Right as the gasoline prices started to rise to outrageous heights about two years ago, I was offered a position at a very prestigious university. Impressed? Not to instruct anything mind you, but to work in one of the offices. It was going to be part time, to get my foot in the door until something full time became available. However, gas was hovering at $4 per gallon, its 30 miles one way and it was every morning. That just didn’t calculate out to be a good move. I don’t really regret that decision but I do sometimes wonder, what if.
I love young people and being on the campus, even in one of the office buildings, gave me a real buzz. The people I talked with were smart, engaging, obviously loved being in their jobs and at their campus. It was a very good feeling. I had several interviews there for a couple of opportunities and each time, the candidate selected was a friend of a friend, or a co-worker from a previous job from someone on the interview committee. I was in three cases, candidate number 2. The maid of honor, the runner up, second fiddle, the also ran, the vice president, the sidekick...you get the picture. Until that last opportunity, when out of the blue, they called and without an interview said “We’d like you to consider this part time position we have opening up. We think you’re perfect for it...” and I had to fiscally and frugally decline.
The funny thing is, in the two years that I have been working from home I’ve probably learned more than I would have at that very prestigious college campus. Oh, I may have missed a football game or tailgate as a result but, I have learned much. For example, although I was pretty “computer savvy” during my working days outside of my home I am now running two cpus, dual monitors, log in to some pretty high tech applications for my work, talk to people a good part of my day troubleshooting their computer, device or networking issues. I can talk intelligently about RAM and DDR, the benefit of a solid state drive and shared cache not to mention quad-cores versus higher processing speeds. Sometimes I sell them a do-hickey or gadget or two.
I know our capacity for learning never stops and there is no end of things to be learned, no matter where you are.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Out of the basement.
Like a lot of you, I am trying to get my office organized and preparing for filing my taxes and that kind of thing. I decided to get a labeler so I can be even more organized -looking. I don’t profess to actually be organized but the labeler might help, and its way fun and cute.
When I decided to begin working from home, my first office was located in the basement. I am sure a lot of home offices are located in basements, and I don’t want to sound like I don’t think its a great space. But, I spent the last 13 years in a building without windows in our office. I decided shortly after being home, and after realizing that I was going to be okay with my new found career, that I needed windows. Upstairs to the guest room I went.
It took a little muscle, and some rearranging of “stuff” but I really enjoy my office/guest room. I have more plans but for the time being, its just about as good as it can get. I never really pictured myself working from home and there have been adjustments for sure. It is less money...hence the no frills as described in an earlier post. But, that’s balanced out by spending less money on a day to day basis, on who knows what. Particularly in gas and can I get an Amen.
It is less people interaction, though, and that’s not always what suits me best. I enjoy hearing special stories that people will share if you only take the time to ask, to listen. What is VERY cool is that for one of my contracts, I talk to people from all around the U.S. and Canada, sometimes Europe. I have had some excellent conversations and have learned some really interesting things. For example, I talked to a guy one night who lived in the Canadian Arctic in a town that was spelled with a lot of “N”s and “U”s. Do you know how north that is? How many of us have talked to a guy in the Canadian Arctic? I can’t imagine a situation I would have been in prior to 2008 that would have put me in touch with someone in the Canadian Arctic! Crazy. Read up on that slice of the globe - I took the time and learned some very interesting facts and characteristics. Like for example, that region has caused Canada to become one of the top 3 diamond producers in the world. Who knew?
When I decided to begin working from home, my first office was located in the basement. I am sure a lot of home offices are located in basements, and I don’t want to sound like I don’t think its a great space. But, I spent the last 13 years in a building without windows in our office. I decided shortly after being home, and after realizing that I was going to be okay with my new found career, that I needed windows. Upstairs to the guest room I went.
It took a little muscle, and some rearranging of “stuff” but I really enjoy my office/guest room. I have more plans but for the time being, its just about as good as it can get. I never really pictured myself working from home and there have been adjustments for sure. It is less money...hence the no frills as described in an earlier post. But, that’s balanced out by spending less money on a day to day basis, on who knows what. Particularly in gas and can I get an Amen.
It is less people interaction, though, and that’s not always what suits me best. I enjoy hearing special stories that people will share if you only take the time to ask, to listen. What is VERY cool is that for one of my contracts, I talk to people from all around the U.S. and Canada, sometimes Europe. I have had some excellent conversations and have learned some really interesting things. For example, I talked to a guy one night who lived in the Canadian Arctic in a town that was spelled with a lot of “N”s and “U”s. Do you know how north that is? How many of us have talked to a guy in the Canadian Arctic? I can’t imagine a situation I would have been in prior to 2008 that would have put me in touch with someone in the Canadian Arctic! Crazy. Read up on that slice of the globe - I took the time and learned some very interesting facts and characteristics. Like for example, that region has caused Canada to become one of the top 3 diamond producers in the world. Who knew?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Frills...
Still a pretty chilly day here and as I look out my window I am thinking of hot chocolate, which then makes me think of this yummy coffee recipe I recently came across. I love coffee. I drink mine black..no frills. However, once in a while I like a frills coffee and “Dulce de Leche Coffee” is plenty frilly. I might have to try a cup later today. Definitely an after dinner or afternoon coffee....they say its suppose to be a late day drink because of the Kahlua.
LIke a lot of households, we cut back on many frills and thrills in 2009. I hope we can revisit some of those treats in 2010 but we’ll see. One thing I miss a LOT is going out to dinner. Now, I don’t mean run over to the nearest fast food or chain restaurant near the mall, I mean go out for a meal. I’m talking fancy place. I love a good meal out at a nice place. We didn’t go often, usually when traveling or visiting, but I miss it.
I like vodka martinis when I go out for a nice meal. Now this is something that I came to kind of late in life. While waiting for a table one night at a fairly fancy place, I just thought, “Well, I’ll see what all the fuss is about.” Went for two bleu cheese stuffed olives and the rest can be written in stone, folks. I’m an occasional martini drinker.
For those of you who know me, you know I like to observe. Hang back, get the vibe, size it up. You can’t do that if you’re, how shall we say, hammered, so I’m not much on throwing caution to the wind and getting out of control with my martini. But, if I can sit at a bar, interact a bit with a bartender and observe, and then move on to a nice meal, well, that’s my kind of evening. I discovered eating at the bar, too, because a bartender suggested we stay put, and enjoy our meal right there. Not all places encourage it, but if they do, that’s where I will eat. Bartenders appear to have a little more time to spend talking with you. After all, you are right in their face. I prefer it, I think, because it puts you more at eye level rather than having to look up to the server. Short person complex? Maybe, but I think the experience, the exchange, is different. If the bartender is young, energetic and engaging, I love it. If they are older, calm and wise, I love it.
It can get fairly expensive though, can’t it? I wish going out to eat at a nice place could cost less, so I could go more often. When this weather breaks, I’m going out for a nice meal. I hope you will, too.
LIke a lot of households, we cut back on many frills and thrills in 2009. I hope we can revisit some of those treats in 2010 but we’ll see. One thing I miss a LOT is going out to dinner. Now, I don’t mean run over to the nearest fast food or chain restaurant near the mall, I mean go out for a meal. I’m talking fancy place. I love a good meal out at a nice place. We didn’t go often, usually when traveling or visiting, but I miss it.
I like vodka martinis when I go out for a nice meal. Now this is something that I came to kind of late in life. While waiting for a table one night at a fairly fancy place, I just thought, “Well, I’ll see what all the fuss is about.” Went for two bleu cheese stuffed olives and the rest can be written in stone, folks. I’m an occasional martini drinker.
For those of you who know me, you know I like to observe. Hang back, get the vibe, size it up. You can’t do that if you’re, how shall we say, hammered, so I’m not much on throwing caution to the wind and getting out of control with my martini. But, if I can sit at a bar, interact a bit with a bartender and observe, and then move on to a nice meal, well, that’s my kind of evening. I discovered eating at the bar, too, because a bartender suggested we stay put, and enjoy our meal right there. Not all places encourage it, but if they do, that’s where I will eat. Bartenders appear to have a little more time to spend talking with you. After all, you are right in their face. I prefer it, I think, because it puts you more at eye level rather than having to look up to the server. Short person complex? Maybe, but I think the experience, the exchange, is different. If the bartender is young, energetic and engaging, I love it. If they are older, calm and wise, I love it.
It can get fairly expensive though, can’t it? I wish going out to eat at a nice place could cost less, so I could go more often. When this weather breaks, I’m going out for a nice meal. I hope you will, too.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
To get this going...a little about why...
For one day in the fall of 2008, and again in 2009, there have been bluebirds in my yard. Just one day. I live with woods on one side of my house and a recreational lake on the other side. I have a wonderfully fantastic view out my window, and see many birds and wildlife. However, bluebirds do not come here...this is not an open field! Which, I have learned, is more their typical haunt. I have lived on this same piece of land for over 30 years ~ in the fall of 2008 my window revealed those swift, little, bright bluebirds for the first time.
Not just one bluebird either. Probably 100. Everywhere. Fast, swooping, flitting...on the ground, in the trees, in the air. I stood watching for several minutes. Then, I tried to get a picture..they were just too fast. I fled from window to window - I went outside, I went back inside. I went outside. Who do I call? How long will they stay? Will you please just stay there for one second while I get this picture? Digital cameras, especially cheap ones, have very slow shutters I learned. Too slow for the bluebird, that's for sure. "Oh my!" and "Oh goodness!!" "OH MY!" I couldn't believe it. I was stunned and thrilled. It just made me happy. While I did not break out into "Zippity Do Dah" I felt like I could.
My life has brought many surprises, as I am sure everyone's has. Some of my surprises were painful and harsh, and some, like the bluebirds, thrilling and totally unexpected. I am so grateful I was home to see them. If my life had not taken a harsh and painful turn, I wouldn't have been here to see those thrilling and unexpected little bluebirds. I decided to undertake a blog that, I hope, is fun to read for everyone but also as a connection for women and men working out of their homes, whether it be as a stay-at-home mom or dad, or customer service rep, technical support technician, graphic designer, web developer, journalist, editor, programmer, real estate agent, life coach, caregiver or a domestic engineer and the list goes on. People like me that need a bit of a connection but so enjoy being able to see the view their window offers. So I'm looking out...thank you for looking in.
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