Well, it's been long overdue that I update the 'ole journal. A lot has happened in the time since I've last said anything on here. Guess I'll just brush up on some of the hilights, just to get it out there.

   After 11 months, I finally left that old job I have been constantly complaining about on here. I've felt much better since then because of it. Also, the trip to North Miami Beach has been cut much shorter, replaced with a shorter commute to Boca Raton. That job showed a lot of promise and a great opportunity.

But, my truck's transmission died on the second day of the job. So, I had to do something about it fast. I've been looking at new cars, but wasn't quite ready to get one. But, I didn't want to fix the transmission, either, so I ended up buying a new car that I've been eyeballing for quite some time. It is the Toyota Prius hybrid car. Lots of nifty gadgets and overall cool factor.

This job turned out to be a rather sour apple though. They had the idea to run a 24x7 supported operation, and only schedule people for two shifts. Then, they moved forward to a three shift rotation, but it was just not working out, as the position of 2nd shift kept being moved around, and weekends were covered as "overtime" (meaning, as salaried employees, free of charge to them). The pagers beeped constantly. Nerves frayed. It was ugly. In fact, I pretty much blame a stretch of long hours for the fatigue that one day caused me to bang up the new car. At least noone got hurt, but the side of the car and the guard rail on the on-ramp to I-95. It took about a month in the body shop to fix it up, though. But I did get a convertible as a rental though. In the month of December!

At least I learned a little bit about AIX computer systems, and met another bunch of good people. I also got to travel a little, and got to see snow for the first time in Denver, CO. It was a fun trip. I also took another work trip and used it as an excuse to drive back through the Smoky Mountains and see the sights of some old favorite towns such as Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg, TN as well as a few friends, including rarousse, mcrousse and their new baby boy, and also meganberrieh. All at once it was a good vacation, a chance to see a favorite childhood location, and a chance to catch up with friends. Oh yea, and I also got to help some other friends move into their new house in western NC. I still think it was funny when he got the moving van stuck in the ditch by the road. At least it didn't tip over. Came real close, though!

After 11 months of this job, I got an offer for another position. This is where I've been working for about a month and a half now. This place is even closer to home, about 5 miles in the city of Deerfield Beach. So far, I really like this job. It's right up my alley, and a much better fit for my skill set. I get to do what I enjoy doing, and am more a part of what is going on as well. That, and the pager does not go off constantly!

In other news, my Mom has gone through surgery for breast cancer, but is recovering well. She had to have both breasts removed, and now her main concern is cosmetic reconstruction. She has been very strong through it all, and they think they got it all. My brother is still in school. My sister completed her program and got her certification. Dad is still working and keeping the house up. Nana is doing well.

This is the second Saturday which I haven't been feeling too well. Last week, I got sick in the middle of an informal softball game, and decided to sit out the remainder of the game. This Saturday, today, I started the day fine, visited the parents and washed the car, but in the evening did not feel well and just stayed home and watched TV. It may have something to do with the toothache I got just after visiting the dentist. Last weekend, it was so bad that I hadn't actually eaten very much at all which would explain the ill feeling. Well, I go back Tuesday morning. I would probably still be watching TV now instead of writing this if my projector had not complained it was too hot and shut itself down. Guess it was running quite a while, though. And now, I have a bit of a headache despite having taken something for the toothache pain, and will be going to bed.

Plan to update with a little more regularity. And by the way, I think the temperature in Hell is just about right for this time of year. heh

(Commenting is disabled for now due to comment spam - try the livejournal entry.)