Don't Quit... throw in the towel... Do it!

 After getting my (at least) 10th rejection email from F5 Networks today, I am try to determine if I actually want to work for a company that apparently sees no value in my services. I've applied for sales/service and technical positions there - all of which I would do a "kick ass" job at, yet... I still have only had one phone interview. Heck.. I've even met with the person in charge of the HR department and still haven't got anywhere. Originally, they told me that I was applying across to broad of a spectrum and I appreciated that and listened. So, I am now only applying in their services organization and hoping for some miracle to happen. My real question to myself is when do I draw the line and quit waisting my energy on this company?  Of course the other side of me, being used to having been knocked down before tries to rally my "competitive tennis player" personality and says... "I'll be back" and will keep plugging away and trying to find a way to get hired by these guys. At the same time, I am also interested in working for a company that sees a value in me as well.  I've had other companies where I have applied to at least 10 positions (Premera.com) and the same story, only I don't really get as much feedback with their recruiters, just the "no thanks" email and good ridence.

I orginally wanted to work at F5 or Premera based on those companies having been voted as some of the top places to work in Washington.

 The opposite of quiting is "DO IT" as the sign says and don't allow the "negatives" to get your down. Use them to provide feedback as to the "why" you are not getting the interviews? Is it my resume perhaps? The one that I payed some "career coach" to have prepare. I actually had asked the guy at F5 if my resume was OK and he said yes. However, I am beginning to wonder. I know that I need to cater it more to the specific job requirement at hand.

I am supposed to hear from the person that is the hiring manager for the possible position that my long time friend told me about. He left him a message to call me tomorrow and hopefully this will lead to something in the "positive" direction.

Best!
Brian

I sometimes feel like I'm striking out

 It's hard sometimes during this "job search" that I just feel like I'm striking out. I must have applied for 10 jobs today and emailed a few of my other recruiters/contacts about prior resume submissions and their status.  It's easy to have the "woe is me" attitude and think of all the negative things - like my severance dwindling down, my unemployment going to end in a few months. All these "negative" vibes have a tendency to lure over you if you let them.

I am watching pastor John Hage's message on "Living to Win" and he just made some great points on forgiveness and how it sets you free when you forgive "anyone" that's every done you wrong.  Also how "leadership" demands constant achievement - don't settle what you did last week. Keep fresh, keep pleasing GOD.  Oh... Learn to fly, get out of your "comfort zone" and GOD says "FLY" and reach your divine destiny! That message really hits me. Think and Act like a champion - a child of GOD.  What you fear will destroy you is another great point.  I decided to buy the CD's for myself!

There's not a day that I don't think about my "flying" issue and ask myself "Is this the day you're going to fly"  or "Is this the day, you will overcome your fears and quit being a coward"? It's a viscous circle that I don't want to let continue - and why I am trying to face the fear head on. As the Bible clearly states, you should NOT FEAR, rather only FEAR GOD, he's got your life in the palm of his hands and he's got the plan already destined for you. A message to me, "Get off the the "Self" horse and let Jesus take the wheel as the song goes!

Speaking of fears, while just searching for something, I came across a great article here. I think it's interesting in the picture how we all feel like we are the "black" people in the picture and if we'd just face our fears, we'd become the red person (who we know deep down) is the person that we want to become and the person GOD had intended us to be. After all, FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) is just that. It's all in our heads!

Brian

Helping others-It's the right thing to do!

I am so thankful to be able to give something back to others. Being the recipient of a "second chance" at life, I am blessed to be able to help others. I feel it's my way of being able to give something back as GOD chose to show favor on me. Today, I received a call from a young man that is presently trying to determine what he should do about his "enlarged" aortic root and the fact that he's got a bicuspid value issue as well. (Def) A bicuspid valve is also known as the mitral valve or semi-lunar valve with only two cusps (instead of three); situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. It ensures the unidirectional flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

In writing this "post" I discovered a person's website that is completely devoted to this type of heart valve replacement surgery. His name is Adam Pick.  It appears that he's had a valve replacement surgery as well.   Ok.. back to my topic of "helping others" and my original point of this post. My friend is really feeling like he's living with a "time-bomb" inside his chest and that's the last thing you want to be worrying about. In this day in age, we have numerous highly competent surgeons that do this type of valve replacement surgery. Often times, the valve can be saved and other times, a mechanical type  of valve will be the only option.  The main point that I can provide to this person is "resources" and a listening ear. That's what people need to know is that there's hope for them and that there's been others before them that have had to go through very similar situations. And.. guess what? They made it through and so can you!

I have spoken to hundreds of aortic dissection patients and have been so "overjoyed" to have been able to help them in some shape or form that's what makes my day!

All the best!

Brian

Varicose Veins-Going to get the surgery

It's a beautiful day out side as I am writing this blog at 7:43am. I just returned from my 5:30-7:00am doubles, and we had a great match. My partner and I won in a 3rd set tie-breaker. I am playing pretty good right now and hope to continue.



I signed up for the varicose vein procedure (left leg only) for the 25th July at 10:30am. I am a bit nervous, but... I will "JUST DO IT" and get it over with. It's something that needs to be done and I am going to the best guy around.

 A surgeon who's done way more than anyone around this area.  My surgeon is Dr. Charles R Strub  at the Puget Sound Vein Center.  I am having the Venus Closure done with the radio frequency versus the one with the laser.  According to some, the Laser is too hot and leaves quite  a bit of "bruising and swelling" -not to mention being more painful.  My left leg is my worse leg in terms of looks. My greater saphenous vein is pretty much "toast" and doesn't work, so when my calves pump blood up to the heart, the saphenous vein attempts to carry it up, but it comes right back down due to faulty bunch of valves. Luckily, this vein is superficial and not really needed. Unless, you need "bypass" surgery - and in my case, since both of mine are bad, I am just praying I never need that surgery!

The venus closure technique  will be partially used on my left leg and 100% on my right leg. They will need to do an additional treatment called Foam sclerotherapy - the reason is that my saphenous vein in my left leg is kind of tangled up and the device apparently for the venus closure is for a "straight" shot type of treatment. My right leg is completely straight for that procedure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



We are having my parents and brother's family over this Sunday for my daughter's 13th birthday celebration. We are anxious to see everyone and show them our new paint job on the house. 

I am getting really tired of my tennis buddies asking me, "Tinsley, when are you getting a job?" or how's the interviewing going? I simply laugh it off - but I would like to tell them, "I got a job and start on "x" date.... Next question please?  They are great guys, but... it's getting annoying all the time.

I have to hand it to the Word Press Blogging software. I have been a Microsoft Front Page 2003 user for many years. I originally had a blog with Google, but didn't ever like the layout. Plus, with this great theme from Brian Gardner, you can get this theme for free. I have been "blogging" for several years now and really enjoy being able to have this "outlet" as a form of therapy for me. My main goal of this site it to let "aortic dissection" survivors know that life goes on after having a dissection. And, that there is hope and others just like you who have gone through a very similar experience.

Have a great day!

Brian

A job possibility... Keeping my fingers crossed

I got a call from a one of my old buddies that I had worked with for many years at MCI and Verizonbusiness about a possible job opportunity. It sounds like it might be the one. I got a few more "rejections" notices today, however, the more of those I get, that just means the "yes" is getting closer.

My job with a medical company in Bothell, Wa didn't pan out either. It was an entry level position and I was over qualified. I am also running into this with another company and their minimal salary requirements.  Oh well, I am determined and WILL NOT give up. For example, I spent probably 2 hours today trying to get my SiteMap to work correctly. I was ready to throw in the towel, but gave it one more try and ... it worked! That's the attitude that you have to have in just about everything in life. As the famous quote goes, "If you want to succeed, you MUST double your failure rate" and it's so true!

I spent a good two hours studying the PMP stuff today. My topic for the day was the "time management" section. Wow.. some of this stuff is really dry and boring. I would still like to see this all the way through to the end and get my PMP certification.

It's Tuesday morning (5:30am) doubles in the morning and I am also hoping to hear from my friend about the job tomorrow. I also got another tip on a job for Vodafone.  I hope to hear from them as well.

Good Night!

Brian

Monday Morning... It's a beautiful day!

I discovered that there were a few more of my favorite "Olivia" drawings that I had forgot to show. This was a great Christmas one that she'd done.

It's back to reality and time to start the day searching for more job opportunities. I have an interview today at 2:00pm with a consulting firm and hope that it goes well.  I also emailed a couple of my contacts over at T-Mobile and F5 Networks again about possibilities.  My unemployment is at the "half way" point and that $515.00 per week is going to be running out soon - not to mention my severance is wind ling down as well.  I started working right out of college and never in a million years would have thought I would a) be laid off and b) have to rely on using the unemployeement system. 

I still have not heard back from the Verathon corporation about their posting for an "inside sales" rep and I even found out who their sales manager was and emailed him letting him know how excited I was about coming to work for them.  I also emailed and left 3 voicemails for the recruiter w/o any response. I feel like contacting the CEO and letting them know if they've got someone who's excited about their compnay - they better make sure they follow up. I could have been their best sales person ever and they'd never get the chance to see it come to fruition as they never contacted me.

This picture titled "what not to wear" was pretty good as well. My daughter is so creative.  I feel pretty sad that I can't really take the family on a summer vacation due to my not working status. Sure, I could blow more of my severance and do it, but I want to start working again and save some of the money for a "rain day" and that way, we'd have money for a vacation next year or for Christmas break.

My Starbucks craving is calling my name and it's time to head to the store. I think when I get back, I will contact Verathon directly again and try to figure out what is going on with them.

Have a great day!

Brian

Olivia's Day in Seattle-Happy 13th Birthday!

We spent part of the afternoon today visiting the Pike Place Market. You see all type of people there, including the "famous" fish tossing stand. We went down to the water front as well to see the Old Curiosity Shop. Then, I took my son and friend and went to Game Works while the gals shopped. We topped off the evening with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

 My site was voting by as Blog of the day and I thought that was pretty cool to have been selected. I hope others enjoy reading my blog and it helps people.

My daughter's is 13, I can not believe it. Today's she is now officially a "teenager" and I she's so beautiful. I loved holding her hand today walking in down town Seattle. It was a great day and I am so proud to be her father.  Olivia is such a special young lady with so much talent and tenacity. She's her student body president and a honor roll student.  Olivia's such a blessing to me and I am so proud of her. I thank GOD for allowing her to come into my life - I cherish her so much.  My life would not be complete with out her or my son Owen. My wife and I are so blessed with two healthy children.

I started out today playing some really good singles tennis and decided to not change raquets - rather get a few replacement ones. I found one on Ebay and am in the middle of working out a deal on it. I have 5 rackets now, of which 3 are ready to be handed down to the neighborhood kids to use.  I also got Tennis Warehouse to send me out some new replacement strings. I was surprised about that, but they will continue to get my business because of their great service.

If you are in need of wanting to chat with another aortic dissection survivor, please be sure to let me know by emailing me or going to my FORUM to see/chat with other folks who have experienced a dissection themselves.

I hope this week finally reveals my new job career path and I can get back on track with having a full time job again. I would love to have this happen this week. I have quite a few "irons" in the fire right now and feeling pretty good that it's going to lead to an official job offer. I am still (slowly but surely) working on my studying for the pmp exam. I am hoping to take the test in the fall.

Take Care,

Brian