Ready for the weekend

9:48pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Friday night, November 25, 2022. Woke up this morning in Santa Clarita, California. Spent time walking the dog, reading the paper and drinking coffee. Drove to Orange County this afternoon, did some shopping with my daughter before settling in for the night. I walked the dog, then got ready for bed. All in all a good low key day. Ready for the weekend tomorrow.

Not that busy

6:13pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 22, 2022. Still no update on the plan for tomorrow, but it looks like I will be able to get on the road early. That will help beat traffic. Today was non-eventful, a catch up day on neglected work projects, which is what I anticipated. It just isn’t that busy this time of year. I don’t mind. Right now all I want is to be home and spend a couple of days with my daughter.

The future

5:22pm, pacific standard time, Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, July 16, 2022. Drove to California this morning, had a good conversation with my daughter’s mom about work, living arrangements and the future. We will do what is best for us our daughter, whatever that takes. At the beach right now. Tried to connect with my best friend from high school who is in town this weekend but, he is at Disneyland . Might be too much for him, and me, to get together today.

4th of July 2022

10:01pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Monday, July 4, 2022. Took it easy today, then visited friends for a bbq and fireworks at a neighbors house. There was a carnival nearby so us two dads took the daughters over for a bit. Mostly standing in line for tickets , cotton candy and a ride but, everyone had fun. I am exhausted and ready for bed.

Best to be prepared

4:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2022. The recruiter I have been working with for the Riverside, California job reached out to me this afternoon, asking when I could be available for a future in-person meeting. I offered a couple days next week and one after the upcoming holiday. He told me things were progressing smoothly and this should be the last step. I am starting to feel confident. So confident that today I began pricing houses and scouting areas to live. It is best to be prepared for any contingency in a situation like this.

Glacier slow

5:25pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday evening, June 24, 2022. Two interviews today; first was the fourth in a series with one of the two Riverside, California groups. The meeting went well, good conversation between me and the regional Human Resources Director. From what he shared I am their choice and an offer should be coming by the end of next week. The second interview did not go so well. It was for the other Riverside, California position. There were a lot of red flags with that outfit to begin with (posting and hiring behind someone’s back) and the conversation with the Chief Marketing Officer was less than impressive. I will not move forward with them. No word on the Client Success Executive position. I assume it is a no go but, you never know. Seems employers disappear for days, even weeks, then contact me again out of the blue. Finally, the Rancho Cucamonga, California team got back to me this morning but, they don’t want to meet until the week after next. Crazy. Is it just me or is every hiring process going glacier slow these days? I don’t think I have interviewed this much in my life without getting at least one offer.

Inadvertent scare

5:33pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday evening, June 22, 2022. Another day, another interview. This one was a brief meeting with a new recruiter concerning a position here in the valley. I said I was willing to move forward but, to be honest, it is not really the right job for me. Also, this afternoon, I wrote follow up emails from yesterdays interviews and scheduled two more meetings for the rest of the week. On a personal note, my daughter’s mom texted this morning saying our daughter was exposed to Covid yesterday. Apparently, there is no concern unless she starts showing symptoms. Of course, as a concerned parent, I texted my daughter to see how she was feeling and to say I was worried about her. She was surprised. Apparently, the information was conveyed to her mom after she had gone to morning summer classes, but my daughter herself had not heard about the situation. The good news is, no issues so far. The bad news, I inadvertently gave her a scare.

Always look forward, never back

5:26pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, May 24, 2022. The hiring director for the job in San Diego contacted me today. I have a virtual interview with Senior Leadership next Thursday. In addition, I was contacted for a different position this afternoon. It would require more travel and commitment but, at a much higher salary. Either way, I will return to California and be close to my daughter. I accept whatever outcome fate offers me. Always look forward, never back.

A silver lining after all

3:00pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday afternoon, May 17, 2022. The interview this morning went well. I got insight from a former colleague, they have one more candidate on Thursday, then the next round of interviews start. I imagine a trip to San Diego will happen next week to meet with employees at the site. On a personal note, my daughter’s school is hosting a potluck at a baseball game Sunday. Since I don’t have to rush back for work, I can go with her. What do you know? There is a silver lining to being laid off after all.

San Diego update

5:21am, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday morning, May 11, 2022. Yesterday was the second interview for the job in San Diego; this time with the hiring manager. Our conversation was engaging, lasting longer than the time allotted for the call; which is typically a good sign. He told me I would advance to the next round and that a recruiter would be reaching out for appointment times. At this point, there are likely four interviews to go; perhaps fewer, if some are done as a group or in panel format. Depending on their urgency and desire to fill the position quickly, I should know a definitive outcome by the end of next week.