Wilmington, NC
Today it rained most of the day. Couple times it really poured. Line of squalls went through today.
Went to Wal-Mart and bought some groceries - bottled water, canned green beans, canned stewed tomatoes, canned asparagus, frozen broccoli, frozen ocra, frozen brussels sprouts, cottage cheese, pistachios, and dried apricots. When my checks come I will go back and buy more.
Still following my diet. 38 pounds are gone since I left New York in July.
Yesterday I went to Jacksonville, NC to the Navy Federal Credit Union to open a checking account with the check from American Century. Incredibly, they deposited it with no grace period.
On the return trip from Jacksonville, I have a phone interview with Company T. I do not think I impressed the interviewer and do not expect to hear from him again.
Steve Norred and Steve Casey both called me about the Company R offer. Feeling alot of pressure about it now. Wayne Bruner called me later and I told him that I would have an answer for him by Friday afternoon. I told Steve that 1. I do not have an offer in writing and a verbal (or e-mail) offer is worth the paper it's written on. 2. I have other opportunities I am exploring and do not consider a week to be an unreasonable amount of time to bring those to conclusion, especially since 1. has not been met yet. Wayne was very good about the whole thing. I understand that he needs to know if the positions will be filled or not so that he can plan for the future hiring.
Today Pat Sylvester from CDI wrote to me. I left my resume with them back in July and NOW she gets around to contacting me ! Their timing could have been better. She said she would call me before the end of the day today, but she did not. So I can only conclude that they are very disorganized and really not ready to hire anyone immediately.
Friday I need to call Winnie Harrison at Brunswick NPP and see if I am still being considered. If so, let her know that I have an offer and inform them that I am leaving the job market. Sorry folks, this is what happens when you drag your feet.
Also need to call Company C and see if I am still a candidate for them. Again, they have a long time line for filling their job.
Mike Foreman called lastnight. We talked for about an hour. We have managed to talk through his free cell phone minutes two months in a row now! He was telling me more about how he is doing at Company R and what he does in a typical day.
Bill Vlecki, the new shop manager at Company F, did call me back yesterday afternoon. He said that the pump mechanic position has been filled. Apparently the man who quit creating the vacancy returned and they took him back. Incredible. He thanked me and told me my resume would be kept in the office for a year. He also said an expense check went out yesterday for me in the mail.
Mom is going to have a houseful here for Thanksgiving. Dawn and George and Jordan and Tyler are coming down. Marrissia and Kevin are coming over. Nanna and Poppa and Allison are coming over. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels are coming too. She ordered a pig from Wells Pork Products yesterday and we still have more groceries to buy. She also put me on notice that I have to be here through the 29th so that I can be in the pictures she is having made at Olan Mills.
Today was Mark Stubble's birthday. I sent an e-mail birthday greeting to him. I bet he will be surprised that I remembered. Only remembered because I had it written on my Palm Pilot !
Tonight I fried chicken breasts and made a salad. Mom is marinading some London Broil for tomorrow.
Monday, November 17, 2003
Wilmington, NC
Telephone interview with Company C today. Lasted 30 minutes. I guess I did most of the talking. Small plant, just 19 people working there. I guess you get lots of face time with each other and good communications.
Called Company F back today twice and Rich Lane never called me back. I am not sure what is up with that. Jason told me that the other guy interviewing for Pump Mechanic did not even go to the interview because he found another job. So, that really ought to narrow it down some. I will call Jason again tomorrow... and then probably call the Boothwyn shop again and speak with the Shop Manager this time.
Steve Norred called me this evening. Trying to feel me out to see if I am going to take the Company R offer or not. We talked about it for a while.
Neil Malik called this evening. Asked about my Company C interview and then told me that my Company T interview is tomorrow. Good thing I am semi-prepared now.
My check from American Century arrived today. I am driving to Jacksonville, NC tomorrow to visit the Navy Federal Credit Union and open checking with them. Now I can give a sigh of relief for money.
Today was a beautiful day. Mid to upper 70's and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as pretty. That will be nice.
Busy day today. Crunch time is coming as far as making a job decision I guess.
Telephone interview with Company C today. Lasted 30 minutes. I guess I did most of the talking. Small plant, just 19 people working there. I guess you get lots of face time with each other and good communications.
Called Company F back today twice and Rich Lane never called me back. I am not sure what is up with that. Jason told me that the other guy interviewing for Pump Mechanic did not even go to the interview because he found another job. So, that really ought to narrow it down some. I will call Jason again tomorrow... and then probably call the Boothwyn shop again and speak with the Shop Manager this time.
Steve Norred called me this evening. Trying to feel me out to see if I am going to take the Company R offer or not. We talked about it for a while.
Neil Malik called this evening. Asked about my Company C interview and then told me that my Company T interview is tomorrow. Good thing I am semi-prepared now.
My check from American Century arrived today. I am driving to Jacksonville, NC tomorrow to visit the Navy Federal Credit Union and open checking with them. Now I can give a sigh of relief for money.
Today was a beautiful day. Mid to upper 70's and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as pretty. That will be nice.
Busy day today. Crunch time is coming as far as making a job decision I guess.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Wilmington, NC
Yesterday sure was a day of change. Neil Malik called with a new opportunity with Company T - the Number 2 retailer in the US, for a distribution center position in Colorado. This will be a phone interview next week.
Still a GO for Monday's interview with Company C on the phone.
Jason Lynn told me that Company F does not think I would be content as a Pump Mechanic for very long. Instead they want to place me as a Pump Engineer. I told Jason, "But I did not interview for an Engineer job, and do they even have an Engineer position open?" He said that they would create a position. I am supposed to call Mike Lane again on Monday. Since he is the Eastern Regional Manager, I am sure that he would know where he has openings. So, that is more good news.
My check from American Century is supposed to come on Monday. And I bet my offer from Company R will arrive on Monday too. Damn, it looks like Monday will be very busy.
Tim Doyle called to check on me yesterday. He is still working on a mechanic job for me at a beverage bottler in Orlando, FL or Havre de Grace, MD. He said he would check on the Company O opportunity in Hartford, CT for me too.
Today is Bill's birthday. Mom went to the grocery store to get a birthday cake for him. I think we are having ham steaks and salad for dinner today.
Turns out that Company F is going to pay for my expenses for driving up to PA for my interview. Paying 36 cents per mile. So, with 505 miles up and 505 miles back and a lunch and dinner meal, it will be almost $400 ! The shop manager wanted to know if I had hotel expense too... but I was too honest (and I did not have receipts) to claim it.
Found a nice hanging cabinet plan on the Internet that I would not mind building for Mom to hang in the kitchen for her spice bottles and prescription medicine bottles, but she is hesitant to go along with it. I guess the price of finished wood surprised her.
Yesterday sure was a day of change. Neil Malik called with a new opportunity with Company T - the Number 2 retailer in the US, for a distribution center position in Colorado. This will be a phone interview next week.
Still a GO for Monday's interview with Company C on the phone.
Jason Lynn told me that Company F does not think I would be content as a Pump Mechanic for very long. Instead they want to place me as a Pump Engineer. I told Jason, "But I did not interview for an Engineer job, and do they even have an Engineer position open?" He said that they would create a position. I am supposed to call Mike Lane again on Monday. Since he is the Eastern Regional Manager, I am sure that he would know where he has openings. So, that is more good news.
My check from American Century is supposed to come on Monday. And I bet my offer from Company R will arrive on Monday too. Damn, it looks like Monday will be very busy.
Tim Doyle called to check on me yesterday. He is still working on a mechanic job for me at a beverage bottler in Orlando, FL or Havre de Grace, MD. He said he would check on the Company O opportunity in Hartford, CT for me too.
Today is Bill's birthday. Mom went to the grocery store to get a birthday cake for him. I think we are having ham steaks and salad for dinner today.
Turns out that Company F is going to pay for my expenses for driving up to PA for my interview. Paying 36 cents per mile. So, with 505 miles up and 505 miles back and a lunch and dinner meal, it will be almost $400 ! The shop manager wanted to know if I had hotel expense too... but I was too honest (and I did not have receipts) to claim it.
Found a nice hanging cabinet plan on the Internet that I would not mind building for Mom to hang in the kitchen for her spice bottles and prescription medicine bottles, but she is hesitant to go along with it. I guess the price of finished wood surprised her.
Friday, November 14, 2003
Wilmington, NC
My check from American Century still hasn't come. I called again Wednesday and they have no explanation for it, so the customer service person cancelled the second check and she is going to send it to me overnight. It should be here on Monday she said.
On Tuesday I drove up to Boothwyn, PA to visit Company F's shop and interview with the Eastern Regional Manager, Mike Lane, and the Shop Manager - Tuesday was his first day on the job. Shop was pretty empty that day, Mike explained that most of his workers were out in the field. It is hard to say how well I did, they had another guy to interview on Wednesday and promised me they would make a decision by the end of the week.
Took me 7.5 hours to drive up there. I knew I was making good time when I passed DC just 5 hours after I left here! My return trip made almost as good time. Generator belt squealed alot as I left PA. I added more belt dressing to it when I stopped for gas in MD and it did not squeal the rest of the trip. When I checked it Wednesday morning I found it VERY loose. I tightened up the generator belt and the fan belt and they are not going to squeal again for a long time !
Company R is making me an offer. I do not have it in writing yet, but the offer is coming. Wayne Bruner called to find out which plants I would prefer so that he could include the location in the offer letter.
Supposed to do a phone interview with Company C on Monday afternoon. Company C is the operator of a cogeneration plant in Wisconsin. They make about 80MW electricity, sell steam to U of Wisconsin at Madison, and sell hot water to a greenhouse next door. I was supposed to interview this company a while ago for a control room job. Now that it is a jack-of-all-trades operations/maintenance job, I am not so sure I am interested.
Mike Jennings wrote to me to say the job at Company S has been filled so I will not be able to interview for it and that he does not know why Company CP is dragging its feet aside from the fact that they are using contractors to cover the positions right now.
Eric Salzman at Bradley-Morris says that Company AA is not going to move very quickly at all (this was their first military hiring conference). He told me that if another offer comes up that I would be better off taking it because AA is not going to move fast, if at all.
USA Placements man, Troy Benson, was going to try to put me infront of Bridgestone-Firestone for a maintenance tech job at their plant in rural Tennessee. The test they administer is pretty difficult and I am not sure I could pass it because of the electrical/electronic matter on it. I am not enthused about the location at all. Plus, I am not financially prepared to drive that far and stay overnight for an interview right now.
Went to the grocery store with Mom yesterday. She is starting to buy stuff for Thanksgiving and put it aside. She spent $175 on groceries yesterday. We had fish, perch and whiting, for dinner lastnight with shrimp scampie, coleslaw, and corn muffins.
Weather has taken a turn cooler. It was in the 40's this morning when I went to get the paper. Supposed to get up to the 60's today.
My check from American Century still hasn't come. I called again Wednesday and they have no explanation for it, so the customer service person cancelled the second check and she is going to send it to me overnight. It should be here on Monday she said.
On Tuesday I drove up to Boothwyn, PA to visit Company F's shop and interview with the Eastern Regional Manager, Mike Lane, and the Shop Manager - Tuesday was his first day on the job. Shop was pretty empty that day, Mike explained that most of his workers were out in the field. It is hard to say how well I did, they had another guy to interview on Wednesday and promised me they would make a decision by the end of the week.
Took me 7.5 hours to drive up there. I knew I was making good time when I passed DC just 5 hours after I left here! My return trip made almost as good time. Generator belt squealed alot as I left PA. I added more belt dressing to it when I stopped for gas in MD and it did not squeal the rest of the trip. When I checked it Wednesday morning I found it VERY loose. I tightened up the generator belt and the fan belt and they are not going to squeal again for a long time !
Company R is making me an offer. I do not have it in writing yet, but the offer is coming. Wayne Bruner called to find out which plants I would prefer so that he could include the location in the offer letter.
Supposed to do a phone interview with Company C on Monday afternoon. Company C is the operator of a cogeneration plant in Wisconsin. They make about 80MW electricity, sell steam to U of Wisconsin at Madison, and sell hot water to a greenhouse next door. I was supposed to interview this company a while ago for a control room job. Now that it is a jack-of-all-trades operations/maintenance job, I am not so sure I am interested.
Mike Jennings wrote to me to say the job at Company S has been filled so I will not be able to interview for it and that he does not know why Company CP is dragging its feet aside from the fact that they are using contractors to cover the positions right now.
Eric Salzman at Bradley-Morris says that Company AA is not going to move very quickly at all (this was their first military hiring conference). He told me that if another offer comes up that I would be better off taking it because AA is not going to move fast, if at all.
USA Placements man, Troy Benson, was going to try to put me infront of Bridgestone-Firestone for a maintenance tech job at their plant in rural Tennessee. The test they administer is pretty difficult and I am not sure I could pass it because of the electrical/electronic matter on it. I am not enthused about the location at all. Plus, I am not financially prepared to drive that far and stay overnight for an interview right now.
Went to the grocery store with Mom yesterday. She is starting to buy stuff for Thanksgiving and put it aside. She spent $175 on groceries yesterday. We had fish, perch and whiting, for dinner lastnight with shrimp scampie, coleslaw, and corn muffins.
Weather has taken a turn cooler. It was in the 40's this morning when I went to get the paper. Supposed to get up to the 60's today.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Wilmington, NC
The check from my American Century non-retirement account liquidation still has not arrived. I called them on Tuesday and the operator could see on the computer that the check had not cashed yet, so she put a stop payment on it and ordered the issue of a new check. Hopefully it will not be much longer. Gotta pay bills with something for money.
Went to another Bradley-Morris hiring conference in Williamsburg last week. Matt McKnight was there. Companies I interviewed with: Company F - Pump Mechanic position in southeastern Pennsylvania, Company AP - operator of a merchant power combined cycle plant in Connecticutt, Company BTG - installs and maintains building automation systems, Company SG - makes glass containers for beverages and foods, and Company AA - Quality Assurance Specialist position in a forged aluminum parts facility in western Virginia. Out of those five companies, two are interested in me - Company F and Company AA. I am going to Pennsylvania on Tuesday for a site visit and interview with the Eastern Regional Manager, and I am travelling (hopefully) to Lebanon, VA next week to visit Company AA.
Company A is not going to fly me out to Colorado for a follow up. They brought one guy in and made an offer to him and they have decided not to hire more at this time. I really wanted that job.
Company R, from the Orion hiring event in Raleigh, NC flew me down to Orlando yesterday to visit a plant that is over 35 years old, eat lunch, visit a brand-new plant, and eat dinner. Then I flew back here in the evening. I expect an offer from Company R soon. I just do not know how I feel about the work. The money is so so, the location is awesome, but I know it will be long hours, in hot and dusty working conditions, for a salaried position. I really need to visit Company F and Company AA before I make a decision. Company F is in my second favorite geographic location and Company AA is in my least favorite location. I am most excited about the work at Company AA, moderately interested in the work at Company F, and alittle intimidated about the work at Company R. So, it is a tough decision. I need all of the information about each company I can get, and I need an offer from each of them!
Of course, when it rains, it pours... Mike Jennings at Bradley-Morris called today and left a voice mail message about another opportunity in the medical field. I have to call him up tomorrow and see what that is about and see if Conoco-Phillips is going to do anything at all. Then Allana Smith at CMC called. She wants to know what my schedule is like next week because they have several companies coming in to do interviews. Neil Malik called just to keep the connection alive even though they haven't got anything really going on at USA Placements until December. On top of all of that, I need to call Winnie Harrison back and see if they want me at Brunswick I & II. See, the activity comes in spurts... maybe the offers will come in at once too.
Finished my woodworking project. It really turned out nice too ! Rubbed it down with three coats of tung oil which really brought out the grain in the wood. Then I lined the drawers with crimson felt. I am pleased with it. I know that if I make another one, it will be even better than this one. Mom hints that she would like a spice cabinet built for the kitchen. I would happily build it if she would buy the wood. When you mention buying the materials she drops the subject. Plus, I am not sure, and hope I am not here long enough to build it and finish it.
There was a tool show at the convention center last week. We went down and bought some of the very cheap, Chinese-made tools. I got a tap and die set, some plug cutting bits, a mechanic's stethoscope, some moving blankets, a 3 1/2 gallon parts washer, and a sandblasting cabinet. This really is the wrong time for me to be spending money on new tools, but the prices were so low I could not resist. The parts washer was only $29 and the sandblaster was only $49. All I need is grit and a 2 HP air compressor to begin sandblasting!
I hope that I find my next job, get moved and settled down somewhere so that I can take on some bigger woodworking and welding projects. Plus, I want to get my books, computer, and other things out of storage. Living here is okay, but not exactly a "normal life".
The check from my American Century non-retirement account liquidation still has not arrived. I called them on Tuesday and the operator could see on the computer that the check had not cashed yet, so she put a stop payment on it and ordered the issue of a new check. Hopefully it will not be much longer. Gotta pay bills with something for money.
Went to another Bradley-Morris hiring conference in Williamsburg last week. Matt McKnight was there. Companies I interviewed with: Company F - Pump Mechanic position in southeastern Pennsylvania, Company AP - operator of a merchant power combined cycle plant in Connecticutt, Company BTG - installs and maintains building automation systems, Company SG - makes glass containers for beverages and foods, and Company AA - Quality Assurance Specialist position in a forged aluminum parts facility in western Virginia. Out of those five companies, two are interested in me - Company F and Company AA. I am going to Pennsylvania on Tuesday for a site visit and interview with the Eastern Regional Manager, and I am travelling (hopefully) to Lebanon, VA next week to visit Company AA.
Company A is not going to fly me out to Colorado for a follow up. They brought one guy in and made an offer to him and they have decided not to hire more at this time. I really wanted that job.
Company R, from the Orion hiring event in Raleigh, NC flew me down to Orlando yesterday to visit a plant that is over 35 years old, eat lunch, visit a brand-new plant, and eat dinner. Then I flew back here in the evening. I expect an offer from Company R soon. I just do not know how I feel about the work. The money is so so, the location is awesome, but I know it will be long hours, in hot and dusty working conditions, for a salaried position. I really need to visit Company F and Company AA before I make a decision. Company F is in my second favorite geographic location and Company AA is in my least favorite location. I am most excited about the work at Company AA, moderately interested in the work at Company F, and alittle intimidated about the work at Company R. So, it is a tough decision. I need all of the information about each company I can get, and I need an offer from each of them!
Of course, when it rains, it pours... Mike Jennings at Bradley-Morris called today and left a voice mail message about another opportunity in the medical field. I have to call him up tomorrow and see what that is about and see if Conoco-Phillips is going to do anything at all. Then Allana Smith at CMC called. She wants to know what my schedule is like next week because they have several companies coming in to do interviews. Neil Malik called just to keep the connection alive even though they haven't got anything really going on at USA Placements until December. On top of all of that, I need to call Winnie Harrison back and see if they want me at Brunswick I & II. See, the activity comes in spurts... maybe the offers will come in at once too.
Finished my woodworking project. It really turned out nice too ! Rubbed it down with three coats of tung oil which really brought out the grain in the wood. Then I lined the drawers with crimson felt. I am pleased with it. I know that if I make another one, it will be even better than this one. Mom hints that she would like a spice cabinet built for the kitchen. I would happily build it if she would buy the wood. When you mention buying the materials she drops the subject. Plus, I am not sure, and hope I am not here long enough to build it and finish it.
There was a tool show at the convention center last week. We went down and bought some of the very cheap, Chinese-made tools. I got a tap and die set, some plug cutting bits, a mechanic's stethoscope, some moving blankets, a 3 1/2 gallon parts washer, and a sandblasting cabinet. This really is the wrong time for me to be spending money on new tools, but the prices were so low I could not resist. The parts washer was only $29 and the sandblaster was only $49. All I need is grit and a 2 HP air compressor to begin sandblasting!
I hope that I find my next job, get moved and settled down somewhere so that I can take on some bigger woodworking and welding projects. Plus, I want to get my books, computer, and other things out of storage. Living here is okay, but not exactly a "normal life".