I think tonight's post is going to be short. With my DMV appointment on Saturday, I need the time to review the handbook when I get home. If I want any choice of posting this on time, it needs to be written briefly and early. I'm not too worried about the DMV appointment, though. As I review the handbook, stuff starts coming back that I've forgotten. All those things about signs and legal turns that everyone with a license is supposed to know but nobody seems to think about. I think I'll be alright.
…
Today being Thursday, once again, we are overwhelmed with work. Today marks the first time I've ever told a manager that I didn't think we could get everything out on time. He had come looking for someone to help out with lacking in offset printing. I had to tell him that we couldn't spare anything and that we were already short handed ourselves.
…
I'm home now, and about two and a half hours past that last paragraph. Fortunately, we got some much-needed help from a couple of other packers and were jus barely able to get everything out for today. I think the whole company (at least on the production side) is starting to feel the pinch.
Apparently, quite a number of people didn't show up today. I think I'm not the only one now who's realized how much busier we are on Thursdays than any other day. Also, digital's new third-shift cutter, Isaac, came in tonight long enough to quit. One of our cutters on second shift, Manny, thought he was kidding until he started walking away. I admitted that I've seriously thought about doing that myself, but that I wouldn't quit until I had something else to fall back on.
I joked that if I found another job tomorrow, they wouldn't see me on Monday. Lord knows I'm tempted to do that.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Work news and permits
It's almost 4:00 pm as I attempt to write today's post. I'm trying to fight off taking a nap right now.
Today's been one of those days where nothing seems to be going on at all. After the busy week I've had, it's nice to have these quiet moments. My brother is on the other side of the room from me, watching a rerun of Mr. Belvedere. He seems to be really getting into it.
…
An update to an item mentioned in last Thursday's post:
I called the number my brother Joe gave me for his boss, Dave. As I wrote previously, Joe told me his company was looking for a new person for their shipping department.
I spoke to the manager on Friday morning. When I called Dave, he told me that the owner had decided to try out her granddaughter in the position. Regardless, he asked me to send along my résumé in case anything should happen. I've prayed about it and God may open this door. However, I know that God may not mean this place for me, but I pray that I would trust Him in all things.
…
Near the end of the workday on Friday night, I told a couple of people at work that I was trying to find another job. As I got to talking to them, I realized that I was not the only person who had realized how difficult our work situation was becoming. Our workload is increasing, but our ability to come up with it has not. My fear is that eventually we are going to be perpetually behind in our work. As I think about it, we're already there, but the difference may be just how far behind we fall before it just becomes unworkable.
…
This Saturday, I have an appointment at the DMV to get my learner's permit.
I am thirty, by the way. And, I fully realize how late that is to be getting a license.
I think the reason why I haven't gotten my license sooner is that having one wouldn't have made much of a difference in my life. I don't own a car and am not likely to own one any time soon. I'm doing it now because Dad has decided to try and teach me again, and my previous permit had expired.
Today I had meant to take the time and review the handbook, but I'm already trying to shake off a headache. I've already taken the written test before, so I'm not really worried about it. Also, I have time during the week before and after work that I can use to review. The difficulty is in making the effort to review. Anyway, hopefully things will go well and that sometime within the next few months, I'll finally become a licensed driver.
Today's been one of those days where nothing seems to be going on at all. After the busy week I've had, it's nice to have these quiet moments. My brother is on the other side of the room from me, watching a rerun of Mr. Belvedere. He seems to be really getting into it.
…
An update to an item mentioned in last Thursday's post:
I called the number my brother Joe gave me for his boss, Dave. As I wrote previously, Joe told me his company was looking for a new person for their shipping department.
I spoke to the manager on Friday morning. When I called Dave, he told me that the owner had decided to try out her granddaughter in the position. Regardless, he asked me to send along my résumé in case anything should happen. I've prayed about it and God may open this door. However, I know that God may not mean this place for me, but I pray that I would trust Him in all things.
…
Near the end of the workday on Friday night, I told a couple of people at work that I was trying to find another job. As I got to talking to them, I realized that I was not the only person who had realized how difficult our work situation was becoming. Our workload is increasing, but our ability to come up with it has not. My fear is that eventually we are going to be perpetually behind in our work. As I think about it, we're already there, but the difference may be just how far behind we fall before it just becomes unworkable.
…
This Saturday, I have an appointment at the DMV to get my learner's permit.
I am thirty, by the way. And, I fully realize how late that is to be getting a license.
I think the reason why I haven't gotten my license sooner is that having one wouldn't have made much of a difference in my life. I don't own a car and am not likely to own one any time soon. I'm doing it now because Dad has decided to try and teach me again, and my previous permit had expired.
Today I had meant to take the time and review the handbook, but I'm already trying to shake off a headache. I've already taken the written test before, so I'm not really worried about it. Also, I have time during the week before and after work that I can use to review. The difficulty is in making the effort to review. Anyway, hopefully things will go well and that sometime within the next few months, I'll finally become a licensed driver.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Jobs and some news
Today, I went to lunch with my friend Aaron. Next time, we're going to In-N-Out, so he can get a Protein Burger (no bun). It's too easy to overdo the Endless Salad Bar.
I guess I should point out right off the bat that this post is going up early today as I didn't go into work. I had a headache start to develop in the top and front of my head, and those headaches tend to be intense and the ones that cause nausea for me. Not good for a loud, hot warehouse.
Anyway, I told him about the stress I've been dealing with at work. I realized that I don't really like (much less love) what I do, even if I do it well and have a good reputation. I've been frustrated by the fact that it seems like my best talents and the gifts that God has given me aren't being put to use. Most of all, I've been frustrated by having to give the job my best effort in the midst of knowing that it's not enough, and is becoming less so as time passes.
Aaron asked what I really wanted to do, if I could have any job. I had to say that I didn't really know, but that it had to be something where my gifts were being put to use, meeting needs and working to help others. Helping my friends Samantha and Joshua raise funds for their missions trip to South Africa, and later helping them with their wedding, came to mind. I enjoyed both those far more than I could've imagined, especially as someone who not long before, had next to nothing to do with other people.
He suggested that I consider trying to get on with security at our church. That's something I've considered doing, and wouldn't mind so. I know the man who heads security, as he's one of the first people I met just before I got saved. Anyway, I would do that if I could get my foot on the door there. I would really appreciate the opportunity to work in a Christian environment, if I could.
...
After I had decided not to go into work today, I got a text from my brother. It said that the shipping guy at his job had just been let go, and that if I was interested, I could get an interview on Monday morning. I need to talk to the manager tomorrow about setting it up.
Last night, I finally just prayed that God would allow me to move on from UPrinting. When I got home last night, I finally told Mom just how stressed out I've become; it's starting to affect my sleep and moods. Mom said that the Lord might be trying to teach me something. When I prayed last night, I prayed that I didn't know what God was trying to teach me; was it to be patient in my circumstances, or was it to move on, stepping out in faith? Both?
Whatever the case, this may be that answer to prayer I've been waiting for. Please pray that God's will be done in all this, that I would trust Him all the way, regardless of what happens.
I guess I should point out right off the bat that this post is going up early today as I didn't go into work. I had a headache start to develop in the top and front of my head, and those headaches tend to be intense and the ones that cause nausea for me. Not good for a loud, hot warehouse.
Anyway, I told him about the stress I've been dealing with at work. I realized that I don't really like (much less love) what I do, even if I do it well and have a good reputation. I've been frustrated by the fact that it seems like my best talents and the gifts that God has given me aren't being put to use. Most of all, I've been frustrated by having to give the job my best effort in the midst of knowing that it's not enough, and is becoming less so as time passes.
Aaron asked what I really wanted to do, if I could have any job. I had to say that I didn't really know, but that it had to be something where my gifts were being put to use, meeting needs and working to help others. Helping my friends Samantha and Joshua raise funds for their missions trip to South Africa, and later helping them with their wedding, came to mind. I enjoyed both those far more than I could've imagined, especially as someone who not long before, had next to nothing to do with other people.
He suggested that I consider trying to get on with security at our church. That's something I've considered doing, and wouldn't mind so. I know the man who heads security, as he's one of the first people I met just before I got saved. Anyway, I would do that if I could get my foot on the door there. I would really appreciate the opportunity to work in a Christian environment, if I could.
...
After I had decided not to go into work today, I got a text from my brother. It said that the shipping guy at his job had just been let go, and that if I was interested, I could get an interview on Monday morning. I need to talk to the manager tomorrow about setting it up.
Last night, I finally just prayed that God would allow me to move on from UPrinting. When I got home last night, I finally told Mom just how stressed out I've become; it's starting to affect my sleep and moods. Mom said that the Lord might be trying to teach me something. When I prayed last night, I prayed that I didn't know what God was trying to teach me; was it to be patient in my circumstances, or was it to move on, stepping out in faith? Both?
Whatever the case, this may be that answer to prayer I've been waiting for. Please pray that God's will be done in all this, that I would trust Him all the way, regardless of what happens.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Feeding (physical and spiritual)
I've got a headache that I'm having trouble shaking. I think I might be prone to them as Mom is. Maybe it's an inherited trait, as I've also inherited her looks and short neck.
…
Today I went to lunch with some friends. I'd never been to Applebee's before, and it's good to know there's at least one thing on the menu that I'd enjoy it I go again, even if it's just a cheeseburger.
I got to talking with one of the other guys, Josh Petty, about some of the things I've been dealing with lately. I told him about how I've been wanting to change jobs, and that working at UPrinting had been preventing me from attending a Bible study. I also told him how I needed those study meetings as it allowed me to interact with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and had been helping me to overcome my natural inclination to withdraw from others. I had realized that I had been suffering spiritually from the lack of interaction with others, whatever other benefits there may have been.
Josh told me that he had dealt with similar things in his own walk with The Lord, and he brought up Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rails against all wise judgment." If there were ever a Bible verse that fit me to a t, this one is it. I think I was aowing myself not to seek out opportunities for fellowship when I should have, and only now have I begun to fully realize the harm I was causing myself.
I ask for prayer, regarding wisdom on what to do, for opportunities for fellowship, for the chance to move on to some other job that would allow to pursue these things, and that I would trust God and His wisdom and goodness throughout all this.
I've had to battle through some very aggressive temptation to distrust The Lord. I described to Josh Petty as being like I was being pushed to not trust God and to grow angry at Him. Satan certainly doesn't want me to trust God, and I know early in my walk that I experienced what more mature believers described as some demonic attack. Pray that I would rely on God's protection, that I would trust in Him to be my very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
…
Today I went to lunch with some friends. I'd never been to Applebee's before, and it's good to know there's at least one thing on the menu that I'd enjoy it I go again, even if it's just a cheeseburger.
I got to talking with one of the other guys, Josh Petty, about some of the things I've been dealing with lately. I told him about how I've been wanting to change jobs, and that working at UPrinting had been preventing me from attending a Bible study. I also told him how I needed those study meetings as it allowed me to interact with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and had been helping me to overcome my natural inclination to withdraw from others. I had realized that I had been suffering spiritually from the lack of interaction with others, whatever other benefits there may have been.
Josh told me that he had dealt with similar things in his own walk with The Lord, and he brought up Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rails against all wise judgment." If there were ever a Bible verse that fit me to a t, this one is it. I think I was aowing myself not to seek out opportunities for fellowship when I should have, and only now have I begun to fully realize the harm I was causing myself.
I ask for prayer, regarding wisdom on what to do, for opportunities for fellowship, for the chance to move on to some other job that would allow to pursue these things, and that I would trust God and His wisdom and goodness throughout all this.
I've had to battle through some very aggressive temptation to distrust The Lord. I described to Josh Petty as being like I was being pushed to not trust God and to grow angry at Him. Satan certainly doesn't want me to trust God, and I know early in my walk that I experienced what more mature believers described as some demonic attack. Pray that I would rely on God's protection, that I would trust in Him to be my very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Tax time and trusting God
I have a little time during lunch at work, so I want to get tonight's post started early. I figure this gives me half a chance to actually post it before midnight.
…
On Wednesday morning, I responded to a Craigslist ad for a shipping position at some company in Chatsworth. This company apparently does the bulk (if not the entirety) of its business on eBay, selling clothes and accessories. The position itself seems to be shipping, some inventory, and possibly some eBay posting work.
I called the number in the Craigslist ad, and they asked me to send my résumé. I figured my chances are at least decent, with all the shipping experience I have. I haven't heard back from them yet, but it's only been a little over a day, and the ad was just posted a few days ago.
Please keep in prayer about this. I don't really know what I'm asking you to pray for; I guess that the Lord's will be done, whatever He means to have happen. I may want to get it, but I also realize that might not be what God means for me. If nothing else, it's been a good reminder that I'm not stuck here at UPrinting (yes, I'm writing about work again).
With all that's been going on at work, I was about convinced that I had reached burnout one year in (I've been with the company for one year as of last Tuesday, the 10th). I've felt and seen myself grow more and more bitter and frustrated with myself, my circumstances, with God Himself. I've been praying about it and examining myself and I realized that I wasn't walking in faith in The Lord. I had been getting angry and frustrated with my circumstances and had grown angry at God. I was blaming Him for my frustrations and failures, and that was hurting my trusting Him to be my "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm46:1).
...
Today, I went to see my tax preparer. Let's just say things didn't go the way I hoped.
Short version: I didn't do the best job filling out my W-4 form when I was first hired at UPrinting. Because of that minor issue (error?), they haven't been deducting very much from by bi-weekly checks. My preparer encouraged me to adjust this issue when I got to home, which I was able to do.
Anyway, because of that error, and because I was penalized for not having insurance for the full calendar year, I'm only getting back $49.00 from the federal government, and I owe the state of California $35.00. Oh well. At least I didn't have any big plans; that's not sarcasm, either. The least I would've done is put it into savings, and maybe pay some more of what I owe Mom and Dad.
I guess I should be thankful, I suppose. It's a lesson learned.
…
On Wednesday morning, I responded to a Craigslist ad for a shipping position at some company in Chatsworth. This company apparently does the bulk (if not the entirety) of its business on eBay, selling clothes and accessories. The position itself seems to be shipping, some inventory, and possibly some eBay posting work.
I called the number in the Craigslist ad, and they asked me to send my résumé. I figured my chances are at least decent, with all the shipping experience I have. I haven't heard back from them yet, but it's only been a little over a day, and the ad was just posted a few days ago.
Please keep in prayer about this. I don't really know what I'm asking you to pray for; I guess that the Lord's will be done, whatever He means to have happen. I may want to get it, but I also realize that might not be what God means for me. If nothing else, it's been a good reminder that I'm not stuck here at UPrinting (yes, I'm writing about work again).
With all that's been going on at work, I was about convinced that I had reached burnout one year in (I've been with the company for one year as of last Tuesday, the 10th). I've felt and seen myself grow more and more bitter and frustrated with myself, my circumstances, with God Himself. I've been praying about it and examining myself and I realized that I wasn't walking in faith in The Lord. I had been getting angry and frustrated with my circumstances and had grown angry at God. I was blaming Him for my frustrations and failures, and that was hurting my trusting Him to be my "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm46:1).
...
Today, I went to see my tax preparer. Let's just say things didn't go the way I hoped.
Short version: I didn't do the best job filling out my W-4 form when I was first hired at UPrinting. Because of that minor issue (error?), they haven't been deducting very much from by bi-weekly checks. My preparer encouraged me to adjust this issue when I got to home, which I was able to do.
Anyway, because of that error, and because I was penalized for not having insurance for the full calendar year, I'm only getting back $49.00 from the federal government, and I owe the state of California $35.00. Oh well. At least I didn't have any big plans; that's not sarcasm, either. The least I would've done is put it into savings, and maybe pay some more of what I owe Mom and Dad.
I guess I should be thankful, I suppose. It's a lesson learned.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Yard sales and Sizzler
I was finally able to update Mozilla Firefox on our desktop computer, which is good as Microsoft Internet Explorer couldn't even open the editing page on Blogger without developing some error. I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of having to write this post on my iPod Touch.
...
Yesterday, Mom held another fund-raising yard sale for her friend. Between items collected to sell and baked goods, coffee, and lemonade prepared by my sister and cousin, they were able to raise around $1,500.00. That was certainly an answer to prayer.
I also went to lunch with my friend Aaron yesterday. We hadn't gotten together in quite a while. It was good and edifying for both of us, and we have plans to get together again in a couple of weeks. I need these sort of get-togethers as it's too easy for me to withdraw from others, and these opportunities don't come by very often.
When he left me off, I had to help scramble to clear everything up from the sale, as it had begun to rain. We had so much stuff left, we loaded two trucks, an SUV, and our van to haul everything away. It was a long, tiring day for everyone, but it was also very fruitful, and a day where The Lord met a big need.
...
I don't have much for today. Check back on late Thursday night/very early Friday morning, when I regale you with my impending adventure to see the tax lady this Thursday morning. I'm hoping I'll get something back this year, as 2014 was the first year since 2005(!) that I worked full-time. See you then.
...
Yesterday, Mom held another fund-raising yard sale for her friend. Between items collected to sell and baked goods, coffee, and lemonade prepared by my sister and cousin, they were able to raise around $1,500.00. That was certainly an answer to prayer.
I also went to lunch with my friend Aaron yesterday. We hadn't gotten together in quite a while. It was good and edifying for both of us, and we have plans to get together again in a couple of weeks. I need these sort of get-togethers as it's too easy for me to withdraw from others, and these opportunities don't come by very often.
When he left me off, I had to help scramble to clear everything up from the sale, as it had begun to rain. We had so much stuff left, we loaded two trucks, an SUV, and our van to haul everything away. It was a long, tiring day for everyone, but it was also very fruitful, and a day where The Lord met a big need.
...
I don't have much for today. Check back on late Thursday night/very early Friday morning, when I regale you with my impending adventure to see the tax lady this Thursday morning. I'm hoping I'll get something back this year, as 2014 was the first year since 2005(!) that I worked full-time. See you then.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Dreams
As I was about to start writing tonight's post on my desktop computer, I was watching the end of the first episode of Emergency!
Unlike Dragnet and Adam-12, Emergency! is a show I actually watched when I was little. I remember when it used to run in the afternoon on KTLA Channel 5 here in Los Angeles. So really, I'm rediscovering the show. I'm think I'm going to enjoy it.
Actually, the earliest toy I clearly remember owning is a Hot Wheels car of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Squad 51 truck used on the show. I don't remember when I got it, and I lost it somewhere along the way, but it's always I've remembered after all these years.
…
In the past couple of days, I've had two extremely vivid dreams. I don't often have dreams where I recall them as vividly as if they actually happen. I don't know what or if they even mean anything, but here they are.
Dream number one:
I'm walking down the street, passing by a parking structure. I look to my left and I see a very small dog standing inside the structure. This is an extremely small dog, smaller than any dog I've ever seen. I walk over to pick it up, and it's turned into a hamster, one even smaller than usual. I walk away with it in my hand, meaning to find a box to put the hamster in. Somehow I end up walking into a large room, like one of the large rooms at our church. As I go in, some sort of class is in session, being taught by Mrs. Macaluso, my high school ASL teacher. As I settle into a chair, I realize I've forgotten about the hamster in my hand, and when I open my hand, the hamster is gone. As I start to panic, I awaken.
I couldn't begin to tell you why I had that dream or what any of it means; at least my next dream makes more sense (possibly).
Dream number two:
For some reason, I have an urgent need to contact my boss. Rather than call him, I try to send him a text message ( please note that I have never had reason whatsoever to text my boss, though I have called him a couple of times). However, I seem to have forgotten how to text. I couldn't think of how to send a message, even though I knew previously and there was no obvious reason why I should've forgotten. Also, for some reason, I'm trying to message him on some desktop computer. This dream isn't as detailed as the first dream, but it's proven to be similarly memorable.
Unlike Dragnet and Adam-12, Emergency! is a show I actually watched when I was little. I remember when it used to run in the afternoon on KTLA Channel 5 here in Los Angeles. So really, I'm rediscovering the show. I'm think I'm going to enjoy it.
Actually, the earliest toy I clearly remember owning is a Hot Wheels car of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Squad 51 truck used on the show. I don't remember when I got it, and I lost it somewhere along the way, but it's always I've remembered after all these years.
…
In the past couple of days, I've had two extremely vivid dreams. I don't often have dreams where I recall them as vividly as if they actually happen. I don't know what or if they even mean anything, but here they are.
Dream number one:
I'm walking down the street, passing by a parking structure. I look to my left and I see a very small dog standing inside the structure. This is an extremely small dog, smaller than any dog I've ever seen. I walk over to pick it up, and it's turned into a hamster, one even smaller than usual. I walk away with it in my hand, meaning to find a box to put the hamster in. Somehow I end up walking into a large room, like one of the large rooms at our church. As I go in, some sort of class is in session, being taught by Mrs. Macaluso, my high school ASL teacher. As I settle into a chair, I realize I've forgotten about the hamster in my hand, and when I open my hand, the hamster is gone. As I start to panic, I awaken.
I couldn't begin to tell you why I had that dream or what any of it means; at least my next dream makes more sense (possibly).
Dream number two:
For some reason, I have an urgent need to contact my boss. Rather than call him, I try to send him a text message ( please note that I have never had reason whatsoever to text my boss, though I have called him a couple of times). However, I seem to have forgotten how to text. I couldn't think of how to send a message, even though I knew previously and there was no obvious reason why I should've forgotten. Also, for some reason, I'm trying to message him on some desktop computer. This dream isn't as detailed as the first dream, but it's proven to be similarly memorable.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Some apologies and other things
First off, I want to apologize for not posting on Thursday as I had planned. It was extremely busy at work this last week, and on Thursday, I had to work overtime. I didn't even get home until after 11:30 pm. In the end, I decided to just wait and update everything on Sunday.
…
This is the first post on the new blog that I've had to write on my iPod Touch. Having moved to our desktop computer, I find myself preferring that to this. Of course, now the desktop isn't working, so I get the feeling today's post is going to be short. It's not easy to type a long blog post using only your thumbs.
…
I've been lonely lately. It's been a while since I've really seen any of my friends from church. I haven't had many opportunities to get together with anyone recently. Also, I haven't been able to a part of a Bible study. Please pray for me, as I'm considering asking if I can adjust my work schedule to make attendig one possible.
The monotony of work has also been wearing on me. It's getting busier and the work is getting overwhelming. I took Friday off just because I was so exhausted for the past week. I ask that anyone reading this please pray that either my work situation would improve or that I would be able to find something else.
I don't want to move on, and I do want to move on. Maybe it's that I'd rather move on under better circumstances. I do want to do something that I enjoy, and I don't enjoy what I do very much. Lord, lead me somewhere.
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