Update XX: A Darn Good Judge of My Financial Situation

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, just keep pushing yourself. With the walking, what I don't want you to do set a specific time / distance and be rigid. Go as far as you can push yourself and then 10 steps further than that.

With the church thing, at least try to walk to church and then ask someone for a ride home if you don't want to do the full trip yet. Honestly, it should be very spiritually rewarding for you do a physical exercise and end at the doors of your church, in front of God.

There's an Easter tradition here in New Mexico called the Santuario walk during Easter where local Catholics celebrate the end of Lent by walking the 25 mile journey from Santa Fe to Chimayo's old Santuario church. 25 miles is a lot, but everyone who does it says it's worth it.

I'm not going to stay where I'm at.  I've said over and over that I'm going to work up and increase my distance and time.  I want to get to 2 miles and even more than that, but I'm not there, yet.

[Joe Biden 2020]

While I'm normally weary of you purchasing walking gear, when I lost a lot of weight back in early high school through walking, I wore a pedometer. You should be able to get a New Balance pedometer to clip on your belt for about $15 that is pretty accurate and tell you how many steps you take in a day.

The nice thing about wearing a pedometer for you is that you get credit for steps you do anywhere, such as walking from kitchen to bathroom.  And you can't cheat it because it works by counting the rigid tempo shakes associated with walking.

This will give you a good idea of your activity level. I was nowhere near your weight or inactivity level, but I started a goal of 10,000 steps a day (I was 3,000-5,000 already steps a day doing nothing) and by the end of the summer before school started again I was 30 lbs lighter and doing upwards of 25,000 steps a day.

Where would I get this pedometer?  Sporting Goods store, like Dicks or Academy?

[Joe Biden 2020]

Just download a free app. This isn't 1997. You don't need to pay for a seperate device. Also, you never answered my question, Bushie. Do you understand why people don't take your diet/exercise seriously?

Yes, I understand, but I don't understand why people can't be happy that I'm walking and not vegging on the couch in front of the TV with a coke.  They seem to want it all right here, right now.  I'll get there, but I'm not starting off that high.  It doesn't mean that I'm not serious, though.

[Joe Biden 2020]

People here riding you is good for you, Bushie. It keeps complacency at bay.

Rocky didn't get to the top of those steps with his coach telling him how great he is. He called him a bum.

I guess I can see that.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Didn't Bushie have a pedometer at some point? As I recall, he tried to see if it would count his driving in his car, but it did not.

No, that was a free iPhone app - Endomondo

[Joe Biden 2020]

In other news, but the job search is already underway for the week.  I've already put in one application about 30 minutes ago and I've got a place I'm going to call in the morning.

[Joe Biden 2020]

My best friend at church, though, is going to send out a mass text tomorrow asking if anyone knows of any CAD jobs here in the Oklahoma City area.

That's awfully nice of him, but realistically, is there any chance of success going that route? Does he actually know people who would hire in that area? I don't blame you for trying because it can't hurt, but is it progress?

This was almost a month ago, but while it was a nice gesture, it didn't turn up any results.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Hey Bushie do people at your church raise their hands during the songs or spread them to the sides? Today I sat near a cute girl that was doing the latter and sort of shaking around. I'd assume the people at your church aren't as "mobile" though.

Some do, some don't.  We don't discourage it.  It all depends on how the Spirit is moving them at the time.  I do myself, on occasion.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Hey Bushie do people at your church raise their hands during the songs or spread them to the sides? Today I sat near a cute girl that was doing the latter and sort of shaking around. I'd assume the people at your church aren't as "mobile" though.

Some do, some don't.  We don't discourage it.  It all depends on how the Spirit is moving them at the time.  I do myself, on occasion.

Do people wear hoodies and jeans?

Don't be silly. This is Oklahoma after all: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/01/12/hoodie_ban_oklahoma_republican_proposes_bill_to_outlaw_wearing_hoods_in.html.

Actually, that bill has been withdrawn and will not be heard.

Many of us, including myself, wear jeans to church and if it's really cold, you'll see a few hoodies.  Hoodies aren't as commonplace in the churches as jeans are, but I don't see anything wrong with them.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Hey Bushie do people at your church raise their hands during the songs or spread them to the sides? Today I sat near a cute girl that was doing the latter and sort of shaking around. I'd assume the people at your church aren't as "mobile" though.

Some do, some don't.  We don't discourage it.  It all depends on how the Spirit is moving them at the time.  I do myself, on occasion.

Do people wear hoodies and jeans?

Don't be silly. This is Oklahoma after all: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/01/12/hoodie_ban_oklahoma_republican_proposes_bill_to_outlaw_wearing_hoods_in.html.

Actually, that bill has been withdrawn and will not be heard.

Many of us, including myself, wear jeans to church and if it's really cold, you'll see a few hoodies.  Hoodies aren't as commonplace in the churches as jeans are, but I don't see anything wrong with them.

Any band shirts?

Mostly on Sunday or Wednesday evenings, and they're bands like Mercy Me, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, JJ Heller, David Crowder, etc.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Since he did not post what he ate today I will assume it's RIP diet.

I was just about to post what I had.  I had a bowl of cereal this morning for breakfast, just water for lunch, and a bacon and tomato sandwich for supper.  I had 4 glasses of water today (34 oz. total).  I will get out and walk at 1730 before this evening's basketball games come on.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I was able to bump it from 15 to 20 minutes tonight and put in 0.8 miles.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Progress Report:  Today's been a good day.  I had a bowl of cereal again for breakfast, 4 glasses of water, and will scramble some eggs for supper.  I also walked for 20 minutes.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Thanks, guys, I am just waiting for it to start translating to the scale.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Here is an update on the job search from today:  I had a non-CAD interview this morning, but I'm not going to do it because it's all sales.  Sales are worse than call centers for me.  As far as the CAD search goes, it has been a mostly dry day, although in the past 30 minutes I have reactivated another recruiter that I worked with last summer who may possibly have a job opening.  I'll find out more soon.  I am also going to, hopefully, get a new recruiter started looking tomorrow morning.  I currently have no more interviews scheduled the rest of the week, although I'm hoping that will change very soon.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Here's an idea: why doesn't Bushie volunteer at a Christian non-profit: it'll get him out of his apartment and hopefully up and moving, it'll be something he can put on his resume between jobs, and if he might even learn something. For example, if he volunteers at a soup kitchen, he might learn some basic cooking; if he volunteers to help build houses, he might learn how to use tools and do basic home repair, etc. It might also help him make connections with like-minded people that he might be able to leverage into a job later on.

This is a good idea.  Don't you think this is a very good use of your free time, Bushie?  If you want to, as you say, do "God's work on Earth", would this not be a decent idea?

I think that this is a good idea, Jeff. I enjoy doing work like this, and it is spiritually rewarding.

It is a very good idea.  I like doing this kind of stuff, too.  We don't have any soup kitchens, per se, although there are food banks.  Habitat for Humanity, I'm sure takes volunteers.  The only thing stopping me is wanting to devote all day long to the job search, phone calls, and interviews.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Here's an idea: why doesn't Bushie volunteer at a Christian non-profit: it'll get him out of his apartment and hopefully up and moving, it'll be something he can put on his resume between jobs, and if he might even learn something. For example, if he volunteers at a soup kitchen, he might learn some basic cooking; if he volunteers to help build houses, he might learn how to use tools and do basic home repair, etc. It might also help him make connections with like-minded people that he might be able to leverage into a job later on.

This is a good idea.  Don't you think this is a very good use of your free time, Bushie?  If you want to, as you say, do "God's work on Earth", would this not be a decent idea?

I think that this is a good idea, Jeff. I enjoy doing work like this, and it is spiritually rewarding.

I have no idea what this means, but listen to your peers in religion, Jeff.  Who knows?  You might get a position with a non-profit... and at the very least make connections with people. 

Have you done bowling night recently?

We haven't gone bowling in a while.  I would really like to, though.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I noticed this book for sale at Target today. It reminded me of the Update

That sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.  I agree with the title and subtitle.  I may have to see if I can find it at the local Target here.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I know I said I would turn down the sales job from this morning, but I did not.  Here's why.  There is no end in sight to the CAD job search.  I need income.  I need a filler job until I find a CAD job.  What this is all about is selling credit card payment machines to mainly small and medium-size businesses here in the Tulsa metro.  It has a base salary of $30,000 a year plus commission with benefits.  I work 0815-1700 Monday through Friday.  I don't really want sales, but I need some money coming in to pay the bills.  I did not want to go into the second half of February or early March without a job.  I want to reiterate, I have no intention at making this job permanent unless I do really well, but it is at the very least money in the bank until I land a more permanent CAD job.  It would also get me out of the house and keep cabin fever from setting in.  The best part is the job is only a 2.5 mile drive from my house.  If push come to shove, I could walk there.  I may be a hot mess when I get there, but I could walk there if my car were to break down or whatever.  I start Thursday morning at 0900 and then starting Friday morning I go in at 0815.

I'm sure I'll get yelled at for this, but I did want to let you all know.

He had 2 positions to fill and had 30-40 interviews to conduct yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He called me at 1700 this evening and said he chose me because I appear to bring wisdom and the maturity to be able to do what I need to do to do this job right and do this job well.  In short, he has faith in me.  I am going to do my best to prove to him he did not make a mistake in choosing me.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I know I said I would turn down the sales job from this morning, but I did not.  Here's why.  There is no end in sight to the CAD job search.  I need income.  I need a filler job until I find a CAD job.

http://www.snagajob.com/job-search/w-tulsa,+ok/q-retail

You're going to make literally $0 at this sales job.

1. The job has a base salary

2. Don't tell Bushie that he's completely hopeless, that's not going to help him. By all means criticize him and tell him how he can improve, but telling them that he's going to fail no matter what isn't helpful.

Christ, dude, you're like that guy who shows up halfway through the movie and thinks he knows what is going on.

Bushie isn't making a dime at no sales job. Never has, never will.

You're attacking him because he's defending me?  Stay classy.

[Joe Biden 2020]

     So the guy is still interviewing people tomorrow yet he extended a same-day job offer to Bushie for one of a very few open positions? That is simply not credible.

I'm not entirely sure how that works.  It could be that he's hiring someone out of the Monday group, one out of the Tuesday group, and one out of the Wednesday group.  In which case, there would be 3 positions open.  I really don't know and it's none of my business, really.

[Joe Biden 2020]

     So the guy is still interviewing people tomorrow yet he extended a same-day job offer to Bushie for one of a very few open positions? That is simply not credible.

I'm not entirely sure how that works.  It could be that he's hiring someone out of the Monday group, one out of the Tuesday group, and one out of the Wednesday group.  In which case, there would be 3 positions open.  I really don't know and it's none of my business, really.

Or it could be you're just getting conned again and he's hiring whatever bodies fall for those buttered up compliments.

I seriously doubt it.

[Joe Biden 2020]

This season is going out strong.

Everybody wanted a nice plot twist to shake things up, didn't they?  The writers delivered!

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, just try to make some friends at this job instead of counting down to the next time you tag along to Albuqueque.

Right now, we have no trips planned because we went there twice last year.  With a new job, I can't take off real soon so there would be nothing to date of which to countdown.  So, that factor is out of the equation.

I plan to be very sociable (which is a big for me).  I want to make friends with the manager and my fellow sales reps.  I think it will be a good experience.

[Joe Biden 2020]

A quick google check shows Harbortouch Merchant Services.

http://www.harbortouch.com/services/

Perhaps this is it?

Nope, that's not it.