“Oh, I’m too GOOD for that job…..”

“Oh, I’m too GOOD for that job…..”

It’s surprising how often you hear this, or some variation of it.

Not really…

I recently found myself thinking this, when assigned a number of tasks that I felt were better suited to someone with less qualifications.  I’m ashamed to admit that, for a brief period of time, I was resentful.  Than, as I continued to dwell on this, it occurred to me that I was pretty lucky to have a job, even one that I felt was occasionally “beneath” me.

A few weeks ago, the job that I had held for over eight years was eliminated, as part of a corporate reduction-in-force initiative. For the first time in nearly 24 years (I started working at least ten hours per week in 1990, a freshman in high-school at 14 years old), I was unemployed.  Sure, in the lead-up to the termination date, I had applied for some jobs, but no offers were received by then, and I was jobless.

After taking a couple of days to allow the enormity of what just happened to sink in, I started helping a friend on a home renovation.  This is something I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined I would ever be doing.  I’m not exactly Tim “The Toolman” Taylor (If you don’t get that, look up “Home Improvement” online).  I’m also not a fan of getting overly dirty.  Well, after tearing up a floor, cleaning up debris from a crawl-space, and helping install new floor beams, I got over that pretty fast.

Still, I have a Bachelor’s Degree.  I have 16 years experience working with Information Technology.  A simple day-laborer?  Ridiculous!  But, here’s the kicker.  If you are provided with an opportunity to provide for your family in a way that doesn’t violate your ethics, morals, man’s laws, or God’s laws, you take it.  And, while you don’t have to enjoy it, accept it for what it is.  Work…paying work.  Be thankful for the opportunity.  Keep searching for the “right” job, but don’t feel ashamed or resentful for the opportunity you have in front of you.  Work.  Do what the job requires.

I like what Thomas Edison has to say about this:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

And the Bible:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” – Colossians 3:23 ESV

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23 ESV

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 ESV

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” – Proverbs 10:4 ESV

Now, in full disclosure, it didn’t take too much longer to find a job more in line with my qualifications, as well as some other freelance opportunities.  And I found that actually do enjoy (and continue with) the renovation work, when it fits into the various schedules.

Really need to get moving on that old Jeep

I’ve had an on-again/off-again relationship with my old 1992 Jeep Cherokee for two or three years now, and need to get serious about this thing.

There are numerous issues here:

1.  The “Death Rattle”.  Try going above 50 mph in the beast, and you get introduced to it rather quickly.  It feels like the front end is about to fall off the thing completely.  Not an issue if you are patient and not in a hurry, except….

2.  No Speedometer/Odometer.  Both quit working early this past winter, which makes dealing with #1 a bit interesting, but kind of became less of an issue, because….

3.  Fuel system issues.  Leaning towards it being moisture related, as the only times I have problems with the fuel system is when it is exceedingly cold outside.  Hoping replacing the fuel filter deals with that, but the Jeep sat for a fair bit of time before I bought it.

4.  Heat/AC Blower.  I get hot and cool air, just no speed control on blower.  Stuck on low, which isn’t really an issue, except when the windshield needs defrosted (not that the Jeep runs in the winter anyway).

There’s a few other relatively minor issues (lamp replacements, no stereo), but above are my four biggies.

#1 will be a mechanics job.  No doubt about it.  I can do a few diagnostic “tests”, but there’s no way I’m tackling that myself.  I do not have the skills needed.  #2, #3 and #4 may be manageable, depending on the extent of work needed.  Lamp replacements and stereo are cake issues, may even skip the whole stereo.

Overall, the beast runs well.  4wd works.  Transmission is solid.  She has good tires.  She is old and ugly, but she’s paid for, which a key factor in my desire to rehabilitate her instead of disposal and replacement.  I’ll never be taking her on a cross-country drive, but she’s still good for everyday stuff.

Goodbye, Facebook….for now.

Made the decision to deactivate my Facebook account today.  It originally began as an “April Fools’ Day” joke, but as I thought about it over the next few hours, I realized how much time and effort I devote to Facebook.  I came to realize that following through with the decision to deactivate would be a pretty effective behavior modification tool.  Of course, as with any other addiction, we’ll see how long my going “cold turkey” lasts.  After all, reactivation is really only a log-in away!

That being said, it is somewhat relaxing to not have to worry about who is “talking” about what on Facebook.

Blogging, again.

I thought it might be fun to try my hand at actual writing again, as opposed to the Tweets and Facebook status updates I’ve been limiting myself to, of late. My intent is to use this space to share my love of computer technology, literature, talking about news and other random things.

Hopefully, you readers might find it entertaining, and possibly educational, at times.