May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[nskjerven]

Can you imagine telling your college friends....what you are doing....sitting at home on Friday night talking to a bunch of people you don't know but are going on vacation with in about a year.....NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE YOU!!

okay, opposite problem, had the friends in college, sorority and all, but kept none of them...just not a "girl friend" kind of person then. It's taken me having my own kids to actually have girl friends. I always hung out more with the boys. More agressive personality type I think. I flew small planes in high school and college, not what most girls I knew were doing back then.

John, you idea of changing careers sounds so cool. I'd like to do something totally different than accounting, but I'm stuck with it for now as the money is just too easy for the time I put in. I think if I had all the money I wanted/needed I'd find something that was more personally interesting to do, not sure what that would be.

I talked with the kids tonight about being one year out. They are jazzed. I think I'd like to journal this year in thoughts and comments from them, just have to figure out to capture it. I guess plain old paper and pen would work

 

[Jhalkias]

They do WC defense.

The attorneys where I work make it very clear that they would never hire a woman attorney. In fact, I've personally heard one of the partners telling his secretary that. He said, "I won't hire a female attorney because they're too temperamental". I know....not a smart thing for him to let people hear him say! The same attitude is made very clear in how they treat men and women law clerks. BIG difference. They entrust the male law clerks with more substantial work (research, drafting pleadings, etc.) and the female law clerks aren't given much more than secretarial work. Very sad. I'm only there until I find another place willing to work with my schedule like they do. Plus they pay me more than any other place in the area is offering.

You would think ATTORNEYS would know better . . .

 

[HollyTyler]

You would think ATTORNEYS would know better . . .

Um.....YEAH! That's exactly what I and the other secretaries say! Sad.

 

[Jhalkias]

John, you idea of changing careers sounds so cool. I'd like to do something totally different than accounting, but I'm stuck with it for now as the money is just too easy for the time I put in. I think if I had all the money I wanted/needed I'd find something that was more personally interesting to do, not sure what that would be.

I don't know where it will lead, it may lead nowhere - but I have had a very positive change of attitude since I decided to at least test the waters. I was feeling very trapped, and in some ways I don't think was giving myself enough credit for what my potential could be.

The last two years in my current job have been very draining, and difficult. At the same time because of reductions, while I once had two people working with me, I am now a one man show, and it is starting to effect my health, sanity, and time with my family - which is my biggest concern.

What I really want to do is write, but, I think some other field of law is safer with a kid going to med school and another one in first grade.

With my luck, I will land some job that will not allow me to take two weeks off next May!

 

[nskjerven]

With my luck, I will land some job that will not allow me to take two weeks off next May!

note to self....requirement to accepting new position is to have 2 week vaca built into offer.... come on John any lawyer can contract that one....

 

[HollyTyler]

I don't know where it will lead, it may lead nowhere - but I have had a very positive change of attitude since I decided to at least test the waters. I was feeling very trapped, and in some ways I don't think was giving myself enough credit for what my potential could be.

The last two years in my current job have been very draining, and difficult. At the same time because of reductions, while I once had two people working with me, I am now a one man show, and it is starting to effect my health, sanity, and time with my family - which is my biggest concern.

What I really want to do is write, but, I think some other field of law is safer with a kid going to med school and another one in first grade.

With my luck, I will land some job that will not allow me to take two weeks off next May!

It sounds like it's time for a change for you. You've got to do what's best for you and your family.

 

[HollyTyler]

note to self....requirement to accepting new position is to have 2 week vaca built into offer.... come on John any lawyer can contract that one....

 

[Jhalkias]

note to self....requirement to accepting new position is to have 2 week vaca built into offer.... come on John any lawyer can contract that one....

Trust me - already thought about it. I just know how difficult it is to be in that situationfrom the other side as the person doing the hiring. I think though, with one year away, anyone may think of us as crazy advance planners. There are really just two dates like this I would rather not give up.

It sounds like it's time for a change for you. You've got to do what's best for you and your family.

That's the conclusion I reached. My little girl will not be little forever, and the demands are just getting more and more. Even though I have more vacation than most people, if I don't go away, I am called on almost daily. The only time I get away for real is when I am on the Magic!

 

[HollyTyler]

Well everybody, it's midnight.....I'd better head to bed before I turn into a pumpkin! Lots of cleaning, laundry, yardwork, and schoolwork all day tomorrow before I pick Tyler up from his dad's.....SO.....Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to bed I go!

 

[Jhalkias]

Man, late night TV . . .

The bionic woman is on TV selling sleep number beds . . .

I used to think she was something when I was a kid watching that show. Now she is selling beds on late night TV.

 

[Jhalkias]

Well everybody, it's midnight.....I'd better head to bed before I turn into a pumpkin! Lots of cleaning, laundry, yardwork, and schoolwork all day tomorrow before I pick Tyler up from his dad's.....SO.....Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to bed I go!

Night Holly and everyone else. I think I am going to do the same. The bionic lady selling beds is doing me in.

 

[HollyTyler]

Man, late night TV . . .

The bionic woman is on TV selling sleep number beds . . .

I used to think she was something when I was a kid watching that show. Now she is selling beds on late night TV.

I think that means you need to go to sleep!

 

[HollyTyler]

Night Holly and everyone else. I think I am going to do the same. The bionic lady selling beds is doing me in.

Goodnight John! I'll talk at ya tomorrow!

 

[nskjerven]

nite nite Holly.

yes John I understand your point (about being on the other end) but think of what it's like when you really want a hire, I figure if you're liek most of the CEO types I work with they don't let littel issues blow a good hire. You'll be fine. Move forward, ask the questions and life will unfold for you. And when you need support, ask us we're all here pulling for you

 

[LiserAnn]

Dad was an autoworker, who did not get his HS diploma because of WWII, Ohio passed a law a few years ago that let school boards give vets diplomas, and he finally got his - he was very proud.

John-that's really special! Your dad must have been very proud, I'm happy for him!!!

We have a lot in common- I'm also the oldest and also worked my way through school.

Holly- I find that sometimes it is hard being a female attorney. You would think in this day and age it wouldn't matter, but sometimes it does. I worked for awhile in maritime law, which is a lot like a "good ole boys" club. It was just too hard breaking into it as a young woman.

Guess we all have lots in common-I'm an only child and I worked my way through college too. I lived at home with my mom and was able to work part time. I still managed to have a lot of fun and do the sorority thing but I did work very hard at the same time. I do remember not be able to attend many things because I had to work...but when I was able, I did have FUN.

G-I know what you're saying about the "good ole boys" club. I worked with the US Navy for 12 years during my aerospace contract management days. Talk about the good ole boys club! Most times I was the only woman in the room of about 100 men, not sure how I made it but I did. It was tough but it wasn't all bad...there were funny times too. I'll NEVER forget the time I was in the middle of a negotiation for a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for spare parts for the flight control system on the F/A-18 fighter jet. I had a new dress on that buttoned up the front and the buttons were metal. I was unhappy with an offer they gave me and I took a very deep breath. Well, one of the buttons popped off, shot across the room and smacked the negotiator in the FACE! But worse, my chest and, ahem, undergarment were exposed (fortunately, it was back in my skinny days, so hopefully it wasn't too awful). I thought I was going to die. I then uncrossed my legs and the bottom button did the same thing!! What I later learned was the metal buttons had very rough edges and with every breath and movement I made, they were slowly breaking the thread that was holding them on the dress. I was moments away from having ALL the buttons popping off. Needless to say, I did the rest of the negotiation wrapped up in my raincoat but it was clear the Navy negotiators had sorta lost focus! That was perhaps my most embarassing (and funny) moment!

 

[LiserAnn]

Man, late night TV . . .

The bionic woman is on TV selling sleep number beds . . .

I used to think she was something when I was a kid watching that show. Now she is selling beds on late night TV.

How funny, I wanted to BE the bionic woman...and now look at her!!! Enough to make you want to go to sleep!!!

 

[gaylean93]

Can you imagine telling your college friends....what you are doing....sitting at home on Friday night talking to a bunch of people you don't know but are going on vacation with in about a year.....NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE YOU!!

I can't even imagine telling my friends that I am HOME on a Saturday night and I am 31 years old!!! I guess you just start settling down after a while. I guess they'll see who's havin' fun at this time next year.

 

[MrsMork]

I should explain about college . . .

I went to what was then mostly a commuter school. I drove to school daily, and worked daily. Not much time for friends. It is a part of my life I regret some times. I got a great education but almost zero college experience. I did the same thing for law school, at the same school.

Unfortunately, I did not have much choice. I had to work my way through school if I wanted to get a degree.

Dennis had about the same experience-full time work and full time college, except he had a wife and two kids when he started, three kids when he graduated. Not much time for college fun. We did go to all the home football games though. One classmate told him he should come to the frat house and hangout to "get away from the old lady." He just shook his head and said he was already away from his wife too much, but thanks.

 

[MrsMork]

Man, late night TV . . .

The bionic woman is on TV selling sleep number beds . . .

I used to think she was something when I was a kid watching that show. Now she is selling beds on late night TV.

Hey, I "camped" with her! A few years ago I got to go spend a week on the Yakima Indian Reservation on a VA training. There were lots of tribes represented teaching VA personnel how they have dealt with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) for generations. We stayed in cabins at the place their children have summer camp and they hold other family activities. It was an profound week. Dennis had gone the year before and we both found the experience to be life changing. Their culture is amazing. Anyway, she was at that time dating one of the tribal members who was working on the program - he also was working on some stuff in Hollywood that many of the others did not approve of - so anyway she was there with him for several days. I gotta say, when she crawls out of a teepee in the morning she looked no better than the rest of us in that same age group. She was a very nice person and was friendly to everyone, but quiet and unassuming.

 

[MrsMork]

John-that's really special! Your dad must have been very proud, I'm happy for him!!!


Guess we all have lots in common-I'm an only child and I worked my way through college too. I lived at home with my mom and was able to work part time. I still managed to have a lot of fun and do the sorority thing but I did work very hard at the same time. I do remember not be able to attend many things because I had to work...but when I was able, I did have FUN.

G-I know what you're saying about the "good ole boys" club. I worked with the US Navy for 12 years during my aerospace contract management days. Talk about the good ole boys club! Most times I was the only woman in the room of about 100 men, not sure how I made it but I did. It was tough but it wasn't all bad...there were funny times too. I'll NEVER forget the time I was in the middle of a negotiation for a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for spare parts for the flight control system on the F/A-18 fighter jet. I had a new dress on that buttoned up the front and the buttons were metal. I was unhappy with an offer they gave me and I took a very deep breath. Well, one of the buttons popped off, shot across the room and smacked the negotiator in the FACE! But worse, my chest and, ahem, undergarment were exposed (fortunately, it was back in my skinny days, so hopefully it wasn't too awful). I thought I was going to die. I then uncrossed my legs and the bottom button did the same thing!! What I later learned was the metal buttons had very rough edges and with every breath and movement I made, they were slowly breaking the thread that was holding them on the dress. I was moments away from having ALL the buttons popping off. Needless to say, I did the rest of the negotiation wrapped up in my raincoat but it was clear the Navy negotiators had sorta lost focus! That was perhaps my most embarassing (and funny) moment!

Moments we can only laugh about MUCH later!