Living Forever Through Your Blogs

In addition to writing blogs, I get enjoyment out of reading my friend's blogs or those of other people. Yesterday, I was reading Billy's blog If you don't know who he is, he's the guy who introduced me to this site and he and I chat online every so often. He's a cool guy and he has given me some valuable advice. Anyway, he posted a blog on October 27th wondering what will happen to our blogs when we're dead and gone and if they will serve as a "record for our acestors" and then challenged us to think about the points he made and how we want to be remembered. I'm accepting his challange and in the process writing my own blog about it. Here's a little bit from his blog.......(I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him or using his blog as the basis of this one LOL)

BILLY'S BLOG:
"Do you think our blogs will still be around after we are gone? It seems kind of interesting to think about this. I mean the internet has turned to a sort of history record of everything going on. As you know there are servers that save every site they encounter, web images so to speak. You can access many pages from search engines that have been cached so that if you don't find the site working that second you can click on the "cached" link and bring up what the site looked like back in time."

"I wonder how long they'll hold these images of web pages and everything you and I write will be around for our children, grand children etc.. Are these pages of our lives going to be a record of us for our ancestors?......"

"Think for a moment the next thing you write on the web, what message do you want to send them? The people of your life... the people of your lifes future.... What one thing do you want to be remembered for? Can you put something like that in words? I challenge you all to think about what you write sometimes and remember that what you write may be around forever. What do you want to tell those people.. if anything at all?"

END

RUSUME JQHN:
Anyway, to answer his questions.......I'd like to think that the people of the future/my acestors(if I ever do breed LOL) would look at my blogs/profiles and see someone who has been very honest with himself and those around him, a good friend/lover, and all around caring individual. I'd like to be remembered as someone who learned from his mistakes (no matter how foolish) and grew as a person and used my talents to help inspire others(Even if it was just one person I inspired then I did my job). I want to prove that dreams really can become a reality and show that my hard work and all the adversity I've overcome really did amount for something.

All in all, Billy definitely brought up some interesting points and I'd like to think I answered his questions honestly. I guess only time will tell how I'll be remembred (if at all). Right now the important thing is to continue reaching for my dreams, learning new things, meeting new people, and living my life to the fullest.

Open DORS

Yesterday,as soon as I got settled at my desk at UCP, I called the HR department at DORS and accepted the position. According to the HR manager, I'll be making approximately $33,413/year and after a successful year I can move up to the next position and recieve a six percent pay increase. My orientation will be on November 9th and I'll recieve a packet in the mail with many tax forms and such to have filled out by that time.

All in all, I will say I'm excited about this position, the money, and the expereince I can gain working for DORS. The only real drawback that I can see right now is the commute, but I remember my days attending the University of MD and making that horrible drive every day. I also feel bad about having to call back DSS and decline their job offer. I know they really wanted me and I do think I could make a difference there too, but right now I'm primarily thinking where the $ is and which job can allow me to save up more $ to go to that barber/cosmetology school. In essence I'm doing all this to make my dreams of being a reality and at DSS I just would not make enough money to do so. Although the $ is better than my current job, it's still not enough and I'd still have to work the retail job.

In additon to the higher pay scale,I really want to explore what it's like to only work one job and actually have some FREE time for myself on weekends. With this free time, I can maybe bond with my dog some more so he's not so bad, hang out with my friends so they don't forget who I am, and maybe I'll find LOVE, but maybe that's asking a bit too much just now. Again, my main focus is to get started on this job and eventually going to school.

Weigh My Options Again

Maybe I should've waited 24 hours before I made my last post because in 24 hours my possible employment situation has changed and here I am about to weigh my options once again.

As you know, I've applied and interviewed for two Government jobs. One at the Division of Rehabilitaion Servies (DORS) and the other at the Department of Social Services (DSS). At first I was offered a job at DORS. The job seemed to have a good training program and it definitley payed very well, but the position offered was only a temporary position, it offered no benefits, and it would be over an hour commute. Since I had not heard from DSS I accepted the position at DORS. No sooner do I accept the position at DORS, I then recieve a job offer from DSS. Although DSS didn't pay as much $ as DORS and I was a little unsure of the job description, this job is MUCH closer and it still paid decently (Definiltely MUCH better than my current day job). I accepted the position at DSS because it was more lasting and it offered benefits. After accepting the position at DSS, I called up DORS and declined the position stating that I could not quit my current job for a position that is temporary and offers no benefits. The HR manager at DORS seemed annoyed and she tried to make me feel guilty by saying I'd be good for the position and had all the paperwork ready to go to get me started. (I guess I wan't good enough to have beyond a temporary position and not good enough to be paid benefits)

Today I recieve a call from the HR Department at DORS and I've been informed that there is a position available for me that is a regular full time position and offers benefits. In addition to that, it will pay very well. I told her how I had to think about it because I had already accepted a position at DSS and I need to weigh my options. She understood, but she claims she needs the position filled imediately and I MUST come to a decision tomorrow by 9am.

Now here I sit at my computer trying to think about what to do. Both Jobs will be a great advancement in my career and will pay MUCH better than my current job. AS I had mentioned DORS pays about $6,000 more than DSS and it appears to offer better training. Also, with DORS I'll be working with familiar surroundings. At DORS I'll be working with disabled individuals and helping to ensure their rights/services. The only real drawback I see about DORS is that the commute might be troublesome and how will that be when the winter weather comes to play. As for DSS, I'm not sure how well I"ll be trained for the new position and my fear is to have a caseload of indviduals dumped on me and then have to try to take it from there. Also, at DSS I'll be working with/serving disadvantaged adults such as poeple on welfare/homeless etc and helping them find jobs/manage their cases etc..... Although the pay isn't as much as DORS, it's still decent pay, but I'd still have to keep my retail job for a while. From the looks of it, I'm thinking at the moment the only advantage DSS might have over DORS is the location and that I'll be working in familiar surroundings (Annapolis, MD).

As of right now, I'm thinking I'm gonna accept the position at DORS (if it's still available tomorrow morning). I definiltey need to keep focus of my ULTIMATE dream of cutting men's hair for a living and DORS will defintely pay me enough so I can go to school. Anyway, I guess the thing is to see what happens in another 24 hours after posting this blog. LOL

SIDE NOTE:
This blog has taken me FOREVER to complete. It wasn't because I had to take a lot of time to think things through, but my dog has been a pest. If he's not getting into/eating something he's not supposed to, such as house plants, he's been constantly throwing up and I've had the nasty task of cleaning up after him. My whole Basement now smells like Resolve. LOL

Quick Updates: the job, the boys, and the dog

I've been wanting to update my blog, but it seems as if every time I sign online I get bombarded by IM's or I'm constantly responding to messages on my profiles. I feel so popular LOL. Anyway, My life has been pretty consumed with three things, such as my job situaion, boys, and my dog. Since I have a free moment, I figured I'd update everyone on the chronicles of My life.

THE JOB

If you've been following my life, you're aware that I accepted a job at the Department of Social Services as a Career Counselor. The job doesn't offically start until November and I'm anxious to begin. On October 11th I went ahead and submitted my letter of resignation to my day job at the non-profit agency. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how everyone would take it and if some unwanted drama would errupt. Although they were sad to see me leave, My coworkers seemed to take it a bit too well. For example, many of the women who I caught talking crap about me a couple months ago are now being friendly towards me and making conversation. Although I know they are being phony, I'm just playing along with it because I really don't want to leave this job on a bad note and why start some pointless drama. Last week I let the clients know about my departure and many of them appeared sad. For the past three years I've been a consitant thing in thier lives and main motivator to find gainful employment or to work/learn independantly. I will say it's going to be hard when I finally do leave, but I have to move on. After working three years there and making no personal growth has taken it's toll and I have dreams to chase.

BOYS

Although I'm still in contact with some of my ex lovers, I've made some new acquaintances online through the magic of myspace.com. They all seem like great guys, but in most cases they all live out of state : (. Although they live in neighboring states such as Delaware or Pennsylvania, they're still a good hour plus drive away and I'm not sure if I want to try to pursue something like that. In the meantime I'm still talking to them online or over the phone and might make some dates/plan some road trips to see them.

THE DOG

Although my dog has settled down a bit, he's still very full of energy and taking care of him seems to take up a lot of free time. I stil have to keep a close watch on him or he'll get into something or tear something up. One day when he was with my brother he tore up one of my tropical plants. Although the plant will live, it definitely doesn't look pretty anymore LOL

Ok, well there you have it those are my quick updates and hopefully when I do start this new job, I'll have more free time to do stuff/meet people/take care of my dog and in turn be able to write some kick-ass blogs. One can only hope : P

When it comes to my employment, here's where I stand

No sooner do I accept the Position at DORS, I then get a job offer from DSS and accepted it immediately. Although DSS doesn't pay as much as DORS, it's not a temporary positon, it offers greater benefits, and it's right in Annapolis; therefore not a horrilbe or long commute for me. Another advantage of DSS is that it pays MUCH more $ than my current job at the non-porfit agency and it has potential for better career growth. I'm told that once one gets his/her door into a government job, you can be set for life and that's a good thing.

From the looks of my job it looks like it will be a challenge and will keep me busy. I'm a little neverous about it, but I'm gonna stay positive and work to the best of my ability. If for some reason this job doesn't work out, I can always fall back on my retail job, which I do plan to keep for a while or at least until I'm settled in at DSS.

When I am settled at DSS, I plan on attending the barber/cosmetology school and getting certified for cutting hair. That has always been my goal and my main motivator for this career switch. Even if I'm just cutting hair on weekends or cutting the hair of my many guy friends I'll be content : )

As for my current job, I'm going to submit my letter of resingation next week and In the letter I've offered to work up till November 1st with my orientation for DSS being that on the 3rd. I'm sure my coworkers will be annoyed with my resignation and I know it will probably upset some of the clients I work with, but I can't continue on the way I am with working two jobs to barely make ends meet. Also, with me working at a non-porfit agency, there is no career growth and I feel as if I've exhausted my talents and it's time to move onto other things.

All in all, it looks like thigns are going in the right directions for me as far as my career/jobs are concerned and I look forward to this opportunity at DSS, being able to eventually go to barber/cosmetology school, and being a successful barber.

Weigh my Options

Although I'm still very much interested in going to barber/cosmetology school and working in that career feild, I've been having some difficulty achieving this goal and I blame the fact that I've been so bogged down with two jobs and not making any decent money. To solve this problem I figured I'd try to find one job to make as much if not more money than the two jobs combined. I interviwed for two government jobs about a month ago and even accepted the possibility of becomming a manager at my retail job. Anyway, now things are somewhat falling into place, but with each possible opportunity comes advantages and drawbacks. I split it all up into three categories so one can follow......

THE JOBS

Possible job # 1 is for the Division of Rehabilitaion Services (DORS). DORS is a government agency that provides funding for disabled individuals and for many of the provider agencies like the one I currently work at. I went for a position of VR Specialist. As a VR specialist, I'd be doing case management and ensuring that my clients are recieving the appropriate services. This job pays $33,000/year, offers great benefits, and I liked the idea of how as I'd train I'd acquire my caseload instead of just having 100 plus individuals dumped onto me and told to get busy. The drawbacks of this job include, the job is way up in Timonium, MD which is about an hour drive for me and with the rising costs of gas that the extra $ I'd be making could all just go for gas and for car repairs. Also, I know the traffic can be horrible on many days and I could be sitting in traffic for maybe 2 hours at a time.

Possibble job # 2 is for the Department of Social Services (DSS). Again, this is anohter government job and it's responsible for providing services for disadvantaged people. I applied and interviewed for a position as a Career Counselor. As a Career Counselor, I'd be a case manager and responsible for coaching individuals into finding gainful employment and working them off of goverment funding. I'd most likely be working with individuals who're recieving welfare or are homeless. This job is right in Annapolis and although I'm not sure what the pay scale is. When I applied for anohter position there last year the starting pay was $15.00/hr. The only thing I'm not too thrilled about this job is that at the interview I was told how this is a developing position therefore I'm not sure what type of traing I'll recieve and the idea of having 100 plus individuals dumped onto me and the stress of finding them all jobs could be overwhelming.

Possible job # 3 is a management position at my retail job. My manager offered me this position when I tried to apply for the Human Resources position. He told me that I'd make a beter manager and the starting pay is $30,000-32,000/year which is about what I'm making with both my current jobs combined. Anohter perk was that if I were to run my own business/barber shop, this job would provide me with valuable experience. The only thing is that this is a very high stress level job and as a manager I'd be required to work many LONG hour days. Also, I'm not sure how flexible it would be when/if I start cosmetology/barber school.

WHERE I CURRENTLY STAND AT EACH JOB

At job # 1, I got a call yesterday (9-30-05) and I was offered a position, but not the VR specialist. Apparently the powers that be at DORS had already hired for that position, but since they "liked" me they offered me a temporary position I guess as a VR specialist assistant? This job will still pay the $33,000/year and have the same type of responsibilites/training, but the position is about 6 months and offers no benefits. On the plus side, this will be more $, valuable experience, and it could lead to a perminent position. On the other hand, I'd have to give up my current job which is providing me with benefits and I'd probably have to still keep my retai job on the weekends as something to fall back on if I'm not hired by DORS or have difficulty findng anohter job after the job ends.

At job # 2, I got a call on Wednesday from the lady who interviewed me at DSS. She said she forwarded my resume/appplication to the hiring manager and gave a strong recommendation. The only thing is this hiring manager is currently on vacation and won't be back in the office until next week. I just hope they don't forget about me.

At job # 3, Yesterday, I took the aptitude test and I'll probably get a call telling me the results. I will say some of the questions were pretty hard while others were purely common sense.

MY DECISION AS OF 10-01-05

I'm thinking I'll call DORS on Monday and accept the temporary position because it will provide me with valualbe experience to put on my resume and it's a $3,000 increase which can help pay for school. Since my retail job has been good to me (for the most part) and offers me a discount, I'll most likely keep that on weekends, but only work half days probably a shift like 4-10pm that way my days aren't completely wasted. In the meantime I'll wait and see if DSS calls me or if I'm offered the management position and if the benefits/hours/money is right, I'll definitely accept.