So much can happen in one week...
December 28, 2006
Wow. Since the last time I posted there has been quite a bit going on. Where to start? How 'bout Friday night...
Friday, 12/22 - Batgirl surprises me with a phone call in the afternoon while I was at work. She hand landed college basketball tickets for free. Who am I to say no? I knew it would be a dead crowd with plenty of options to sit closer to the floor, so I thought it would be a fun idea.
Well, two of my best friends, The Attorney and Nern, hold season tix. I could see them from our seats and wanted to say hello. Since Batgirl always got along with them I didn't think it would be a big deal even though we were on a "date." How wrong I was. First she wanted me to go over alone (it was a bit of a distance away), then she reluctantly agreed to go joke about he could "have her job" since he was hired by the Department of Education (he is a lawyer) to defend parents who think their special ed kids are not being done right by teachers in the integrated classroom. Needless to say, she didn't care for that comment and was quite upset. She stewed for half of the second half before I decided we'd better get the hell out of there.
On the way to the car, she blew up and basically said that if he was going to be a guy who could some day be facing her from across a table, trying to hurt her career because of some overzealous parent, she couldn't mingle with him. She's had to take on such lawyers in the past, and as recently as that afternoon she had a parent threatening to haul her friend (a special ed teacher) into court. In a nutshell, it was the "choose between me and your friend" proposal. I told her that wasn't fair, and I would need to talk about the situation with Nern. At first she said I shouldn't, but I insisted and told her that while I know he was only kidding, he deserved to be made aware of how he made her felt, and the impact of taking such a job. The strange thing is, his wife is also a teacher and she stands by his position on an integrated classroom (one that allows special ed kids into a traditional classroom environment), and didn't reprimand him for his poor taste of humor.
Saturday, 12/23 - Capt. Paul returned home from Iraq. When he is home from Iraq, one of his favorite activities is to hit a nudie bar. So, he, Ren and myself did just that. Sure, I know Batgirl would flip a wig if she knew I did that, but it's what my buddy who's seen nothing but sand and army fatigues for the last year wanted to do. What I didn't anticipate was making...a friend.
Ren had been pulled upstairs for a lap dance, so Paul and I were just sipping back beers and bullshitting at a table when this girl plops down next me and says,"Hi. For ten minutes, you're going to be my boyfriend."
I asked if some slimeball was bugging her, and she said no. She claimed some friends had told her to meet them there after she got out of work at her bar. Ten minutes turned into an hour-plus. It became painfully obvious this girl was digging my shit as time wore on. Paul called it from where he was sitting. This was my second test of the weekend. She invited us to stop by her bar this week on the nights she was tending (Tuesday and Friday). I was considering it for some reason, maybe due to the events of the night before. When we went separate ways at the end of the night, she kissed me on the cheek while hugging me (didn't do the same to Ren and CP).
My lust for this girl bugged me all through Christmas, but when Tuesday night arrived and I had the opportunity to go, I made the decision it was not worth it. I have a great thing with Batgirl (the friends thing aside) and it's not worth throwing away from some shady college chick who was in a strip club alone on a late Saturday night. If I were single and looking for a fling, I'd be on that all day though.
Christmas - By the time the holiday weekend ended, it became clear to me how much this woman loves me, her family loves me, how much my family loves her (my mom thought I was going to propose, and my sister was disappointed I didn't)...and how much she means to me.
I slept over her place Christmas Eve, and we opened our presents to each other that morning before going separate ways to our parents' houses. It felt special, like nothing I'd ever been a part of. The crowning moment for me was when she opened the heart-shaped gold & diamond necklace. She absolutely loved it, and she makes sure she wears it conspicuously for all to see. When Christmas night came and it was time for me to go home, I felt kind of sad. I had to work the next morning, and needed to go home and get some sleep alone. The holiday was over, and it was my best Christmas in recent memory. It sucks when it ends and the next day is back to work.
Wednesday, 12/27 - Batgirl's big day finally arrived. She closed on her house. It warmed my heart to see her so excited and happy. She really does look at this place as where she will spend the next 10-20 years, and as the home she will share with me. I'm still uncomfortable when I hear her talk like that, but deep down in my heart, I think I see it that way too. She makes me feel like no one has before.
Yesterday was a day that really kickstarted the whole "our future" throught process for me. My old roommate just announced he was engaged this past weekend, so now I'm thinking. We'll have met one year ago on January 27th, and so much has happened and been shared since then. I can't see her out of my life, nor can I see my being that happy with it even when we have these episodes about sharing my spare time with my friends. The decision about marriage is close to be being made, but the last obstacles I need to overcome are: financial planning, and what she expects of me once we decide to wed. Am I expected to be in a bubble with her, just like her parents are with each other? In this bubble, is it going to be us and her immediate family most of the time (they all live in close proximity to each other)? Am I supposed to stand by as she plays shrink for her emotionally unstable mother on a regular basis? Important questions.
The next few weeks are going to be very interesting as she finally gets settled in to this big house living by herself, and the thoughts about us kick into high gear with the one-year anniversary approaching. First thing's first, of course: how quickly we can paint a bunch of rooms, and how we manage to spend New Year's Eve--with friends, or us alone.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 11:24 AM,
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Merry Christmas
December 22, 2006
It's amazing how time flies in the week leading up to Christmas.I know that today is probably a write-off for most of you in the office, or maybe you're going to be like me and frantically try to get caught up so that next week is a breeze. Either way, what better day for me to do one last update for the work week?
Since my last post, I went to see Rocky Balboa, discovered a very attractive co-worker, and got pretty close to completion of Christmas shopping.
To start with the latest "Rocky" movie, it was far better than that disaster known as Rocky V. I'm convinced Stallone did not title this new chapter Rocky VI because he wanted us all to forget the fifth film. I got goosebumps when the traditional trumpets began to play at the start of the movie, and a big smile came to my face during Rocky's traditional training montage. I know the audience felt the same as me as there were people who clapped at the start of the film, and there were those who applauded at the start of the fight when Rocky was introduced to the fictional audience.
The main things I walked away with from this film was this: it's underlying message was about moving forward, which is ironic since it's advisable Sly not make another Rocky flick. Ever. Secondly, the film incorporated ESPN coverage as part of the story to give it that present-day feel. The fight was filmed as if it were on HBO with Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley calling the action at ringside. I thought that was a cool aspect. Finally, you couldn't help but get that warm, fuzzy feeling with all the nostalgia recalled from the past movies--mainly Rocky I and II. Believe it or not, Batgirl has never seen any of the previous "Rocky's," and I think this one has peaked interest to see them.
My final assessment: it's fifth place among the six in the series, however it's not too far from Rocky IV. If you loved Rocky III & IV, you'll love Rocky Balboa to close it out. Next....
The hot co-worker...yeah. She got hired a couple of weeks ago, but since she had been brought on, I had been moved upstairs. She looks younger than 30, but I learned from our conversation the other night while our department was out that she is already divorced. There was never a mention of a boyfriend, which automatically makes her more attractive that she is on the market. Alas, I am not, and it looks like I have to come to grips that it will be better to look than touch. Besides, it's never advisable to "dip into the company ink."
I'll be looking forward to the "How's she looking today?" question being answered daily.
Finally, Christmas. This will be my first Christmas in love. I can only recall one other time in my life when I had a girlfriend during this time of year, but that was back in '99, and we'd only been together for about a month or so. We were never in love. With Batgirl, we're looking at 11 months together on the day she closes on her house next week. Pretty fucking amazing how fast this year has gone by.
The toughest part about this year's Christmas is figuring out how we are going to divide the time between the families, friends, and us alone. I already know we'll be spending the early evening of Christmas Eve with her family, then it's on to the wild party my parents host each Christmas Eve. Her family was invited to come for whole night, but they declined to attend. They are nice people, but a bit socially off. They prefer their inner circle only, which is where I now see Batgirl gets her behavior from.
My friends, on the other hand, have built up the parents' "open house" into a favorite event of theirs. It's got to the point they hype it up to others when we all get together just prior to the holiday. Batgirl's heard much about this event and is curious to see what all the hubbub is about. Even my mom wrote up some type of press release about the party on a Christmas card to Batgirl's folks in an attempt to get their family to come over.
Anyhow, the only buzzkill will be that I know Master K will stop by with Shep. My friends tend to arrive late after spending the evening with their families. Most of the party-goers are leaving the house when they come in. In no time, the guests will consist only of my friends and my brother and sister, huddled up at my dad's bar in the gameroom. I'm concerned how Batgirl will handle this since there won't be many options for her to avoid Shep. Otherwise, we should have much to look forward to in our first Christmas together.
Oh, and for those who want to know what I got my lady, I went with a diamond necklace, a couple of sweaters ("snugly" fitting of course), and an Elizabeth Arden perfume gift package. I will also be getting her a "welcome " mat for her house, and make a CD copy of this slide show set to music that I made her for our 6-month anniversary this summer.
Enjoy your families, your friends, your special someones this weekend. I will check back in with you next week as I look back on my year. 2006 was certainly a big year for me as my life saw some major changes. A lot happened that has helped me grow up more and see things more different than I did at this time one year ago.
Merry Christmas everyone.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 6:00 AM,
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Testosterone Tuesday
December 19, 2006
You know what? I'm gonna do something different this week. I'm not going to bitch about the New York Giants because anyone who watched them get soundly whipped by the Donovan McNabb-less Eagles yesterday can pretty much see what I've harped on all season long. It's not worth the time or space to repeat myself. All I want to say is, do us all a favor, Big Blue: don't waste another January weekend afternoon on me like you did last year. Just miss the playoffs, and get ready for 2007 with the hope this sorry excuse for a coaching staff is collecting unemployment, and Tiki Barber opts to come back one more year due to some unfinished business.
Onto the good stuff...
- I never heard of Miss USA Tara Conor until late last week, but Oh My Gawd!!! This chick is smokin'! From the Pat O'Brien book of vocabulary, the whole idea of what she's been doing to lose the title is so...fucking...hot. Any other guys out there agree with me?
- What the fuck is up with Britney Spears? I really want to know. I mean, isn't she a mother of two? Who the hell is watching her kids while she stumbles about in public with her vag on display, her breasts nearly visible, and more recently, half-dressed with her mis-matched lingerie for all to see.
It's closer than you think, folks. Brit will be in Playboy before the age of 30. - Saturday night's vicious brawl between the Knicks and the Nuggests reminded me just why I no longer watch the NBA.
- Let me get this straight: Nuggest coach George Karl called Isiah Thomas "a jackass"? And this is some great revelation how?
- I don't know if I'm in the minority, but I'm pretty stoked about Rocky Balboa, opening on Wednesday. Early word from critics is this will be a good one, erasing the bad memories of Rocky V.
- As much as I hate the team, I have to give credit where credit is due. I never would have believed you if you told me the Philadelphia Eagles, without Donovan McNabb, would surpass my Giants and stand a better chance at making the postseason.
- Never mind the crying of Giants fans everywhere; imagine how Carolina Panther fans must be feeling after seeing their team, a consensus Super Bowl favorite in the preseason, get embaressed at home by the Steelers 37-3 Sunday? Pathetic.
- Finally, my nightmarish fantasy season ended this weekend, although one of the teams I had stood a real shot at taking it all had not most of my studs run into defensive powerhouses this weekend. My other team finished dead last for the first time in my 14 years of playing. Not a good feeling.
- Ok. Great. The Red Sox seem to have bolstered their starting rotation, the middle relief, and the top of their lineup with the acquistion of Julio Lugo. What about our closer? Is this a repeat of 2003 when we had the infamous "bullpen by committee?" What about this sudden "snag" in the physical on JD Drew, thus holding up his deal with the Sox? I'll tell you one thing, Sox brass: let the deal fall through. Save yourselves the trouble of dealing with Nancy Drew's ailments for the next 5 years by cutting off the deal NOW!
- Has anyone seen the carefully, but hilariously edited, clip titled "Seinfeld: The Lost Episode" where Kramer is exposed as a racist? Obvisouly this was born from the whole Michael Richards controversy of a few weeks back. While racism is not funny, the segment is worth a look. Some people just have way too much time on their hands.
- The NFL made the right call in fining Terrell Owens for spitting in the face of Deangelo Hall of the Falcons on Saturday night. Now if only someone could lay a big hit on T.O. to knock his teeth out and shut his fat mouth, we'll be guaranteed him never spitting again.
- You don't know terror until you've been to the doctor's office and heard the smack of a rubber glove being fitted on his hand.
Unless you're into that sort of thing.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 6:58 AM,
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A Saturday Afternoon Post
December 16, 2006
For those who checked my previous post's comments, I informed you all that things went well at the doctor's office on Thursday.
For those who didn't...well, there is the update.
Bascially, he is 99% sure that what happened to me on Monday was nothing more than a normal event as human's age. We agreed that keeping an eye for frequency of repeated occurances would be the next step, and if it happens again with some regularity and accompanying symptoms, immediate testing would be recommended.
I did end up telling Batgirl about the forthcoming doctor's visit on Wednesday night. She actually guessed at what the cause was, and took the news very calmly. I was glad because the last thing I wanted to do was scare her, but I didn't want to shock her with bad news had the exam turned that up.
So--the health is good. Bottom line is, though, I need to start exercising more.
- Among the most popular search words that bring readers here is "Amy Lawrence" of ESPN Radio-fame. I did a post about her this summer, where I basically ripped her for being a shitty sports radio personality. Why the searches? Well, when guys hear a chick on the radio talking sports, curiosity (and hope) she is hot is the first thing that comes to mind. Hence, the searchers are seeking photos of Amy to satisfy their need.
Well, Wednesday night, Batgirl and I had an impromptu dinner date at a local brew pub in town. Over her shoulder, I noticed a couple having drinks and dinner as well. The woman was quite the motor-mouth, and I could almost hear the conversation (from her end) rather clearly. Late in the night while Batgirl was in the bathroom, I was able to focus on what was being said and couldn't help but her the woman rattling off about ESPN Radio and naming personalities with regular programming. That's when it hit me: the voice, the look, the incessant babbling's subject matter. It had to be Amy Lawrence!
I wanted so badly to rescue the poor guy. I'm not sure if they were on some type of date, or they were just friends, or what. All I knew was, this guy looked like a soul who needed rescuing. Unfortunately, Batgirl stood in my way of going over to there table to confirm the woman was in fact Ms. Lawrence. I'm willing to bet it was. In any event, guys--she ain't worth the search. - Finally, last night, my pal Nern and his wife Angel had everyone over to celebrate his 30th. Just about everyone invited showed up. Everyone, that is, except one notable absentee: Master K. Although he RSVP'd he would come, he did an about face and called shortly before I arrived and said he'd skip because "Shep (his fiance) is sick and doesn't want me to go."
Needless to say, last night was the first time I saw a lot of people's true colors in regards to their feelings about Shep. It started with Master K's mother and step-father, then it surprised me to hear harsh words from MK's cousin--who has always been supportive of his cousin's decisions. I knew it was really bad when The Attorney spouted off about Master K's decision not to come because of Shep, and Attorney is another one of those guys that rarely has anything bad to say about anyone.
Bascially, the bottom line was nobody bought Shep was sick. Everyone has their reasons to believe that, and it certainly makes for an interesting situation next weekend. Master K will undoutbedly be stopping by my folks' place Christmas Eve with Shep by his side, and Batgirl (who can't stand Shep) will be there, as well as many others from the party her tore her up. The one comment that stood out came from Master K's cousin, who said to me,"This has got to stop. Something needs to be done about this (the marriage)."
I'm not exactly 100% sure of what goes on between them, and what others know about the two's relationship, but it certainly brings up more about something I posted a couple months ago. If so many people see the same thing about a loved one's significant other, should somebody step up to the plate and voice the concern of the masses?
posted by That 30's Guy @ 2:39 PM,
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Don't Call Me Thick-headed Anymore
December 12, 2006
Thanks to all you good people who commented earlier today, I decided to call my doctor and set up an appointment for a physical. In fact, his secretary commented about how I hadn't had one "in ages." She's right about that, but now I wisened up and got an appointment. Unfortunately, it's not going to be until Thursday afternoon, so I'm a bit nervous about what the next day-plus has in store. There's been no repeat of last night's scare, but then again there hasn't been an opportunity to. I'd be lying if I said that when my mind wasn't on the job, it was back on what could/couldn't be wrong.
Good news is I don't really feel much different. No pain or anything. However, I think the worry over this since leaving work has left my stomach in knots. I did tell my dad about what happened, but I haven't spoken with Batgirl yet. I'm torn over whether I should tell her. She has a deadline to meet this week, and the matter of her sick aunt, weighing on her mind. I don't want to add more wood into the fire. I do hear the suggestions of the readers, and agree, but timing may not be all that good, especially when it may be a little while before we know of anything wrong.
In the meantime, I'll try to go forward without much worry. That's what my dad said. Until we know what's up, I can't let it drive me crazy. Work does enough of a good job at that!
posted by That 30's Guy @ 9:40 PM,
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Cause for Concern?
I intended on preparing this week's "Testosterone Tuesday" tonight, but a late return home from Day One of the 2006 Christmas shopping season for me will prevent that.
That, and my mind is on a more serious occurrence.
Monday night, after a very stressful day on the job, I returned home and discovered blood coming from my body in a place and way it shouldn't be. Needless to say I am very alarmed by this. In fact, I immediately got faint and had to delay my plans to heat up some leftover pizza slices in the oven. There was a good deal of blood and it was downright scary.
I admit, I haven't been responsible about going to the doctor for regular physicals. It's been a few years since I had one. Granted, I have still been to see the doctor for various ailments, but I just haven't done the right thing and gone for an annual check up. I have said that once I hit 30, I'd schedule regular exams, but with my mind consumed by other things (like the job), I haven't done it yet. Maybe now, this has got it through my thick skull.
Now, I know a lot of you reading this are concerned for me (and there are those of you who could care less, and I don't blame you). I feel the same as I did when I woke up Monday, Sunday, Friday, a week ago. I felt fine enough to heat up that pizza, eat a salad and go out to shop for gifts. Some preliminary online reading indicates it may not be anything serious. It wouldn't shock me if this is stress related. I mean, for over three years now I've been pretty overwhelmed in two different jobs, and today was quite a brutal day--but now the worst I've had since starting this job in July. Bottom line though is, this is something I need to watch out for again, and if I see anything like it, it's time to suck it up and go see the doc.
You know, what is ironic is while on my home tonight, Batgirl was telling me that the health of her aunt battling cancer is not getting any better. In fact, it wouldn't shock anyone if she succumbs to cancer in the next couple of months. I will keep this to myself for now, for there is no need to get her alarmed.
Let's hope there never is a reason to alarm her.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 12:04 AM,
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You Know You're Getting Old When...
December 10, 2006
...you watch on as your pregnant, younger cousin--whom you once held as a baby back in 1984--is proposed to by her boyfriend (at his 30th birthday party), and the ring is the one once worn by your late grandmother.
And she says "Yes."
Looks like there will be 2 weddings in the "That 30's" family in 2007. The other will be my other female cousin. Only one "That 30's" woman left, and that's my sister--and she better not be getting be married before me!
posted by That 30's Guy @ 11:00 PM,
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Not Quite in the Mood
December 07, 2006
Before you horny freaks out there think I mean I'm talking about sex, I will stop you right there. I'm always ready to rock the walls. Nah, I mean Christmas.
My #1 rule is I don't do Christmas shopping on the weekends during "the season." I get bored too easily while shopping, and I get easily annoyed by people who are intending to "make a day of it" shopping. You know the types, the ones who seem to either be looking up at the ceiling in the mall or just walking at the speed of a snail because they really don't have somewhere to go. Yeah. Those. There are people like me who budget to shop about 1-2 hours max per shopping day who are speeding along so that 2 hours can get condensed down to 45 minutes. Call me a man on a mission while at the mall.
Of course, this year is extremely different. I'm in uncharted territory. I'm in a heavy, serious relationship. It took 30 years, but it finally happened. Luckily, I'm in decent financial shape. However, I'm not in the type of shape where I can add on another two parents, two sibling/married couples, an infant, and a dog, very easily. Now, I know that I'm not expected to buy any gifts for Batgirl's sibs and their spouses, but I gotta get something for her parents and the newborn niece! Nothing expensive, but something thoughtful. I just don't know what yet.
Then there is my side, where there's two sibs, parents, grandparents (sadly, I'm minus-one this year, and for the rest of my life), and I always buy for my eternally single aunts who have no family of their own. One aunt is my godmother, so it's going to be hard to change that tradition.
Finally, the big one: Batgirl. I seriously have no clue what to get her. I love to spoil her, even though she is nowhere near as material as, say, Master K's fiance Shep. I already told her to not get me anything over $50 (I know something she got me already) since she'll be paying for a house in the next couple of months. I know she's ignoring that because it is our first Christmas together--a point she always brings up. I can only think of jewelry right now, but I don't want to go nuts. Besides, there's a more important piece of jewelry I think I should be saving for. Beyond what glitters, I'm drawing a blank as to the alternate options.
I try not to procrastinate, but Monday is December 12 and it will be time to start shopping. Long hours in the office to be complimented by an evening among hordes of shoppers. I'm not looking forward to it. I'm also not looking forward to adding on to the $500+ I spent on gifts a year ago, especially because I don't believe I'll be seeing a Christmas bonus (a generous payout at my old job that always paid for my Christmas expenditures) in 2006.
Yeah, you could say I haven't quite gotten into the mood. Can ya blame me?
posted by That 30's Guy @ 7:25 PM,
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Testosterone Tuesday
December 05, 2006
Ten male-oriented topics to touch upon:
- I'm not going to be a whiney Giants fan this week. The bottom line is, the G-men lost to a better team. Now, Big Blue at 100% healthy, the Cowgirls don't win that game Sunday in the Meadowlands, but the fact of the matter is--this one was on the players. Stupid personal foul penalties at key junctures of the game are just plain killing this team. I'ts obvious that 3 years into his tenure, Tom Coughlin will not cure the discipline problem that has plagued the Giants since the start of this new century. Luckily for Big Blue, being 6-6 in the NFC is not a bad thing. They could go 10-6 (though it will take a 4-game win streak) and make the playoffs. Of any team in the NFC right now, they stand the best chance to peak at the right time. They will undoubtedly get healthier, they face two division opponents who I think are levels below them, and will do battle the last weekend against a Saints team that really doesn't have the type of defense that can contain the Giants O when it comes ready to play.
Ready to play. That's the key here. If Tom Coughlin wants to come back next season, he needs to get this team ready, and it starts this week against the overrated Carolina Panthers, who are also a disappointing 6-6 after blowing it on Monday Night against Phillie. I believe the Giants will win this game for some reason. They showed me more than I ever expected from them this past Sunday, and it gives me hope. - Amazing. Nearly a week after her cooch is all over the internet and in the news, I still get a ton of hits seeking photos of Britney's Beaver (looks like I will pick up and extra 50 hits for saying those two words).
- Nelly Furtado turned down a$500,000 payday to pose in Playboy? Daaaammmn! I guess some people really won't put a price on their pride.
- Earlier tonight on ESPN Radio's "The Sportsbash with Eric Kuselias," I heard ESPN Baseball Report Jayson Stark report there was now a 25-35% chance of Manny Ramirez being traded, and in fact the Red Sox have put a deadline of Wednesday PM on trading the goofball. Disappointing. We were so close....
- Speaking of the Sawks, we have good news on young star pitcher Jon Lester: doctors have told him he's cancer-free from lymphoma, and he is planning to report to training camp on time.
- Enough with this BCS B.S.: let's get a playoff system started and end this silly debate over who should be playing for a national title, and instead have 6-8 teams make their own arguments on the field. 1-AA does it; why is that so hard?
- The Billboard Music Awards was Monday night. I'm a guy...I don't care. Award shows suck.
- Head coaches in the NFL who need their heads checked because they are sticking with their mistake-prone QB's: Chicago's Lovie Smith & Detroit's Rod Marianelli. Smith's QB Rex Grossman had a QB rating of 1-point-something Sunday, and Marianelli's Jon Kitna single-handedly lost the Lions' game to the Patriots. Both QB's are responsible for tons of turnovers in recent weeks. While it makes sense for Kitna to get benched since the Lions are going nowhere (as usual), I guess I can see why Lovie doesn't want to sit Grossman since the Bears are at 10-2 in the NFC and have clinched the division. Expect him to cost them a playoff game.
- At my company Christmas party last Friday night, there were two excellent buffets: the dinner buffet...and the selection of the company's hot single ladies. I would have been in my glory had I been a single man: hotel room, lots of booze, and none of the best-looking, available girls worked anywhere near my local office.
- The Red Sox spend $70-million over 5 years on JD Drew, a player known to not play injured and have little heart. Great. I expect him to be on the 15-day DL by mid-May. Next up, other huge chunks of change to sign Julio Lugo to play shortstop and commit errors, and finally Japanese "phenom" Diseke Matzusaka.
Looks like I picked the wrong season to leave my old company, where I landed lots of free Red Sox tickets.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 9:21 PM,
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When I Grow Up...
December 01, 2006
First I just have to thank Britney Spears and "her bare beaver" for all the traffic she drove to my blog yesterday. I got a kick out of what the most common search term for her most intimate--well, no longer that intimate--of areas was. Here's a clue: I used it in my opening sentence.
New day, new subject now.
As many of you longtime readers know, I left the job I had for the last four years to take the position I currently have at a new company. It's now been over four months already, and while I've gain quite a bit of knowledge so that I can be at least effective in this new industry to me, I still have a long way to go. Unfortunately, there is not enough time for "a long way to go." I am buried. Almost to the point I'm beginning to lose a handle on the workload.
I inherited the work that was once handled by my cousin, who is still at the same company and in the same office. At the time I came in, he was up to his ears in assignments and was extremely happy to have me on board. He could breathe a little bit easier once I got up to speed on how to do the job and concentrate on the new hot product the company is selling, instead of dealing with two. Well, the older product I handle is still a hot seller and business is rolling in. Now, we BOTH are up to our ears.
Now while I am not as swamped as I was when I left my old job, I'm still doing the work of two people. That was one of the biggest problems I was dealing with my final 2 years at the old employer, except there I was doing enough work to occupy 3 people. Being busy is good, but being overwhelmed with assignments in an industry that's 4-months-old to you is very intimidating. While it was exciting to me to go on to a fast-growing company, it's now become apparent to me this place is going to suffer the same problems my old employer was: growing too fast for its own good.
Sometimes we think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but the reality is, that's not usually the case. There have been days in the last two weeks or so when I left with that same trapped feeling I used to get leaving the old place. Deep down, I know my passion for this job isn't there. My passion growing up was to be creative for a living: Write movies, write books, direct, draw comics; those were things I thought I may do. Then as I got older, my interest in sports deepened and I became fascinated by the world of sports broadcasting. I pursued that dream in college, only to find the money wouldn't be there when I graduated, it would be hard to break in unless you had connections, and settling down in one place for more than a year would be a rarity. I opted to become a "suit" and later got into sales, only to step backwards into a customer service role, then to what I'm doing now. Except I don't wear a suit.
Don't get me wrong. This company is a lot more enjoyable to work for in terms of the people. Their mood is better, I have a lot more guys I can relate to, and we do find ways to have a laugh throughout the day. It's just, when you're sitting at your desk and not sure how to solve the problem that has arisen, or how you even got there, it makes you ask yourself,"What am I doing here? This isn't me!"
The company Christmas party is actually tonight, and it should be a good time since it's being held at one of downtown's ritziest hotels. Batgirl and I wil get dolled up, and get a room there for 65% off the normal rate as part of the company block. There's no doubt in my mind that there will be a more festive feel to it than the parties I attended the last two years at the last company (who incidently invited me to attend their holiday party in a couple of weekends; I won't be going due to Nern's 30th birthday party that night).
Yeah, I'm sure I may be whining because of stress, but I do wonder if I should be listening to these thoughts. Afterall, I am just 4 months into a new job, new industry, and possibly a new career. This is a company that has grown substantially in the last 5 years, so it must be doing something right. I just wish I knew what it was like to be professionally satisfied because I can honestly say that in 8 years of being out in the real world, I've never felt it.
posted by That 30's Guy @ 6:30 AM,
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