Dwindling Opportunities

I’m disappointed.  Last week I applied to a position in San Diego that seemed perfect for me, but I haven’t heard anything back yet.  There could be any number of reasons for this – maybe I was late in applying and they already have someone lined up for the position, maybe they want someone local, maybe the hiring manager is too busy or on vacation, maybe there is some other nefarious reason.  10 years ago, companies would be falling over themselves to employ someone like me.  Now, I fear I am no longer a good catch.  I’m older,  so my wage demands are probably higher than desired.  In a profession that is increasingly dominated by Chinese, I am the wrong race.  I don’t have a social network presence, so you won’t find me on something like LinkedIn – is that something that recruiters and HR people look at now?  But perhaps more alarming is my recent job history: which in recent years displays a lack of career growth, a lack of ability to settle and stay at one company, and some questionable longish gaps between employment.  Yikes.  I do think I would benefit any company I would move to, so for starters I need to significantly upgrade my CV to sell myself better.  That could take a while! 

New Car Surveys

For some reason, over the last couple of weeks I've been absolutely inundated with new car surveys.  Normally, I wouldn't bother with any of this nonsense.  But since some of them have quite substantial sweepstakes rewards, I decided to complete a few of them online - even though I've got a slim to none chance of actually winning anything.  And boy, are these surveys detailed, comprehensive and time-consuming to complete - especially for someone like me who is really quite indifferent to the auto industry.  But I ploughed my way through them, and hopefully I didn't waste my time.   

Seattle Ice Hockey

Seattle doesn't have a NHL ice hockey team.  And hasn't had one since 1924.  But there seems to be quite an increased push to get a team in the city.  To the extent that they are already in the process of offering people the chance to put a deposit down on a season pass.  Even though there are no guarantees of a team, when that team will start playing, or even what the name of the team is.  There is no chance I'm going to get a season ticket - I'm not putting a load of money down for a a currently non-existent team - but if a team does eventually come here then I would definitely like to see them play.  Hockey is way better than baseball.  Even better if the new renovated arena also hosts a basketball team - Seattle used to have an NBA team until they acrimoniously moved to Oklahoma in the year I first came to Seattle.  But with the amount of money coming into Seattle with all the development and tech growth, it's not like Seattle cannot afford to build and renovate flashy new facilities to host more professional sports.  I approve. 

Palace

I'm worried about Palace.  A tough loss to Spurs today, and 3 of the next 4 are against Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool.  And loads of injuries.  With the relegation battle being as tight as it is, Palace have once again been dragged right into the scrap (if they ever left it).  Two wins, and they're almost in the top half.  But with no win in 5, they're right down there and in trouble.  With so many teams fighting for their lives, there are no easy games left.  Can they survive another relegation battle?  I worry.   

Green Lake

It's been a while, but with the temperatures warm enough to melt all the snow and ice of the last few days and a rare day without rain in the forecast, I went out for a walk today.  And I did a classic - the Green Lake loop.  With a little side excursion to Woodland Park thrown in.  I've been to Green Lake many times before - when I lived in North Seattle, it was within walking distance so I used to frequent it quite often.  It also makes for a good stroll after work when the nights are longer.  Sadly, it is - by far - the most populated trail in Seattle.  And going on a Saturday lunchtime is probably one of the worst times to go!  I estimate I passed about 2000 people on the loop.  And, even more sadly, it seemed half of these people were on their phones - I wonder if Green Lake is a Pokemon Go hot spot, or is society just turning to sh*t?  This is the only walk which I have to do with my earbuds in.  It's not a challenging walk - a very level 3 mile loop, plus another 1.5 mile side trail to Woodland Park - and about as far from the wilderness as you can be, but a good one for people watching and a Seattle classic.

Pizza Cutter

I've just bought a totally not professional pizza cutter.  My hard-earned bonus goes on crap like this.

The Big Freeze

A nightmare confluence of events today: snow last night + cold temperatures overnight = very icy roads + icy driveway today.  Leaving laptop at work + Internet/TV connection issues = forced to go into work once it had warmed up a bit.  Small box of ice melt + long driveway = still icy driveway.  But my car fortunately handled the descent down the driveway with ease. 

It's now evening, and with cold temperatures and snow in the forecast again, I shall be working from home tomorrow.  At least I've remembered to bring my work laptop home with me today, and my internet seems to be working again now, so sadly no excuses for not working tomorrow.  The roads weren't as bad as I thought they might be this afternoon/evening, but they said the conditions might be worse tomorrow.  But with the quality of forecasting and localized weather round here, who knows what its going to be like.

At least my local neighborhood rabbit seems to be alive and well, even if I haven't seen him (or her) for ages.

I hear you

Out of tragedy has come a good thing - the Florida students affected by the mass shooting have really rallied the talk for gun control, and I applaud and commend them because this movement feels more significant than either the aftermath of Las Vegas or Sandy Hook.  Naturally, the President and Republican response is shameful and pitiful - the talk of looser gun laws and arming teachers is just insane.  I find the notes that Trump had on him when he met the families and survivors kind of interesting - and really sad that he has to be reminded to listen and to act empathetic.

Flag Etiquette

I haven’t been following the Winter Olympics other than occasionally scanning a few headlines online, and certainly haven't watched any of the awful American TV coverage.  But something caught my attention that I think epitomizes Trump’s America.  So, a snowboarding US Olympian had won gold in dramatic style and was obviously emotional and celebratory.  He was handed a US flag, but in the course of celebrating he let the flag drag across the ground, and apparently also accidentally stepped on it at one point.  Oh boy, all of a sudden people were outraged at him and calling him unpatriotic, unAmerican and a disgrace.  Yes, maybe he was a bit careless in his “flag etiquette” – but to suddenly turn on a gold-winning athlete for something so trivial is just ridiculous.

President's Day

Today was President's Day - perhaps the only holiday of the year which sneaks up on you before you know it, and which you are totally unprepared for.  I only found out last week that today was a day off work, so had absolutely nothing planned for today.  We were supposed to get snow over the weekend, up to 4 inches they said.  So what did I get where I was?  Absolutely nothing.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada.  El zippo.  Not even a trace.  It's certainly been cold, and a bit windy, but absolutely no snow.  Once again, great forecasting!  I should have had a more constructive day, but I just did some stuff around the house and updated my CV.  I actually came across a job in San Diego that really appealed to me, but I don't know whether to apply to it.  I've heard strong rumors that changes are afoot at work, so I want to see if they pan out.  But this job seemed an ideal fit for me, and they don't come up that often in San Diego - so I am very tempted just to apply and see if anything comes of it.

TV Update

A couple of new shows I've been watching recently:

Counterpart - a sci-fi drama about parallel worlds.

The Alieniest - a Jack the Ripper style period drama set in 1890's New York.

Waco - dramatization of the Waco siege

 Corporate - black comedy about a soulless corporation

The Trade - documentary about opiod trade


And a couple of new shows I've been recording but haven't watched yet:

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story - a follow up to the OJ Simpson story

The Chi - inner-city drama set in Chicago


Other shows currently on my watchlist include: Victoria, Homeland, Divorce, Shark Tank, Crashing, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Blue Planet II, American Dad, Drunk History, Baskets, The Detour, Gold Rush, Gold Rush: White Water, AP Bio, The Good Doctor, The Middle, Blackish, The Goldbergs, Survivor, Speechless, Atlanta, Superstore, ...


All perfectly watchable, nothing truly outstanding.  I'm really just waiting for the 2nd series of Westworld.

Mailbox

This is extremely trivial, but I hate my mailbox.  First of all, it's not conveniently located.  It's at the end of my landlord's driveway, and not mine, which means it's a pain in the ass to get to, especially when it's raining.  Secondly, it's not secure.  Which means anybody can drive by, and steal any mail that happens to be in there.  I'm not sure this has happened yet - though I have found my mailbox open one time.  And I happened to bump into one of my other neighbors another time, and he said that he has had mail stolen.  Lastly, and this has only been noticeable recently, is that my mail has been soaking wet.  I don't know whether my mailbox is leaking, or just a lack of consideration by my mail carrier, but I'm not happy when I'm getting tax forms and magazines delivered to me that are soaking wet from the water that has seemingly pooled at the bottom of my mailbox.  I've put some kitchen towel down in there, but I'm not sure how much difference this has made.  Jeez, what first world problems I have. 

Mass Shooting Translator

Too close to the truth to be funny.

Two Words

In light of recent events, two words that Trump should, but never will, say: GUN CONTROL.  Prayers and thoughts are not enough – which unfortunately is all that the Republican politicians who receive millions of dollars from the National Rifle Association say.  And do.  SAD.

My Dream Job

The temptation to apply is strong (even though it’s a part-time job and presumably you have to live near Reading)

chocolate taster

Req #: 1800114

Location: Reading, England UK

Job Category: Research Development Quality

Job Description

Contract Type: Permanent, Part- time

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 09:30am-12pm (7.5hrs) or Monday–Thursday 3pm–5pm (8 hrs) but may differ depending upon role.

Salary: Approx. £9 p/h

Are you looking for a permanent part-time role? Do you have an interest in food? Would you like to be a part of shaping the development of new products, for brands such as Cadbury and Milka? Then this could be the role for you!

We seek Sensory Panelists- Confectionary to join our close knit, friendly team; situated at RSSL (Reading Scientific Services Ltd) on the Whiteknights campus of Reading University.

Our panelists are key in helping Mondelez perfect and launch an entirely new product all over the world- by tasting and providing feedback just like our consumers.

No experience is required as full training will be provided to develop your taste buds and the specific vocabulary required to communicate your opinions.

You will work in our dedicated sensory booths and discussion rooms, alongside approximately 11 panelists and a panel leader; sharing opinions and collaborating with others to reach an agreement on taste.

Please be aware that these roles are to work set hours, on a weekly, ongoing basis.   

Qualifications

We seek the following;

• A passion for confectionary and taste buds for detection
• Honesty and objectivity when it comes to giving an opinion
• Eagerness to try new and inventive products
• A communicative personality to build great relationships with your panel
• Articulate with a firm grasp of the English Language

To submit an application, please click ‘apply’; attaching your C.V and your motivations for the role.

The next step of the process is that, if selected, a Recruiter will be in touch to discuss your application further over the phone.

If successful in being selected for interview you must be available to attend an assessment day which will involve tasting up to 10 samples per day and working within a group to discuss your findings. The strongest applicants will then be asked to return on for the final stage of the process, including a short competency based interview.

If you have any dietary restrictions or certain food intolerances or allergies to certain foods then this position may not be suitable for you.  For example, you will be required to test products that contain gluten, nuts and dairy.

RSSL website: https://www.rssl.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/RSSLServices
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107107

Due to an expected high number of applications for this tasty role, if you have not heard from us within 14 working days, your application has not been successful and we recommend you visit out career website for more opportunities.

Coyotes

When I'm already not sleeping well, the last thing I want is to be woken up around 5 am by a pack of coyotes making an absolute racket outside my house.  And it was really loud, because I was sleeping with ear plugs in and they still managed to stir me from quite a vivid dream.  I wish I had woken up enough to make my way to the window and take some photos, as I've never actually seen coyotes in the wild, but it took me a while to get to my senses and by then they had gone.  Next time.

Comcast

I hate Comcast.  This is old news - I hate how much they charge, I hate the many channels they don't offer, I hate their customer service, and I hate having to deal with them.  I've had lots of issues in the past with their service, including in my new place.  And despite them bumping up the internet speeds, I'm still paying way too much per month.  And in fact, I'm paying for a phone line that I don't use on top of TV and the internet.  I don't even have a phone plugged into my box!  So I phoned them up (from my mobile) to try to change my services and reduce my bill.  Oh boy, what a nightmare.  After lots of back and forth, they did eventually agree to reduce my bill but I kept the phone line that I don't use.  Ridiculous.  I don't know why they couldn't just get rid of the telephone part of the package as I asked them to do, but they said that wouldn't make a difference to how much I pay.  I don't believe that for a second, but I did at least manage to get some sort of reduction to my bill.  But I suspect I might be able to get it down further.  But it's no wonder that more and more people keep on cutting their cable.  If it wasn't for live sports, I probably would as well.

Pool

It has only taken me about 6 months of owning my own pool table, but I broke my first cue this weekend.  No, didn't snap it across my knee after a bad missed shot.  The top of it snapped off after a particularly violent attempted break.  Oh well, I guess I'll have to shell out on a new and better cue.  I think I'm probably trying too hard on my breaks, because earlier this week I managed to pot the black ball from a break.  That has never happened before, and has never happened since.  Probably some quirk from how I racked the balls, but that is the only time I've ever done that ever.  Nice.

Winter Olympics

When I think of the Winter Olympics I think of Bolero, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards and the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team.  So, as you can tell, I really don't care much for the Winter Olympics.  Too many stupid niche sports, too many sports that rely on subjective judging, and a sad reminder of the fact that I can't skate or ski.  So I shan't be watching much of these games - and I don't feel I'm missing much.  Britain is probably not going to get any medals, but I really don't care.  Sadly, the American TV scheduling of the Winter Olympics is as bad as the Summer Olympics - wall-to-wall extensive and over-the-top coverage, including in prime time every night, ruining my TV watching.  Most channels are airing repeats over the next few weeks, and also NBC have sacrificed their Six Nations coverage to instead show live crappy sports from the Winter Olympics - a ridiculous and disappointing decision.  I didn't watch the Opening Ceremony - all I know is that the Tongan guy went shirtless again - and I haven't watched anything else yet, and don't plan to.  There shall never again be a "Miracle on Ice", I don't care for the Dutch dominance in speed skating, and I'm even indifferent to the premier event that is men's downhill skiing.  I couldn't name a single skier competing - I assume that the Bell brothers have long retired. 

Local News

I'd gone for a lunchtime walk to South Lake Union yesterday - mainly to go to my bank branch there to withdraw some money, but also to go to my favorite Thai food truck (South Lake Union is the location of Amazon plus a gazillion other tech companies, so is packed full of lunch options).  This area is notorious for construction, traffic and lack of parking.  As I waited for my food to be prepared, I could see a local news camera crew filming the traffic nearby (the "Mercer Mess", as Mercer Street is known to everybody).  When suddenly the attractive female news reporter spotted me and strode over microphone in hand.  She asked me if I wanted to be interviewed for the local news about the traffic - but being the coward I am, I declined.  I'm fortunate that I don't have to brave the Mercer Mess every day, but if I did then I might be riled up enough about the traffic and construction there to be willing to be interviewed about it.  But it was nice to be asked - probably because I was the token white guy in the sea of Chinese and Indian tech people getting their lunch!  But I'm not sure with my accent and my not ready for TV looks that I would ever had made the local news anyway.   

The Stock Market Rollercoaster

The stock market jitters are giving me the jitters.  I have quite a lot of stock, and the wild fluctuations in stock price are causing wild fluctuations in my net worth.  And I’ve currently got a load of statements and financial documents spread out on my living room floor as I try to assess my accounts and decide how best to save or invest my money.  It’s tough – I’m sure I’m not doing a good job, and really need a qualified and trustworthy financial advisor to offer me unbiased advice.  But I don’t know anyone – I should probably try to get some recommendations from my friends and colleagues here.  I am exceptionally unprepared for retirement, especially in the US where so much of your retirement money is going to be squandered on health care expenses.  But then retirement for me is at least 25 years away – longer than I’ve already been in the workforce, which is almightily depressing - so I’ve still got a long way to go.  I don’t expect my health will hold up as I get older, part of the reason I’d quite like to “retire” now, and enjoy some time doing things in my bucket list whilst I’m still in relatively good health, before “unretiring” and returning to work and seeing out my end days working for as long as I can.  I have no idea if that is practical or feasible, but if I had the guts I would do that.  Especially in light of my ongoing work issues (I sent an e-mail this week to my manager’s manager explicitly saying that I want to change group and want to change manager – I don’t know if this will make a difference, whether I have kicked a hornet’s nest, or whatever – but at this point I feel I’ve got nothing to lose and at least I’m doing everything I can from my end to try to force a change to keep me at my current company). 

Feeling Old

I took my bins out yesterday evening.  I slipped but didn't fall over whilst negotiating my longish and steepish driveway.  I took my bins in this evening.  I slipped again and had to take a knee whilst negotiating my longish and steepish driveway.  So I managed to get a big muddy patch on my jeans and a load of mud over my shoes.  I don't know whether I'm just getting old, whether I was wearing the wrong footwear with not sufficient grip, or whether all the rain recently plus all the leaves and debris on my driveway has made it genuinely slippy.  But it was embarrassing and humbling.  Ironically, over the last few days I have been looking at the prices of leaf blowers on Amazon.  Perhaps my urgency to splash out on one has increased now!   

The Box of Delights

The brain, or perhaps just my brain, works in very mysterious ways.  From somewhere in the very far recesses of my memory, this popped up into my mind today:

 

I’m not sure if it was the series itself, or the very distinctive music, but there it was front and center of my thoughts whilst I was at work this afternoon.  I have absolutely no recollection of the show, and whether or not I watched it back as a wee youngster in the 80s.  I suspect I did, because the music does make me feel happy even if I don’t associate it with any specific memories – perhaps I just associate it with the general excitement of Christmas?  I now promise myself that I am going to watch this next Christmas – it has probably horribly dated, but I welcome the nostalgic feelings from a more innocent time. 

Pre-Symptoms

Lightheadedness.  Tinnitus.  Catch in my throat.  This is the precursor to what I suspect might be a nasty illness - something is definitely going round the office, and I fear I'm next.  So - lots of water, lots of Vitamin C and lots of fever reducer tablets.

Super Bowl LII

Today was/is the Super Bowl (I'm writing this as the game has just started).  Of all the years I've been in the US, this is by far the most apathetic I've felt towards the game.  Much like most of America, I'm sick to death of the New England Patriots - and especially sick of seeing them in the Super Bowl.  They are a bunch of cheats (deflated balls, spying on other team's signals, etc), and have an obnoxious coach, an obnoxious quarterback and an obnoxious fan base.  And they're probably going to win.  Again.  I don't know how much of this game I'm going to bother watching - watching American Football games has become an ordeal at the best of times, and the Super Bowl is ten times more bloated.  We shall see how close a game it is, or in the unlikely event that the Patriots get blown out then that might be quite satisfying to see.  Mind you, that was supposed to happen last year and they managed to come back from a 25 point deficit.  So maybe I just shouldn't bother watching at all.     

Six Nations

In a very welcome development, I was able to watch the Six Nations games today.  For the first time since I've been in America, they are being televised on a network I actually get.  NBC have brought the rights, who are the same network here who show all the English Premier League games, so I will able to catch them in HD and without having to resort to some dubious live streaming source.  Admittedly, the games are not live - but given the time difference, that is absolutely fine with me and I happy to watch the games on delay.   NBC also show some of the English club rugby games, so I am very happy that they are testing the waters on covering rugby - a very niche sport in America - to complement their thoroughly comprehensive coverage of English "soccer".

Table Tennis Form

A positive - I'm in great ping pong form at the moment.  Perhaps I'm channeling my job frustrations into my game, but I am playing the best I've ever played.  I've added variation to my game - big looping shots, lots of spin, and some pop on my backhand side - to complement "the hammer" on my forehand side.  I've beaten my nemesis twice this week, including a 6-1 pasting, and definitely got in his head.  But more than that, I'm very happy with how I'm playing - and for me, where I am prone to struggle on the mental side of the game, that is a huge step in the right direction.  I need another tournament right now!

Guess the topic

Another bad day at work.  We had a site “New Hire Welcome & Promotion Lunch”.  And the number of promotions across our site was the highest I’ve ever seen, which meant that the lunch overran.  Of course, most people are deserving of a promotion and I am happy for them.  Others, a lot less so – and I wasn’t going to clap for them as they were congratulated.  But the sheer number of promotions made it even more depressing that I didn’t earn one.   

Then the lunch was followed by a series of yet more needlessly long team meetings  – so incredibly frustrating when it is so time-consuming and I’m busy and have got so many other things I need to get on with.  These meetings are just so unconstructive – going back on forth on lots of small and insignificant issues and details.  A classic example of my manager being overly controlling.  Yes, attention to detail is important – but not in this forum and not at this level at this stage of the work, when there are so many other more important and more complex things to focus on.  I don’t know how long I can tolerate this for – it is getting ridiculous.  My management style is so very different, and just so incompatible with my manager’s.

This should have been a good day – I earned a small recognition award today for the work I’ve done since the new year.  I have been working hard, and I think doing a good job – so it was nice to get some sort of recognition and appreciation of that, plus a small financial award.  And, naturally, this work had absolutely no involvement from my manager - just going to show how much better I am, and would be, without her.