Monday, February 27, 2006

Got A Badge, But No Check Yet

Well, I got a badge for US Airways. Still waiting on an office, a computer, and a parking permit....and a check. The check is still 3 weeks off. I hope the other things come more quickly.

Oh, and they don't have a cafeteria. Isn't that weird? So, I've got to bring lunch (and I need an office and desk first) or go to downtown Tempe each day for lunch. It cost me $7.50 today. That could be, like, $150 a month.

The Scottish Games were fun last Saturday. We saw the dancers (Kathie's favorite event), the games (the caber is my favorite), some collies, 2 fun musical groups, and I had my yummy meat pie. I bought an Irn Bru for consumption later. We did not see the piper competition. Ah well, it leaves us something for next year.

Church was fine. I think they knew most of the hymns this week. Let's see how they fare next Sunday.

Friday, February 24, 2006

It's Official

Yee haw! I gots a job. Now me and Maw kin support ourselves. Coursen, I ain't bin paid yit.

I don't know why I started typing in hillbilly speak. I'm better now. So, I passed my drug test and meet with my new boss around 8am on Monday, Feb 27. Maybe I'll get over to my office by Tues or Wed. I think part of the problem is that they do not have a PC for me yet. We certainly praise God for answered prayer.

Tomorrow is the annual Scottish Games over at a local community college. So, I know what I'll be doing. I am already practicing my brogue. We like the caber toss, the young dancers, and the pipers. I also like meat pies and ginger beer, but Kathie does not. She does like their chocolate, though, because it tastes richer. I would imagine it is because it is made with fewer preservatives.

What else? James got rear-ended last week. Luckily, a friend has a car they can use for some months while they decide how to handle repairs. Why is that an issue? Well, this drunk dude had no insurance. No, the other guy, not James. And they must decide to fix or not because they might wait until Ali starts with Honda and use their discount.

Speaking of discount, it seems Kathie and I and Mom and Dad and Kyle can use my free/standby flight privileges, but not Alison. Nope, only dependent children get that benefit, so Kyle loses it once he finishes school. I don't understand what it means or implies yet, so I'll have to investigate once I am really working there. They don't kick in for 15 days anyway.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

What's Wrong With Mom?

Hey, did that heading catch your attention? It should. Here's what happened.

We were having a nice little PHX family gathering. Pizza was provided. A large screen provided ample details even for *my* aging eyes. Conversation was clever and appropriate...until... Well, I hesitate to use the words dementia or Alzheimers because I cannot spell them. I also hesitate to say cranky, cantankerous, inappropriate, bad taste, ill-advised because then this post would be too long.

Let's just say that Mom cheered for the wrong team when they won the immunity challenge. That's right. She knew who we liked (the underdog team), and then. AND THEN. She had the audacity to say she was just caught up in the moment. So, I ask you, what would *you* have done? WWJD? We all pretended it was OK. I wonder if I can go back next week?

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

I Didn't Cheat

Well, I just signed 180,000 forms and took my drug test at US Airways. Results due in 24-48 hours. The nurse told me that they have had several cases of people trying to cheat. Not me.

I will be glad when the O's are over. We are still Tivoing those shows that are new, so our machine is getting full.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Lotta Wata

OK. I need to drink a lot of water tonight. I've got a drug test tomorrow morning at 10:30am for US Airways. It looks like I might actually start this coming Monday...if I pass my test. Should I stay up late tonight studying? I wonder what will be on the test. I should probably drink more water at 9am to be sure I am ready for the test.

Did y'all watch the snowboard cross on the Olympics? That was cool. Did y'all see the Italians on ice dancing last night? The dude made the lady fall, and she gave him "the look." You married folks know what I'm talking about.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Picking and (Not) Grinning and Curling

Well, the Valentine's Banquet last Sunday night was a lot of fun. We had an entertainer from the area named (I think) Tom Jordan. He was billed as an illusionist, but did several things. He made birds appear, bowling balls from black balloons. He also played the accordion and did some "polka praise." He picked on the banjo, and imitated Red Skelton. We had a great time.

The folks said the concert of the East Valley Chorale went really sell. Some 960 attended, the largest crowd ever for an event at Mesa Regal RV Park. That's a lotta people. I wonder what the total number would be if we added the ages of all attendees?

Why am I not grinning? Well, my start date at US Airways has been moved back to 27 Feb. I asked and was assured that the job is still mine. It seems that, usually, the company has two weeks to prepare for a new hire because they needed to give their previous employer notice. Since I could come in one week, they tried to push my paperwork through, but not everything could get done. So, a little delay.

That could mean that I get to substitute teach a few extra times. It could also mean that I spend extra time preparing for Easter music and choir specials at church. It might even mean I watch a few more episodes of Ellen.

The folks are headed up to CO to meet architect brother's family for skiing. I think they just wanted to get out of these stinking 80 degree days. The dilemma is what to do about Survivor on Thursday. Do we still invade their house or stay home and have Carey over? Last time, we went to Carey's place. That worked out OK because then she had to clean her house and we did not. This time, hmm.

Right now, the Japanese girls are beating the Americans in curling. Speaking of Olympics, (well, I was even if you were not), did y'all see those skaters last night? They showed a prior fall by the Russian women that knocked her unconscious. And a Japanese skater tried a quadruple hoop-de-hoo and hurt her knee. She bravely came back and they won silver. What? They totally blow a required element and still medal? And the night before, the Wacky Tobacky or Crazy Tomato or something like that won the men's snowboard. Go Team USA!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

A Concert Tonight...But Not For Me

Tonight, the East Valley Chorale joins with the Mesa Regal RV Park Choir for a joint concert of religious music, accompanied by strings and brass. At practice, it sounded great. I am sorry that I will miss it. However, I knew when I took the church music job that Sunday evening concerts would not be possible. So, y'all do good tonight.

At church tonight, we have a Valentine's banquet. What does that entail? I don't know. I think there may be a magician for entertainment. That'd be cool.

Have you watched any olympics yet? I wonder why we are not more excited? Has the media not played up any stories about participants? Maybe Kathie and I are just out of the info loop. We watched some speed skating last night and a dude from Houston won. He might have a chance to get 5 medals, like some dude in the past did. That could be worth tuning in for. It would *not* be worth missing Survivor for, though, especially when we can just Tivo it.

My friend from UOP is working there again for 3 months or so. That's good for him, as he can look for a new job while still getting a paycheck. I gave him the contact info for the guy that found my position for me. He's a nice guy and I wish him good luck. Take care.

The folks got a CD of Steven Wright jokes. Man, that dude is weird. So now, we are getting full of those crazy ideas that made him funny. You know, like "If you are in a car going the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, would it do any good?" Or "Why is the alphabet in that order. Is it because of the song?"

Thursday, February 09, 2006

I Signed On The Dotted Line!!!

Yup. It is official. I accepted a job with US Airways. I start Feb 20...if... I pass the drug test and a background check. I do not know when those will be, but they must be completed before I can report to work. The only bummer I know of is that I start accruing my vacation days 1 per month starting after my 90 day new hire period, and I only get 5 days the first year. Then, for years 1-4, I get 2 weeks per year. On the plus side, I hope we can make full use of my flight privileges. Unlimited standby. And parents are entitled to reduced rate travel.

Almost time for Survivor. Stupid cable company posts episode summaries for display on the screen, and they told me some of what happens tonight. Why did they do that? If they are gonna tell us stuff before it happens, tell me the Super Bowl score before it occurs so I can place a big bet in Vegas. If they had a job show on TV, maybe they could have told me I would get a job in Feb? TV Weenies.

FYI, since my kids never post, Kyle got a better job at a different office of the same company he has been working for, Nationwide Vision. Lyndsay and Isabella are doing well. She should make her appearance on Mar 27. James got a job at a catering company that should pay him better than Chili's. Alison is still waiting to hear about her start date with Honda.

At choir practice last night, I introduced some possible calls to worship. One in two-part, one SAB. Let's just say each will require a little more practice. As before, I think I did hear two parts, just not the ones written. SAB... well, it was more kind of SAD. That's OK. It's a good challenge. Just two months until Easter.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

An Easter Pageant?

Well, it seems that one of the two churches combined into LITD (Light In The Desert) always did a pageant at Easter, The other did not. The former director had picked out an Easter drama that included two songs. So, now I need to decide if we continue with that. If so, how many other songs should we include to tell the whole story? So, I've brought bunches o' books home to look at songs. Also, I must deal with their unique vocal parts. It'll be interesting, for sure.

No news from US Airways today. Sixth grade was *horrible*. Other than that, it was an OK day. Well, except that it is too stinkin' hot here for Feb 8.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Something Else On The Horizon?

No news yet from US Airways. My contact asked me for another copy of my resume and said he is waiting on HR. It's OK, though. God is giving both of us a peace that He is in control.

I heard from a headhunter about a possible job at SRP (one of the local electric companies). So, I will probably let her follow up if I don't hear from US Airways by Thursday.

Subbing in 6th grade or music tomorrow. I was in 5th grade today.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Voted Into Church Job

Well, LITD (Light in the Desert) voted to call me as interim music dude today. I'm trying to not get sick, so singing was a strain today. They called me anyway. So, now I gotta act all religious and stuff. Plus, I need to see which choruses I want to work on first.

We have church tonight. What's up with that? It's Superbowl Sunday. It's obvious the Cowboys are not in the game, or probably God would have led them to cancel it, right? I will Tivo it for the commercials.

What else? Oh, I remember. I've seen no posts yet about Survivor. What did y'all think? The PMS group (Phoenicians Mad about Survivor) met at the folks house and we liked the changes. We were surprised at who was voted off.

My contact at US Airways is out of town due to a death in the family, so it will be at least Tuesday before we can talk again. Let's see if they make me a formal offer, but I definitely leaning towards accepting the job.

Friday, February 03, 2006

New Opportunity Found

So, I got a call this morning asking if I could meet with US Airways at 3:30pm. What would you have said? Of course. So, we had a nice interview and then he said "So, do you want it? When can you start?" What!?! Did he just offer me a job? I should have listened while he was talking! This will be a challenging position, replacing a manager that didn't perform as needed. The first assignment is to complete the merger of America West and US Airways Payroll/HR systems.

Kyle is currently incredulous. Well, I think he is, although I have no idea what that word means. Why haven't I already accepted it? Kathie wonders that, too. As I search my feelings, I think I am a) still feeling like I might not could handle it after so many months of rejection, and b) trying not to just jump because it is my first offer after so many interviews. I suppose I am 90% convinced, but please pray that I/we can know God's will.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

UOP Opportunity Lost

I finally made contact with Univ of PHX. In the wake of losing their CEO (head of company) and CIO (head of IT), they are reorganizing. So, there are no longer open personnel requisitions. Not only that, my 2 contacts were both laid off, after 6 and 12 years respectively.

However, just 15 minutes before I called UOP, I got a call from another headhunter who said American Express wants to have a face-to-face meeting next week. I don't know what the job is, but I'll certainly talk to them. The Lord continues to ask me to wait on His leadership. It's only been 8 months. If I were Abraham, I think I might have gone ahead and helped Him work His will, too.

At choir practice last night, I introduced a Jesus Name medley for some future Sunday. Amazingly, I heard 4 parts. Less amazingly, they bore no relation to the notes written on the page. This is going to require a lot of listening to a single part at a time. And, they say they *always* do an Easter musical. OK, we'll start that next week.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

No Update

Well, I guess this technically *is* an update, even if the information I provide says I have no decision on either job. I am waiting on UOP right now to schedule the last(?) 2 interviews. However, yesterday, Emails sent to their ailm server were returned as unknown address. Hmmm. I hope that my 2 key contacts haven't both been let go.

And the church is delaying hiring me until they can hold a business meeting. So, they said I was leading music last Sunday "in view of a call." What? Aren't I just an interim? So, I guess they will vote agter church on Sunday morning. I met with the music ministers at CrossRoads Nazarene and Corona Baptist to learn more about copy licenses, favorite choruses at their church, and how to make the worship element a key part of not only services, but practices.

My son-in-law, James, lost his job at Dallas Baptist Univ. I will call him later, since I can certainly relate to how he feels. He had also just quit Chili's, but I think he may go back. James, we are praying for you and love you.