72 degrees this morning. Not raining, but still humid and the patio furniture is still moist (nothing some old newspapers won't take care of, so I"m out on the patio again!)
Saw a "1 hitter" baseball game last night. The Memphis Redbirds pitcher actually had a 8 2/3 inning no hitter and the very last batter got a hit. What a disappointment, but a 1 hitter still isn't bad! He did have a walk, so it wasn't a "perfect" game. That was the furthest I have ever personally seen a no-hit game go. One of those games where no one left early etc. It was an interesting experience, you could see the team really pull together, the outfielders were obviously at the top of their game and the team was really backing the pitcher. Of course, in keeping with tradition, the words "no hitter" were not spoken, although you could feel the interest rise as the innings progressed. Probably the last two nights were the best baseball games I have seen. If the pitcher had pitched a no hitter, it would have been the first no hitter in Memphis Redbirds history.
I'm not quite sure why I like professional baseball, since I don't really care for any other professional sport that much. I think it is the fact that it is reasonably deliberate and doesn't depend on one person (other than the pitcher) so much. On the other hand, I almost never watch college baseball, but do like some college football and basketball. I don't dislike college baseball, I just don't watch it. Maybe because it seems that baseball is a summer game.
Well it happened again. The recruiter calls, says I am one of the top qualified applicants, after it goes to the hiring people, I get an e-mail that I'm not being considered anymore. I realize there are a lot of factors that could be involved, but I have to think age is the primary reason, if not the only reason. I comfort myself by thinking I wouldn't want to work for such close-minded people anyway, but it still just isn't right (or legal, but that would be impossible to prove.) Just for fun, I have tracked the ages of the persons hired and it is all much younger applicants. I even tried to bring in specific experience, but it was hard to document. (For example, I can understand specific local situations where certain experience is desired etc.). Fortunately, I can survive, but I don't know what people in less fortunate circumstances would do. Of course, it is possible I am completely wrong, but the facts seem to say I am right. I have discussed it with other persons and have found that it doesn't necessarily apply where highly desired technical skills are desired also, but as a general rule, almost everyone else has run into the same problem. No one wants to admit it, like the huge pink elephant in the living room. However, I feel overall it will eventually create a positive situation for me.
Saw a possum or possibly a raccoon this morning in the back yard when I came out to do my exercises. (I do sit-ups and lift weights out on the patio after I walk). I stamped my feet and it kind of gave me a dirty look and sauntered off. It won't impressed. I'm not sure what it was eating, probably some bugs from the rain.
Occasionally during my walks or when I am on the patio in the early morning (I am talking about from 3 to 4 am., so it is still dark),l I hear bowling and sometimes other sounds from the forest which makes my blood run cold (usually a sound that an animal has been caught by a coyote etc.). I'm not worried about it (I don't 'think they would bother a human being), but the sounds are still evidence that the violence of nature continues in the city.
Friday. Don't have a lot planned today, catch up on some work and keep researching. I sent some appreciation notes to China, thanking some people who really make our journey much nicer. I used "Google Translator" hoping it didn't translate something I said as something I didn't mean. I sent along the English translation just in case.
i have a hard time believing it has been six months since I worked, especially the way it happened. I liken it to the Coyote and Road Runner where the Coyote is running and suddenly realizes he has run over a cliff and is running on "air". That is how sudden it was, from a full day with numerous e-mails, visits and phone calls to suddenly nothing, except what I generated myself. I have kept busy for the past six months, and can't say I have necessarily unhappy, but I keep thinking it is a temporary situation (which it is), which makes a huge difference.
I have observed, since I was in college, that major changes happen after I go through Kansas City. I'm absolutely sure there is no relationship, but every job change has come after I go through Kansas City. I went to Kansas City shortly before my job changed here. I met my first wife (and Aliene) after a trip to Kansas City. It is strange. Maybe I need to go to Kansas City. Or maybe not!
That's it for Friday, May 30, 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment