Resolutions vs Goals

So much for keeping up with the blog. As you can see I haven't posted anything since Nov. 2007. All is well, I'm still at the Library and love it but that is not the topic of this posting.

I wanted to talk about New Years resolutions and since today is Groundhog Day it may be the best day to bring it up. I mean, doesn't everyone make the same resolutions every year and pretend they have never made them (or broke them) before. I have waited a full month to make my resolutions so I could really think about it. My first resolution is not to make resolutions. I know this sounds like a contradiction but I decided to put more pressure on myself and set goals for this year.

Resolutions are usually made with the expectation that they will be broken. They are usually generalizations of better health or diet habits, etc...No harm, no foul because no one really expected you to do it. Goals are different. They are usually very specific and if you don't achieve them or at least give an all out attempt to achieve them you have failed.

So in this spirit I am going to list, in no particular order, some of my goals for this year. I'm keeping the more personal ones to myself.

1. Update this blog at least once per month if not more. I believe by doing this I'll force myself outside of my comfort zone and possibly become more alert of what's going around me since I'll need new ideas to write about.
2. Lose 50 pounds. I know this will be a tough one. It has taken me a couple of years of half-hearted effort but I am 50 pounds down from my highest weight ever.
3. Call my brothers at least 2x per month. This may not sound like enough but its better than the once every 2 months I have been calling.
4. Read 20 books. I made it through about 10 last year.
5. Complete 4 paintings. I'm horrible at painting but I do enjoy it.

Ok, I know there are only 5 goals listed but I have others that I decided to keep to myself.

As always I'll keep you posted.

Currently Playing: Fatboy Slim - The Greatest Hits: Why Try Harder - Weapon of Choice

Ok, I'm Tired

I started at the library on Oct. 16. It is a lot different than what I was used to. I went from a desk job where I sat 8+ hours in front of a computer and rarely got up and walked around to a job that I am on my feet 8 hours a day. Most of that time is spent walking and lifting books. I don't think I'm going to need a gym membership for a while. The first week I thought my legs and feet were going to fall off. I was sore in places I hadn't thought about for years. Now after 3 weeks on the job about the only constant ache I have is my back. I am living on aspirin and Tylenol but I know the back pain will subside as I lose weight. Which by the way I have lost at least 10 pounds since I started working. All is going well at the library. I get to see a wide range of people and things.

I know this entry is kind of sparse and boring but I think I need to go take some more aspirin.

As always, Take care and I'll keep you posted.

What if....

Ok, I took the offer but I didn't expect a background check to take 2 weeks. Here is where Paul Harvey would repeat "2 weeks" for extra emphasis. I had never experienced this kind of wait just to see if I had a job. In the past, I had never interviewed for a job and not gotten it, much less had to wait for a background check.

I have spent the last 2 weeks fretting. What could take so long? What could they have found that would slow them down? What if I don't pass? They even called me after a week to ask for a copy of my high school diploma. Luckily after 26 years I still have it.

But all this is past now. I called today and they have finished the background check and I start tomorrow.

Great, now a whole new reason to fret. What if they don't like me? What if I fail? What if.......

I Took It!

Ok, here's the job search score so far: 50 applications, 5 interviews and 1 offer.

You guessed it, I took the offer. After a score like the one listed above, why wouldn't I? I read all the self help articles on Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com which advise you to never take the first offer because the next job could be "The Job". But what if the first job is "The Job"?

Since I was a kid, going to the library was a big deal. Mom would take us about every 2 weeks and let us roam around and check out whatever we wanted to. Within reason of course. We weren't allowed to check out explicit adult material but we could check out items that may have been more advanced reading than we were prepared for. How else would we learn to push our limits and improve our reading skills? Since that time, reading has been a major part of my life. I enjoy reading and will read just about anything including every road sign I pass. This little quirk drives my wife crazy especially when she is driving and mistakes my sign reading for directions.

What has all this got to do with "The Job"? For years I have told my friends I was going to work at Starbucks or Barnes & Noble. Most likely B&N since you had to get up too early to be at Starbucks. Well, I think I did one better. The offer came from the local library. I will be a Circulation Assistant checking books in and out, shelving books, etc... I get to work with books, help people enjoy books and the earliest I have to be at work will be 9am and the latest I have to stay is 9pm. How could it get any better than that?

All I have to do now is wait for the background check results before they let me start work. That shouldn't be a big deal since I have led a fairly dull life. No smoking, no drugs, no arrests, and 1 speeding ticket. Not a bad record for 44 years of living.

Of course, as always, I'll keep you posted.

Check out my new employer at www.ppld.org.