Network re-entry (without a loss of employment)

I finally went back to one of the networks I attended during my transition. Manufacturing Professionals is a once a month network that targets manufacturing and logistics professionals in the Chicago area. I made some good friends through this network and enjoyed going back. Juan Chapa who facilitates the meetings has done a great jo giving back to that fluid community of “jobseekers”.

More about targeted networks later.

Welcome back

Has it really been 2 months since my last post? Well, shame on me! Here's quick rundown on what's kept me off of the blog.

• I was the raffle ticket chairman for the 4th of July this year in my little village. Just before Memorial Day the hard drive in my laptop died. So much for being prepared. I recovered all my data and ticket sales weren't held up but it was close.
• I bought a DVD player for the car and it has already died. So much for going cheap.
• We drove to Virginia for a week and besides not having enough days on the beach, it was a blast. The car accident on the way home was a disappointment but no one was hurt so we have that to be thankful for.
• Finally, as my mother once said,

  All families are dysfunctional in their own special way!

  this vacation did not disappoint.

I'm still waiting for Paul G. to weigh in. I also started networking again. I'm not looking but I made a promise to myself to stay involved. It's time to fulfill that commitment.

Unemployment surprises

I thought I’d send a quick note to those in transition concerning a recent experience I had.

I was out of work for most of 2004 and like most people, collected my Illinois unemployment checks. I’ve been back to work since Jan 3rd of this year (its gong great! Thanks for asking!J) Last week I received a notice or audit from IDES that I had reported income from my previous employer totaling five weeks and I owed the State $2,200. I thought about it all weekend and knew something was not right.

I called the number supplied and in discussing it with the IDES rep I realized the dates they had corresponded to dates were I had exercised some soon to expire stock options. Fortunately, I had all the transaction confirmations pulled together for tax reasons so I was able to fax them in on Monday. By Friday I had received the letter clearing me of all obligations.

The biggest thing for me was I didn’t see it coming so I spent about 3 days stressing. Bottom line: between taxes and IDES, good record keeping is critical. It was even more important on my taxes but that’s a happier story for another time.

Sitting in the airport in Frankfort, Germany

I’m finally on my way home after a great meal last night at the Sheraton and 3 hours of sleep. I’m not sure why I couldn’t sleep in India but I hope I don’t have the same problem in Chicago.

This has got to be the most confusing airport ever. I had to call Airport Information because my gate information didn’t give me a terminal. I have a 4 hour layover so I thought I’d knock out a blog or 2.

I had a couple of pretty good beers in India, Black “something” and another one (name to come later). Sorry, can’t remember shit right now. I also watched a fair share of Bollywood videos which at like P-rated. Lots of symbolism and seduction but nothing your kids couldn’t watch.

I got board on the plane and listened to 4 hours of podcast. Some Bitterest Pill, Coverville and Dawn and Drew. Who knows how much I’ll listen to for the next 11 hour leg. I can’t find any electricity in Frankfort. They just finished moving everyone out of the terminal for a security check. This is not one of my favorite airports. Next time, I’m bringing an extra battery and a GSM phone.

When fun becomes an imposition

Yesterday I jumped on the train home and fired up the laptop to finish those last minute emails I missed at the end of the day. As luck would have it, the Cubs played a double header yesterday (scores, 8-3, 3-8) and I had 3 “fans” sitting across from me in the train. To say these guys were loaded is an understatement. Not rude, just loaded and not willing to slip into the hushed voices and no eye contact mode appropriate for the train. After awhile the guy next to them put down his paper and engaged them in a conversation. I eventually talked to them about 5 or 10 minutes although I think it was about the time their hangovers were starting to kick in.

Bottom line: Nice group of people who had been over served. Its curious why at the end of the day, a lighthearted conversation seems to be the last thing commuters want to do. I’m going to try not to become one of those cocoon commuters even though I’m typing this with my head phones on, listening to Madonna covers on a Coverville podcast (http://www.coverville.com/).

My next column will be from an airplane on the way to India. I hope to have some pictures and interesting stories from the other side of the globe. Of coarse you may ask, “why start now”?

JohnF

Podcasting hiccups

I thought I’d finally start recording this week since the kids are at grandpa’s in Kansas. Unfortunately, my mic doesn’t have enough gain to drive the computer. The kicker is a friend just told me he threw away a Shure mic. Ouch! I may need to make a trip to Radio Shack.

 

For those with young kids, Dan Klass (http://www.thebitterestpill.com) did a good show on 3-20-2005 and discussed kid appropriate TV. I have to agree with him although my personal preference is to see things exploding or exploring adult situations. Such is the dilemma of parents.

 

JohnF

I'm thinking of changing the name to "provertycast"

Not because I’m broke (different discussion) but because as I looked around, I realized my equipment presents some challenges.

I’m using a 3 year old Archos mp3 player, a microphone from my camcorder and a cable I found at my father in-law’s garage sale. I also have Koss earphones that look like they were dragged behind my car.

I’d love to get a Zen Micro or an iRiver. I’m not sure what the real differences are but the Zen has a pretty good built in microphone...but no plug for an external mic.

I love the fact that the Archos recharges itself off of the USB port but I’d die for ACC file support (bookmarks). Maybe after tax time.

Monday’s dragging…

Just couldn’t get up this morning for some reason. Wasn’t packed up and had a bunch of stuff in the wrong room. Needless to say, it was a mad dash to the train. Forget about locking the car and paying for parking. I used the remote for the car from the train and I can always pay parking later (under the threat of towing). I have a new employee starting this morning and an interview (double booked) so it was critical to not be late.

A follow up to the lost mp3 player story. I dropped a note to the chairman of the Metra for the great customer service. He sent a return note thank me for the positive feedback. I think I'll drop a copy off by the station. Everyone deserves a stroke every once in awhile.

Second follow up: I decided to not start podcasting until the wife and kids take off for spring break (I have no vacation time). I’m listening to Patty Paay on the Adam Curry podcast and decided I need to get the technical stuff down before I get anyone else involved.

Final note: I picked up a six of Stella last night on the recommendation of Mr. X and must say it has a pretty interesting taste. I still favor American microbrews but this was one I’d buy for my lite beer friends. It has a light color but is not a skunk beer like Heineken, Becks, etc.

A different commute

Thursday was little JohnF's birthday so like all suburban parents, we decided to host a party at Chucky Cheese. It's expensive but when you consider they do almost everything and they have beer, its worth it. One down side is the closest home of the big rat is 15 miles north but an almost 45 minute drive at rush hour.

I enjoyed taking the Crystal Lake train but I can't figure out why it takes less time, is the same distance and cost less. I must live in the wrong zip code.

JohnF

The morning commute

I write this morning from a Chicago Metra train bound for downtown. They announced a few moments ago that we’re one car short. They are packed in like sardines. For once it pays to live at the end of the line.

Ten days ago I had an interesting experience with Metra. I was late arriving for the morning train (no surprise) and made the mad dash, getting on the closest car. Once I settled in, I grabbed my headphones and …nothing! My mp3 player was not where it should have been. I quick self-examination just short of full cavity search revealed nothing. I asked the conductor to keep an eye out. I called the station and told the ticket agent where my car was in case it was on the ground. Finally I called home to see if it was sitting in the driveway.

While talking to my wife, my phone beeped in another call. I flashed over and talked to the ticket agent I had spoken with just minutes before. He said he saw nothing on the ground but did see a small grey case on the front seat. Relieved is not the right word to describe how I felt.

I know many people who serve the public get a bad rap for poor customer service but I have never found this to be true. From the gentleman who went out of his way to look for my mp3 player to the conductor who never says a word when I’m the last one on the 6 PM train, they are all professionals.

Welcome to 30,000 feet

It's Saturday night, the kids are upstairs and I think I'm running a fever. Seems like the perfect time to start blogging. Actually, I really want to start podcasting but gotta get the infrastructure in place first.

If your wondering about the name, 30,000 feet came from, you'll have to wait.