Image site

This past weekend I discovered a new website that is instantly addicting.  It is http://pinterest.com/  What I like about the site is that is a way to easily collect pictures from around the web.  Photos that you pin to your boards can than be organized by category.   There are default board names but those names can be edited and changed to just about anything.  I am glad I have a place to collect my favorite images that I find from time to time.  I look forward to adding pictures to my boards and giving people a hint at my style, my favorite places, and places I'd like to visit.  You do need to be invited to this site.  Let me know if you want me to add you.  I would be happy to send you an invite.

Why I left so soon

Some people may want to know why I left my last place of employment so soon.  Five months was not very long and it may seem like I did not give it enough time.  Several things in the company and several things missing in the company caused my quick departure.  The place I transferred to did not have a trainer, the manager was not on site (he was some place around Chicago), and there was no training manual.  In fact, they wanted me to write my own training manual.  I am not making this up!  I didn't know what I was doing but I was suppose to use One Note (something I had never used before) to write step by step instructions on how to do my job.  Yes, that is crazy and a major gap that I eventually realized I could not over come.  What also drove me over the edge with the training documentation that was being created was that I had entered quite a few detailed instructions only to find them missing after someone evidently deleted them.  I never could find the instructions again, and they were helpful steps, and no one confessed or explained why they were taken out of One Note.  In fact, that was close to the last straw.  I mentioned that there was no dedicated trainer.  In past jobs, there were several people who trained and brought on board newbies where days would be set aside to go over systems, responsibilities, and expectations.  In this place, I was working with a couple of people, one man and one woman, who had my same position.  Often times they wanted to help, were very patient, and explained things to me.  I was very grateful to them while I was there.  However, they would at times work from home so they were unavailable.  I already posted how I am a visual learner.  Without a document to read and follow nor a fellow representative to watch and mimic, I was sunk.  I am not a person who can magically find answers on his own.  It doesn't work that way for me.  The manager being offsite I think also was a problem.  He and I never connected.  I respected and admired him but somehow we just never shared the  same wavelength.  Being that we were so opposite, I never felt he brought me into his confidence and I never felt like I could risk being completely truthful with him.  He also wanted to be somewhat controlling of people and that will never sit well with me.  Another oddity about this place, was that we would go on trips to other offices with the objective of training but it ended up being much less than what it could have been.  I remember one trip where I was underwhelmed with my co-workers and what training we got would be ground we had already covered.  Another trip I took was a disaster where we were suppose to be in training during the day but requests for quoting and ordering work continued to flow in and we were expected to do it.  Then, after all day in the office, the manager would have the bright idea to go out for dinner and drinks.  I didn't want to spend another three or four hours with people that I had just spent all day with.  I wanted to be alone to relax and unwind.  These people couldn't get enough of the happy life and would stay up past midnight at the bar.  Swearing, laughing, and drunk, we all had to take the bus back to the hotel together.  I felt for the driver who had to hear all that but I also thought that the company was put in a bad light.  Being on the road in a hotel room, I would not sleep well and I was fretting about my job.  I hoped it would come together but it just never did.  There were too many missing pieces.  Another big reason for my departure was that this place had its own language.  There were so many acronyms and code words to remember it became jumbled in my head.  Learning this new language never happened quickly enough and would often lead to embarrassment if I stumbled over my words.

I miss the paycheck, my iPhone, and the free coffee.  I also miss work, quite frankly.  I like to get things accomplished.  I like having a place to go each day.  I like getting paid and saving money.  I am not doing those things now and I would like to add those things back to my life soon.  But I don't miss the stress, the uncertainty, the weird lingo, and having to be available deep into the evening.  I will state without hesitation that I am glad I left.  Yes, it could have ended better and more cleanly.  However, I will not stay in a place so void of any peace, clarity, and direction.

I am looking for a good fit in a job.  A place that matches my values and goals.  When I find that place, I will be able to wash this bitter experience from my mouth.

Macintosh laptop

My current computer is a MacBook.  It is the third Macintosh I have had and I enjoy it thoroughly.  It is elegant and simple.  I am still learning how to use it better.  I especially like iTunes, Google Chrome, Pages, Sticky Notes and the App Store.  Updating and improving my computer is something I consider something of a hobby.  I have updated the memory, the operating system, and quite a few applications.  My laptop is a wonderful tool.  It opens a whole world of learning and connections.  I would highly recommend the new MacBook Airs or a iPad.  Both look amazing and a lot of fun.

TV vs. radio in the mornings

For me, it is definitely the radio.  I have a radio in the kitchen which I turn on shortly after getting out of bed and starting my day.  The morning radio show I choose to listen to is a Christian station.  The hosts make it sound more personal and the variety of programing makes it interesting.  I can tell the approximate time by what they are playing at any given moment as they follow a loose schedule.  The radio was the source of news in the mornings at my parents house.  It never even occurred to me to have the television on at such an early hour.  The only times TV was on early was Saturday mornings and that was strictly us kids and for fun only.  I have been in homes were a small TV was in the kitchen and it was on as everyone got ready.  It seemed to pull my interest away from the people I was visiting.  I would also find myself missing the morning radio programs.  In our home, the TV is placed far away from the normal living places.  Being out of sight most of the time, it is also out of mind.  I would recommend the radio in the morning if you are needing some input from the outside world as you have breakfast and gather yourself for the day.

Visual learner

My learning style leans toward visual.  I think once I see something done, I can mimic it.  When I read something, I will then be able to recall it and give my thoughts.  After printing out someones name and seeing it, I am much more likely to remember someones name.  That is not to say I do not value audio learning.  I listen to the radio and to podcasts daily.  I would like to think I am learning by hearing.  However, I have noticed that I can listen to someone speak and look right at them but I can not specifically recall things until I see what they said on a piece of paper.  This happened to me yesterday in a meeting.  It may come across as rude or like I am not paying attention.  To me, I am a little embarrassed because I am thinking I am a good listener and am giving the speaker my full attention.  But when I see it written, I immediately can understand and give a response.  This leads me to believe that I am a visual learner.