A Storm Is A Brewing

Actually the storm is already in full swing outside. 
10 minutes ago a thunderclap, or maybe it was a lightning strike, shook the entire house.  I involuntarily ducked as I walked through my kitchen.  Now the thunder continues to sound, and there's been some pretty spectacular arcs of lightning out in the night sky.  I'm sitting inside listening to the rain drops pound on the AC unit.  I am amazed that the baby is still sleeping and I am pretty sure that the wife is curled up in bed, under the covers and dreading the next thunderclap.
Oh, there she is.  Out of bed and  into the baby's room to check on her.  Apparently, she's still sleeping.  I should go to sleep soon myself, but I love a good thunderstorm. 

Even Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part V

So it's finally here.  My last 3AM shift... this week.  I was able to get a better night's sleep last night even though we are still without power.  I am so glad to be done with this week!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part IV

Miserable night's sleep... up again for my 3 AM shift!  I'll be happy when this week is over!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part III

Still without power... I have to admit; sleeping in a oven has not made this week any easier.  Two more 3AM shifts to go after today!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part II (Delayed Due To MD's Widespread Power Outage!)

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part I

Sorry if the volume is a little low.  It's 1:30 AM and I am getting ready to leave for work.  Today marks my 1st of five 3AM shifts at the store.  This is going to be one rough week.  I didn't get more than 3 hours sleep last night and I am wondering when I'll hit the wall today.  Fortunately next week I'll move to a different shift and eventually settle into a normal schedule, although I'll, more than likely, get a 3AM shift every week.

Ahoy There Matey...

No, this will not be a post about sailing, or pirates, or anything nautical.  Not really.  This is a post to say Congratulations To Me!  That promotion I'd interviewed for, received, and then waited for has finally happened.  I've become a Mate 'In Training'.  A Mate is part of the management team at Trader Joe's, where I work, which you knew if you are one of my few readers. 
This past year of teaching was not what I had hoped for and it became pretty evident early on that I would not be able to support myself if I continued my job at the school.  I've enjoyed my few years of teaching, for the most part, but I've known that I did not see myself doing it long long term.  So that was my dilemma.   I was working at the school and making very little money.  I was also working at Trader Joe's, part-time, making very little money.  At home I have a wife, and a baby girl - both wonderful & lovely - and I needed to better our situation.
I wasn't even thinking of turning my part-time job into a career, but I was encouraged to interview for a promotion, nailed the interview, and needed only to wait for my teaching contract to end before I could start my training.  My contract ended last week, I said goodbye to my students, and received a call from the regional manager.  I was to start June 18th at a new store!  (Now this was no surprise.  I knew I would not be able to stay in my current location; the Annapolis store.  That's not usually how things work.)  My new home base, my new store location is taking me back to my college days.
I am now working out of the Towson store.  It's over 45 minutes away, on the other side of Baltimore, and in the town where I finished up my undergraduate college.  I have not been back to Towson very much since graduating in 1998, and much of the area has changed.  Some of it has not.  The store where I work shares a parking garage with the mall in which I worked during my time at Towson University. 
This, being the 1st week of my transition, will be an interesting one.  I have said goodbye to old coworkers/friends, and will meet many new people.  I will have to get used to the new store layout, customers, staff, and difference in routines.  I am excited to jump right in and make this job my own and I am eagerly anticipating the 1st paycheck.  (Please, please, please let it not disappoint!)

Thank You, Sara

My wife is really good about trying to include me in the daughter's milestone moments.  She'll often tell me of her plans to move the Button into a crib for sleeping, instead of her car seat, or asking me if I want to be a part of a fitness class with the baby.  With my busy work schedule this isn't an easy task and I appreciate the care and concern she shows me as a father.  Sometimes it can be a bit annoying when I want to spent a morning off sleeping in and she's scheduled trips out and about in search of a high chair or baby clothes.  Then there are times like today when we, together, fed Evie Sue food for the 1st time.  The baby"s been on an all Mommy diet since day one but today she ate some brown rice cereal from a spoon.  It may not seem like the most exciting morning to some but to us, 1st time parents, it was a very entertaining and momentous meal.

Unexpected Bits Of Wisdom? Aisle 5

I was rocking out to the Rolling Stones at work last night.  We were stocking the grocery aisle when I serenaded a coworker.  'And I try... and I try... and I try... I really try, coworker.'
A customer looks up at me and seemingly smiles at my silliness.  Then he pulls a ball point pen out of his pocket, approaches me in a very serious manner, and places the pen on a shelf.  'Do me a favor,' he starts, 'try and pick that up.'
I do.
He says, ' No, I said TRY and pick that up.'
A little confused I drop the pen and then immediately pick it back up.  I look at him and he smirks.  I drop the pen again.  I start to try again and then I stop... 'Wait.  What?'
'Try and pick it up.'
'I did.  I picked it up.  It's only a pen.  If I try I'm pretty sure I can pick it up... every time,' I explain.
He nods and says, 'Exactly.  Trying isn't about success or failure.  It's a state of mind.  Don't try.  Do.  It's a process and result.  If you don't get the result you want then you tweak the process and try again.'
I thanked the grocery store Yoda, and went about my business.  I kept revisiting his words all night long and  couldn't help but thinking about his theory that it's all a process and result... Hm, who knew a little 'Satisfaction', some dry goods, and your local neighborhood grocery store could be so enlightening?

Might Be A Little Anxious...

Last night I dreamed that I was working a help desk - fielding questions and demands from an endless line of clients.  I was always paired up with a fellow employee, not always the same employee, and often left alone for prolong periods of time when my counterparts would take a break. 
At one point I was working with a supervisor and I answered a question about salad dressing.  I answered correctly that we did not have the sought after product, suggested an alternate and was feeling pretty confident that I handled myself well.  Suddenly, the supervisor corrects me, offers her assistance to the customer, and shoots me a disapproving look for not having the correct information.  I was stressed out and started to doubt myself.  
Now, in the light of day I realize that I did, indeed, have my information correct.  I was right.  My stress was unnecessary.  I believe that the dream was just in anticipation of an upcoming job interview I'm going on.  The brain is a funny thing.