Almost Famous

What, are you like the star of your school?
They hate me.
You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle.

I was reading an article earlier this morning by The Sports Guy, ESPN's Bill Simmons. He wrote a column comparing this current NBA Offseason to one of our generation's greatest films, "Almost Famous." He utilized quotes from the coming of age film to illustrate his points regarding certain NBA players.

Stemming from an incident that occurred last night/this morning, the above quote struck me. If you recall, the quote in the movie takes place during a conversation between the film's protagonist, awkward teen William Miller, played to a tee by Patrick Fugit, and the character played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a writer, who is giving young William advice. I think it is such an epic quote, one that rings so true for all of us, thinking back to our awkward high school years.

Anyway, a friend of mine, posted some sh*tty things about me in our Fantasy Football message board. Which, by the way, I am the commissioner of the league. This "friend" was reacting to an earlier post from me, and he went over the top, attacking my current state of "joblessness" and my "sense of entitlement", because I write a blog, talking, talking, talking, about work/job, not actually doing it.

Well, in probably an over reactionary move, I resigned my post as Commish and also resigned from the league. F that.

I will admit, I am facing an uphill battle at this stage in the game, one which I created for myself. But, in the face adversity, one must buckle down, suck it up, and overcome. Adapt and overcome, that is. I learned that theory and college and try to live by it.

My goal is to learn from this low point in my life. Learn from it. Grow from it. And perservere from it. Have it make me a better man. A better man who will use this sh*t as fuel on my way to the top.

And on that way to the top, "I'll see you again, on your long journey to the middle."

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Proactively called a meeting with the CMC (Career Management Consultant) on Monday. As an attempt to keep myself motivated, check in, get some fresh ideas, etc; We went back over the fundamentals of the job search campaign. Which was good. I always leave that place feeling confident. He tells me I will get a job, companies would kill to have someone like me, that the fruits of my labor will pay off soon enough. When people get back to reality in September and sh*t. I hope that is true! Really just like to get in front of a live person. With a personality.

As you loyal followers may have remembered, I have/had decided I wanted to solely pursue the Insurance field, mainly Group Benefits Wholesaling...got a friend who does well, etc; This is not totally out, however I recently have been more focused not on that gig, but getting into a very reputable local company, Libery Mutual. I know 5-6 people who work there, one of whom is a very good friend. Who after, let's say seven years of working there, has 5 weeks of vacation, and has just been granted to go on a sabbatical. A real sabbatical, not like mine...

None of this has anything to do with the type of work I'll be doing. Does it even matter? I want to make good money, get benefits, have a great opportunity for upward mobility. I want to be a big shot. It's weird. I have networked, spoken, socialized, drank with many on these so-called "big shots." And I fit in, can hold my own, whether it comes do conversation, wit, look, whatever. Hence, I'd like to put myself in an opportunity, where if I work hard, do good work, get along with people, I can move up. Financially and in status. Because I can handle it. I have told people no matter what position you put me in, I'll do it and do it well. Yeah.

So I want to get into Liberty Mutual. I've applied for 1 job, which now that I think of it, I posted the rejection letter. Maybe I should go back and read these posts sometime. Anyway, the other position I have not heard back from, but my app was submitted through a friend. Not sabbatical friend. Other guy, whom I was told to submit through by another guy I know, who's a VP. Apparently, this VP cannot submit apps at his level. But, there's got to be some level of influence...

I saw another job opening that looked super cool, but again, its an "MBA Preferred" position. I know I can do the job, but I don't want to just submit to every position I see..., if I applied to that position, it'd make 3 I submitted for. I don't want to look like some type of a**hole here, you know?

My next move is to investigate a little deeper into the personnel, try to find SOMEONE who will meet with me, to let them see me in person, to see I'm a big stud. Also contact VP friend and see if he has any other bright ideas...or recommendations or referrals...Got to find some way in the door! I know, I know, patience....

On a positive, un-job related note, last week I fired an 86, a career low, on the golf course, while at the same type beating my good friend, who is way better than me and always beats me. Fired a 90 this week. Like I said, Un Job related...

Today, while doing these activities, writing letters, net surfing, researching, etc; my goal is to not wear a shirt the entire day. I think I can do it, as long as I don't decided to go to the store. Wish me luck. A real hero.

I'm Back

Back to the blog on this fine Monday in August. Yes, I'm aware no posts last week. If anyone is still reading and following along on this journey called On Sabbatical.

Last Monday, while leaving the gym, I got notice that I would not be invited in for an interview at Lewtan, the company I applied to for a sales position, and where I also knew several people working there. Apparently not enough of a finance background. Although deep down I knew I didn't really want the position, I would have at least liked to be asked in for an interview. But things happen for reasons, so I'm hoping, big picture, this was a good thing.

Despite perhaps not being 100% super psyched about the Lewtan position, the news last Monday kind of bummed me out. Put me in a bit of a funk. You see, I applied for 2 positions recently where I knew a lot of people employed at said company. I was hoping that the whole "its not what you know, but who you know thing" would come to play. But is hasn't yet. But I know I need to be patient during this process.

However, one of my contacts at Liberty Mutual was able to cheer me up a bit. He explained that he did not get into Liberty until the 2nd or 3rd job he applied for, despite having a very good contact high up within the company. And, as we know, I was denied for the first position I applied for. I applied for position #2 earlier today. I'm thinking I'd really like to get into Liberty Mutual. Big company, which means plenty of money to pay, lots of room for upward mobility, great benefits, and lots of positions available (not necessarily available know, but in the future) whether they are sales or marketing roles.

As with getting an interview, I know I can make a positive impact within a company once I get in front of an actual live person. This has always been the case. Just need to get the interview first.

I have been writing some good cover letters, and I believe my resume is legit. So I wait and keep my eye on prospective opportunities.

However, when I applied to Lewtan, my friend noticed a couple mistakes in my resume. Of course I should have noticed these; my friend then wondered if the CMC I hired came up with this. He did put the resume together. For all the money I paid this company, I was a little bummed that there were typos. I had proofread it, but just hadn't seen the errors. And I had been sending out this resume to numerous companies and execs...maybe they didn't notice. Even though the resume content is ultimately up to me, I was upset that the errors were there in the first place. So...confidence in calling anyone I sent the bad resumes to was, shall we say, lacking.

So last Thursday took off for a brief family vacation up to Vermont. Should have been a carefree, relaxing time, but family issues kind of stressed me out a bit. So I did escape for a day to a friends house and went up to beautiful Lake Champlain, where we took the boat out for a terrific day on the big lake. Something about being on water that has a calming effect on me.

State of mind is better starting this week so far...this question is, can I roll with it? Hopefully roll with it better than the Red Sox have been rolling since the trade deadline...