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It is hard being on the road over 200 nights a year...away from your family, isolated in many ways. It definitely isn't for everyone. This blogs represents the thoughts of just one such person. Read along and find out if the road is for you.
This is my new blogchalk:
United States, Georgia, Gainesville, Unity of Gainesville, English, John, Male, reading, RE Investing. :)
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Wednesday, December 18, 2002
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the
chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make
us happy is something to be enthusiastic about."
- Charles Kingsley -
1 Ago
Here I am in New Orleans (or Nawlins as they say done here). This trip is at least starting out a little better than when I was last here about 3 weeks ago. It doesn’t seem so much of an inquisition. That probably has something to do with the fact that they are going live at the beginning of the new year and have much to do before then to be ready. I am here to primarily review their readiness and to create a laundry list of what needs done in the next few weeks. At least this time, the system administrator doesn’t have so much attitude.
My thoughts have sort of been drifting the last couple of days. We are coming to the end of the year and reminders seem to flood your mind back to a moment in time. It can be a song on the radio, a file on my computer or just a thought popping up in my “alleged” mind.
Maybe I am just reliving some of those moments. I have given some thought to Lynette lately. I just wonder what she is up to, how she is doing. I don’t have the same feelings for her, but I do still care for her well-being. That being said, I really don’t expect to hear from her anytime soon. Probably not at all when I think about it.
I have also given some thought to how this year has played out. Just like the rest of life, not really what I would have thought of. Between the surgery, personal relationships, frustrations at work and life just happening, this is a year I will not soon forget. There are things that looking back, I would have handled differently and other situations that I wish I would have acted on. But I also have to admit that not all the memories are bad either. I have made some friends this year that I never would have imagined when this year started.
I am still at a quandary house-wise. I have found a new house that is awesome, but a business that I am interested in started would work better in Florida. Or California. Or Hawaii. Which decision is best? I should be praying more, meditating more, and letting my higher power guide these decisions.
And now it is Christmas. I don’t know if I am just getting older and not listening as much as I used to, but I am somewhat at a loss for the holiday gifts I want to get for folks. But maybe it is because I am not around to listen to people’s little “oohs” and “aahs” throughout the year. I usually have a pretty firm idea of what to get by Thanksgiving because I heard the person say something back in August that I mentally filed away for future use. Now, I have to resort to having friends concoct stories to feel out the prospective person to see if the gift will be right for them. And I want the gift to be right. As I got older, my parents reverted to giving either cash or a gift certificate for Christmas. I refuse to go there. I have always loved everything about Christmas and part of the joy is to see people genuinely surprised and thrilled with their gift.
So I am feeling some pressure and some guilt. I could have gone out while I am here in Nawlins and done some shopping, but didn’t. Why? Because the client wanted to go for a drink and bend my ear on how the Controller is a control freak. Which she is, so I listen over a few drinks. After that, I rationalize that I don’t really know where to go around here and end up hanging in the room.
While tomorrow is hump day for the week and the last day with this client, the demands of the week are really just beginning. Thursday IS going to be the day to get shopping done, my Michael Vick autographed football and begin to get ready to head to California for the holidays. Friday looks to be interesting because the client is really after me.
So this is the real start of the workweek. I know I am enthusiastic, but I am just not sure about what.
posted by John Panico at 5:25 AM
Monday, December 16, 2002
Overall, I am thankful! And Monday's Mission is done and in the books! WooHoo!!!
Last night’s phone conversation with Jenny got me to thinking about things. And that can be dangerous…lol.
While we discussed strategy of effective approaches to leaving Da Company on a win/win basis, we started to talk about the job itself. Jenny was right in that overall it really isn’t a bad job to have. We both like what we do and openly wonder if we could adjust to the day to day routine that a so called “regular” job would bring. And as much as we might complain about the travel, inwardly, we both know that we have it good, because by and large, Da Boss isn’t looking over your every move. That’s not to say that we still don’t have beefs with how Da Company mismanages our time.
But I still am determined as ever to not have to rely on Da Company for my income. I feel so dependent on them that it is hard to make a move without thinking about how life without Da Company would be.
Moving Forward (I am picking up this entry on a Sunday night flight to New Orleans)
Well, the weekend was both fun and fast. I have finally had a moment to think and act in the spirit of Christmas! And I have to admit it feels great.
First off, my annual Christmas Miracle came through. I know that I experience miracles at other times of the year, but I actually anticipate one at this time of year. This tradition goes back a long, long time! Over 20 years in fact. That’s how long they have been happening to me at this time of year. And they are always special. This year’s really wasn’t any different.
I was driving the 60 miles from my house to a client that is considered local. In the past, I have had a high disregard for this client to the point of telling my boss never to send me here again (which she promptly did and then let them renew their engagement specifically asking for me). Listening to the radio along the way, I tuned to one of the local stations that usually plays rock music, but at this time of year can literally bring tears to your eyes listening to people’s stories and what this radio team does for them at Christmas.
Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, they spoke about Oprah Winfrey’s annual Christmas show where she gives away a ton of things to her audience. They planned on doing the exact same thing on their radio show and today was the day to do it.
They gave away some jewelry and a bunch of other things that passed both my and their time as I drove to the clients. But for some reason, they had an item that got me to call. They had an NFL regulation football that was autographed by Michael Vick of the Falcons. I wanted that football. Not for me. Although I enjoy sports, I am far past the time when they meant much more than a reason to get together with friends. For some reason, I really wanted it to give to my church. I have had a thought for some time about creating an auction of memorabilia to raise money for an LCD projector and other cool stuff for the church. Long story short, I got one and had a permanent smile the rest of the morning. That was one part of the annual miracle.
The second part occurred at the clients’. For some reason, these people have actually grown on me. That is a miracle in itself. But when the owner and system admin person (who I have never really liked at all) told me how much they appreciated the work I have done for them this year, I was floored. I didn’t think they thought much of what I did there. The system administrator even talked me into going out to lunch with them and insisted that he pay. That was another part of the miracle.
And those were good indeed. I took the rental back to the airport and took the shuttle back home. They even held the shuttle for me, so I wouldn’t have to wait an hour for the next one.
The only other passenger on the van was an older woman who lived in the same city as me. As we spoke, she had had a miserable trip to and from Germany. Then she asked if I could call her a cab to have waiting for her since it was so cold and rainy out. I insisted that I take her home. She said she would like that, but only if she could pay me, which I refused. This went back and forth for about 10 minutes until finally she relented.
When we arrived at the hotel where the van drops people off, Julie was waiting (that is a miracle in itself). The woman (whose name I never knew) got in the car and we took her home. This simple gesture made me feel so good that I could help someone who really appreciated it. I took her luggage into her house and if you could see her face, it would have made your Christmas as well.
The rest of the weekend was spent doing things with Julie and re-kindling some of the traditions that have been missing the last few years. I made homemade peanut brittle again and that was fun. Did some shopping and that was even fun. I do have alot to be thankful for. So, as I head off to New Orleans, life is good. Thanks for reminding me Jenny.
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