A Plain Man

In Genesis (a book of the Bible), there is a man named Jacob.  While living with his family, he was described as "a plain man, dwelling in tents."  In contrast, his brother was described as "a cunning hunter, a man of the field."  Although there are a number of qualities of Jacob that I wish not to have, I do feel a certain kindred with his being a man among the tests.  In other words, he was someone that stayed home and did not venture out much.  I like being at home.  It is a secure place.  A place of peace and rest.  My own things are there and I can have quiet or I can be entertained.  I do like to get outdoors sometimes and see new places.  But I always like coming home after the day is over or after the trip is complete.  I like to set everything down and put things away and reflect and recharge.  I see myself as one who needs his space but also likes to be around civilization.

Searching for online income

It has been my goal for a long time to find a way to make money online.  This blog has been going strong now for a number of months.  I use Amazon adverting and an affiliate link.  I enter every contest that I can.  I have offered various services at Craig's List.  So far, no income and no bites.  I am not sure what will open that door or start the adventure.  There seems to be some hurdle that I can't seem to overcome.  My guess is that I do not have anything unique enough or exciting enough for people to buy.  I am an entrepreneur wannabe.  Business owners are people I look up too.  I would love to have my own company because I would like to have ownership and be in a decision making role.  It would be fun to build something with my name on it.  Instead of the usual punch-in and punch-out role of an employee, I would rather come to work and work on something important.  At the end of my time working on the company, I would have an asset to sell.  As an employee, on your last day, they give you your last paycheck and forget about you.  There is nothing to sell.  I have been through that routine so many times and it is disheartening.  My acres of diamonds are somewhere.  I just need to see them.

My preferred mode of communication

My preferred mode of communication is email.  I like to be able to write out and see what I am saying before I press send.  There is a comfort in getting it right and accurate.  It is also a handy thing to be able to check the sent box to see what was said and when.  I would not necessarily consider myself a good writer but there does seem to be an ease and comfort when having fingers on the keyboard.  It just seems right.  Email is also immediate but it also depends on two people putting in a real effort.  One person sends over the ball and the other has to pick it up and send it back for there to be two-way communication.    I am a visual learner so seeing type on the screen is easier for me to comprehend.  If at all possible, please reply to emails I have sent to you.  It is somehow confirming.  If you need to tell me something verbally, that is fine, but please write out the important points and send an email as well so I can refer to it.

Conformity

There is a lot of pressure to conform in our world, perhaps more than we realize.  We are told there are only a few choices when in fact there maybe many more choices out there.  I like to review what is available and contemplate what to do.  I would like to keep my identity and not be exactly like other people.  Others can make their own decisions, and I respect them enough to give them space and time to do so, but I would rather live my own life and I hope people can respect me enough to allow for that.  I have been burned by the group decision and I don't want to fall into that again for my detriment.  When the most popular or influential person gets to make the decision, it is not always the best for me.  In fact, latter I can regret going along with the group.  As a result, I may come across as "offish" or unrelenting.  Sometimes that serves me well and, honestly, sometimes it doesn't serve me well.  Often times, I am a late adapter because I want to see how this new thing plays out.  Are there consequences that weren't thought of at the onset?  I like to observe and see.  To sum it up, I want to be true to myself, my values, and my unique brand.  I don't want to be just like everyone else.  Being myself is what makes me unique and my difference brings my value.  Please allow for my individuality and try not to take offense.

Job Fair

Early this week I went to a job fair.  I arrived with about an hour and fifteen minutes left.  It had been hinted to me that there would be better opportunities to talk to employers if I went later verses coming in early.  It took a while to get there as it was in the next county.  So I had something invested.  I came dressed professionally, resume ready, and energy high.  There were about fifty, maybe sixty, companies represented.  Some I had not heard of before.  There were a few people there I knew from my career networking classes.  The ailes were not packed and many employers were available.  Right away, I filtered out the military, the colleges, and the heavy industrials.  There just isn't the appeal or practicalness to those type of places.  My passion does not run high for those industries.  I see myself as an office worker who works on computers mostly and with people some of the time.  Metals and manufacturing are not near or dear to my heart.  With those companies that remain, I would approach the table and the person standing behind it as non-confrontational as possible.  I would extend my hand, say my full name, and ask how their day was going.  My next questions would be something like, "What are your companies greatest challenges?"  I would listen and learn.  If I had seen job openings with the company, I would mention it and ask questions or try to show an interest.  Yet, I don't think that the human resources person standing in front of me had any clue.  I even had one tell me that her companies greatest challenge was to find talented people.  I could have come up with a sarcastic remark but thought it more wise to hold my tongue.  Sadly, I think these companies become too picky.  They want it all and are not willing to take a chance on anyone.  I left a few business cards and resume's.  I gathered some pens and brochures.  As of today, I have not had one person contact me.  Sometimes I wonder if anyone gets a job after going to a job fair.