A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

job hunt

Notes from my noodle: September 25 edition

“Get busy living or get busy dying…”

I’m sure many of you may remember that quote from the Shawshank Redemption, said by Red, portrayed by Morgan Freeman.

I write this post as I listen to some big-band era swing music. It’s some pretty sweet stuff. It can get you in the mood to be creative. Though I’ll readily admit not being a fan of a lot of jazz music, there’s something about the big-band era that really works for me.

Especially the songs with the faster pace and beat. Songs like “Sing, sing, sing” by Benny Goodman. Excellent stuff. Makes me thing of the 1920s and 1930s. Gangsters. Prohibition. Suits. Cigars.

Ahhh… talk about a time in history.

Recently, I was at a friend’s wedding. During the dinner portion, the DJ played some swing music. A couple people got out and danced. It was kind of fun to watch.

I was then chatting to a friend about this era of music and noted if I could go and live in a different era, this would be the one.

Back when Zoot Suits were the norm.

And I’m not a supporter or advocate for organized crime, but there’s something about the gangsters from that era. The suits. The cars. The Tommy Guns — AKA a Chicago typewriter.

And, of course, swing music.

I’m not sure what I would have been. Maybe I’d still have been a scribe. I could see covering the Yankees or something back then for one of the many New York papers. Maybe I’d have been on the crime beat.

Heck, maybe I’d have been a gangster. Chewing a cigar and rat-a-tatting with the Tommy Gun.

Who knows.

But what an era.

I know a lot of people don’t listen to music when they write. And, for the most part, I can’t listen to music with words when writing. But tunes such as classical pieces or the swing band era can keep my mind rolling as I write.

And with the jazzy stuff I have playing tonight, it’s got me thinking of old cars (Like the Ford Model Ts and As) and the prohibition era of time. Black and white.

That’s the era I’d definitely love to be in if not for now.

And while you read the rest of this post, have a listen to a little Benny Goodman:

****

As many of you know, I’m still working on finding a job. The resumes keep going out and I can’t seem to find much. I’ve thankfully landed something on a part-time basis, but it’s basically once a week and it’s not even every week. Still, it’s something to help me along and get something more recent on the resume.

So, I’ve been looking at career changes. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that here before.

I recently visited a school for a program I’m highly interested in. I’m not going to spill all the beans here because I hate putting things out there until I know for sure if I’m going to do it or not. Some friends already know as I needed to see what some people thought.

My issue?

I don’t want to fail — again.

Though I realize I didn’t fail in newspapers and journalism, the industry failed me. And I don’t think it’s getting any better. And with barely anything in a retirement fund, I need something different.

I’ve watched others go the route of changing careers during the mid-life years and do well. Heck, take a peek at my brother who fully changed directions and went into teaching and now he’s a tenured teacher at a good school.

Might as well give it a go, yeah?

So, I’ve e-mailed one other school today in hopes of being able to compare the two programs. There’s a significant price differential in the program, as well as hours needed and the time frame to finish. The end result would likely be me going into business for myself. It’s something I’m thinking long and hard about.

Once I decide, believe me, I’ll share with the readers of the blog. For now, I’ll leave it with my seriously considering a massive change in career direction.

****

Speaking of writing and career things, I’ve also finally sat down to work on a couple of fictional books. These likely won’t be huge books, but I’m hoping to write them and see where it takes me.

I don’t fathom any riches here.

I need to get working on my book ideas so I can one day have a book like this!

The reality is, I’ll likely publish them on myself. If any money is made, it will basically just be a bonus. My thing is just getting it done. Then seeing about shaping it and all from there. If something bigger comes out of one of these, awesome. If not, it’s more of a goal to just do it.

My big issue with fiction is shaping the story.

I have a couple of real-life things I’m working on, too. I’m not sure if they will be full-blown books, a series here on the blog or something along the lines of an Amazon Kindle Single. But, I am hoping to work on those, too.

I need to push forward. I’ve applied and applied for things to get squashed. I guess it’s time to take the bull by the horns…

****

I went on a small trip Sunday, heading up to Ithaca to hike a bit, find some waterfalls and take a few photos.

But I also got to play disc golf for the first time since early June.

Taughannock Falls just outside of Ithaca. I took this shot Sunday during a day trip to the Ithaca area.

It was nice to get out and flip a few discs on an actual course. To be fair, it was just a nine-hole course, but it was so nice. It’s also good because I’m playing in an Ace Race in a couple of weeks. While I don’t expect to do anything major in that Ace Race, I’d at least like to know I can throw a disc well enough to get it close to baskets!

As for the day overall, it was nice.

For those of you who have never been to Ithaca, it’s a wonderful little city. The city’s motto is “Ithaca is Gorges.” There are many gorges and waterfalls to explore throughout the area, so it makes for a nice day trip.

In total, I got to see several awesome waterfalls and hiked — including the disc golf — upward of 3.5-4 miles, which is always nice to do.

I had been worried about the waterfalls and how much water would be coming off them, considering the lack of rain we’ve had all summer. Alas, recent rains made most of them vibrant falls. All but one were fun to check out and take photos of — in all their glory.

And yes, there were a few geocaches mixed in as well.

In the end, it was a good getaway from the real-world issues going on in my life. Nature can do that to you.

**** 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the passing of a well-known local person.

Sid Levine died Sunday at the age of 99. I only knew Levine in his later years as he owned part of the Oneonta Tigers, the minor-league team I covered for six years. A quiet man, Levine was one of the nicest people I dealt with. He also was a no-nonsense person. He didn’t worry about what people though, he told you how it was.

And that’s how it should be.

He, along with co-owner Sam Nader, ran the local team up until selling in 2008. The team then left the area before the 2010 season.

I dealt with and developed a stronger relationship with Nader, now 93, but toward the end of the run of the Tigers, I also got to know Levine. He was always a gentleman and had an infectious smile. And he knew his baseball.

Nader and Levine were close friends for more than 75 years and when I visited with Nader one afternoon earlier this year, I had to come after a certain time as he and Levine still met nearly every day to chat.

Levine’s legacy in the Oneonta area will live on for a long time. But he’ll be missed, that’s for sure — for many more reasons than baseball.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

It is a number and only a number

Today seemed like a good day to write this post.

As more applications go out from me to potential/hopeful employers — some realistic, some not so much — I have been wondering when this bad trip will end. I keep hoping I’m going to wake up and know it’s a bad dream. Alas, I know it’s reality. But, I’ve been sending things out to hopefully good matches and something might come of it.

Right?

It’s likely hitting me harder knowing a few things — I recently found out a friend I hadn’t talked to in a while has been out of work nearly as long as I have, and that my unemployment will be ending by the end of the year.

That last part socks you in the face because it’s nearly impossible to get by now with that coming in. I can’t imagine continuing this job search without it. Alas, if it comes to that, I will do what I need to do to get by.

I’ll keep fighting.

Last week, I visited a trade school of sorts. Friends know what I’ve been looking at, but I’m not ready to share it all here. I’m going to fill out the financial aid forms and see what can come out of it. But this would be to fully change careers. And when I say change, I mean change.

But that could be a good thing.

A number doesn’t define some of the great things in life.

Today, I creep closer to the big four-oh. Well, I creep closer to that every day. But today puts me even closer. I’ve always said age is just a number and I firmly believe that. I’ve never been big into birthdays, so this day really doesn’t mean much. The only thing I’m figuring comes with age is it hurts more the day after a softball game, a couple rounds of disc golf, a long paddle or a day of hiking.

I can deal with that.

On the flip side, I also watch friends — younger and older — doing well in this world. As they march through life, they have good jobs, families and whatever else. It’s not that I’m jealous. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. I smile knowing what people are doing.

At the same time, I think about years down the road and retirement and know so many others are successfully building toward that and I’m still trying to figure out what retirement plans are!

I look back at what happened to me when my position was cut an I do think, in the long run, I’ll be better off. Let’s face it, newspapers are hurting and it isn’t going to get better. Major papers are cutting back to three days per week. It’s an online world and many newspapers are doing that. Unfortunately, some places won’t survive that. I see companies going to universal hubs, cutting people, cutting publications and more. There’s no way I would have survived in newspapers for the rest of my career.

Still, I’m finding many people are coming out of college with these degrees. And it’s made it a tougher job market. Public relations jobs and writing jobs are getting hundreds of applications. It’s a buyer’s market, that’s for sure.

Guess that Master’s degree is looking like a waste of money right now, eh?

So now it’s getting drastic in my eyes.

I’m hoping something comes along soon. And, if not, maybe the career change might be a good thing. It would be exciting. The program takes about eight months, so I’m trying to figure out how I would afford it with finding part-time work, paying for school and all that.

Who knows.

But I’ve also realized life’s short. And with that in mind, I’m trying to start doing other things better and taking a better look on life. Recently, as I’ve  stepped on the scales, my weight is the lowest it’s been in a couple of years. My pants don’t fit well. My sweatshirts and such are fitting better. So I need to continue down that path.

In the end, something good will hopefully happen.

Simple things in life are what make you happy. A sunset. A stroll on a quiet evening. A little pro rasslin’ on the tube or the excitement of September baseball.

Simple.

This day is about some number increasing by one. But it’s just a number. Age really isn’t much when thinking about the big picture. Some people reach big numbers, some, unfortunately, don’t.

It’s just a number.

And for me, the number is only part of the big picture. One I hope has a bright look to it for the future.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

A year’s worth of reflection

Sometimes, it's worth taking a seat and staring into nature to get into a good place.

On this cold and somewhat snowy Sunday (winter? Really?), I wanted to post a short blog about some things I’ve realized a bit more lately.

I know it sounds cheesy and cliche, but I’ve had a bit of time to reflect the past few days. You see, Saturday was the one-year anniversary of my personal “Crap Day” as I’ll call it. The day I was unceremoniously told my services would no longer be needed as my position had been cut.

The year has been long and, at times, quite hard.

Alas, I plug along. I keep applying. I keep interviewing. I keep pushing along. Something will eventually happen. Of that, I’m sure.

My spirit remains decent, I’m usually optimistic and I try and remain upbeat.

Still, in trying times like this, one tends to look around and see things a bit differently. Items such as taking a different route in your life and where that may have led you, instead of where you are now. Alas, every turn can have positives and negatives. Should I have taken a different turn years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have the same set of friends I have now — ones who I’ve been close to for a decade or more. I’ve had the chance to see then have kids and succeed in life and for that, I’m truly thankful.

‘Tis hard as well at times, knowing the past year has pushed me backward as I see younger folks continue to push forward. It’s not easy being green, as the great prophet Kermit the Frog once said.

With all the turmoil in this world, however, it’s hard to look at things too harshly. For things like this, my mind makes the rest of my body and world realize that pushing forward can be a blessing of sorts.

But enough of the jibber jabber. How about a point?

Over the course of the past year, I’ve realized the importance of touching base with friends and family of the past. There’s certain things that are necessary to do — and the keeping touch part is one that I am trying to do better with. Now, realize this, I’m not an “add everybody to Facebook” sort of guy. By that I mean that I won’t add people on that social network just because I knew somebody one day in the past (and, to be fair, I don’t usually add people I only know online — I like to know someone in person).

So that means I don’t connect with all of my past acquaintances.

But this weekend was a nice one.

I went twice to Cooperstown for its winter Carnivale and connected with a couple of friends of old. It’s not that I don’t see them or talk to them — I do at times either on the phone or if I run into them. But this was different. I stopped in each day and chatted with them and got to see their two-year old. I couldn’t believe that it might have been the first times I had seen their child.

Crazy, right?

But seeing both of them in their daughter really made me realize something.

Losing touch with people of your past — people that mean something to you — can also make you lose touch with your future.

It’s things like this in life that make you stop for a moment. In reality, none of us know how long we have on this planet or what awaits us after. So one needs to stop and, for lack of a better cliche, smell the roses.

Believe me, I won’t be in a rush to go adding people on Facebook. I’m just not that interested in many things from my past.

But that handful of people you’ve always called friends, make an effort. You might be surprised at the outcome.

Family, too.

I still look back at this past summer and the family reunion we held and am shocked at how many new family members I know.

I know some of this has been in past blogs. But one year is a long time. A long time of plodding along and having time to think, reflect and see the world slowly turn.

A few other things I’ve really started to notice over the past year:

  • Smile. It’s good for you as it is someone else.
  • “Thank you” goes a long way.
  • The speed of technology isn’t going to slow down, so embracing it is something that needs to be done.
  • Everyone has a story to tell, if you listen.
  • And for those of you with a camera, photographs are everywhere. Just look outside the box.
One other thing I’ve really learned? Find some parks around you and explore. Walk the trails. Sit on a bench and stare out over things. I’ve really learned that the simple things in life can be some of the most beautiful. Don’t take advantage of that amazing sunset. Or a wonderful blue sky on a bitter winter day. Things like this are amazingly beautiful and well worth stopping and looking at.

It’s my hope that one year from now, I won’t be doing another reflection post because things haven’t improved for me. By then, my smiles and spirits probably would have been nailed into a tree!

The world is a crazy place, people. Connect, re-connect and see things in a wider view. You’ll be surprised at what you can see.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

The light starts to trickle through the tunnel

One month down.

This post comes on the final day of the first month of 2012. An odd month to be sure, in regard to weather. It’s snowed. It’s been near 50. It’s rained. It’s stormed.

Very crazy.

This month is almost parallel to the last year of my life. Ups and downs. Good days and bad. I’ve become more focused this month. More ready for that next step.

The reality is December was tough. I applied for the jobs I could find. But it seems in my field, and I’ve seen this before, December is a tough month. I dragged. I was having a hard time. But I persevered.

Still, it doesn’t help that I’m coming upon the one-year mark of being on the unemployment line. On Monday, I attended a workshop for the unemployment scene. I learned a few new things.

This month has been strong in the job search. I’ve applied to some things I really feel good about.

I re-worked my resume. I took a new approach with cover letters. My confidence is coming back. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I don’t know where that light is coming from yet, but I see the light. I just have to take the right turn.

It’s there.

I do this post mainly because I have a bunch of friends and family who have asked me how things are going. How my mental aspect is. They wonder about leads, how I’m doing and all that. I appreciate it. I really do. But I can also see how uncomfortable it is for people to ask. It’s not the normal water cooler talk, ya know?

I’ve noticed the questions, texts and such are coming a little more often now. Maybe people realize I am coming upon the one-year mark and are checking in on me. And it’s tough saying the same thing over and over.

So, I’m fine.

I appreciate all the thoughts and comments. And know that having friends and family who care makes this a fight I know I’ll win. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I have that will. I’m not failing in this aspect. I have education and experience and eventually, the perfect match will come along. An employer will see what I can do for them and I’ll find that employer that cares about the person they are hiring.

I have other friends and colleagues in the same boat. I feel strongly that they’ll come out of this better people, too. Stronger. Happier.

I’m staying focused, especially on that small bit of light shining.

I’ve been hearing this song a little lately and looking at the lyrics really hit with me. I’m not a huge rap fan, but I really like this song and beat.

(Quick note: there’s one F-bomb in the song, so it might not be safe to play in certain spots. I couldn’t find the edited version of the song. This also shows the lyrics, so you’ll also be able to see said “F-bomb.” I wanted to warn everyone ahead of time).

I’m ready for the rest of 2012.

Bring it on.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Notes from my Noodle: January 6 edition

Hello blog readers and welcome to the first edition of Notes from my Noodle in 2012. I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s and holiday season as this world gets back into full gear.

Alas, another weekend is upon us. There is good weather in the forecast in my part of the Northeast, so I’m looking to go out and geocache/letterbox/photograph for a while Saturday. Why not take advantage of it?

My January 4 choice for my 366 Project.

With this year being a leap year, I’ve opted to do the Project 3656 again. I was successful in 2010 with it, so I thought with the extra day, it would be cool to do it again.

Now I just have to make sure to get a photo each day!

I’ve been good with it so far. And I plan on heading out today to find a photo. As I peer outside right now, there are blue skies, the sun is shining and the temps are in the upper 40s.

Score!

There has to be something out there to snap photos of, I would think.

And though I have the iPhone, which has an excellent camera, I am hoping to do the bulk of the 366 this year with my Canon 7D. I love the use of the iPhone — I really do — but for this project, I’d like to challenge myself artistically a but more with my DSLR. Plus, I got a really cook bokeh kit for my lenses for Christmas and I’m looking forward to trying that out for sure.

If any of you have some cool and fun ideas for photos I should look into taking for my 366 project, post them in the comments section. I want to keep a small notebook of ideas, in case I get in a pinch!

I know a few others doing the 366 this year. One of them is fellow Flickr/Twitter user and fellow geocacher Mike, who has been doing the 365 since 2010. That means, unless he somehow skipped a day this year and hasn’t said anything yet, he has been taking a photo a day for 736 straight days (or more)! (For readers of this blog, Mike was a guest poster in November).

That’s insane!

Keep it up Mike. By the end of this one, you’ll have reached nearly 1,000 days, which is no small feat!

 ***

I wish I had more to report on the job hunt. Applications are still being sent out. But, for the next batch, I’m taking a different approach.

Being that the first approach hasn’t worked too well, outside of the few interviews and such I’ve had, I’m going to change the tone of my cover letters. At this point, what’s it going to hurt? I think I am going to attempt to make them a little more edgy, a little more cocky. I imagine that it will, at worse, get somebody’s attention. Maybe it will get me a few more interviews. And maybe (gasp!) an offer.

Something has to change.

I want to try and re-work my resume a little, too. I don’t think it’s awful, but a tweak or two probably wouldn’t hurt.

My big thing is trying to make it so my block of not working doesn’t stand out so much. I have to work on that as well and hope something comes along soon.

This has, by far, been one of the most trying things, professionally, I’ve ever dealt with in my life. I’m just hoping the light at the end of the tunnel gets big soon!

***

This past Sunday, I went and played a round of disc golf. On January 1, in the Albany area in New York, it was in the high 40s. Me, my niece Nicole, Darren and his wife Jodi played 18 holes at Schenectady Central Park.

My niece sizes up a putt.

What a day.

I played a round of disc golf last Jan. 1 as well, but it was not nearly as warm as this!

But it was a perfect day to go out for a nice little walk and play a round. We only came across people a couple of times, but no major issues. We stopped for a couple of letterboxes and pretty much took our time.

Without a doubt, though, it was great just to be out walking around and moving.

I haven’t played in a while (I think my last round had been on Thanksgiving), so I didn’t throw as well as I would have liked. Still, it wasn’t bad. I had some decent shots and hopefully my game will improve as this year moves on. My niece has only been a few times, but I think she’s starting to get the hang of things and hopefully she can keep improving and liking the game as well. Starting at a younger age will only make her better as she continues to age and play. It’s also a great game to be able to just get out and play.

Now if we can get a course in our local area…

Speaking of disc golf, I continue to work on a certain disc golf project I have going on. I am hoping within the next two weeks to be able to announce something here about it. I’m extremely excited about it and hope it works out for the best!

Until then, keep clanging the metal and rattling those chains when you are out on the disc golf course!

***

I’m sneaking out of the area this weekend to do a little day trip. I’m not going far, but I’m meeting up with a friend to do a day of geocaching/letterboxing and catch up on some things.

Here’s something I’ve figured — it’s not as easy planning a trip to involve letterboxing as it is geocaching.

See, with geocaching, you have a map you can open up and see where everything is. That way, you can plan a route that is somewhat economical and such.

With letterboxing, you can bring up a google map — for each box. Then you have to figure what’s close etc., and try and keep them somewhat in a route to make it worthwhile.

Hopefully by the end of tomorrow, we’ll have piled up a bunch of finds for both. And I also hope to have had several cool photos taken before the end of the day.

Though the temperatures are supposed to be slightly cooler tomorrow (not too bad, though), it is still supposed to be sunny and nice out. So I look forward to a day of finding stamps, caches and photo opportunities.

***

I have finally gotten back into reading books on the Kindle again. I’m reading one of Jodi Picoult’s latest books, “Sing Me Home.” So far, so good. I’m a big fan of Picoult and always enjoy what she brings to the table with her books. Well-written and well-researched make things a good and smooth read.

I have a couple of other books lined up as well.

Anyone get a Kindle Fire over the holidays? I’m curious to see what people think. I have a 3rd or 4th Generation Kindle and I like it. But down the line, I might look to upgrade, though if I really want a tablet, the iPad seems like the way I might lean. I like my reader to be just that — a reader.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!