Hello once again, everybody. This post going to be about my new job. I'm working for T-Mobile at an outsourcer. I'm actually still in training (starting my 3rd week), which is in a classroom environment. At the beginning of next week, I'm going to get on the phones for the first time. I'll actually be in a department called GMA, which is where people go right after training to receive additional help for a few weeks before being put on the real production floor.

I've actually been doing very well there. I'm among the top of the class because of the speed at which I can find the policies and procedures, and with my computer background, their database is very easy to navigate. I would say that there are things I would change to make the call flow and support much easier and faster, but I'm still new, so nobody would actually listen to me.

I get this same runaround at any job that I'm at. I can enhance and secure their networks, but apparently they don't want it. For example, their network is so unsecure now that I am running a telnet server at my home and telnetting into it from work. From there, I can go outbound to ANYTHING. My class loves me for it, because we chat to each other through this server while in class, which includes getting the answers for tests. I also have outbound FTP access and the ability to browse their internal Windows network (with write access, nonetheless).

Honestly, it just makes you feel like nobody appreciates your abilities. Regardless, I know that my skills could be put to much better use off of the phones. I won't let my ego get to my head, though; I realize I'm new and should first have to "prove" myself.

Well, beyond that, I've made several new friends there and have been invited to their house a couple of times. I've also invited a couple of people to my apartment as well. For the first time in a long time I feel like I have a social life again, at least where I don't have to drive 2 hours on the weekends to see my old friends. It's definitely a good change from staying at home alone for the past 15 months.

The pay there is good, too, along with benefits. You start at $7.50/hr for training, then you get $8.50 after training. Depending on your call scores, if you can score higher than 3 (on a 1 to 5 scale), you'll make $9.50 for the month. They also offer optional overtime at times, so if you're making $9.50/hr when you take the overtime, your next check is going to be really fat. As for the benefits, I don't really care about them because I'm already completely covered on everything through Kim's job.

Oh yes, my birthday was yesterday. I'm on a new computer now (from my Dad), and I'm loving it. It wasn't a big party or anything. In fact, my parents both came to stay the night Saturday night, so you can count getting drunk for my birthday out. It was nice to see them, though, so it was worth it.

Who'd have guessed a new post? No, this blog isn't dead, nor will it ever be. Anyway, just a few updates.

First, we've moved. What fun that was. We're in a great apartment, but I'm not too fond of the manager. For some reason, we've had problems here for upward of 3 months, yet they haven't been fixed yet (and by problem, I don't mean complex). First, our stove is screwed up, then there's the fact that all of our electrical outlets are loose. There's more problems, these are just the 2 major ones. They should have easily been fixed in the 3 months we've been here (and yes, they ARE in our work-order).

Second, Kim and I both have jobs now, and we've hired a babysitter to come to our house to babysit while we're away. I think she's done a great job so far, as does Kim. I haven't been away from Elise for 15 months now, so it feels very awkward to suddenly have only a couple of hours a day with her (if even that).

Third, we're working on owning a house, but to do this, we have to both fix our credit. We've gone to a credit counselor already, who is looking through both of our credit reports to start setting up a consolidated payment with them. Ouch, it's a tough job, because my credit is so horrible. I still owe bills from my first real girlfriend, which was years ago, for some jewelry.

Anyway, I hope you all keep revisiting my site. The 1,435 unique hits to this site kinda makes me feel good, like I'm actually giving something back to this world for once.

Oh yeah, I thought I should mention this... If you know me, then you'll understand the complete oddity of it. I found myself the organizer of a political rally for an anti-Bush thing. Believe me, President Bush is a liar on every front and has abused his power for personal gain. Just watch Loose Change for proof on this. Being "famous" isn't a good thing at all; it comes with too many responsibilities.