Elvis, Giant Candy Canes, Walking Pickles and Santa...

This morning, my best friend Lori and I took her kids to the 2005 Green Bay Holiday Parade downtown. Fortunately the weather cooperated - it was sunny and in the mid-40's when we arrived downtown to claim our space at the curb. This was my first Holiday parade here - they didn't exist when I left in 1992. I have to say it was interesting, with a wide range of "characters" roaming about and tossing candy to the kids. We had the "normal" holiday parade entries (singers, dancers, high school bands, etc.), but we also had some "unique" additions to a normal parade line up. Check out Elvis (I guess this is the heavier version) and the Peter Piper's Pickle wedges... I hasten to say these may only be a hit in Green Bay, WI! More holiday parade pictures can be seen on my Homepage (click the link on the right).
We had some snow on the ground earlier this week, but the warmer temperatures have melted it and there is no trace of it remaining. If you need evidence, check out my homepage (photos) by clicking the link on the right.

Other than the parade this morning, nothing else of interest has developed. I did start my Christmas shopping and I even have a list made of what I'm getting everyone, the first time I've been that far ahead in MANY years. It's a good feeling to know I won't be in the malls going crazy on December 24th.

I know my friends in DC have experienced a "cool down" in the weather, but remember, everything is relative. When it was in the 30's in DC, it was 12 degrees here!

I'm still not used to the fact that it gets dark at 5:00 PM now, that will definitely be an adjustment.

That's it for now... more later.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

OK... I've been away for 13 years and WAS NOT ready to wake up to a snow-covered yard this morning!!! My dogs were even LESS enthused. They managed to set their paws into the snow and "do their business," but they were not happy about it. It got down to about 12 degrees here last night - colder than the dogs have ever experienced and colder than I've experienced in a very, very long time.

It's odd to look out the window and see snow on the ground. There is not a lot of snow on the ground, mind you, but enough to make you take notice. In fact, the local county government was completely caught off guard yesterday because many of the trucks that are used to plow and treat the roadways were still set up for "summer maintenance." The biggest concern over the past few weeks has been removing piles of leaves from the city streets. After literally hundreds of accidents occurred yesterday, the county was forced to react quickly and convert the trucks to "winter maintenance" a litter earlier than usual. This early winter blast even caught Wisconsinites off guard - it really doesn't snow this early here during a normal winter, honest!

As for other updates, I'm still waiting to hear about the job interview I had on the 10th. I believe it went very, very well and expect that it will turn into a job offer, but other candidates are being interviewed and I was told to expect a wait of two to three weeks as well as the possibility of an additional interview. Patience is a virtue and I'll be testing that virtue once again! I hope to hear something the week following Thanksgiving.

That's it from the frozen tundra for now. More updates soon...

I'm Sorry, I'm a BAD Blogger!

OK... I admit it. I've been more than lax about updating my blog. I finally decided that I need to sit down and write a little because I know quite a few people do actually read this.

On the job front, I received some very good news last week! The insurance company in Neenah, WI that contacted me regarding an open position back in August has finally called me in for a face-to-face interview on Thursday. I couldn't be more excited. This is the job I wanted after I first read the job description back in August. I'm confident (but not over confident) that I can "seal the deal" this week and start full time work again soon. The job description reads like my resume and I'm very excited about the interview. Stay tuned for more updates (I PROMISE) as things unfold.

I have heard that a few of you are shocked that I'm still not working, but have you actually tried looking for a corporate management job in the recent past? The process is lengthy (weeks or even months in some cases) and the competition here is fierce. I came from a much more lucrative IT job market (Washington DC), so even getting your resume noticed here is very challenging. For some of the positions I've applied for, there have been one to two HUNDRED applicants. Of course, I could have "lowered" my expectations and taken a non-management IT job (i.e. desktop technician), but why would I toss away all of the career advancements I've made in the last 15 years? Fortunately, I am not destitute, I have a roof over my head and food on my plate. I decided instead to pursue another IT management career that continues the professional development and accomplishments that I'm so proud of. I'm hopeful that will pay off on Thursday. I have applied for almost 20 jobs since I've moved back here, so I'm definitely ready to be working. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Fortunately, I haven't been resting on my laurels. I did some temporary contract work for Dell for Unilever Ice Cream North America HQ (Breyers, Ben & Jerry's, Klondike, Popsicle, etc) here in Green Bay. It was a two week gig where I served as a deployment technician, quickly getting back in touch with my "roots." I enjoyed the work and discovered that my technical skills are still finely tuned. It was odd for me to not be in control of the project, but I'm a team player and I adapted quickly to my role. The Project Manager seemed to notice my management and technical skills early on and by the second day he had appointment me to help him perform Quality Control checks on the deployed PC's. That was a good feeling! It was also a good feeling when I deposited my two paychecks in the bank. :-)

Other than that, there hasn't been a whole lot going on with me. My uncle (Mom's brother) visited for about 5 days in October. It was great to see him and we had a good time. We headed over the Oneida Nation Casino one afternoon and both made a small "donation." I'm not really a gambler, but it was fun to play the slots for the afternoon. Just a note in case you want to hit it big... the machines were TIGHT! I think Vegas is a better bet. ;-)

The doglets are doing very well and adapting to the changing Wisconsin seasons. They are not wild about the colder weather, but they seem to be taking it in stride. Chi-Chi even goes outside in the rain to "do her business," something I thought I would NEVER see. This morning she was laying on the carpeting in the living room in the "sun spot," like a "real" dog. Who knew?!?! She's still a princess at heart though, don't be fooled!

I made contact with my friend Kim who works for the US Senate in Washington and whom I worked with for 8 months before I moved back to Wisconsin. Things are going well for him and his partner Steve and he was very happy to hear from me. The folks I used to work for and with at the Senate are managing to keep the ship afloat in my absence; remember - everybody is replaceable! Hopefully Kim and I will stay in touch. I might even let him read my blog... LOL.

The change of pace and the lifestyle here are a welcome change for me. I enjoy the distinct seasons and I'm looking forward to my first Christmas with my parents in many, many years. I am also looking forward to the first snowfall to see how the doglets react to that. I think Patches will be fine, but I'm sure Princess Chi-Chi won't be too thrilled.

I hope everyone is well and taking care of themselves. My best friend Lori's son is in the hospital with Pneumonia, so I will probably stop by to visit them this afternoon and try to cheer the little guy up.

Christmas will be here before you know it!