Carolina Sunrise.....

I snapped this sunrise picture at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg NC on a clear wonderful January morning. The image is the Katherine MacKay Belk Bell Tower overlooking Lake Ansley C. Moore.

Job Search...

Today I woke up feeling good...managed to get one resume mailed. I'm heading to NC to visit my folks...mother having knee surgery..to be supportive. This is tough because my mind is telling me I need to be focused on getting a job...and not with my folks. I have plans to spend the time wisely with my dad doing projects around his home plus I want to take him several places...and entertain my mom if she is able. I will also keep looking over the Toledo Blade on the internet. I will have fun...if it kills me..! This is part of my recovery program...the part where you go with-the-flow. Wish me luck...!

Perception of Poor Quality Hurts US Autos Makers!

I read and found intersting that CNW Market Research meets with a group of would-be car buyers and plays a trick on them. Someone at the company, which specializes in auto sales trends, takes a Toyota Camry, removes any identifying logos, and tells them it's a new model from one of the U.S. based auto makers. Or it takes a domestic car and tells them it's a Toyota or another import model. Either way the results are the same. "If they think it's an American car, the perception of the vehicle falls dramatically. Detroit really gets a bum rap in the U.S."" said Mr. Spinella, vice president of CNW Market Research. The issue of public perception is coming into sharper focus for the big 3 as they try to compete and survive in this global economy.

Need Web Hits...

Anyone in the e-commerce business knows the importance of getting web traffic to your sight...and just as important getting them to return. Well Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) a company from New Zeland is redefining e-commerce by a process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via natural or organic search results for targeted keywords. These guys and girls rethink your web site content and adjust it to be presented to search engines in a very specific but subtle way in order to achieve top rankings for popular search phrases. If your at the top of the search engine list your likely to get more hits...and there folks have 9 years in the business with proven sucess.

Depression....Get Help..!

Several people I love suffer from a devastating disease called depression. Some of the most recognized symptoms of depression include a profound feeling of sadness or loss of interest. If you've been experiencing some combination of the following emotional or physical symptoms for more than two weeks, and it clearly interferes with your life, discuss your concerns with your doctor:

Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day
Loss of interest in or enjoyment of your favorite activities
Feeling of worthlessness
Trouble making decisions
Fatigue or lack of energy
Sleeping too much or too little
Change in appetite or weight
Trouble concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide
Aches and pains
Restlessness

It's important to seek medical help if you think you are depressed because there are treatments and therapies available to help with the symptoms of depression.

Job Search...

Today I woke up anxious....I have a friend who told me to take it a day at a time...that is good advice! On the job front I worked on one resume...managed to walk in the snow...ate light...and didn't start any new projects.

Job Search....

Today I decided to leave off...the week and day...on the title. It doesn't fit well with the mental attitude that I'm trying to embrace! I don't want to look back or be constantly reminded of that day, therefore it will now be titled Job Search. I desire, want, crave, hope and any other adjective you can come up with...to look at this layoff as an opportunity...not as a misfortune. I need to say this to get it out of my system: Bay Controls Inc. stinks as a company!
I need not say more...Thank You Jesus...for saving me! Today..I managed to get one resume ready to send...MLK Day..no mail! Filed for this weeks weekly benefits, and signed up for a Veterans Job Search Workshop in February all done on the web.


Finished reading "All Quiet on the Western Front", walked...but cold as heck...and did one maze puzzle..ate light..all in a effort to regain my concentration and my dignity.

PhotoHunt #93: Important

Providence Dam located on the Maumee River was built in 1838 to provide water for the Ohio and Erie canal and played an important role in the development of Ohio. When the canal opened it provided a way for farmers to get their crops to the world and help turn this region into a bread basket. Providence Dam played an important role in that event.

Job Search...week 2..day 10

I'm definitely starting to feel better...and in the nick of time. Received Croba paperwork in mail...and yes its a nightmare! Cobra insurance is $1183.46 a month for my family...this is definitely not a good thing! Nothing to report on the employment or unemployment scene. Very cold outside..but I managed to walk, ate light..and read 25 pages of my war novel.

Job Search...week 2..day 10

Woke up this morning feeling good...my attitude...positive! Feel like I'm stating to come around..my concentration is getting better..Managed to read roughly 35 pages of "All Quiet on the Western Front"...walked two miles...and ate light. I've had a really bad cold...made worse by a visit to the dentist for a cleaning...that is starting to break up. My goal for today...look for 2 job opening in the area via the Internet..troubleshoot a friends PC..some preventive maintenance on the wife's car...read...walk! Wish me luck...

Job Search...week 2..day 9

Woke up this morning feeling..anxious..don't understand why..since I felt so calm yesterday! I told myself that I can't be..anxious..and its helping but a struggle. I need to change my attitude and get on the offence...easier said than done! The mind...will make or break you!
My goal for today...tweak resume...mail one...walk...and read "All Quiet on the Western Front" (which I started a month ago) as part of my effort to regain my concentration. Wish me luck...

Job Search...week 2..day 8

Building this simple puzzle has been the best tool so far in helping me regain my concentration! It took roughly 12 hours to build...forcing my mind to concentrate on colors, shapes, and images. Did I mention it was fun...my son helped with the last 50 pieces and wants to do another puzzle...You know what? Something positive has happened...my son and I are doing another puzzle...that's a good thing! Managed to get one resume out today. Received several email from friends encouraging me...and I appreciate each and every one. Walked and managed to eat..not much..but its a start.

Job Search...week 2..day 8

Woke up this morning feeling positive ..got up twice during the night but other than that I feel pretty good. I spent 10 minutes outside this morning with my binoculars looking at Mars and feeling awed...got myself showered and ate breakfast before 8am..I hope that means I coming around. Working on that pizzle is really helping me get my concentration back. My goal for today is two resumes...and finish that pizzle and all the other things that make our lives what they are...I'm off for a walk!

Job Search...week 2..day 7

Woke up every hour on the hour...anxious...forced myself to eat a piece of toast. Food doesn't sound good right now. Got thru to unemployment office and updated the missing personal information. Worked on resume..installing Yahoo messenger on all my computers so I can VOIP over the Internet...really neat tool...and its free..no phone bills...I like that. Worked on a 500 piece puzzle and am over half way through...putting it together has really helped me get my concentration back..hope to finish it by tomorrow. As the day wore on I felt better...

Job Search...week 2..day 6

Didn't sleep well last night...woke up every 2 hours...finally got up at 5am. Woke up feeling very anxious...went outside and took 10 deep breaths..it helped for a few minutes.
Tried to call unemployment but couldn't get through to a person and I hate listening to the instructions: for English press 1...give me a break...and it just got worse! I don't know how people commit fraud...I'm having to jump through hoops...unreal! Does anyone out there know the magical short cut to talk to a person..it used to be press 0 and you would get someone?
Walked 3 miles and visited the "Window on Wildlife" at the park and saw many, many birds. Wasn't able to eat today..food just doesn't sound good! I started putting a 500 piece puzzle together trying to keep my mind active. I'm finding it extremely difficult to concentrate...I need my readers to encourage me!

Sunday Afternoon walk...

Walking in the local park around Mallard Lake I came across these 3 ducks grooming. It was relatively warm...38 degrees...I was glad seeing so many people using the park...that's a good thing!

PhotoHunt #92: Skinny

If you look hard enough you can find all PhotoHunt themes in nature. These pines were planted in the 30's and over the years have grown very tall and skinny. You should see them sway when the wind blows...incredible.

Job Search...week 1...day 5...

Today is my 5th day unemployed and I don't like it! Had breakfast with a friend, then worked on my Linux PC connecting to the Internet. I like Linux...it can do some really cool things! Logged on to the unemployment site....updated information and answered corespondents. No resumes sent out...decided to put resume away for two days..then break out and redo. Hard to maintain a positive attitude...emotions all over scale..hope for the best.

Job Search...week 1...day 4...

I feel good today...woke up with a good attitude! Received some correspondence from the unemployment office today...something about my sons SS number and a pin number to register weekly on their web site. No resumes sent out today...worked on resume..searched the web, fine tuned several PCs and went to the dentist for a cleaning. To keep my mind busy I read 10 pages of the novel "All Quite on the Western Front" and did one maze puzzle and walked 3 miles. On my walk yesterday I managed to get this picture...look closely...see natures sentinels...their watching me! Trying to maintain a positive attitude...

Freedom of Information Act...

I read today that Congress recently moved to expand the Freedom of Information Act by making records held by government contractors subject to the law and increasing the penalties for non-compliance. The house passed the legislation with a voice vote, and the Senate passed it 3 weeks ago. The bill restores disclosure standards that commits government agencies to releasing requested information unless there is a finding that such disclosure could do harm. We need more disclosure to prevent government abuses against the wishes of the people.

Job Search...week 1..day 3

Managed to sleep 5 hours...woke up feeling positive! My goal for today..two resumes mailed..finish building PC for a friend and exercise both physical and mental. I'm forcing myself to read "All Quite on the Western Front" and to work "Sit and Solve Mazes" trying to keep the maze called the mind..from driving me insane!

St. Andrews Presbyterian College...

I managed to get this picture of the Belk Bell Tower located in the center of campus Dec 23. The bell sounded every quarter hour in a very pleasing tone that could be heard on the course I walked.

Job Search...week 1..day 2

I walked this trail yesterday morning as part of my regiment to gaining employment. The walk started off pleasant enough with the Maumee River roaring on one side and birds singing on the other side of the canal. As I approached lock 43 of the canal..truck traffic became a distraction...so I left the trail and walked the banks of the river. It felt wonderful being close with nature.
Managed to get through to the Unemployment Office yesterday afternoon...because of unusually high call volume. Finished my resume...was difficult since my concentration is short. My goal is to get two resumes sent out per day and follow leads and suggestions from friends. Wish me luck and a positive attitude!!!

My Job Search...week 1..day 1

This was my first weekend unemployed and it was extremely rough. My emotions one minute calm the next minute very anxious! Church was very difficult...my heart and soul was not receptive to the message being delivered. I walked several miles but vaguely remember it. All my friends and family have offered encouragement and to help my mental state I've printed out this reminder:

I will be successful. Everything I want will be achieved through the power of me. Go Help Me God!

Today my plans include filing for unemployment, sending out resumes, walking and lunch with a friend.

My Job Search.....

My name is not important, my race, age, gender, have no bearings, what matters are my skills and abilities. Location is important, I live in NW Ohio in an area called Oak Openings part of The Maumee River Valley in the small town of Swanton, Ohio 25 miles west of Toledo, Ohio.

On Friday January 4, 2007 I was informed

Due to decreasing sales, the company has determined that it must reduce the size of its workforce and decrease expenses.

Yup...you guessed right! I'm the reduction to achieve the decreased expenses.

I have decided to share my experience with anyone who will read this blog. The good and the bad of having to find a new job beginning.

I think there are two ways to approach this opportunity. I can be negative (which is very hard not to be) or I can be positive (which is very hard to be).

I choose "Positive"! So follow me as I go down the unknown and as I fight the demons in my head that are holding me back to finding that job that is rewarding.

PhotoHunt #91: Delicious

Everyone in my home loves candy especially chocolate. Now I don't know if you would call them delicious but they sure are good...and is my PhotoHunt entry for this week.

New Years Day walk...2008

On New Years Day 2008 I walked the towpath of the restored Ohio & Erie Canal located in Grand Rapids Ohio. This portion of the restored canal starts at Providence Metropark and goes for about a mile ending at Kimble's Landing where starting in May the public can ride a restored canal boat. The Maumee River was on one side and the canal on the other side a very nice walk on a brisk cool day.