New Chapter

I received and accepted a job offer today.  Woo Hoo!  They want me to start on 1/18/2016.  When I was parked in my Mother's driveway over Christmas, one of her neighbors placed a bag of orange on my driver side mirror.  I called my Mother to let her know about the job offer, and she said the oranges were good luck.  I guess she was right.  Happy New Year to everyone!

Rejection

No, I am not talking about being turned down for a date.  I am talking about being rejected for a job.  If you apply for a job these days, they will only contact you if they want to interview you or offer a job.  If they have no interest in you, or you were rejected, it is easier for the prospective employer not to contact you at all.  It makes sense, why waste time and money contacting job applicants who have been rejected.  It is cold, and impersonal, but that is how it works now.

Done - 27 Years

I found out two weeks ago that my company had decided to terminate my employment.  My company's CEO made a general lay off announcement in the beginning of August, stating that affected employees would be notified the end of August/early September.  Today was my last day of work after 27 years.  Before I left, I shook the hand of one of the most tenured employees.  Then I decided that I wanted a hug.  I got emotional, not fully blown crying, but I was teary eyed.  I am not sure where my former company is headed, they are trying to re-invent themselves.  They are not doing good, so this may be the best for me.

Loud Neighbors

How loud is loud?  My neighbors like to sit out on their deck and play a boom box.  If I have my windows closed and I am inside my house sitting on the side of the house adjacent to their property, I can hear the boom box.  It is annoying.  Luckily, my bedroom is on the other side of the house, and they seem to shut it down after 11:00PM.

Toe Cramps

Last Wednesday evening, the toes in both my feet cramped.  First my right foot, then about one hour later, my left foot.  It was one of the most painful experiences I have had.  Today, the balls of my feet are sore.  Maybe it's time to get new shoes?

Bumps and Bruises

My bumps and bruises for 2015 are carry overs from 2014.  My car hit a deer in early November 2014, and I think it may have aggravated some previous conditions.  Yesterday was the first time I have done any resistance training since the deer accident.  My left wrist was noticeably sore on the pinky side of my hand immediately after I was finished with my work out.  I was using light weights and exercises for my back (lat pull downs, close grip pull downs).  I also did preacher curls with an EZ Bar and curl bench.  My right wrist was only slightly sore.  On my right wrist, my golfer's elbow (tendonitis) was aggravated by the car/deer accident.  Some other previous injuries include left biceps and left shoulder.  Happy New Year!

Obviously

Is it my imagination, or do all Pittsburgh area sports reporters use the word "obviously" way too much?  Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is known for his excessive use of the word "obviously" during interviews, press conferences, etc.  "Obviously" has obviously infected the vocabulary of Pittsburgh sports reporters.  I listen to all the major Pittsburgh sports media, including 93.7 the fan, ESPN 970, and Trib Live Radio/Sportstalk.  It's not my imagination, obviously.