I want to start off this blog with a shout-out to Yoel for letting me know that there are people besides my mother and Malia who are actually reading this. Thanks Yoel!

Based on emails, a lot of you seem to think that you can't post comments unless you log in. This is not the case, so I wanted to clear that up. If you do have a gmail or blogger account, then logging in is just an option. When you log in, the only difference is that when you post, there's a link to your profile if you even have one. Most people don't. So here's an example:

Where it says, "Choose an identity," simply select "name/URL" you only have to fill in your name, not a URL. That's optional. You can also select "anonymous" if you just want to be super shady, but that's your call. So comment away. Please! :)

Anyway, I realize I never followed up about hanging out with Peter, my ex from high school. Unfortunately, our schedules just couldn't match up, so we didn't get to see each other. So no story. Sorry!

So this is a little late, but I took a picture today of one of the fallen trees down the street from Sawyer's house. You can see where the branch was eventually cut off and the remaining part on the left. and all the branches that haven't been picked up yet. when this was in the street, it was blocking the entire road. you could barely walk around it, it was so big. Again, I wish I had taken pictures at the time.

Back to the job situation.

I went in meet with the HR Recruiter for Company C on Wednesday. This ended up being a really good interview and they are actually looking to fill some positions. We had discussed one called a Merchandise Analyst (Company C, as I had mentioned, is a well known-corporation. It's actually a retail store, but I would be working in corporate). That position would entail my travelling to my territory (anywhere in the country) once a month to oversee how the sales of that specific store is doing and make sure that we are consistently increasing. If not, then brainstorming ways to improve. All good stuff. It sounded really interesting to me. However, the recruiter seemed unsure as to how soon they were looking to fill the spot if at all. He tried to get me to meet with the manager of that division, but her schedule was full. He said he would call me later in the day to set up a time to meet with the manager.

So I got home just in time to go with Occifer Lembo to the airport to pick up my ATL roomie, Dan. Dan K is in town for Dan P's bachelor party this weekend. Unfortunately I won't get to see Dan P since I'll be in Seaside by the time he gets here. Bummer. But anyway, we went back to Lembo's house and proceeded to introduce Dan K to rock band. Then Mike K showed up and the four of us rocked out. I tell you. IT IS ADDICTING. Fortunately Sawyer has it as well, so I'm just waiting for her and Steve to come home so we can play. :) Anyway, Occifer lembo had a work obligation, so Mike K, Dan K and I went to grab some wings and watch basketball with Dan W. Yes. My friends are all named Mike or Dan. Because Occifer Lembo's name is Mike as well. This gets very confusing which is why they are all referred to by last names for the most part. Even my parents call them by their last names because it's just too damn confusing. Anyway, it was like old times hanging out with these boys. But it was a bummer that Seton Hall lost. :(

So while I had called Company B to follow up with my day in the field (left a voicemail) and was waiting on Company C to call me about a follow up, 5P had come and gone with no calls. Which didn't worry me. Quite the contrary. This meant I had Thursday FREE. No getting up at 545A to get into the city.

So by this afternoon, I had heard from both companies B and C. The recruiter with Company C said that I was actually going to meet with someone in the sales and marketing department. They want to discuss a new position with me--one that they are creating. It sounds very similar to the analyst position, he says it's a position that's being created. Still sounds interesting. So I'm going in Tuesday afternoon.

Company B wants me to meet with one last guy before an offer can be made. The guy could only meet on Monday. Problem is I'm going to the city for the St Paddy's Parade. So we worked it out that I'm actually going to his office here in Jersey, about 15 minutes from Ridgewood at 8AM. So it works out well. Hopefully it will be only an hour, then I can go back to Sawyer's, change, and get in the city. So we'll see how this affects my day. I'm supposed to go to a party hosted by the Emerald Society at Chelsea Pier around 2p, so hopefully this won't conflict because I'm really excited to go!

Anyway, the bottom line between these two jobs.....the pay at Company B is good. I stand to nearly double my salary. They are a well respected company and have been consistently ranked by Forbes as one of the best companies to work for. However, I think Company C is a better fit. The problem, however, is that the recruiter from Company C hinted that they may drag their feet with the hiring process. I've been out of work for a month and a half. I don't have time to wait around for an offer from Company C that may never come. I also don't know the salary at Company C. Company B has a great salary and I stand to nearly double my salary from Atlanta. However, when I asked the Company C recruiter about another position I had seen on the website, he said that it wouldn't be the salary I would probably want and was more of an entry-level position. So with that, I'm thinking the salary would be pretty competitive. I'll see what I can find out next week.

So that's it on the job front!

Tomorrow I leave for Lavalette to spend the weekend with Emily (aka Maria). We're going to the Seaside St Paddy's parade on Saturday. I'll be back Sunday and then into the city Monday after my interview for the biggest parade of them all!

So that's it, I probably won't post again until Tuesday or maybe Wednesday. Hope everyone is doing well!

:)

Current book: "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg