Yes, I know. I haven’t written a post in a couple of weeks. It’s been a little hectic around here. So, I’ll make up for it today.
I have a job, finally. After a little more than four months of searching, I got a call this week. However, even that turned out to be a little weird.
Back at the end of November, I interviewed at a nearby hospital. Most of my experience is doing facility work (electrical, air conditioning, mechanical, etc) in hospitals. After really striking out looking for IT work, I turned to my old faithful. However, even that proved to be slightly difficult. Yet, this job that I applied for seemed to be a bright spot.
It didn’t take them long to call me after I applied on-line and set up an interview. I went out and met the engineering manager and his foreman. We talked for a good while. I say “we” talked. They did most of the talking. I just responded when needed. They seemed fairly impressed with my experience and the three of us got along well. They were looking for someone to handle the HVAC systems (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) for the hospital as well as the refrigeration needs. No problem. That’s right up my alley.
My little area of the crew would consist of myself and another technician. They were interested in someone that could help mentor and train the other tech as he was fairly new to the trade. There is also a tech that takes care of the preventive maintenance. It’s a small-er hospital so there is a good deal of cross over in trades and work. I kind of liked the environment and walked around with the other tech and got to know him. It sounded like a very good fit.
The only drawback to the job was that it was at a much lower pay rate than I have had. But, I was willing to work there and see how things went. I waited for them to make a decision and even called back a few times. The manager said on my last call that he thought I was number two for the job, but he wasn’t sure if the other guy would take the job. Since I heard nothing more, I blew it off and kept looking.
Near the end of December, I applied at an electrical contractor I knew of and another local hospital. The other hospital job sounded promising and would have been a better paying job. I was hopeful, but wasn’t hearing back. I received a call from the electrical contractor last week to come in and start orientation. With no other prospects, I decided to start. I went in and did the paperwork, safety training, and my physical. I would be assigned to a project manager the next day. When I got home, I put all my tools together that I was going to need and starting getting ready to go back to construction. Then the phone called.
The lady on the phone was from the first hospital I applied for, the one with the HVAC job. She wanted to offer me the job and it was a little better pay than the contractor. I said yes and called the contractor back that I wouldn’t be able to work for them. There is nothing wrong with electrical construction, but when you haven’t done it for about 30 years, it’s not the best idea. I was glad to be called by a hospital. I hoped the other hospital would call back, but I checked their on-line employment thingy today and the other guy had been selected.
I believe that’s just how God has answered my prayers. I needed a job and wanted to be where He needed me. Though I don’t know what or how that is supposed to turn out, I know now I am going to work where He has ordained. It will be hard. New people and new places. New things to do. The finances will be a struggle, but that’s nothing new either. I know He will provide what I need.
My racing and rides for this year might be off. There doesn’t seem to be a way those are going to happen just yet. However, I’ll still be out most days doing my runs and riding as many Saturdays as possible. I’ve become too accustomed and too obsessed with those two things to just give them up. During this past four months, they’ve been very important to have as part of my regimen of keeping things as “normal” as possible. So, your just going to have to put up with me coming up with other things to write about for running and cycling.
I’ll keep you posted on how the new job is going and how I’m fitting my riding and running into all that. I’m already thinking of how can I work out a route to the hospital. It’s further away, but it’s still possible. Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns while this period of my life had to happen. I sure hope that it doesn’t have to happen to any one though I know it happens every day. It’s a new year and there are new things to do. Happy running and cycling, ya’ll!
Big Man Running 