getting horrifically sick last weekend and finally riding back in to work today, the last thing I needed to see was the absence of my good old ulock on the rack when I got in.  But there it was (not), and it kind of pissed me off.

Granted, I had my chain with me b/c I take it back and forth and could still lock up, but I've already had to replace one lock when the indoor parking closed and damned if I was going to replace another one after getting it cut off without notice.  So I calmly called around the security office, and suggested they replace my ulock.  Imagine my surprise when they delivered a new kryptonite series 4 to my office later this morning. 

This place drives me nuts sometimes.

Current beer-scale: 8.9

just gotta keep at it

I admit I'm starting to get a little down about looking for a job.  It's been over 9 months now, and even with one offer and a couple more close calls, it feels like I've run dry on what could happen next.  Not a great feeling to have.

Actually, I think I've been looking now for almost as long as I did when I was fully unemployed, which is depressing.  Things started off pretty well but every additional day I spend stuck at my desk doing grunt work is starting to wear me down. 

September's been a pretty slow month resume-wise.  And with the holidays coming up it looks like things will be slow for the rest of the year.  Dammit.  I really didn't want to spend another holiday season in this office.

There's a job open in the university at a different office and I'm on the fence about applying.  I've had a bad experience doing so prior, and I don't really think a lateral move does me much good right now.  So it sounds like I'm not on the fence anymore.  That's progress, I guess.

Current beer-scale: TNF 7.1

now that's a lunch

I might not be crazy about having to come in to work these days, but after a MNF win and some good burgers for dinner last night, there are ways to make a day feel a little better. 

Now if only I could break out the emergency bar and get away with it. 

Current beer-scale: 9.9

Yeah, that about sums it up

This was the third in a series of him sprinting directly at me, but strangely enough the one with him racing out of frame somehow feels the most fitting. 

We had another great weekend, and the unsolicted "I love you Daddy" I got between picking apples and going into the play area is one of the highlights of my life.  I melt for that kid.

I just have to keep remembering that as I slog through another Monday high on anti-histamines.  Ugh.

Current beer-scale: a MNF-friendly 8.2

little/big picture

Being a parent is ridiculous sometimes.

Ignore the diapers, the not sleeping, the gibberish cartoons and conversations.  Every once in a while a moment will stand out to me and I'll realize just how crazy it is to have kids.  This was one of them last night.

But I made a crazy-good In&Out replica sauce to go with these mini burgers, and in a few days I'll have enough apples to make pies and cakes a for a month.  It'll get here, I promise.

Current beer-scale: 8.5

Day trip

This is the most post-friendly pic from my overnight to Indy for the shamrock game in that at least the beer I was holding isn't in the picture.

It's always good to see the guys and catch a win but man that made for a rough weekend. Crappy car, early Sunday morning, hung over...ouch.  Monday is going to be even less enjoyable now.

Current beer-scale: 3.3

yeah, maybe I'm not so interested

Why is it the interviews you're least interested in keep you waiting the longest to get started?  It's only a chance to work myself into saying "Thanks, no thanks" before things even get started.

Obviously I had a phoner today, and actually I think I conducted myself quite well considering my initial look at the description had me wondering why exactly they were calling me.  But it was a director-level position and it might not have gone too poorly.

The best thing about it was as I was talking, two different people came by to shush me.  Yeah, fuck you.  I keep thinking I want to move into a more student services-focused role, but every interaction I have with actual students tells me that might not be the case.  I guess it's good that I just applied for a Dean of Students role then.

I'm drinking this weekend, but I'm going to try and keep it level.  "Try" being the operative word.

Current beer-scale: 7.3

Take a walk stretch

There are few things I enjoy more at work these days than taking a long walk to Binnys to pick up some alcohol.  Especially the day after a shitty long workday.

I couldn't decide what to get someone for this weekend so I figured this was a good option.  It'll be a nice surprise at the tailgate Saturday.

Even better, this was at Marshalls for 20 bucks.  Mitchell & Nell, for real?  In my size, doesn't seem to be counterfeit?  Done.  Now that's a successful shopping trip.

Current beer-scale: 8.1

finally, a use for twitter

So Tuesday I shook hands with Sen Durbin, Thursday I see a tweet about Parks & Rec filming down the street from my office and who do I see but Andy and Tom, chatting in the rain.

I admit I felt like kind of a tool standing around taking a cell pic, but what the hell, it's my favorite show and I could use the walk.  And hey, I finally found a use for twitter.

Current beer-scale: 8.1 & bring on the NFL!