Author: Bill

The low clouds and fog are traversing the valley, but I can see Lolo Peak in the distance, and I might even catch a glimpse of sunshine. It’s Sunday morning, and Marcy is watching the gathering herd of cattle as they come over to the beetle barn to say hello on this frosty morning. We just returned from town with a Big Breakfast from McDonald’s. Now, after a post-breakfast walk, I need to head down to town and back home to start the day.

I hope to get the weekly chores done today so that I don’t have to worry about them this week while I’m busy job hunting. I have numerous opportunities lined up this week, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Today I’d like to go hiking, but I haven’t decided on a trail yet. The Rattlesnake is a possibility. Yesterday, I didn’t go out, but that’s okay because Marcy and I did a trail run up Sentinel on Friday.

We watched the football game online yesterday. Local TV stations refused to broadcast the game, and only those with cable subscriptions could watch it on TV. I found a website that streamed the game over the Internet. I think we blew out the opposing team from Louisiana.

I just heard about the big snowstorms this weekend, and I’m hoping my friends who flew to Salt Lake City are doing okay.

Well, that’s about it for this Sunday. Signing out from the fields above Missoula.

Tonight, me and Marcy hit the trails, zigzagging up to Mount Sentinel. As we’re coming back, we duck into what I like to call Midtown Gulch, squeezed between Mount Sentinel’s big twin peaks.

The climb up was all sunshine and good vibes, but then the wind decided to join the party, getting all up in my business and probably giving my shoulder a frostbite badge. The view? Pure magic. The Rattlesnake Wilderness mountains were showing off their new snow coats, looking all majestic under the evening sun. That light turned everything crazy beautiful, like the mountains and sky were competing to see who could look more stunning. Down below, the lands were basking in gold, and just as the sun decided to call it a day, the sky went all dramatic on us with pinks and reds. Seriously, this place is why my heart’s stuck here.

Heading down, the deer decided to crash our party. Ran into four whole herds of them. They were checking us out just as much as we were admiring them, even watched Marcy and me racing each other like a couple of kids. And the adventure didn’t stop there; almost home, and bam, there’s a deer just chilling, walking through town like he owns the place. Turned out to be a hefty four-year-old buck, smart enough to dodge this year’s hunters.

Today’s job search produced two more opportunities to add on to Monday’s 4 opportunities. Why is it a holiday? I want to contact immediately. It looks like Monday will be a busy one. I feel like I am getting closer to employment although not breaking the $9.00 an hour mark, the new opportunities start at $8.50. Far cry from $50,000 a year I made last year but then again … I want to pay my dues and live in Missoula Montana.

I am confident that I will become so valuable to a firm that as I search for that job that will enable me to set up my life in Missoula and pay off student loans, will realize that I deserve more. For me as well as it self. The two new opportunities are at an un-disclosed location and submitted by A to Z Personnel.

I cant wait for Monday.

Logging off for now …. Happy Thanksgiving Missoula!

Today’s job search added two more opportunities to the four I found on Monday. Why does it have to be a holiday? I’m eager to make contact. It looks like Monday will be busy. I feel like I’m getting closer to employment, although I’m not breaking the $9.00 an hour mark yet. The new opportunities start at $8.50, a far cry from the $50,000 a year I made last year. But then again, I’m willing to pay my dues to live in Missoula, Montana.

I am confident that I’ll become invaluable to a firm. As I search for the job that will allow me to settle in Missoula and pay off my student loans, I know I deserve more. The two new opportunities are at an undisclosed location and were submitted by A to Z Personnel.

I can’t wait for Monday.

Logging off for now… Happy Thanksgiving, Missoula!

I tried explaining to my mom why I think Wal-Mart is bad for America, but the conversation quickly became emotional. Soon, we found ourselves arguing, our opinions vastly different. Eventually, I realized we weren’t even discussing the same thing. She’s now logged off, and I regret that I’ve worsened her mood, especially since she’s already feeling down. This might be my lowest point.

But dwelling on it won’t help, and I’ve already dampened my mom’s Thanksgiving spirit. I’m truly sorry, Mom. I’ll step back now and avoid saying anything else that’s not constructive. I hope to make things right.

This morning, I was online chatting with Mom, sending her some games to cheer her up. I must get going on the job Hurricane follow-up to see if there’s any good news. I do realize, though, that it’s Thanksgiving.

Last night, I had a really bad incident. I was riding my mountain bike out to the Rattlesnake Corridor, near where my friends and I have broken down before. My rear wheel broke and finished the job by ripping off my derailleur. Bummer… o/o

Woke up late, but not too late, so I must get snapping before I check emails and job hunt. So many opportunities opened up yesterday that I’ll be overwhelmed trying to follow up on every one for the next few days. I have a referral at US Investigations this morning. Then, it’s off to LC Staffing for a temp worker orientation and to check out three new job postings. After that, but before lunch, I’m stopping in at WorkForce to follow up on yet another job posting. After lunch, I’m headed to the College for a third go-around with the HR department, as a Web Position just opened up there. So, as the world can see, I’ve got to get on the ball. Today is the day to attack. Keep the momentum and land a job.

I can’t sleep, and it seems like I can’t stop thinking about things. My head is about to explode. Maybe it’s the dry air, or perhaps the anticipation of the job search tomorrow.

Experts seem to perceive without mindfulness, or “book smart” as I like to call it. This morning, I read a great little story. It goes like this: A teacher asked a class of first graders what color apples are. Most of the children answered “red,” a few said “green.” But one child blurted out “white.” The teacher patiently explained that apples were red or green, and sometimes yellow, but never white. It is a good thing the youngster didn’t give up like most of us do. He did not cave in, and the teacher eventually grew tired of trying. After the teacher gave up, the child said, “Take a look inside.”

Some Teacher

Good frosty and snowy morning from my apartment. I have a big day planned of laundry and a couple of stops at some potential employers. The first stop will be at US Investigations, and then I want to stop in at EduLog, which I have been pestering for two months now without any responses. I want them to tell me yes or no, and I will not be left to just ignore me. I will not be ignored.

UPDATE: (Monday, November 22, 2004, 1:00 PM) I am just getting off the line, and there are so many job opportunities today that I will be lucky to investigate them all. It’s like the floodgates just opened. I’ve got to run… will write more later.

UPDATE: (Monday, November 22, 2004, 5:53 PM) Night hiking tonight was nice as the snow lightly fell. The city lights were great as usual, and in the distance was the pollution from numerous Missoula facilities. Inversion is in effect tonight as I now make preparations for grocery shopping. The main items tonight are hair soap and lots of Ramen noodles. Nothing major got done today, setting up tomorrow as a bigger day yet. I have loads of new job leads, and excitement grows in me. The downfall is that they are all $8.00 an hour. South Sentinel Ridge and South Sentinel was Marcy and I’s destination tonight, and tomorrow night I am planning a bike trip up the Rattlesnake Corridor. Making Ramen noodles and eggs right now, and the water is boiling, so I bid the world adieu.

Me

I’m sitting in my living room, wondering where the time went since my last blog. I left off on Friday, and since then, I’ve been busy with various activities that have kept me offline.

On Saturday, I woke up and spent the day getting ready for the Grizzly Bobcat game, in which the Griz beat up on the Bobcats. I think there was something like 60 points scored in that game. The sun was out, and the entire day was pleasant. A friend stopped by to donate some bread to my cause and watch the game with me over some chips and salsa.

After the game, some other friends stopped by to see if I wanted to get a bite to eat. We ended up going to the Lumberjack Saloon out towards Lolo Hot Springs. After we had a beer there, we headed to Lochsa Lodge in Idaho, where we entertained ourselves with some food of the beef variety. I had a mushroom burger, and it was delicious.

On Sunday, I woke up and was soon talked into a hike. I went to the Rattlesnake Rec Area and started up Sawmill Gulch, then doubled back on the ridge just above the parking area. It was a beautiful hike on a gorgeous ridge. I’ll definitely do that one again, hopefully with snowshoes.

This evening, I went up to some friends’ place, where I burned and watched some of my slideshows. They loved them, and I’m glad that I can give them something since they’ve been so supportive while I’ve been struggling financially. To top off the weekend, we all had dinner and some Shiraz, which was all good.

So, here I sit, and now to finish my ramblings, I’m going to answer my emails and hit the sack. I have a big day planned tomorrow. Sweet dreams, world!

I got up at my usual time of 6 a.m. and headed out for a McDonalds breakfast and then to Liquid Planet to begin the days job search.

In two separate places, McDonalds seemed to be not open, but open at a third. A little annoyed I headed downtown to Liquid Planet. They were not open as well. What is going on? Is it a national holiday today? So here, I sit at home. I would rather be at work right now, but as we all know I must get a job first. I just read an article about how Computer Science work outsourcing and an interview of a local company called ”First Call Computer Solutions“. Actually, it was on IT outsourcing but I feel like the Computer Sciences in general is going to countries like India. I have sent that company my resume and may stop in today. II would like to see how serious these companies are about keeping their hometown eligible workers, working! I am currently also hustling myself to Nelson Temp Agency who were recommended to me by a friend. They seem to specialize in IT worker placement. Let us hope

Today’s good news is that a good friend of mine gave me some venison and elk meat. This is enough for a week’s worth of meals at least. I can make it go further by making goulash and stew. I grew up learning how to make things go further.

I called the woman at LC Staffing, and she said that she is still processing my application. I am wondering if she has run into any snags with Sikorsky. Damn, I hate them. They will not provide a recommendation, and they are such a large corporation that I was just a number.

Tomorrow I have a couple of leads to follow up on. One is with an investment firm, and the others are for labor and lot work. Well, it is getting late again, and tomorrow I must put more energy into the effort.

I got up this morning and came out to do some power searching before following up on some leads today. It’s a gray day outside, which seems to reflect my mood. Not much to say except for wishing myself good luck. I feel some resentment creeping in, so I better get going!

I awoke this morning and was almost late for an interview. It’s almost like I’m giving up. Don’t I care anymore? Well, I made it to LC Staffing on time, and I like them out of all the other staffing places so far. The person told me that they had contacts and to call her tomorrow. I hope they find something.

After that, I came home and went to bed for the rest of the day. I didn’t want to do anything. I’m feeling sad about not getting that job last week. I really wanted it.

I came to my senses around 5 P.M. and took Marcy for a hike up Mount Jumbo. I came home and ate three packages of ramen noodles. I’ve decided now to get online and check my emails.

My next project is the worst. I don’t have any money, and I have to call these companies and tell them I can’t pay. What the heck do I do? Best Buy charges $30 for missing a payment per month. How much do they add on until they realize that I can’t ever catch up? And Sallie Mae for my student loan. I have a feeling that they won’t let $35,000 worth of debt just slide. I wonder what they will do. I wonder if I will end up in jail. That would be better than freezing outside. I don’t know. Better just turn in.

After a night of weird dreams here I am sipping coffee trying to think of what to blog. Yesterday I spent the entire day inside working on some php code for my new blog application (the one I am writing this in now). I am grateful for those that donate to keep the site going. This site may live on as I become homeless and freeze to death this winter. I think that if people keep donating it will have a life of its own. When the funds run out … it will die. Pretty cool if you think about it.

Today I will go night hiking but first I have to sew up my fanny pack that ripped out two days ago. I am still using the old Giant one that I got from Viking back in the day when life was good. Does anyone want a new one that I bought this summer. I hate it, but maybe someone else will like it. Otherwise it will go to trash when I move into my car.

Its cold out, gray and dark. My mood is acceptance and sorrow. Crying doesn't help but it is what I do. Why do things seem so hopeless. I never thought it would come to this.